Upright Keezer, 8 taps, 11 kegs

[jekeane]

I just pulled the white wire to the left of the photo it runs into the thermostat that is clipped onto the coil. I have a digital readout temperature selector on the door 1-7 and couldn't find anything manual around the coils. I keep poking my head in there to see if there are any major temperature swings and nothing so far. So hopefully disconnecting the thermometer was all that was needed.

have my first carboy cold crashing in there now!

How much of a temperature gradient do you see between the top and bottom of your freezer? I imagine the mass of your kegs minimizes the difference. I am planning on just having kegs below and the top for yeast/beer storage and possibly lagering.

 

[jt655]

Axed. Nj


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[jekeane]

Any issues with that Bottom coil in the freezer freezing up?

 

[JonW]

Any issues with that Bottom coil in the freezer freezing up?

No issues. Today it has been 98-99 in my garage and my kegerator is sitting at 34 right now. I haven't been paying attention to how much it is running to keep it at that temp, but I'll start logging it now for the heck of it.

 

[jekeane]

My coils have been Icing bad... Im wondering if I have to shut it down and open it up for a day to get all the moisture get out. I bought an evadry Dehumidifier yesterday. Might take a look at the door gasket seems like Im getting a ton of moisture at the top near the door.

 

[JonW]

My coils have been Icing bad... Im wondering if I have to shut it down and open it up for a day to get all the moisture get out. I bought an evadry Dehumidifier yesterday. Might take a look at the door gasket seems like Im getting a ton of moisture at the top near the door.

I'm sure it's a sealing issue. My fermenter is like that. For the kegerator though, I don't use any kind of dehumidifier and don't have any moisture problems.

 

[FunCat1828]

Finally found my freezer on Craigslist for $125!

 

[PacificNWBrewer]

So I'd been thinking about building the shelving and thought I'd share my results.

I made it from 1" pvc pipe and some connectors. I used the thicker kind that's only 5' long. It turned out perfect! Whole thing was around $20

Parts:
3 - 1" x 5' thick pvc pipe
2 - 90*
4 - 'T'
2 - 90* with outlet

Here's a drawing because it's now inside, loaded up and il NOT taking out


The back of my freezer had a compressor hump and the 2 90* bends allow the legs to go as far back as possible and the cross bar to touch the back above the hump.
The middle cross bar is for added support. My DYI skills are better than my drawing (thank goodness).

Enjoy! Thanks for the whole idea JonW!!


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[JonW]

I recently added the RaspberryPints electronic tap list to my keezer.

More info on the RaspberryPints project here.

 

[Cyclman]

Damn, that's a sweet setup. Great for parties!

 

[dzydrmr]

Love this setup!
Gathering parts to build one, where did you get drip tray at that price?
Cheers!

 

[JonW]

Love this setup!
Gathering parts to build one, where did you get drip tray at that price?
Cheers!

Ebay. Company is called Stainless Ltd. and goes by the user ID fryscooper888.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/drip-tray-super-heavy-24-x5-x-75-5002189-/140722141489?hash=item20c3b17931

 

[jekeane]

Love the raspberry pints. I think I finally solved my freezing problem. Almost sure it is the door gasket which are stupid expensive btw... $80 without shipping seems to be the norm... I put a lantern in the freezer turned off the lights an could clearly see a very thin line of light in several places. That coupled with having to open and close the door for the picnic taps was causing to much condensation. I installed some 1/2 sticky weather foam i got from Lowes along the outer edge of the gasket to help with the seal from the outside. Then I coated the gasket with a very thin layer of keg lube. I also installed 2 USB fans from target and added some better insulation to my beer line / temp probe holes in the back. This seems to solve the problem I no longer get visible condensation anywhere and the fix cost about $22.

Hopefully will be starting to add actual taps in the fall, however with baby #2 on the way as well as transitioning to all grain it may be pushed back.

 

[snakebrew]

man what a build congrats!! I was going to go with a chest freezer and run lined through my wall into the house (not sure if that would have worked) but I think I will do a build like this. Thanks for sharing your build and thanks for all the tips from OP and everyone else!!

 

[MarkB]

Yep, seals it here. I'd been considering a chest freezer, but since I only currently think I'd ever want/need more than 2 taps, with the rest of the area used for 'bottles and cans' storage - chests are very difficult to maintain for 'piece' inventory.

So, a stand up freezer, with the kegs in bottom, going through the door still would give me storage AND easy access to the rest of the unit to get 'singles' out.

Yes yes yes, I know. 2 for now, of course.....

 

[FunCat1828]

I recently added the RaspberryPints electronic tap list to my keezer.

More info on the RaspberryPints project here.

Just got a quick question on how you have the monitor mounted to the freezer. I'm asuming it's some kind of VESA wall mount. Any recommendations on the one to roll with?

 

[JonW]

Just got a quick question on how you have the monitor mounted to the freezer. I'm asuming it's some kind of VESA wall mount. Any recommendations on the one to roll with?

I took apart the monitor stand and used the quick release plate from the stand. It is simply secured using a couple of self tapping screws. This was the only way to mount it where it sat flush to the door. It can still be easily removed though.

 

[FunCat1828]

Excellent! Thanks Jon, I just took mine apart and I have a slightly different approach, I managed to take apart the entire bracket and get the plate for the back as well as the quick release plate. I will be using 4 x 2.5 inch bolts with wingnuts on the back to make mine work.

I'd never have thought to do that without your input so many thanks!

 

[Mellman]

Anyone know if this model will work? I tried to get inside dimensions but nobody has it available to measure and the specifications are not listed. There have been no 20+ cu ft upright freezers even listed on CL in the past 5-6 months. I need a new kegerator so...gotta go new.

http://www.sears.com/kenmore-20-cu-...p-04622042000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

If it fits at least 10 kegs ill be happy; was hoping to squeeze 12 into it, or at least 11. Just curious if anyone has found a new model that will work for this project. It's frost free so the shelves must be removable, and the price is right with free delivery.

 

[SavoryChef]

by looking at the specs on a frigidaire
http://www.lowes.com/pd_54922-2251-LFFH21F7HW_0__?productId=1188277

it looks the same

 

[crashtest22]

Just wanted to say I was going to be doing a chest freezer to replace my 2 small fridge kegerators but now I am shopping for a 20 cf upright freezer...
Thanks to everyone on this thread
I will post pics once I get mine up and running

 

[crashtest22]

Have not decided on final layout for the inside yet but here is mine
Thanks again Jon

 

[y2klightning]

JonW: I was doing some research to figure out how to make the shelf for my keezer when I came across this post; mine is nearly identical except I did six taps instead of eight and I used a stainless steel backsplash/drip tray combination. I actually think yours looks better than mine being mounted through the door only. Anyway, my question is: with the four 2x2 posts it looks like they directly contact the floor of the freezer, does it support the 300 pounds of beer without damaging the floor? I always over do my design and I'm trying to avoid it this time; I've already spent a small fortune because I bought the freezer new :-/

 

[JonW]

There's no problem with the weight. We have 4 local people here that have all done the same setup and nobody has had any problems with the legs or the floor supporting the weight.

 

[Huaco]

I bought the smaller 14 cu ft model (it was available on craigslist) and can squeeze 9 in without messing with the door shelving. Will the wire shelf handle the weight of 4 pin locks or did you do the wood reinforcement to ensure it was secure?

Can you post a photo of your 14cu.ft. loaded with kegs?

 

[Iafarmre]

Can you post a photo of your 14cu.ft. loaded with kegs?

I had to modify slightly. 8 kegs (pin lock) without the shelf. It's a snug fit but holds all well. The pin lock connectors were possible with the shelf installed. I used compact connectors for the top row of kegs to make it easier to use.

 

[Brian77095]

Anyone know if pinlock kegs will work in the 20cuft set up? Can you fit three across or does it have to be the slimmer ball locks?

 

[JonW]

Anyone know if pinlock kegs will work in the 20cuft set up? Can you fit three across or does it have to be the slimmer ball locks?

Someone that cloned my setup a couple of years ago sent me a pic and it looks like it is doable.

 

[Brian77095]

Jon,

Thanks for the quick response and the picture! Looks like you might need a crowbar to get them out but, looks like they fit!! Very happy!

Great thread and build!

 

[Brian77095]

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