Under Counter Hack?

[Gytaryst]

I would like to use an under the counter refrigerator similar to this as my kegerator.

Unfortunately, these things cost thousands of dollars - (not entirely sure why?). I know that since it will be in an enclosed space the heat produced has to be vented out the front. You can buy stand alone mini fridges for $150 or $200, but apparently if you put a ventilation fan under it that jumps the price up $2k??? (makes sense).

I was wondering if anyone has ever done or seen a way to accomplish this for a more reasonable price? I was looking at keezer ideas and regardless of how awesome some of them look when they're closed up - I just don't like the idea of having to open the thing from the top.

I'm putting cabinets all across the back wall of my garage; base cabinets and wall cabinets. There will be one long counter top running the length of the back wall. I'd like to incorporate a four-tap kegerator into that design. I was thinking about using a regular 36" base cabinet, (so it blends in with the rest of the cabinets). Then insulating the inside so it's one big insulated box, and using the compressor, coil, blower and thermostat from a $50 craigslist refrigerator to cool it. As long as the cu ft being cooled is similar there shouldn't be an issue with the equipment working. I just need to figure out a way to ventilate the heat out the front for less than $2,000???

Any ideas are appreciated

 

[day_trippr]

If you scavenged an entire cooling system from a suitably sized unit that had the condenser under the floor/hump, that would give you a solid shot at adding a condenser fan with an exhaust down in the kick-space.

Sealing the entire cabinet from air ingress as well as coming up with effective door seals will be keys. Not so mention insulation. That one could be tough.
One could use FRP panels cut to fit tight then silicone the joints and end up with a cleanable air-tight compartment.
Then I'd look for old school ice box latches for the doors as they'd allow "good squish" on the door seals...

Cheers!

 

[metaltim]

I'm looking to do the same when we finish our basement which will have a kitchenette. I found this:
http://www.beveragefactory.com/refr...kegco-IRXCB-2448BG-back-bar-refrigerator.html

yeh, it's more than a small fridge, but it's not too crazy expensive. I've seen them now and again on craigslist, usually bars closing or something.
I want to basically do this: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/attachments/s400_479712889073494537eae89897528-jpg.305194/

Not sure if I'll be able to have it underneath the counter though. I may just raise the fridge entirely to make the top surface flush with the adjacent counter tops on each side.

 

[Scout]

I've been looking at those on ebay and craigslist, but the one thing that stops me from buying is not knowing if I can fit a keg inside. Almost nobody lists the inside dimensions.