Sizing your Chest Freezer for Corny Kegs

[Pumori]

As far as efficiency of a chest freezer goes, I used a "Kill-A-Watt" meter on my new (to me, ~2-year old unit from CL) Holiday 5.0 cubic foot freezer held at 45F with a Johnson A419 controller.
Looking at about $0.75 per month to run after averaging >1 week's energy use. Currently using picnic taps until I finish this - so opening more than I will when a tower is installed.

 

[user 40839]

I'm trying to decide between the 7.2 cu ft. and the 8.8 cu ft Frigidaire models available at Lowes (10% off coupon, plus a $50 gift card, so might as well use 'em). Planning on four taps, but it's seeming that that's the limit of both (the 8.8 can fit 5 with a collar?)

If that's the case, I can save my money and just snag the wee 7 cu ft Holiday for $199!

 

[RichBenn]

Does anyone have the haier %.0 converted to a keezer i can get one locally but would like to know if 2 kegs would fit before i buy it

Don't know if you found an answer on this or not, but it may depend upon the year/model. I saw a used one and asked the seller to get me dimensions before I look at it, and using 9" diameter drawings, it appears it would fit.

Note that ball locks are thinner than 9" and taller, while pin locks are supposedly 9" and shorter.

 

[ILOVEBEER]

I ferment in sanke kegs and have narrowed it down to needing a 14.8-15CF to house two kegs for fermenting and later for storage/cold crashing...does anyone do this or can anyone confirm I need this particular size for my application?


Thanks
Joe

 

[J8D]

Just scored a used Frigidaire Commercial 14.8 for $125. It is the one with the wheels already mounted on the bottom. I may race it in the next soap box dirby.:rockin:

 

[JakeTheHopDog]

I'm trying to decide between the 7.2 cu ft. and the 8.8 cu ft Frigidaire models available at Lowes (10% off coupon, plus a $50 gift card, so might as well use 'em). Planning on four taps, but it's seeming that that's the limit of both (the 8.8 can fit 5 with a collar?)

If that's the case, I can save my money and just snag the wee 7 cu ft Holiday for $199!

Looking at the same freezers myself. Threw out the Holiday after reading more than one of the reviews that said it crapped out after only 3 years

UPDATE: After going and measuring the Frigidaire, I found they have changed the inside enough with the new model that it would not work for me. I need to hold 3 corny’s or 2 corny’s and a 1/6 barrel, without a collar. Bought a GE 7.0 CF Model FCM7SUBWW at Home Depot. It is going to work great. http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xg4/R-100598963/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Here is a picture of the inside with dimensions.

 

[larrybrewer]

This is just an awesome thread, thanks for the posts! It really helped me select the model I needed, and I love mine. Great job!

 

[matthewbasta]

The GE 7.0 sold at Home Depot and Sam's Club will hold 4 ball locks and a 5# tank without a collar. Picked it up for $189 at the Depot on sale.

 

[JakeTheHopDog]

The Sam's Club I went to had the GE 7.0 too, but it had a lock on the front which I didn't want to deal with, so I bought the Home Depot model without a lock. Get 10% off all the time at HD (Retired Navy), so that's a bonus.

 

[zoso1967]

This thread is a godsend! I will be picking up the GE 7.0 tonight!

 

[senorswiss]

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.

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.

 

[rodd]

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 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.

 

[senorswiss]

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.

 

[smarek82]

Quarter-barrel size will not fit. The 7 cu ft is only 15" wide on the inside, and the quarters are bigger than that.

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.

 

[JakeTheHopDog]

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

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.

 

[smarek82]

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.

 

[JakeTheHopDog]

Sam’s Club- GE 7.0 CF Freezer Model: FCM7DUWW
Home Depot- GE 7.0 CF Freezer Model # FCM7SUWW

Not the same freezers.

 

[smarek82]

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

 

[JakeTheHopDog]

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.

 

[IffyG]

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.

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?

 

[JakeTheHopDog]

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.

 

[IffyG]

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.

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.

 

[RiverRat280]

I have the 7.something cu.ft. fridgeaire from Lowes and it will fit 6 cornys

 

[artbrau]

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.

7 CU FT.

 

[JakeTheHopDog]

Pictures not showing (Red X's).

 

[Paulgs3]

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!

 

[JakeTheHopDog]

NO! DO NOT DRILL INTO THE FREEZER COMPARTMENT.

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.

 

[Paulgs3]

NO! DO NOT DRILL INTO THE FREEZER COMPARTMENT.

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.

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

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

Thanks !

 

[JakeTheHopDog]

Glad I could help save you a lot of frustration. And $200.
Be sure and start a thread of your build and post pictures. Everyone loves Beer/Keezer/Kegerator porn!

 

[SomedumbJerk]

frigidaire FFFC05M2KW holds two cornies and a 5# co2 container on the floor, and could easily hold another on the hump with a collar.

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

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!