The 'Keezer' Project

[cmann]

Hi everyone,

First time caller, long time listener.

Anyway, I'm attaching a few pictures of my recently completed keezer. Not as cool as all of the ones I've seen here, but it is my first attempt at building anything remotely like furniture. I learned a lot. If only I could build a second one . . .

 

[MultumInParvo]

Hi everyone,

First time caller, long time listener.

Anyway, I'm attaching a few pictures of my recently completed keezer. Not as cool as all of the ones I've seen here, but it is my first attempt at building anything remotely like furniture. I learned a lot. If only I could build a second one . . .

Whew, that's one first post. Looks good!

 

[futzwash]

Hey Jester,

I really just want to thank you for your detailed thread on your build. It really helped me get an idea of what I wanted to start building.

Here is my thread: "Keezer 5ive"

I would appreciate any words of advice as im still in the process of building!

 

[cap1]

Since I just about finished my keezer I thought I would post some pics as well.

 

[Jota21]

@Cap1: Did you happen to keep track of your costs? Some of these are so elaborate that it's easy to see how they can go north of $1k in a hurry, but your's is so nice and simple that it's almost like an 'every-man's keezer'. I know the Perlicks add up, but if you dont mind my asking: Start to finish, what did your setup cost?

 

[bbentley40]

I am not Cap1, but since I am in the middle of my keezer build I can give you a rough idea of the costs. Assuming you are starting from scratch but have general tools and a way to cut some wood (I am borrowing the use of my GFs brothers miter saw and table saw)..

Freezer: $100-300 (depending on if you buy used or new and even more if you want a huge one)
Lumber: Collar method - $10.. Fully encased freezer with coffin ~$150-500 (this really is dependent on what you want, I am using oak for my build so it is closer to the upper end of that)
Foam: Collar method - $15 (full 4x8 sheet of 3/4".. plenty left over) Coffin method - $50 (sheet of 2" and sheet of 3/4")
Tile: $75-150 (again dependent on what you want and if you have any kind of tools to do this with.. does not account for a tile saw.. Lowes will do that for you though)
Stain: $60 (this is stain, polyurethane, good brush or two, etc)
Misc: I would account for at least $100 worth of little stuff you just dont think about.. screws, hole saws, liquid nails, etc.

This does not include the cost of kegging equipment.. but if you have even thought about doing a keezer I am going to assume you already have that stuff or know the cost of it. You will need to account for buying extra beer line.. I am going to be using 12-15' per line. And if you do stainless perlick taps those run $30-40 each.

Hopefully that will help.. for the most part the cost can be mitigated through proper planning. I have pages and pages of sketches, measurements and ideas (btw.. if you have not done woodworking before make sure you look up ACTUAL size of lumber when doing planning).

 

[Jota21]

yeah, I have all of the tools/misc materials that I would need, so I guess besides the cost of the freezer itself and the kegging equipment, the only expense for a basic collar is just the lumber and insulation...

I might have to make the switch. I hate bottling...

 

[wncbrewer]

This is kind of a noob question, but is it necessary to do a collar, if you plan on using a draft tower?

 

[Jester369]

This is kind of a noob question, but is it necessary to do a collar, if you plan on using a draft tower?

If doing a tower or coffin, the only reason for a collar would be if the freezer was not deep enough to fit the kegs.

 

[bbentley40]

yeah, I have all of the tools/misc materials that I would need, so I guess besides the cost of the freezer itself and the kegging equipment, the only expense for a basic collar is just the lumber and insulation...

I might have to make the switch. I hate bottling...

Keep in mind you can do stages to help spread the cost over time. I started by buying my kegging stuff with the plastic party taps and a temp controller. Then I had my kegs in my freezer with temp control and just used the party taps for a while. Then if you wanted (I didnt go this route, but thought about it) to go the collar route you could spread the cost of some nice Perlick taps, shanks, etc by adding 1 when you can, drilling the hole and going until you have enough for all your kegs. After that you can still build a coffin style keezer and the final stage. The only thing that is really throw away in all that are the party taps at the beginning.. and they are cheap enough. You would need to seal off the holes you drilled in the collar, but some foam and foam spray makes that easy enough.

 

[wncbrewer]

If doing a tower or coffin, the only reason for a collar would be if the freezer was not deep enough to fit the kegs.

Oh I see, that makes sense. Thanks for the quick response, gathering parts for my build now. Will get pics up when it is done. Hopefully it will turn out half as cool as yours

 

[cap1]

I slow rolled my way into setting up this keezer. I just started out with the freezer (which I got a floor model at Sears pretty cheap fort a 14+ cf one) and the kegs/lines with plastic picnic faucets. Eventually I got tired of beer spilling all over the freezer when pouring so I made the push to building a collar. Cost were about as follows for me:

Red Oak = around $40 for 14 feet
Insulataing styrofoam = $8
Corner bracing brackets and wood screws = $10
Stain and Seal = $0 I used what I had already
Shanks = $90 for 6
Perlicks = $150 for 5 (didn't get 6 because I am putting a stout faucet in soon I hope)
Johnson digital temp controller = $70
Weatherstrip for the collar to rest on the freezer = $20

So excluding the freezer and the basic kegging equipment I spent around $390.

Its a work in progress. I need to buy some nitrogen kegging supplies. I also want to create a nice tile surface on top of the freezer lid so it can be used as a more traditional bar like surface next to my pool table, since people seem to leave their beers on it as it is already. Maybe put some SS rails along the edge and keep glasses on top as well.

 

[Hoppopotomus]

Jester.....your 'original' keezer build thread has turned into a "show us your keezer thread"! You have inspire many, including myself.....I salute you!

 

[Jester369]

Jester.....your 'original' keezer build thread has turned into a "show us your keezer thread"!

Yeah - I love seeing everyones work, but I think it would be better if it was posted in the Kegerator thread where everyone would see it! That thread gets a lot more traffic than my little ol' build!

 

[Jester369]

Well, it's official... The Keezer is for sale

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f16/original-keezer-278068/

 

[Hoppopotomus]

NOOOOOOOOO!.........don't do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[rsklhm10]

NOOOOOOOOO!.........don't do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What he said!!! Pleaste tell us there is a v.2 coming ASAP.

 

[mtbiker278]

 

[Ambrose_Balin]

Very beutiful end result Jester. Not to mention reading through this thread and being curious about all the "other thread" posts and what got me to pony up for membership. I had no idea what this forum could truly be!! Starting on my keezer now and am going more your route as apposed to the handles on the collar cause it needs to be incorporated into a bar build downstairs. When you mentioned the Tnuts for mounting the top to the lid, any way you could post pics? I'm new to building and don't know all the various hard ware options available. I googled Tnuts and, well, lets just syas there a lot of options.

I was also made curious by all the references. What exactly is this other thread?

 

[Jester369]

Well, the Keezer has gone to its new home *sigh*. Rob, let me know if you want me to hang on to the skirt that we forgot to load in the truck!!

 

[Yankeehillbrewer]

Well, the Keezer has gone to its new home *sigh*. Rob, let me know if you want me to hang on to the skirt that we forgot to load in the truck!!

Sorry you had to let'er go onward and upward

 

[wfowlks]

Just out of curiosity, what is the software you are using to get the design/models

 

[Jester369]

Just out of curiosity, what is the software you are using to get the design/models

Google SketchUp. It's a free, very powerful tool!

 

[wfowlks]

Google SketchUp. It's a free, very powerful tool!

thanks

 

[emerex]

Jester, just thought you should know I plan on ripping this off. Not even tastefully. Just gonna blatantly steal this. hehehe

Thanks and amazing job btw

 

[mtbiker278]

<--------- I don't think anyone has ever ripped off Jester's build.

 

[Nanitebrewing]

This thread has really inspired me. I've been building furniture for almost a decade as my other hobby and I've designed the keezer shown here. It has similarities to a lot of my furniture and of course Jester's keezer.

I've got all the parts ordered and gathered, a 14.8 cf freezer, walnut for the dark wood, and fiddleback anigre veneer for the light. I'll post pictures on another thread as I put it together.

 

[Jester369]

Diggin' those swayed sides on the cabinet!

 

[lylo]

Jester,I have been following this since the start and have finally picked up a used freezer and have an analog termostat controller.What setting should the freezers built in controller be set at?I am sure I have read the answer here somewhere but can't seem th find it.

 

[Jester369]

Shouldn't matter - no matter where you set it, it's going to be colder than the external controller is set. Cheers!