Sizing your Chest Freezer for Corny Kegs

[hungrymonkey]

I got my Danby 8.7CF DCFM246WDD chest freezer today, and it is the perfect 'little' big keezer.
As I estimated, it actually holds 6 ball-locks on the floor and 2 on the hump with no problem (they slide in easy, it isn't a tight fit, but there's not much extra space front-to-back either). You can put 5-gallon cornies on the floor and 3-gallon cornies on the hump, and the lid closes without a shim (but it's close, and I am not sure if it would do so once you hook up the lines)

Actual dimensions:
overall: 17-5/16"deep x 36-9/16"wide x 25" tall
hump: 17-5/16"deep x 7-3/4" wide x 9" high
floor: 17-5/16"deep x 28-13/16"
So I was an inch off on the width, and an inch off on my estimate of the hump-size, so I can't say whether it'll hold 2 pin-locks front-to-back. If someone has a trace of the footprint of one, I could try mapping it out to see if they'll fit.

I just looked online, they have the 8.8 for $350, and the 8.7 for $269. The 8.7 is online exclusive, and out of stock.

I would wait for it to come back, if it can fit 6 on the floor. I am at the tipping point of buying a Kenmore 8.8. I have to go down to sears tommorow and see how many I can fit.

 

[BrewThruYou]

I just looked online, they have the 8.8 for $350, and the 8.7 for $269. The 8.7 is online exclusive, and out of stock.

I would wait for it to come back, if it can fit 6 on the floor. I am at the tipping point of buying a Kenmore 8.8. I have to go down to sears tommorow and see how many I can fit.

The Danby online exclusives aren't eligible for 10% off or free shipping too. I was going to buy the Danby 10.2 for $299, but it was $55 shipping. The Maytag 14.8 was $399 - 10% off for $359 and free shipping. So very similar price for 4+ extra cu ft.

 

[mmonacel]

mmonacel, quick question. It says five sided coils. Does this mean there are coils on the top? I was actually looking to purchase this exact model sometime in early 2012.

Sorry - just saw this. No, it doesn't appear that the lid has any coils. There are no lines running from the main freezer body to the lid and the lid itself sounds hollow when knocking on it from the underside. It's most certainly just styrofoam and the plastic lining up there. I'm guessing the 5th side is the floor.

 

[rwagner23]

Thanks for the follow up. After posting that I looked harder at the pics you posted and smacked myself in the head for being an idiot.

That is definitely the freezer I'm getting, just gonna have to wait till after Christmas.

 

[mmonacel]

No problem. I've heard of them being tucked in through the hinges sometimes for those that do run to the top so I double-checked for you. Looks clear. Enjoy!

 

[FEARDIZ]

deleted

 

[almander]

Adding another one to the list.
Maytag 14.8
Model # MQC1552TEW
Internet # 202867507
Store SO SKU # 624458

Fits 9 ball locks on the floor comfortably and a 5# bottle on the corner hump. Easy to tweak the thermostat so you don't need a controller for keezer use. It retails for $399 at Home Depot at the moment, but I ordered a 10% off Lowes coupon from eBay to use (HD will accept them) and got it down to about $385 after tax which is nice. It's an Energy Star appliance as well so it runs pretty cheap and you might even get a tax break!

EDIT: Looks like there's an "internet sale" on this right now for $359. Note that they also have free shipping and installation so you don't need to haul the thing down to your basement as well as free removal of your old appliance. You might need to call your local store to arrange this. Even though it's relatively light when empty, I highly suggest letting someone else do the work...

Update this is now 313.00 with the above mentioned free home delivery, setup, and haul away! While supplies last.

 

[theveganbrewer]

This is a great deal, but I am going to hold out until black friday deals. I should be able to slowly piece together the rest of my outfit by then.

 

[mmonacel]

Update this is now 313.00 with the above mentioned free home delivery, setup, and haul away! While supplies last.

Holy crap that's a great deal!

 

[theveganbrewer]

Holy crap that's a great deal!

I was in HD today and saw this on display and they accepted a 25 dollar Lowes coupon I had. Got it for 300 after tax delivered. The appliance guy said when the prices go down like this, they're usually trying to replace the product with a different version.

 

[mmonacel]

For those that bought it at a higher price I went in and got a rebate for the difference. Since I bought it in the store, they could only give me the difference from the current store price, but either way, it was still money in my pocket. HD's policy is two weeks for this kind of thing, but they "called for approval" and let me go even though I bought it a month ago. I'm not sure if the same policy applies for internet sales, but it'd certainly be worth a call to find out.

 

[krebs119]

For those that bought it at a higher price I went in and got a rebate for the difference. Since I bought it in the store, they could only give me the difference from the current store price, but either way, it was still money in my pocket. HD's policy is two weeks for this kind of thing, but they "called for approval" and let me go even though I bought it a month ago. I'm not sure if the same policy applies for internet sales, but it'd certainly be worth a call to find out.

Thanks to your posts I just bought this - delivery on thurs!

Do you need a collar on yours, or do the kegs fit as is? Did you drill through any of your walls yet?

 

[mmonacel]

Thanks to your posts I just bought this - delivery on thurs!

Do you need a collar on yours, or do the kegs fit as is? Did you drill through any of your walls yet?

Excellent! No collar needed. Check out post #412 for pics. I'll eventually put a collar in anyway so I can install taps, etc. and make it look pretty, but it works great as is. It seems pretty clear that there are no lines in the lid as well so you could install a tower / Irish coffin if you wanted. I didn't drill through any walls as I haven't had a need to yet. If you want to see where the lines are, then let it get cold and then open the lid for a few min. You'll see condensation start to form where the lines are run.

 

[theveganbrewer]

Excellent! No collar needed. Check out post #412 for pics. I'll eventually put a collar in anyway so I can install taps, etc. and make it look pretty, but it works great as is. It seems pretty clear that there are no lines in the lid as well so you could install a tower / Irish coffin if you wanted. I didn't drill through any walls as I haven't had a need to yet. If you want to see where the lines are, then let it get cold and then open the lid for a few min. You'll see condensation start to form where the lines are run.

How big of a collar did you end up putting on? I was just going to put a small one since the clearance inside is no issue but I need to get the faucets on there.

 

[mmonacel]

Haven't done it yet. Probably nothing too big since it's not really critical to function, but I do like the all black look with a really nice stained piece of wood so I'd make it big enough to draw the attention to the wood itself.

 

[day_trippr]

[...]If you want to see where the lines are, then let it get cold and then open the lid for a few min. You'll see condensation start to form where the lines are run.

Fwiw, that will show where the expansion coil (cold side) might be, but it won't show where the condensing coil (hot side) is. It rings the outside of the cabinet under the skins and it's just as vulnerable as the cold side tubing.

The only assuredly safe place to drill through a modern chest freezer is the lid. I've never seen/read/heard of a chest freezer that has factory plumbing within the lid...

Cheers

 

[krebs119]

Excellent! No collar needed. Check out post #412 for pics. I'll eventually put a collar in anyway so I can install taps, etc. and make it look pretty, but it works great as is. It seems pretty clear that there are no lines in the lid as well so you could install a tower / Irish coffin if you wanted. I didn't drill through any walls as I haven't had a need to yet. If you want to see where the lines are, then let it get cold and then open the lid for a few min. You'll see condensation start to form where the lines are run.

Glad to hear I won't need one. For the time being, I'm thinking of just using my picnic taps, but eventually I want to add a 6 tap tower. Will I be able to use it as is with picnic taps or will I still need a collar? I'm thinking of doing about 6 kegs and maybe a carboy/better bottle or two - is there enough room for this?

Thanks again for all the help - I'm really looking forward to thurs!

 

[mmonacel]

Fwiw, that will show where the expansion coil (cold side) might be, but it won't show where the condensing coil (hot side) is. It rings the outside of the cabinet under the skins and it's just as vulnerable as the cold side tubing.

The only assuredly safe place to drill through a modern chest freezer is the lid. I've never seen/read/heard of a chest freezer that has factory plumbing within the lid...

Cheers

Wow - never new about the existence of hot side coils in a freezer (although it makes sense). Not sure I'll need to drill but thanks for the tip!

 

[mmonacel]

Glad to hear I won't need one. For the time being, I'm thinking of just using my picnic taps, but eventually I want to add a 6 tap tower. Will I be able to use it as is with picnic taps or will I still need a collar?

I have picnic taps on all my kegs right now so yep - no problem there.

I'm thinking of doing about 6 kegs and maybe a carboy/better bottle or two - is there enough room for this?

Interesting question. I just went to check it out and with 6 ball lock kegs (not sure if or how much pin locks would be different) I was able to fit two 5 gallon better bottles in there pretty easily. Note that these are the 5 gallon and not 6.5 version which I'm assuming have a slightly larger footprint, however there was enough play that I think the 6.5s would be fine. I was also able to do 1 5 gallon better bottle and 1 Ale Pale although that was a bit more cozy. Again though I think a 6.5 BB and an Ale Pail would likely fit. I also have a True Brew pail which is a bit taller and wider on the lid and that fit a with the BB, however it was very snug. I'm not sure a 6.5 BB and True Brew pail would work.

In all of these configurations I started tucking the ball locks in the bottom right corner as tight as possible and then worked left. This left room on the left hand side of the freezer to see what fit. You may get different / better results working left to right.

Enjoy your new keezer!

FYI that I also updated the thread on adjusting the thermostat without a controller.

Original

Update

In short, I ended up turning the small screw 20 turns clockwise which appears to be the limit. At the 5 1/2 position on the big dial it's holding steady at 51-53 degrees which is ideal for my ales.

 

[krebs119]

Awesome, thanks again! Can't wait till Thursday!

 

[BrewThruYou]

On the Maytag 14.8, a 20lb co2 tank w/ handle and normally oriented regulator will also fit without a collar.



I called to get a price adjustment and got one to the $313 price. The CSR said that there is a 30-day policy and I was right under (ordered Oct. 2nd). Bought mine for $350 or so, so I'm getting $37 back.

 

[almander]

Pretty sure that you could fit 6, 5 gallon glass carboys. The 6, and 6.5 are too wide to fit next to each other, and have to be staggered. But the 5's fit nicely side by side.


In this picture, I have (Maytag 14.8):
3 - 5 Gallon Glass Carboys
1 - 6 Gallon Glass Carboy
1 - 6.5 Gallon Glass Carboy
1 - Corny

 

[krebs119]

Got the Maytag today. Pretty happy about it. I have 6 kegs in it, my small co2 tank, and a 3 gallon better bottle of Mexican IPL. I'm pretty psyched about it - having a party on saturday and now have 4 taps available (soon to be 6). Thanks again for the help....

FWIW, I have it on level 4 for chilling still, along with my JC Temp controller - not sure if I should turn it up or not yet, but things seem pretty cool.

 

[mmonacel]

Excellent! If you're using a temp controller then there's no need to adjust the knob. When you have some time after the party you can alter the thermostat and then repurpose the controller for a ferm chamber. Check out my original post for a link to the details. Enjoy!

 

[theveganbrewer]

I got mine the other day too. I just stained the collar for mine about an hour ago. I have the shank holes drilled and the insulation foam in, just need a couple more parts and will install the collar tomorrow. My kegs will be in tomorrow, but just a note, a 10lb CO2 cylinder with a handle (from beverage factory) will be too tall to sit on the hump without a collar.

 

[BigJim_inFLA]

Just purchased a Frigidaire 12.9 cu. ft., model LFCH13M2MW from Lowe's. $399.00, but on sale until 11/28 for $299.00. Here is a pic of room for 6 pin lock kegs on the floor. Could probably get 7 or eight ball locks, but I don't have any of those to test. Still has room on the hump for 2 more with collar.

 

[niceguybille]

Just purchased a Frigidaire 12.9 cu. ft., model LFCH13M2MW from Lowe's. $399.00, but on sale until 11/28 for $299.00. Here is a pic of room for 6 pin lock kegs on the floor. Could probably get 7 or eight ball locks, but I don't have any of those to test. Still has room on the hump for 2 more with collar.

Thx for the heads up! Our local stores don't have the markdown showing so I didn't catch it when I was there last night. Just went to pick one up but the location closest to my work is sold out. The store by my house has one, gonna go by on the way home.. Wish I could have just picked one up since I'm still under the conundrum as to spend $48 more for 2cf more, even though the 12.9 will work great. Actually what would. E perfect is one that will fit 6 on the floor but is only as deep as the 9cf for cheap enough that I can pick up one of the cheaper 7cf from home depot (168 on special now) for fermenting/cold conditioning.

Btw, here's a pic of my ball lock cutouts in the above freezer.

 

[niceguybille]

Those cutout look a little cramped but I'm pretty sure 8 ball locks will fit. I'll find out tonight and post up with my actual kegs in there.

 

[day_trippr]

Those cutout look a little cramped but I'm pretty sure 8 ball locks will fit. I'll find out tonight and post up with my actual kegs in there.

LOL! Looks like a press fit. Might have to totally coat the last couple of kegs with keg lube

Cheers!

 

[niceguybille]

Tight fit indeed! With some of the mismatched ball locks 8 may or may not fit but I plan on a collar soon so I'll be good as 2 will easily fit on the hump.