Oster Kegerator

[importmonkey]

So I did my conversion a while ago, but finally got the kegs today.

I bought 3 Osters:
1 for 1/4 keg Yuengling + 5# CO2 (8# NO2 tank in there waiting for Guinness)
1 for two 1/6 kegs + 5# CO2 (Woodchuck Cider, Dominion Lager)
1 for white wines, sodas, juices, etc.

I built mine into the bar and made a custom tap box instead of a tap tower. So far, it's working out great.

One thing though!
I followed the direction of others who converted this mini fridge and found one major difference. Two 1/6 kegs (not the soda version) does fit...but barely! I even had to shave most of the door off for it to close all the way. Don't be discouraged, but be prepared to do some last minute hacking to get everything to fit.

The 1/4 keg fits really well. I shaved out the door where the half-shelves are and it seems to fit just fine. More pics coming soon.

 

[todd6678]

so lets talk mounting caster on the Oster. What size screws would be best fit for both the front and back. Also does anyone have any recommendations for railings to be installed. I'm thinking of using a strip of wood to mount them (much like the tower) so it would be harder to break them if you hit it on the side.

 

[RedOctober]

Can anyone advise:


Will a #10 CO2 tank fit inside with the 2 cornies??

 

[jma99]

I have an oster and it fits two cornys with the 5lb CO2 tank resting on the shelf that covers the compressor.

No way you are going to fit a 10lb tank in there.

You could have it outside the fridge and just drill an additional hole.....

 

[RedOctober]

Thanks Jma

 

[MikeG]

so lets talk mounting caster on the Oster. What size screws would be best fit for both the front and back. Also does anyone have any recommendations for railings to be installed. I'm thinking of using a strip of wood to mount them (much like the tower) so it would be harder to break them if you hit it on the side.

Check out random.tards post on page #2 of this thread, he references the casters there. He doesn't post the exact upc for the casters but they look like 2" (125lb) casters you can find at Home Depot.

 

[underwaterdan]

Hi all, I am new here, did a ton of research and looks like the Oster might be the fridge for me because I can't find the sanyo anywhere, and believe it or not CL has nothing in my area, and I don't know how long I can wait to get mine . I am going to put in 2 cornie's in there with a 5lb c02 tank, which everyone agrees will fit, in addition I am planning on running a water line (like the one into an ice maker) and run that to one of my taps. So I will have 2 beer and one water tap. There is a story behind why, but I will spare you. Can anyone that has one tell me if there is a good enough place to run a water line into the fridge? Thanks...

 

[Sparky]

I did the Oster conversion a couple weeks ago. Here are some changes and results:

- Dual tower with Perlick's
- Peeled off the front Oster sticker (easy to do)
- Tower fan: I installed a 120V computer (small) fan, which eliminated the AC-DC conversion. However, if I have the fan on, the temperature in the fridge actually goes up! I think this is due to too much circulation (tower, metal, exposed). So, fan is off.
- My fridge is set at 1 1/2 on the dial. This gets me 44F which is good for me. I don't like my beer too cold. But, not much wiggle room if I ever want it colder.

My only regret is not having 3 taps, since SWMBO loves fizzy water (and the ESB). Gotta have at least two beers on tap! Oh well, next time.

 

[schupaul]

How do you get that low. I have mine cranked and only get 38. I added a tower fan a bit differently though. I added copper pipe with T's just inside and extended it along the ceiling a bit more. I then added a 3 straight piece connected to the fan and blows air up the tower. I also jumper wired the fan right in the black and white wires so I could keep the frige light. No foaming problems what so ever and beer is plenty cold. I wonder if I have a bum thermostat if I am cranked up and only getting that temp. I do have 2 full cornies in it though.

 

[bulletproof4age]

Can anyone comment on the overall quality of the Oster? Best Buy has some pretty bad reviews with the majority taking a dump in the first few months. Some other thread I read said that it was pretty loud as well.

 

[AZROB]

I have the oster and have not had any problems. I did a under counter setup where my tap handles come thru the door on the fridge. word of advice DO NOT drill thru the side of the fridge I killed the first one this way... not sure if you can run co2 thru the drain I will research this on the Oster I destroyed..

 

[Sparky]

How do you get that low. I have mine cranked and only get 38.

I have only gotten down to 42F. I like my beer around 45F, so have not pushed it lower. But, I think you are doing quite well at 38.

I will try my tower cooling again, but was dismayed when the fridge got warmer while it was on! I thought this may be due to the tower acting as a giant heat sink (room temp is 70F). More research to be done...

 

[kcinpdx]

I did the conversion a few months back and have been very happy. I did a dual tower with perlicks, and did not put in a fan. I had intended on it, but it was not necessary. Find a 10% coupon (all over the web for Best buy) - I got mine for 188$

 

[storm1477]

Just an update for those for you wanting an Oster 5 CF. Best Buy has put these on clearance (at least in the Denver area). I picked up 2 of them for $183 each with tax.

 

[bulletproof4age]

hmm..wonder if that is an in store only thing. Online still has them at $209.

 

[storm1477]

Yeah. I actually ordered one online for $209, then when I got to the store they gave me the lower price.

 

[Brewme]

Anyone have advise on how to run lines outside the fridge for a 20# co2 tank? I just picked up the fridge here in Salt Lake for $209...I'm going back tomorrow to get the better price. That is BS!

Oh ya, one thing that bothers me...in my research about where to find refrigerant lines, I went to the Oster website and found out the 1 year warranty is no good b/c the company that made these filed ch. 11 BK and is out of business. Once you start drilling, it voids everything anyway, I just thought people would want to know there will likely not be any new Oster fridges for a while.

 

[storm1477]

I ran all of my lines through the tops. Mine are installed under my bar, so I have no issues of being able to see the lines.

 

[Jif]

Really glad I re-read this thread. I had heard all the cooling was in the back, so that drilling in the sides for a Co2 line would be okay! Saved me a busted fridge.

I'm planning on getting a 15# or 20# tank and running the tank and the reg outside the fridge. Would I have to run two Co2 lines from the outside if I wanted to separately regulate the two kegs? I hear leaving the reg on the outside results inuch better accuracy. Is it enough that I should be worrying about it?

 

[MoRoToRiUm]

If anyone is adventurous/wanting to drill elsewhere, check out https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/sanyo-4912-kegerator-conversion-19762/?highlight=sanyo+4912+conversion and the corn starch slurry method for identifying coolant lines. Hope this helps some one!

 

[storm1477]

I wish I had seen that earlier. It would have made my connections a LOT easier.

Thanks for the link.

 

[ethan]

Picked up the Oster at Best Buy this evening. It was marked $169 on clearance but a storewide 10% on clearance items brought the price to about $153.

I swapped the orientation of the door. The instructions for doing so were quite slim, so let me relay the following tip for removing the top cover: after removing the three screws in the back, peel up the back of the cover a bit and slide it toward the front; there are three keyhole fasteners underneath.

 

[bulletproof4age]

I have an oster and it fits two cornys with the 5lb CO2 tank resting on the shelf that covers the compressor.

No way you are going to fit a 10lb tank in there.

You could have it outside the fridge and just drill an additional hole.....

I was able to fit a 10lb tank in mine with little problems. I will post pictures soon. Entire conversion took a couple hours.

Edit: To clarify...that is a 10lb tank and 2 cornys.

 

[Jif]

I ended up running my co2 outside through the drain hole, worked really well and gave me room for fanbox and some extra room on the hump.

 

[EonBlue66]

I was able to fit a 10lb tank in mine with little problems. I will post pictures soon. Entire conversion took a couple hours.

Edit: To clarify...that is a 10lb tank and 2 cornys.

Good news there! looking forward to the pics!

 

[yuf]

Any confirmation if a 1/4bbl pony keg will fit in the Oster? Does it require a stand so that it will sit over the compressor in the back? Or removal of any part of the door insides?

 

[MikeG]

Two corny kegs, I think slight thinner than the 1/6 kegs barely fit and that's after the door switch/thermostat relocation. If my gas/beer tube get down below the top of thekeg they pinch, it's that tight.

 

[Joeywhat]

DOH! Wrong button...

 

[jsparks]

Just curious as to how the quality of this fridge is holding up...the reviews at Bestbuy.com are pretty bad. Anyone hear having issues with it dying after 6months?

 

[storm1477]

Can't say anything about 6 months, but the 2 that I bought 3 months ago are holding up so far. I guess it's time to go knock on some wood having said that.

Storm