Sizing your Chest Freezer for Corny Kegs

[kgahan]

I also have the 5.0 cu. ft. from Lowes. Here's a pictures with 3 kegs, 5# CO2, and bottles down below.

(I know it's a duplicate, just wanted a pic of this model with 3 kegs in it, nothing against jcdillin's pic, which shows the hump quite nicely, as well as another option for configuration!)

Hi all, I am about to embark on a keezer build. I bought 2 cornies plus a 10# steel CO2 tank plus regulator on craigslist for $100. I would like to fit 3 kegs in the smallest freezer possible with room for tank. Just like jcdillins and the above setup.

The Holiday freezer looks perfect and cheap but the Lowes site says it is 27" deep. I was hoping to have it sit under a counter in our small kitchen and that would make it stick out some - kind of annoying. Is it really that deep?

Also, my CO2 tank is 23 inches tall. Will it fit on the hump?

For now, I plan on just keeping the picnic faucets coiled in the freezer but in the future maybe a tower or do a collar thingy like this guy:

CHEST FREEZER Vs. KEG-O-RATOR - Keg Beer Dispensing Discussion Forum - Kegerator

If I go the above route is there a simple way to shut the beer lines off at or near the faucets so that the kids (toddlers) aren't dispensing beer on the floor? I am thinking about the kind of hardware you see under the sink or even those things you see on IV tubes.

Lastly, do you think I could just replace the lid with a piece of butcher block countertop from IKEA. I have a big piece leftover when I replaced the counters in the kitchen. I would maybe protect the underside with some laminate and add weatherstripping. The countertop is close to 2" thick and heavy. Would the hinge support it when open?

Thanks for any help!

Kate

 

[TexasStu]

Hi all, I am about to embark on a keezer build. I bought 2 cornies plus a 10# steel CO2 tank plus regulator on craigslist for $100. I would like to fit 3 kegs in the smallest freezer possible with room for tank. Just like jcdillins and the above setup.

For now, until you build a collar so you can move your tank outside the freezer (IF I were you) I would just do 2 cornies and the tank inside the freezer. After all, you only have 2 cornies (so far), right?

...Also, my CO2 tank is 23 inches tall. Will it fit on the hump?

Nope!
Your CO2 tank is the same height as a cornie (5 gal.) keg. (see pic of keg sizes on page 1 of this thread).

For now, I plan on just keeping the picnic faucets coiled in the freezer but in the future maybe a tower or do a collar thingy like this guy:

CHEST FREEZER Vs. KEG-O-RATOR - Keg Beer Dispensing Discussion Forum - Kegerator

If I go the above route is there a simple way to shut the beer lines off at or near the faucets so that the kids (toddlers) aren't dispensing beer on the floor? I am thinking about the kind of hardware you see under the sink or even those things you see on IV tubes.

They make 'tap locks' you could buy (Examples HERE and they are not cheap but some of the designs are pretty ingenious). You could also install a shutoff valve just inside the collar of each tap but you might have a foamy couple of ounces on your first pour of the evening (after each time you turn it back on).

Lastly, do you think I could just replace the lid with a piece of butcher block countertop from IKEA. I have a big piece leftover when I replaced the counters in the kitchen. I would maybe protect the underside with some laminate and add weatherstripping. The countertop is close to 2" thick and heavy. Would the hinge support it when open?

Thanks for any help!

Kate

You might have to use a stick to hold it up (barring some counter-weight DIY project?) but I can't answer whether it will hold cold or not. Although, I'd probably add a thin (waterproof) layer of foam-type insulation (IF it were me). I would be tempted to keep the lid intact (even if raising it with a collar) and rig up something to unitize the butcherblock to the lid?

I would think using a fridge and some kind of tower setup (set back on the counter) would be what you are looking for. Something to have an uninterrupted countertop with loading/unloading from the front (rather than top). YMMV!

 

[enderwig]

For what it's worth, i used to have the 8.9 and then upgraded to the 14.8. It can actually hold 9 cornies (snugly) if you're willing to remove those runners they install to hold the plastic baskets (which I was more than willing to do).

View attachment 9454

I'm looking at buying the 8.9 and was wondering if you know if 10 pound tank will fit inside with 5 cornys or only a 5 pounder?

 

[BierMuncher]

I'm looking at buying the 8.9 and was wondering if you know if 10 pound tank will fit inside with 5 cornys or only a 5 pounder?

I'm pretty sure a 10# tank will fit on the compressor hump if you install a collar.

 

[RBChallenger]

Anyone have any idea how many ball locks this would hold? I am looking to do 5-6 cornies with a 10# tank (do ireally need a 10# tank to run all 5 or can I get away with a 5#?). Any help would be greatly appreciated as it would appear to be a pretty good deal I can get on it. Thanks!!!

 

[TexasStu]

I have the Kenmore 8.8 (?) freezer, installed a 10" collar and can easily fit a 20# CO2 tank on the hump, 4 cornies in the 'hole' with room for bottles.
I'll take some pics in a few days and post one here. A work in progress but I'm coming up to a stopping point that will illustrate what I want to illustrate. Still awaiting a few shank->beerline parts before I drill the collar and install the drip tray.

 

[McKBrew]

I just picked up the kenmore 8.8 this weekend. It's narrow, so you are only going to get 4 kegs on the main part. I'm guessing that with a collar and a shelf extending off the hump you could get about 6 in there. I'm mounting my CO2 on the outside so that I can use the hump for beer storage and a conditioning place for at least 1-2 kegs.

 

[TexasStu]

Yes, it's rather skinny. Plenty of height with a tall enough collar but not sure wide enough for 2 (on hump) without some extension (or at least a safety harness? ).

​

Plenty of room for a 20# CO2 tank with triple regulators with a 10" collar! As well as twenty 24oz. bottles without stacking/cramming.
The lower collar keeps the 10" collar and R4 sheathing solid (1"x4" on sides and in back and 8" on front to support the 19.5" stainless drain tray). Long shanks are a pain but will refrigerate through the insulation (at least that is the plan!)
Had to splice in a couple feet of a power cord to the lid but pretty simple with a few wire nuts.
It's a work in progress so excuse the extra picnic taps, etc.
The 5"x7" pic holders on the lid will be for labelling faucets.

 

[JBooze]

I'm new to brewing and hope to keg some day. My question is, won't the beer freeze if you are keeping it in a freezer?

 

[TexasStu]

If you do not use a temperature controller, yes.
You plug the freezer into a temperature controller, pug the controller into the outlet and put the thermocouple in the freezer. The freezer then will only come on when the temp. gets to what you set (20-80 degrees I believe?) and it will cool down 3-4 degrees then the freezer will turn off I have mine set for 39F.
Check out the Kegging FAQs!

 

[dunleav1]

Kenmore 8.8cf chest freezer will fit 7 ball lock cornies with a collar (4 on bottom & 3 on hump). Scored one on black friday for $259 delivered. Finally got it all set up last week w/ Ranco controller & 7 taps. Works very well.

Could I get a picture of this open with the cornies in it?


Or if someone has this one - White Frigidaire 8.8 cu. ft. Chest Freezer - Model# FFN09M5HW.
I'm hoping to fit 6 ball lock and the co2 tank in the 8.8 freezer with a small collar if necessary.

Thanks,
JD

 

[kgahan]

I just finished up my keezer. The chest freezer I bought on craigslist (an old Amana) died about 4 weeks into my project. I had to buy a new one from Home Depot immediately since we had already started kegging the beer. I attached the collar to the lid since I was using a leftover piece of butcher block from Ikea to match our kitchen counters. The hinges are doing fine which was my biggest worry. I used an old box as an "Irish Coffin" and I haven't bothered yet to insulate anything. I can do that later. Working great.

Keezer - HomeBrewTalk Gallery

 

[SmilinJoe]

Just an FYI... I was going to pick up the Holiday 5 cu ft model from Lowes today cause they are $168 with a $20 mail in rebate. After measuring the inside, it's only 14 inches square (without the compressor hump). Which would only hold one keg without a collar. The hump goes all the way across now, so with a collar you could get 4 in there with a lot of wasted space. I guess Holiday has a new model line now, they aren't as deep as they once where. The 5 cu ft isn't square (outside), it's long and narrow. Even the 7 cu ft looked like it might only hold 3.

 

[st0neski]

that magic chef 5.5, can it fit 4 kegs without a collar?

 

[NeonBrew]

Hey guys...I was wondering if someone could tell me the exact diameter of their cornys for me. I've googled and searched, and I get everywhere from 8" - 9-1/2".

I've got a little old freezer ("General" is the brand - 5 cu.ft) that doesn't get used and I'd like to transform it if it'll work. There's exactly 8-3/4" of space from the compressor hump to the side wall. I could get two in for sure if they're no more than 8-1/2". Could this work? Thanks in advance.

 

[TheMan]

Found this freezer on Craigslist for $50, the Danby 5.2 CU FT. Couldn't find any info on here so here it is!
Holds 3 kegs and 5# C02 with NO collar. The C02 will fit on the hump or on the floor of the freezer with the kegs. Depends what you like. With a collar I'd imagine you can fit 4 kegs and the C02, but I cannot guarantee this.

Took a gamble on it and so far it's been worth it. Hope this helps someone!

 

[EdWort]

Hey guys...I was wondering if someone could tell me the exact diameter of their cornys for me. I've googled and searched, and I get everywhere from 8" - 9-1/2".

That's because they do vary depending on manufacturer. I would go with a 9" diameter for sizing if you are shopping.

 

[TheMan]

Neon, from what I've read on these forums you will want to have an extra keg on hand so that you always have one ready. So if this is the freezer you are absolutely using, I'd say just buy two kegs and find out. If only one fits, you have an extra for conditioning.

 

[NeonBrew]

OK thanks guys.

 

[Hellfire_studios]

is there a collar build thread available that shows the process?

 

[KillerKellers]

Just an FYI... I was going to pick up the Holiday 5 cu ft model from Lowes today cause they are $168 with a $20 mail in rebate. After measuring the inside, it's only 14 inches square (without the compressor hump). Which would only hold one keg without a collar. The hump goes all the way across now, so with a collar you could get 4 in there with a lot of wasted space. I guess Holiday has a new model line now, they aren't as deep as they once where. The 5 cu ft isn't square (outside), it's long and narrow. Even the 7 cu ft looked like it might only hold 3.

Yeah, I was just down there today.. and was a bit disappointed. That looked like the perfect design with the small hump. I ended up getting the 7.2 from Home Depot instead..

 

[ODP]

is there a collar build thread available that shows the process?

Joe's thread has some great pics of a collar being built- I'm sure you've seen it by now though! That thing is going to be sweeeeeet

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/project-monsterator-111298/

 

[tmoney1224]

GE 7.0 cu. ft. at Sam's for $186.56

I got this GE 7.0 off craigslist the other day, and sized it up and am reporting that it will hold 4 kegs w/ CO2 on the outside, or 3 kegs W/ CO2 on the inside.

Edit: Dimension of the inside, not including the hump are 23 1/8 by 16 1/8 inches

This is 3 pin-locks and 1 ball-lock so 4 ball locks should fit easily. This height is the only concern if you are not wanting to build a collar. I have a ball-lock keg that has been converted to pin-lock, and with the pin-lock disconnect it is about 3/4 of an inch too tall. So, the ball-locks w/ disconnects may fit, but it would be very very close. The pin locks fit fine.

This is 3 pin-locks and my 10lb CO2 tank.

Here are just a couple more shots so you can see the height problem.

Pin lock connects on ball lock size keg.

3/4 inch measured gab

 

[Arkador]

I got this GE 7.0 off craigslist the other day, and sized it up and am reporting that it will hold 4 kegs w/ CO2 on the outside, or 3 kegs W/ CO2 on the inside.

a 5# tank would likley fit on the inside, on the hump...

 

[tmoney1224]

a 5# tank would likley fit on the inside, on the hump...

Good point, I guess I don't know how tall most 5lb tanks are.

 

[Arkador]

Good point, I guess I don't know how tall most 5lb tanks are.

I have less than an inch clearance on my 5# with the regs hooked up, sitting on the hump of my 7.2cf Magic Chef

 

[lowlife]

Frigidaire®
9 Cu. Ft. Chest Freezer (Color: White)

Item #: 90724 Model: LFFC09M5HW

Holds 4 cornies and a 10 pound co2 tank on the floor. With a collar you could probably fit two more on the hump

Frigidaire at Lowe's: 9 Cu. Ft. Chest Freezer (Color: White)

 

[Rick500]

Just carted home my black Frigidaire 7.2 cu. ft. freezer today from Lowes. (Had to have them order it for me; they don't stock the black ones.)

Item #: 279057 Model: FFC0723GB

Definitely a good deal for $228, and I found a 10% off coupon, so even better.

It'll hold 3 Corny kegs plus a 10 pound CO2 cylinder without a collar, 5 plus a 10 pound CO2 cylinder with a 2x8 collar.

I think I'm going to build the collar and use it for 4 kegs, and keep a little spare room for misc. stuff.

 

[neumann]

I'm eyeing the 5 CF GE from Sam's. Can it hold 1 corny, a 5Lb tank, and a fermenter all at once? I haven't got the money or space for separate fermenting cooler and keezer

 

[zythe84]

Does anyone have a list of the internal measurements of any of these freezers? I'm trying to figure out which ones I would be able to fit two 5-gallon glass carboys in? I would like the smallest size possible... The GE 5.0 cu ft. looks promising... Would they both fit in the space below the compressor hump? What about the new model of Holiday from Lowe's . The one at my local store change from the corner compressor to the rectangle one...