Sizing your Chest Freezer for Corny Kegs

Williams 728
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rodd said:
I picked up a Sunbeam 7.2 at Menards for $198. I am convinced it is the same as the Magic Chef. I can fit 4 on the floor and 2 on the hump with a collar, or a 1/2 bbl on the floor, and 2 cornys on the hump, plus 5 lbs of CO2 with dual primary. I imagine that this would only be true with ball lock, as the kegs are pretty tight side by side when two deep. I can take pictures if it would help anyone.
Click to expand...

I think rodd is probably right that the sunbeam 7.2 is the same as the Magic Chef...although I have only seen the Sunbeam in person.

What has sold me on this one is the ability to also fit a 1/2 bbl should I ever want to - Thanks for mentioning that, rodd - I wouldn't have found this freezer without your post, I think. Have you tried putting a 1/2 bbl in it yet? I'm wondering if there is enough room for the tap/hose without going to a low profile tap.

I went to Menards and measured the internal dimenions.
The deep part is 17"D x 20"W x 27"H.
The shelf area is 17"D x 8.5" W x 19"H (distance from shelf to lid)

These are slightly conservative - about a quarter inch extra may be available in the inside height and depth.

I measured my friend's 1/2 bbl and with the hose out the top it was about 27.5", so I'm thinking I might get away with the the hose being pushed down a quarter of an inch. I guess worst case scenario is I have to get an elbow or a low profile tap.
 
senorswiss said:
I think rodd is probably right that the sunbeam 7.2 is the same as the Magic Chef...although I have only seen the Sunbeam in person.
What has sold me on this one is the ability to also fit a 1/2 bbl should I ever want to - Thanks for mentioning that, rodd - I wouldn't have found this freezer without your post, I think. Have you tried putting a 1/2 bbl in it yet? I'm wondering if there is enough room for the tap/hose without going to a low profile tap.
Click to expand...

I had a 1/2 bbl in it for a while, and it worked great, but I do have a collar. i couldn't tell you if it would fit with coupler without the collar. Below are a couple pictures, I hope they help. Let me know if you have questions. I have been very happy with it.

4516692316_c3b14b7704.jpg
4282024644_443b03ac2f.jpg

4282025936_b4bee814fc.jpg
 
Thanks for the pics. I guess I'll just wait and see how it fits and add a collar or go low profile if needed. I was planning on only doing a coffin, but maybe I'll add a collar too...it would be nice to be able to still have a couple of cornies in there even with a 1/2 bbl.
 
LTownGarageBrewery said:
Quarter-barrel size will not fit. The 7 cu ft is only 15" wide on the inside, and the quarters are bigger than that.

Keezer51.jpg
Click to expand...

I too am looking at the cheap GE 7 cu ft, but why is this guy's measures different than Jakethehopdog's?

BTW, I am looking for a good chest freezer that will fit at least 2 corny's, 1/4 bbl, and 5# tank.

I realize i might need to make a frame for the 1/4 bbl off the hump.
 
smarek82 said:
I too am looking at the cheap GE 7 cu ft, but why is this guy's measures different than Jakethehopdog's?
Click to expand...

I think it has to do with which model you look at. The one at Sam's Club (With a lock) is different than the one I got at Home Depot (No lock). Notice the one shown above has a fence at the hump. Mine does not. Two different freezers. Wife has soom pie tins that are 9”. I took them with me and dropped them in the freezers to see how many would fit. The Sales Girl at HHGregg thought I was nuts, but hey, it worked.

And yes, a 1/4 barrel won't fit as it is a bit over 16" wide. Slim 1/4 will fit.

KegSizes.jpg
 
HaHa...Pie tins. Good show sir!!!

Anyway... that seems very strange that it is the same freezer except for the lock which could change inside dimensions. I could get an 8.8 frigidaire off craigslist for $150 that was bought in 2007. I am waiting to see if the seller will provide me with internal dimensions in order to fit my future keezer build. If the 8.8 won't fit 2 corny's, 1/4bbl, and 5# CO2, then I will check out home depot for the GE 7 cu ft.
 
Point taken....I'm still gonna wait on that 8.8 frigidaire to see how the ID's looks. That is if the folks selling it to me are smart enough to measure inside with the 'hump' included.

But I do love your measurements inside that freezer! HD it might be.... Thanks.....SM

BTW....how do u like florida....I would LOVE to move south....furthest i've been was savannah, ga and I loved that!!!

Thanks,

SM
 
It's OK. Hot as hell in the summer, but no snow in winter! Hurricane season can be a bit stressful, too. Not trying to say don't come to FL, but you better have a job lined up first. Unemployment in FL is one of the highest in the country. Over 14% in the Tampa area. That sucks.
 
Here is my keezer. It's a Holiday LCM070LC available from Lowes. It fit's three cornies, plus a 5 lb tank with plenty of room for bottles or 4 cornies and a 5lb tank with a collar.

100_1797.jpg


Now that it's getting warm out, I think I'm gonna turn this into a fermentation chamber and get something smaller for my cornies. Anyone have suggestions for a 5ish cubic foot chest freezer that can fit at least 2 cornies?
 
Holiday 5.0 Cu. Ft. Model #LCM050LC at Lowes for $159.
GE 5.0 Cu. Ft. Model #FCM5SUWW at Home Depot for $168 or $156 at Sams Club.

Either one should hold 2 cornies.

Or you may get lucky and find something on Craigslist.
 
JakeTheHopDog said:
Holiday 5.0 Cu. Ft. Model #LCM050LC at Lowes for $159.
GE 5.0 Cu. Ft. Model #FCM5SUWW at Home Depot for $168 or $156 at Sams Club.

Either one should hold 2 cornies.
Click to expand...

I went to Lowes over the weekend and can confirm that the Holiday LCM050LC will fit at least 2 cornies (possibly three with a collar). Unfortunately, I also realized I don't have any circuits available in my apartment that can safely accommodate a chest freezer... back to the drawing board for me.
 
These are a different design than the 2008 vintage which has some images posted earlier in this thread.

buy 'em today if you want the rebate. I got the 5ft. and it's working well but the build quality is obviously not commercial grade. The thickness of all the internal and external cladding is less than that of the Fridgidaire it is replacing. I do feel happy to not pay for a feature I don't need: self-defrost.

5 CU. FT.
IMG_0447.JPG


IMG_0443.JPG

7 CU FT.
IMG_04462.JPG


IMG_0445.JPG
 
I'm going with the 7.0 GE from HD. My question for you gurus is how did you mount the thermostat?

I have the Johnson Control A19AAT and my plan was to drill a hole on a bottom corner and just feed the copper sensor through. Good? Bad? Maybe?

Thanks in advance!
 
NO! DO NOT DRILL INTO THE FREEZER COMPARTMENT. :eek:

The cooling coils surround the freezer and if you drill into one of the the lines, you'll have a $200, 100LB paper weight. Just hang the temperature probe over the side and close the lid on it. My lagering freezer is set that way and it works great. If you have a collar, you can drill a hole in it and feed the temperature probe through it. I keep the probe near the bottom, since cold air sinks. On my Keezer, I'm putting a small computer fan inside to circulate the air.
 
JakeTheHopDog said:
NO! DO NOT DRILL INTO THE FREEZER COMPARTMENT. :eek:

The cooling coils surround the freezer and if you drill into one of the the lines, you'll have a $200, 100LB paper weight. Just hang the temperature probe over the side and close the lid on it. My lagering freezer is set that way and it works great. If you have a collar, you can drill a hole in it and feed the temperature probe through it. I keep the probe near the bottom, since cold air sinks. On my Keezer, I'm putting a small computer fan inside to circulate the air.
Click to expand...

Glad I asked! Had my caulk primed and ready to go!

Thanks for the warning! I'll just drop it in.

Thanks !
 
Glad I could help save you a lot of frustration. And $200. :mug:
Be sure and start a thread of your build and post pictures. Everyone loves Beer/Keezer/Kegerator porn! :D
 
frigidaire FFFC05M2KW holds two cornies and a 5# co2 container on the floor, and could easily hold another on the hump with a collar.
DSC_0043.jpg


test fit of course, i'll make it all purdy as soon as i have some time.:mug:

thing runs very efficiently and quietly as well. my last freezer was a big hunkin old thing, and for a hile i thought the new one had blown a fuse or somehting because it wasn't turning on all the time.

new i guess i gotta get back to brewing after my year hiatus!:ban:
 
Hi all.

I just purchased a Frigidaire 7.0 (model # FFC0723DW). The plan was to first get the smallest keezer that could fit a 1/2Keg (of Stone Ruination). I sure hope this thing can fit that -- I'm measuring 16.5 x 18.75 x 28 for (WxDxH). This is below the compressor hump. I got a dual faucet tower tap to install. After the Ruination is gone, I want to switch 2 homebrew in 1/6 kegs.

The goal is to add another dual faucet tower and support 4 1/6ers. Has anyone got this setup? I'd rather not add a collar -- but could if need be.... or maybe I'll just quit homebrewing and just keep the thing filled with the Ruination... ;-)
 
ThompsonGunner said:
Hi all.

I just purchased a Frigidaire 7.0 (model # FFC0723DW). The plan was to first get the smallest keezer that could fit a 1/2Keg (of Stone Ruination). I sure hope this thing can fit that -- I'm measuring 16.5 x 18.75 x 28 for (WxDxH). This is below the compressor hump. I got a dual faucet tower tap to install. After the Ruination is gone, I want to switch 2 homebrew in 1/6 kegs.

The goal is to add another dual faucet tower and support 4 1/6ers. Has anyone got this setup? I'd rather not add a collar -- but could if need be.... or maybe I'll just quit homebrewing and just keep the thing filled with the Ruination... ;-)
Click to expand...

I have a a freezer that I converted. I built a collar for it. I really like the collars because you are not cutting any holes in the freezer. You should be fine with a tower tap. There is nothing important in the lid you have to worry about cutting. Good luck.
 
Here's a picture of the Kenmore model 16342 - 13 cu. ft. chest freezer. Without modification, seven ball lock cornies and a decent size CO2 tank will fit (my 15 lb will fit, but another keg would not).

Knmr13cuft.jpg
 
Looks like the Holiday freezers are back on sale at Lowes. May have to go pick up the 7 cu ft one for 169 and start my Keezer project. :)
 
sirquack said:
Looks like the Holiday freezers are back on sale at Lowes. May have to go pick up the 7 cu ft one for 169 and start my Keezer project. :)
Click to expand...

I have the 7 cuft Holiday from Lowes and just wrapped up the build of my keezer. Just FYI, it BARELY fits 4 cornies. I had to take a mallet and bend part of the compressor hump in about 1/2" to get the 4th keg in. Made it thought. :rockin:
 
Sol said:
I have the 7 cuft Holiday from Lowes and just wrapped up the build of my keezer. Just FYI, it BARELY fits 4 cornies. I had to take a mallet and bend part of the compressor hump in about 1/2" to get the 4th keg in. Made it thought. :rockin:
Click to expand...

Can I assume no mods to fit 3 with a CO2 tank?

Also, can you fit any with a carboy?
 
One thing that just dawned on me is since I won't have anything to keg for a couple months I can use this as a fermentation chamber (with the thermostat) and finally make an Oktoberfest which will be impossible to screw up.
 
Question on the Holiday 7.0 CF.
I'm reading it holds 4 cornys with no collar. I'm just confused on the collar part.

When you say that, are you saying the corny's don't have collars (i.e. the black rubber handle part)?

Or meaning 4 cornys fit in the fridge before you mod it with a keezer collar?

Thanks!
 
I just picked up the holiday 7.0 at lowes but was tempted by the 5.5 dunbar at HHgreg for 159 and rebate. I just hate rebates so bad and was tired of being claustrophobic with my old dorm fridge. Not sure whether the 5.5 would fit 3 kegs on the floor either.
 
I just found a 20+ cubic foot Kenmore unit on Craig's list for $100 but it is 90 minutes away. I have not yet built a keezer but have been looking CL to try to find a used chest freezer to hold up to 4 cornies. Will this size be overkill for what I need? I have not yet try lagering but I don't know if this is just too much unneeded space.

Here are the interior dimensions:

Inside is 22" wide by 42 1/2 long. The end where the small shelf is 18 1/2 deep
Other end is 28 1/2 in deep
 
If you are going to do a collar a 7 cubic foot will easily fit 4 cornies. Why cool that much space? Pay $180 at Lowes and get the new one. I wouldn't pay over 50 for a used one covered with rust.
 
It looks to me like the GE at HD is exactly like the Holiday at Lowes. I am thinking they are made at the same sweat shop. The 7 cubic foot fits three on the floor no problem. An 8 inch collar will fit 4, not sure if you can jam 4 on the floor because I don't have 4 yet.

PUI= posting under the influence.
 
I have read the whole thread and I am disappointed to find out that the new hump on the 5 cu. ft. ones no longer hold 3 cornies without a collar. Has anyone been able to confirm if there are any other 5ft. ones out there now that will hold 3 without a collar?
 
I'm in the market for a four-on-the-floor freezer. I want a nice, easy fit for 4 ball-lock cornies on the floor.

The Magic Chef 7.2cu on the main page of this thread would be perfect, but I can't seem to find that one available anymore.

What models out there these days can accommodate?
 
rmchair said:
It looks to me like the GE at HD is exactly like the Holiday at Lowes. I am thinking they are made at the same sweat shop. The 7 cubic foot fits three on the floor no problem. An 8 inch collar will fit 4, not sure if you can jam 4 on the floor because I don't have 4 yet.

PUI= posting under the influence.
Click to expand...

I just got this today. I can confirm that you will need a collar to fit 4, it is about 3/4" too small of the floor for 4 of them. I was sort of hoping 4 would fit when I got mine, as it is now, judging my the height of it, i was going to add a collar anyway, but now I think I will be adding an 8" collar. From my measurements with an 8" collar, you should be able to fit 5 kegs, or 4 kegs and a tank.
 

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