New to keezers...looking for ideas

[Turfgrass]

I've been checking out some pictures and scanning some threads about member builds. The freezer I purchased is a white Kenmore 8.8 chest freezer. I would like to keep my 5# tank inside for now and maybe drill for tubing later. Things to consider are number of taps, collar size (2x4 or 2x6), co2 distibution and temperature control. What are some opinions to get me started?

I have an Inkbird dual stage controller but it looks like the Ink Bird stc-1000 is popular. I even saw one built into the collar of a keezer. Wondering if that is a potential hazard?? I'm only interested in cooling.

Probably go with 4 to 5 taps for a combination of stouts, IPAs and saisons.


Thank you

 

[OG-wan Kenobi]

My unit is 7cu ft I use 3 taps and it holds a reserve keg. I also keep the CO2 inside. For the collar I remember trimming an inch to get the size I wanted I cant remember if I bought 2x6 or 2x8 put a keg on the hump and measure it you will figure it out. Just think it through and build it in your head first it's not hard like you know plenty of reference out there for this.

 

[SEndorf]

I don't know why so many people put a dual stage controller in their keezer.
Keep your dual stage for your fermenter. I have a simple Johnson control for the keezer. Whatever controller you get, make sure you can set a differential so your compressor doesn't wear out, though I think most of them do now.

 

[OG-wan Kenobi]

+1 on the Johnson controller that's what I have set to 35-39

 

[day_trippr]

I have no problem with folks using dual stage controllers on keezers simply because they're so inexpensive there's no reason to go out of one's way to find a single-stage version.
Besides, Johnson single stage controllers (eg: A419) are ridiculously overpriced and make any STC or Inkbird dual stage stupid cheap by comparison...

Cheers!

 

[probablynotnick]

I agree, a dual stage isn't going to hurt anything. You just wont have anything hooked up to the heat circuit.

I ripped out the dial thermostat on the front of my keezer and made a nice wood bezel for an STC 1000 to sit there. Wired up the whole thing real simply and it gave it a nice clean look without going overboard.

 

[SEndorf]

@daytrippr thanks for the good info.
I'm a bit out of the pricing loop, as inkbird wasn't even around when I was looking at controllers.

 

[jack13]

Well, I just happen to have an 8.8 cu ft Kenmore!

Regarding your questions: Got a 6 line gas manifold. 2 x 6 collar. Pictures show the rest...

 

[mongoose33]

Check out my sig for a method to build a keezer that's easy and allows for it to be readily moved.

Here's my newest one; the glass rinser is powered by a small keg inside the keezer filled with RO water, pressurized by CO2.

 

[probablynotnick]

Mongoose, That glass rinser is RAD

 

[SEndorf]

I thought I had a really NICE looking keezer.
Until you A-holes started posting pictures.........

 

[day_trippr]

@mongoose33, any issues with that rinser tray draining due to the dead flat bottom?
I've been thinking of installing a similar, surface mount version of the same rinser (basically identical but without the under-counter mounting wing) but came across the ding that it doesn't drain well.
Also, does the rinser leak when not rinsing or does it close up tight? That was another ding - leaky rinse valve...

Cheers!

 

[SEndorf]

Also interested in this rinser design.
I've always just agitated the glasses in a bucket of sar-san like a peasant......

 

[mongoose33]

@mongoose33, any issues with that rinser tray draining due to the dead flat bottom?
I've been thinking of installing a similar, surface mount version of the same rinser (basically identical but without the under-counter mounting wing) but came across the ding that it doesn't drain well.
Also, does the rinser leak when not rinsing or does it close up tight? That was another ding - leaky rinse valve...

Cheers!

It's not the perfect design for a drain, but if I'm just rinsing a clean glass it doesn't matter much. I also sometimes will rinse a glass I've had a beer in, and then I'm giving it more water to flush the beer residue out. I drain into a milk jug, and if I was concerned about things growing in there I might use a little star-san. But I've had this for a while and there doesn't seem to be any issue with that.

At least with mine, the valve doesn't leak. I wonder if the pressure has anything to do with that. It also may have to do with how stout the return spring is.

A buddy of mine has bugged me to cut off that "wing" but it turns out it serves a purpose--I can set a glass or two on it. I haven't cut it off because I'm hoping some day to have an actual bar, and the mounting wing may come in handy then.

 

[day_trippr]

That's for all that
If I can fit one on my keezer lid I'm going to do it. Just have to scope out any interference from all that's going on in that lid.
Have to decide on pumped vs gassed next, but at least I have plenty of room to work with either...

Cheers!

 

[mongoose33]

BTW, here's what the underside/support of the rinser looks like. The rinser just sits on those two shelf brackets. Nothing holy about the design--you could use a couple of 90-degree angle brackets. In fact, I did that in my earlier iteration.

You can't see it in the pic but I've also used a small angle-bracket to tie the "wing" to the collar side with a small nut/bolt. It just sits on the brackets and I've used Command Hooks to attach it to the brackets. You can see that on the right side bracket a bit, the Command Hook are black.

If you don't tie it down securely, and don't do something to support the "wing," you'll tip it if you set a full glass on that wing. And then you'll have a mess. A friend of mine did that with my old one, and then I tied the wing to the collar so it wouldn't happen again.

BTW, for those wondering what rinser it is, here's where I purchased it:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0056HR7M6/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[day_trippr]

This is the surface mount version I'll get.
Crappy image:

Similar to my surface mount drip tray, the rinser has a threaded down rod that with the right combination of big ass SS washers and nuts will hold it tight to the lid. A bead of silicone under the edge and I should be good to go - assuming I don't have anything in the lid where the down tubes want to pass through.

I use a catch bottle for the drip tray, will tee the rinser into that drain line. I have a spare pump, have room for a bucket on the hump, might give that a try. If it doesn't work I'll go with a gassed shorty keg...

Cheers!

 

[Turfgrass]

I ripped out the dial thermostat on the front of my keezer and made a nice wood bezel for an STC 1000 to sit there. Wired up the whole thing real simply and it gave it a nice clean look without going overboard.

Any pics of the front?

 

[Turfgrass]

Well, I just happen to have an 8.8 cu ft Kenmore!

Regarding your questions: Got a 6 line gas manifold. 2 x 6 collar. Pictures show the rest...

View attachment 594359

View attachment 594364

Nice. So, you just plug the Kenmore right into your controller? What’s the dial position on the Kenmore set to? Thx

 

[jack13]

Nice. So, you just plug the Kenmore right into your controller? What’s the dial position on the Kenmore set to? Thx

I think I have it in the middle, but it doesn't make any difference because even the warmest setting is still colder than what you'll set your temp controller at.

Yep, just plug the freezer into the temp controller.

 

[probablynotnick]

Any pics of the front?

Sure, nothing fancy. Its a 7.2 cf freezer with 2x6 collar that I took a torch to before coating with poly. 2x4 base with locking casters. I popped out the dial that controlled the freezer and wired in an STC1000 set in a thin wood bezel. The tank sits outside with a "mother" regulator and there are 3 independent regs inside for each tap.

 

[Turfgrass]

Sure, nothing fancy. Its a 7.2 cf freezer with 2x6 collar that I took a torch to before coating with poly. 2x4 base with locking casters. I popped out the dial that controlled the freezer and wired in an STC1000 set in a thin wood bezel. The tank sits outside with a "mother" regulator and there are 3 independent regs inside for each tap.

View attachment 596586

Awesome