So last November my youngest son got married. The reception was at a really nice building on the beach. The huge outside covered porch facing the water was where the bar and drinks were served. My son and daughter-in-law wanted me to make an English Brown Ale to be served at the wedding. My son (the groom) and I brewed the beer and I needed a portable kegerator to keep the beer cold and it had to be able to dispense the beer with C02 gas. It also had to hold a full 5 gallon corny keg. Everywhere I searched I found coolers that would fit a 2.5 gallon keg but not a 5 gallon one.
Prior to this I saw the September 2016 issue of "Brew Your Own" magazine and they had a an article in the projects section by Peter Nichols. I knew right away that this was the solution to my problem. Thanks Peter! I built this portable keg cooler and it came out great and worked flawlessly at the reception. It kept the beer cold literally all day when filled with ice and there were no foaming issues and everyone loved the beer.
I thought I would post how I built this in case anyone else wants to make one for a long weekend getaway, camping trips, hunting and fishing cabins, a friend's party, or whenever one would want to take a full keg with them. I followed Peter's build instructions in the article and here is how I made mine.
Parts & Tools Needed:
(2) 10 gallon (38-L) Water Coolers with screw tops (I got mine at Home Depot)
(1) 3 1/8 inch Beer Shank with 90 degree tail piece
(1) Beer Faucet with handle
(1) 2 7/8 inch Bulkhead Adapter (1/4 inch male flare fitting)
(1) Gas Keg Post Adapter (1/4 inch female flare fitting, so you can use a gas quick connect for the gas line)
(1) Large tube of 100% Silicone sealant
(1) Angle Grinder or saw capable of cutting a 2 inch (5-cm) depth
(1) Power Drill with a 7/8 inch and 1/2 inch wood boring bits
(1) Dremel with cutting blade
(1) Tape Measure
(1) Sharpie)
(1) 4 1/2 foot piece of string or twine
Using a Sharpie, draw a line all around one cooler 11 1/2 inches (29cm) below the top with the lid on. I used a piece of string and tied it around the cooler at the right height. The string held tight against one of the grooves in the cooler, and then using the string I traced the line around the string and it transferred to the cooler. I then used an angle grinder with a cut off wheel and slowly cut along the line I made with the Sharpie. The plastic will cut and also melt a little as you go and there will be orange plastic shavings, and insulation foam all over the floor so be prepared for a mess. You may want to wear a mask as well or you will breathe the particles in as you make the cut.
Prior to this I saw the September 2016 issue of "Brew Your Own" magazine and they had a an article in the projects section by Peter Nichols. I knew right away that this was the solution to my problem. Thanks Peter! I built this portable keg cooler and it came out great and worked flawlessly at the reception. It kept the beer cold literally all day when filled with ice and there were no foaming issues and everyone loved the beer.
I thought I would post how I built this in case anyone else wants to make one for a long weekend getaway, camping trips, hunting and fishing cabins, a friend's party, or whenever one would want to take a full keg with them. I followed Peter's build instructions in the article and here is how I made mine.
Parts & Tools Needed:
(2) 10 gallon (38-L) Water Coolers with screw tops (I got mine at Home Depot)
(1) 3 1/8 inch Beer Shank with 90 degree tail piece
(1) Beer Faucet with handle
(1) 2 7/8 inch Bulkhead Adapter (1/4 inch male flare fitting)
(1) Gas Keg Post Adapter (1/4 inch female flare fitting, so you can use a gas quick connect for the gas line)
(1) Large tube of 100% Silicone sealant
(1) Angle Grinder or saw capable of cutting a 2 inch (5-cm) depth
(1) Power Drill with a 7/8 inch and 1/2 inch wood boring bits
(1) Dremel with cutting blade
(1) Tape Measure
(1) Sharpie)
(1) 4 1/2 foot piece of string or twine
Using a Sharpie, draw a line all around one cooler 11 1/2 inches (29cm) below the top with the lid on. I used a piece of string and tied it around the cooler at the right height. The string held tight against one of the grooves in the cooler, and then using the string I traced the line around the string and it transferred to the cooler. I then used an angle grinder with a cut off wheel and slowly cut along the line I made with the Sharpie. The plastic will cut and also melt a little as you go and there will be orange plastic shavings, and insulation foam all over the floor so be prepared for a mess. You may want to wear a mask as well or you will breathe the particles in as you make the cut.
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