Show us your Kegerator

[cajunrph]

Whew, read them all. Many great ideas. I have about a 15cf chest freezer that will fit 6 cornys without the need for a collar. I'm wanting to do a LSU theme one. Not sure if I should build a coffin, put a collar on it or make one of those PVC bridges for the taps. How well do the PVC bridges work, and would there be a limit to the number of taps one could use on them, as long as the horizontal piece is long enough to accommodate the taps. I've all these ideas swarming in my mind. I also have a Darby Mini fridge at my store that I can jack and make two of them. I have 5 corneys now, all empty.

 

[cajunrph]

Just came up with an idea. Stay tuned for details.

 

[ArkansasRazorbacks]

I finally got my Perlick 525SS in. Waiting for my stout faucet (and nitro mix tank, and nitro reg) to serve the Norther Brewer Dry Irish Stout I cooked up over the weekend. Back to the Perlick 525SS. OH. MY. GOD. AMAZING the difference between a cheap "kit" faucet and a real faucet. The ONLY foam I got out from a warm pour (warm as in hadn't poured one in quite some time so metal of faucet warmed up) was the foam for the head. A fast, low-foam pour. SO BEAUTIFUL. Gone are the days of a foam cup to have to pour the first only to set aside to begin pouring less-foamy glasses. If you have wondered whether or not a Perlick is worth the money.... YES. IT. IS.

 

[NordeastBrewer77]

I finally got my Perlick 525SS in. Waiting for my stout faucet (and nitro mix tank, and nitro reg) to serve the Norther Brewer Dry Irish Stout I cooked up over the weekend. Back to the Perlick 525SS. OH. MY. GOD. AMAZING the difference between a cheap "kit" faucet and a real faucet. The ONLY foam I got out from a warm pour (warm as in hadn't poured one in quite some time so metal of faucet warmed up) was the foam for the head. A fast, low-foam pour. SO BEAUTIFUL. Gone are the days of a foam cup to have to pour the first only to set aside to begin pouring less-foamy glasses. If you have wondered whether or not a Perlick is worth the money.... YES. IT. IS.

Oh man, you're gonna love those. Great faucets! I'm a little jealous of the creamer faucet, that'll be a nice addition to the Guinness fridge!

 

[ArkansasRazorbacks]

Oh man, you're gonna love those. Great faucets! I'm a little jealous of the creamer faucet, that'll be a nice addition to the Guinness fridge!

I priced a huge 40cf beer gas tank (full of gas) for $130 at airgas (don't have a tank for exchange). I'm another 3.5 weeks from serving day on the stout, so I'll wait on the gas. I actually found the stout faucet for only $35+7 shipping on ritebrew.com. I think they had two more. I wanted to get it even if I had to wait a few weeks or even months to use it because that's half the price you find them everywhere else.

 

[dgrums]

Whew, read them all. Many great ideas. I have about a 15cf chest freezer that will fit 6 cornys without the need for a collar. I'm wanting to do a LSU theme one. Not sure if I should build a coffin, put a collar on it or make one of those PVC bridges for the taps. How well do the PVC bridges work, and would there be a limit to the number of taps one could use on them, as long as the horizontal piece is long enough to accommodate the taps. I've all these ideas swarming in my mind. I also have a Darby Mini fridge at my store that I can jack and make two of them. I have 5 corneys now, all empty.

I did the PVC bridge and cosmetically, I love it. Mitering 3 inch PVC was a little obnoxious but not too bad. I attached a small computer fan to circulate the cold air through the PVC. However, the three cons in terms of functionality are (1) accessing the shanks (I cut an access door in the back and put it on hinges however I have to keep it taped otherwise I lose a LOT of cold air), (2) cutting the shanks/ordering short shanks to clear the 3 inch PVC (cut mine with a hacksaw down to about 1.75". They were used so I didn't feel bad cutting them) and (3) if you don't insulate the PVC bridge well, you'll probably get a lot of condensation on the bridge. I used an old yoga mat on the horizontal and 2 verticals but the corners still condense a lot. Love the look but if I could do it again, I'd save myself the headache, time, money, and loss of cool air and install the shanks in the collar.

 

[srmcnaughton]

Hey everyone,
I've looked through the majority of pages to this thread.
My questions is....

I am looking to build a mini fridge style kegerator but would like to use a wine fridge. Both because I have access to one that will fit two cornys and a 5 pounder, and I like the look of the glass front.
Can I? Over heard that they won't chill down far enough. Mine says it will go down to 45 degrees. It has a condenser like any other mini fridge. Can I modify the thermostat Or replace it to get down to the mid thirtys?

Thanks all!!!!

 

[poislb]

Hey everyone,
I've looked through the majority of pages to this thread.
My questions is....

I am looking to build a mini fridge style kegerator but would like to use a wine fridge. Both because I have access to one that will fit two cornys and a 5 pounder, and I like the look of the glass front.
Can I? Over heard that they won't chill down far enough. Mine says it will go down to 45 degrees. It has a condenser like any other mini fridge. Can I modify the thermostat Or replace it to get down to the mid thirtys?

Thanks all!!!!

You will have to buy a temp contol unit, ranco, johnson controls A419 is what I use...

 

[srmcnaughton]

You will have to buy a temp contol unit, ranco, johnson controls A419 is what I use...

How does that work? Is it external? Where do I go about getting one?
Many thanks

 

[fireslayer]

My Sanyo 4912 build with Ranco temperature controller and tower cooler.

 

[srmcnaughton]

My Sanyo 4912 build with Ranco temperature controller and tower cooler.

But that a refrigerator which can achieve those colder temps.
Will a ranco controller permit me to achieve lower temps on a wine cooler?

 

[Pappers_]

You will have to buy a temp contol unit, ranco, johnson controls A419 is what I use...

My wine cooler has a built in digital temperature control, which works fine. No problem.

 

[enthuzed]

Here is my fridge from college. Outfitted perfectly... Custom tap handle from a block of red oak spun on the lathe and wood block painted with chalkboard paint. Put on a piece of polished copper pipe on the bottom for looks.

Instead of buying a temp controller I adjusted the small screw on the bottom to bring the temp range up. Now the fridge sits a cool 45 deg.

 

[TR34TM3NT]

Just finished this one the other day.

 

[Dan]

Nice TR!

 

[TR34TM3NT]

Thanks!

 

[ArkansasRazorbacks]

WOW!! Very nice! I am a bit jealous. My build is on the back-burner, but some day I'll get it.

Had I asked permission from my wife it never would have happened. Just had to do it. She was a little ticked when the conversion kit and decal came in. "You're ruining a perfectly good fridge." she said. Upon completion I got "Wow. It looks so much better than I was expecting. It really looks good." It could be the pregnancy hormones having her swing both ways, but I'll take it as a win.

Now she's not happy I've got a keg and homebrewing while she's pregnant and can't enjoy with me...

 

[Mishraile]

Well it happened, my amazing 40$ Craigslist deal of a steal Freezer crapped out after a month. I also noticed it was a huge power hog too, so instead of fixing it, I bought new, and smaller. I got a 8.8 c feet power efficient one, and its much prettier.

I carefully pried the collar off of the old one, and disassembled it, and cut it down to the new size, and reassembled it. Here is the new one, looking quite like the old one, but smaller, prettier and lest costly!

I think I can get 4 kegs inside, and possible 5th on the shelf if I wanted to but only 2 for now.

Still need a drip tray and to finish my redwood handles.

 

[MrTheKing]

Signed the lease for a ski condo this year with a few friends - decided that no ski condo would be complete without it's own kegerator.

This guy can fit 4 kegs with the tank outside, but I think i'm going to stick with just three to keep it neat. Off to RiteBrew for some gear - i'll be painting and building the collar for this before GABF Saturday

 

[jajao44]

What kind of freezer is that MrTheKing? I think I'd like a chest big enough for 2 or 3 kegs but I'm kind of leaning towards and stand up freezer to have shelves and do lagering.

 

[MrTheKing]

I'll have to check when I get home, but it's a 5.4 cu ft. It's pretty old, a FrigidAire spinoff I believe.

 

[Clonefan94]

The main fridge is an old Summit kegerator from about 12 years ago. Fits 3 Corny kegs so I finally converted it and started brewing this past summer.

I'll put a couple more pics up of the entire fridge later.

 

[Cincy17]

Just finished this Saturday. It's the Kenmore Elite 4.9 cu ft like the Sanyo 4912. Got it used/like new for $60.

 

[dgrums]

Just finished this Saturday. It's the Kenmore Elite 4.9 cu ft like the Sanyo 4912. Got it used/like new for $60.

Really nice work. I'm guessing the draft tower is 3 or 4 inch PVC? I'm using the same PVC base as yours to attach both ends of my draft tower. I thought they looked familiar. What are those spacers you have on your faucets/shanks? I had 4 inch shanks but they wouldn't fit in my PVC so I cut them down to around 2 inches. Had I though of using spacers like that, I wouldn't have needed to cut the shanks. Good build

 

[ajwillys]

Really nice work. I'm guessing the draft tower is 3 or 4 inch PVC? I'm using the same PVC base as yours to attach both ends of my draft tower. I thought they looked familiar. What are those spacers you have on your faucets/shanks? I had 4 inch shanks but they wouldn't fit in my PVC so I cut them down to around 2 inches. Had I though of using spacers like that, I wouldn't have needed to cut the shanks. Good build

I hate to speak for him, but they look like tower shanks:
http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/taps-faucets-pid-4329A-3E.html

 

[cardinalsfan]

Here's mine. Kenmore 4.6 cu ft stainless steel front mini fridge. I'll be able to fit 3 kegs in there, one 5 gallon and two 2.5 gallon. I'll add the 3rd tap to the top of the tower when I get some more cash.

This will go into a bar I'm working on. The bar is going into a closet in the dining room. Should be nice when it's all done and I'll post pics.

 

[dgrums]

I hate to speak for him, but they look like tower shanks:
http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/taps-faucets-pid-4329A-3E.html

Makes sense. Thanks

 

[Cincy17]

Really nice work. I'm guessing the draft tower is 3 or 4 inch PVC? I'm using the same PVC base as yours to attach both ends of my draft tower. I thought they looked familiar. What are those spacers you have on your faucets/shanks? I had 4 inch shanks but they wouldn't fit in my PVC so I cut them down to around 2 inches. Had I though of using spacers like that, I wouldn't have needed to cut the shanks. Good build

Thanks. Yep, it's 3" PVC pipe for the tower. I just wish I could have found a cap for it that went inside the pipe instead of the cap I used.

I hate to speak for him, but they look like tower shanks:
http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/taps-faucets-pid-4329A-3E.html

What he said. They are elbow/tower shanks. Found them pretty cheap from homebrewing.org

 

[Canadianbrewer2012]

I was hoping there was a thread like this on homebrewtalk.com! this is my kegerator I made out of an old fridge from my parents basement ... I have this one for my garage and am now looking for ideas for my next project for my basement bar... Not as nice as a lot of the ones on here but it's the perfect addition to my garage!

 

[ArkansasRazorbacks]

I was hoping there was a thread like this on homebrewtalk.com! this is my kegerator I made out of an old fridge from my parents basement ... I have this one for my garage and am now looking for ideas for my next project for my basement bar... Not as nice as a lot of the ones on here but it's the perfect addition to my garage!

Rockin' the cobra tap inside, eh?