running beer taps through freezer?

[sideshow_ben]

I got a fridge-door conversion kit for my birthday but am missing the fridge. I wanted an upright freezer but the shelves are always coolant tubing so they can't be bent or removed easily. So I looked at a mid-size all-fridge (no freezer) but they are pricey! So now I am thinking of buying a mid-size 2-door fridge with freezer on top and running the unit off of a digital thermostat with the freezer set to its warmest setting. Has anyone tried running their draft lines up through the freezer section so the taps come out of the top door? I have little kids so I really need the height but I worry about freezing or overchilling the lines even with the digital therm on the fridge and warmest setting on the freezer.

-ben

p.s. I am aware of risks of drilling through the fridge-freezer interface so that isn't my question here.

 

[Suthrncomfrt1884]

As long as your freezer is about 31-32F, you shouldn't have a problem, but much lower and you'll risk freezing the beer that's in that section of the line. It would definately keep your taps cold though, which would be nice.

I'd check to see how high the thermostat will go. Otherwise buy a temp controller.

 

[integrator]

FYI, you can get a small dorm-style fridge and bend that freezer plate, you just can't crease it. I got one for $20 on craigslist. There is also a thread in the DIY section for a fridge that holds cornies and doesn't have a freezer section. It's under $200.

To your original post, you just have to try it out. WHich could have you wasting some money on a fridge that may or may not work.

I'm pretty sure they make tap locks that you could install also, for the kids.

 

[KyleWolf]

I picked up a 10cu ft Magic Chef freezer on top fridge for $300 and there is no coolant lines running between the fridge and freezer, just styrofoam. I currently have my lines running through to the freezer. Also, it fits 4 cornies perfectly . And I still have room for my hops and yeast bank in the freezer. might want to look at it.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...Flow=3&catalogId=10053&langId=-1&ddkey=Search

it doesn't get the best reviews, but I will say that I havent had any trouble with it.