DSMbrewer
Well-Known Member
I am trying to set up a cooler for 5 gal Corney kegs and would like some advise on which cooling device is better or worse. Pro's and Con's would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!
Cheers~!
Cheers~!
Refridgerator conversion or chest freezer??
- Thread starter DSMbrewer
- Start date
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Shaggyt
Well-Known Member
In my experience, I went with the least expensive. Refrigerators on craigslist are cheaper and more frequent than freezers. Plus you then don't have to purchase a temp regulator. You can, though you would not necessarily need it.
I'm in the process of taking my CO2 tank out of the fridge, which will allow for 4 kegs on tap at once...14.2 cu. ft fridge. If you need more than that, a freezer might be the right option for you.
Whichever you choose, measure the interior first...make sure to allow space for disconnects and hoses as well.
Good luck.
I'm in the process of taking my CO2 tank out of the fridge, which will allow for 4 kegs on tap at once...14.2 cu. ft fridge. If you need more than that, a freezer might be the right option for you.
Whichever you choose, measure the interior first...make sure to allow space for disconnects and hoses as well.
Good luck.
nebben
Well-Known Member
Chest or upright freezer.
Refrigerators might be hard pressed to achieve lagering temps (if you ever want to make lagers at least).
Refrigerators might be hard pressed to achieve lagering temps (if you ever want to make lagers at least).
tnlandsailor
Well-Known Member
For fermentation, you will need an external controller regardless of which one you choose.
Upright
Pros: easy to load and makes good use of vertical space. Ball lock kegs are a little taller and narrower than pin locks, so ball locks are a good candidate for uprights. Uprights are very common, easy to find, and cheap if you shop wisely.
Cons: configuration typically requires two rows of kegs, one behind the other. Shuffling kegs around can be a pain.
Chest
Pros: makes great use of horizontal space. Even a modest sized chest freezer can hold quite a few kegs in a fairly small footprint. No shuffling of kegs required - all kegs are accessible at all times. Because they are designed to freeze, they typically have better insulation and are cheaper to run at fermentation temps.
Cons: Requires lifting kegs over the edge to load. If you ever plan on using carboys, this can be particularly dicey. Chest freezers are harder to find and may be a little more expensive. Shop around, this may be a non-issue.
Prosit!
Upright
Pros: easy to load and makes good use of vertical space. Ball lock kegs are a little taller and narrower than pin locks, so ball locks are a good candidate for uprights. Uprights are very common, easy to find, and cheap if you shop wisely.
Cons: configuration typically requires two rows of kegs, one behind the other. Shuffling kegs around can be a pain.
Chest
Pros: makes great use of horizontal space. Even a modest sized chest freezer can hold quite a few kegs in a fairly small footprint. No shuffling of kegs required - all kegs are accessible at all times. Because they are designed to freeze, they typically have better insulation and are cheaper to run at fermentation temps.
Cons: Requires lifting kegs over the edge to load. If you ever plan on using carboys, this can be particularly dicey. Chest freezers are harder to find and may be a little more expensive. Shop around, this may be a non-issue.
Prosit!
