"Updated" Mini Fridge Models?

[midnightferret]

Yes, I'll admit it. My husband and I are *those* people who drilled through the coolant lines in their mini fridge. Yep, we bricked it!

I would love to say that it was because he didn't listen to me and use the different methods I have found online for checking where the coolant lines are, but I think maybe it could have happened to anyone. He went to drill a tiny hole to see if he could check for the lines and happened to be right on top of one.

I am not comfortable using power tools, but now he is reluctant to try again because he doesn't want to "ruin my dreams" of kegging my beer. So here's my (tentative) plan. I want to pick up the most "ideal" mini fridge I can -- most likely something like this. I just wanted to know if anyone had any updated models, etc, because most of the searches I did on here came up with models that are not currently for sale. I couldn't find the plans for the other fridge ANYWHERE, and I would love to have the plans this time. Also, if anyone has pointers on *not* bricking your mini fridge, please share them. That would be awesome too.

 

[Gritsak]

You can always drill holes through the door and not have to worry about hitting lines. I did that with my Sanyo 4912.

 

[midnightferret]

Thanks -- we actually are going to door mount the faucets, but where we ran into trouble was having to drill for the regulator lines: the model I had couldn't hold the CO2 tank and the dual regs. If the Danby 4.4 CF (or a similarly priced model) can hold 2 cornys and the 5# tank + regs, great. If not, I've gotta find some way to run the lines outside...

 

[JWClep]

I made a kegerator out of the Danby 440 and drilled in the middle of the top with no problem. I can take pictures when I get home or answer any questions you might have.

 

[midnightferret]

Awesome, JWClep. What fits inside that fridge? Two cornys and a 5# tank, or just two cornys?

We are door mounting because of the location of our mini-fridge (we live in a tiny apartment and the fridge has to be raised. If there were a tower on it, I couldn't reach the taps!)

 

[JWClep]

I have two cornys, a 5lb Co2 tank with dual regulators bungee corded to the cold plate and a homemade tower cooler (which is necessary to have a good pour). It all fits, but is snug.

You do have to remove the door shelving from the inside and replace with plexiglass/whiteboard.

I used the following as a guide:
http://www.kegkits.com/kegerator4.htm

but I did not put a support board inside. I used larger washers and it was sturdy enough. I had mine shipped site to store Wal Mart as well. The kit came from kegconnection.

I'm not sure it will work for a door mount however. It is a tight fit. Can you get a stool

 

[Schnitzengiggle]

This is the ideal kegerator fridge Frigidaire model #FRC445GM. It can be purchased at Lowe's.

You don't have to remove the door panel, and it is pretty easy to work with.

You can find my build write-up here.

BTW, the faucets can be door mounted without problems too, there is a write-up somewhere here on HBT for door mounting the faucets to this fridge. (again you don't even have to remove the door panel)

 

[midnightferret]

Removing the door panel is not a problem for me. Even door mounting the faucets (now that I've seen the hole saw in action) is not a problem. But yeah, drilling into the sides and/or back, and/or top of the fridge, where coolant lines may be, is a problem for me, and my husband says he won't do it after the other incident. So yeah, if I can fit the 5# tank and dual regs up in the thing, it will be rockin'. I just don't have a lot of experience with power tools! (I know, how can a modern woman, in this day and age, avoid using a drill for anything other than an electric screwdriver?! The humanity!)

Y'all are awesome. Thanks for your help. I'm totally checking out the Danby and the Frigidaire!