Upright Keezer, 8 taps, 11 kegs

[krazydave]

JonW do you mind sharing where you sourced that drip tray from? I have been looking all over the place and all the drip trays I find are really small. I need something like you have that is around 22"



Thank you! I built a model based on your post and I am loving it!

He got his from eBay.
I found it for less on Amazon though.
There's a link to the eBay seller back in this thread someplace, but he had raised his price from $30ish to around $50.
I got mine on Amazon for around $35.
If you need the dimensions, let me know.

 

[General_Jah]

He got his from eBay.
I found it for less on Amazon though.
There's a link to the eBay seller back in this thread someplace, but he had raised his price from $30ish to around $50.
I got mine on Amazon for around $35.
If you need the dimensions, let me know.

I couldn't find one on amazon, mind linking me?

 

[krazydave]

I couldn't find one on amazon, mind linking me?

Unfortunately, it looks like the seller I bought from on Amazon doesn't have anymore. The only one I see on there anymore is $65ish after shipping.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J4XFJD2/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

So maybe eBay may be your better option at this point...

http://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/140722141489

 

[Huaco]

JonW do you mind sharing where you sourced that drip tray from? I have been looking all over the place and all the drip trays I find are really small. I need something like you have that is around 22"

Thank you! I built a model based on your post and I am loving it!

I got this 19" tray and it's quite nice. I still have yet to install it, but I've only got one tap working right now anyway so it's not too big a problem.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002NQIROA/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[itsnotrequired]

here is a 20" tray:

http://www.kegconnection.com/20x5-ss-drip-tray-surface-mount-with-drain/

 

[JoshuaW]

Different style drip tray, but if you want a nice big one with a backsplash, I got mine from http://www.acumetalfab.com/ They will custom do just about anything you want. Mine has a backsplash with eight holes predrilled for my shanks. Ill have pictures in my own thread in a few weeks (or whenever I get around to putting it all together).

 

[krazydave]

FWIW I have the same freezer and tap setup as JonW and the 24" width is perfect. I have a 19" one on my old kegerator and its too small for the door IMHO. If I had to use a shorter one, I would have to put the taps a little too close together for my liking (think collars nearly touching).
Those extra 4-5" make a big difference (that's what she said!)

 

[JonW]

FWIW I have the same freezer and tap setup as JonW and the 24" width is perfect.

Agree! If you go 8 taps, you need the 24" model. That puts your taps on 3" centers. If you want fewer taps, you can go with a smaller model, but calculate it based on at least 3" centers. Anything less really cramps the taps.

 

[General_Jah]

Agree! If you go 8 taps, you need the 24" model. That puts your taps on 3" centers. If you want fewer taps, you can go with a smaller model, but calculate it based on at least 3" centers. Anything less really cramps the taps.

Thanks for the dimensions, that really helped my search. I was able to find one here
http://www.webstaurantstore.com/curtis-dt-24-stainless-steel-24-drip-tray/945DT24.html

for $50.

Any suggestions on how to mount these to the front of the freezer?

 

[krazydave]

Thanks for the dimensions, that really helped my search. I was able to find one here

http://www.webstaurantstore.com/curtis-dt-24-stainless-steel-24-drip-tray/945DT24.html



for $50.



Any suggestions on how to mount these to the front of the freezer?

I used some angle brackets from the local hardware store, roughed them up with some sandpaper. Also taped off the freezer where they would go and roughed up the paint with the sand paper there also.
Then attached them with two part, five minute epoxy (also found at the same hardware store).
The tray is then attached to the brackets with Velcro so I can clean it.

Built a few kegerators using this method and never had any fear of the bond being weak. They'll hold up full growlers without issue.

 

[JonW]

Any suggestions on how to mount these to the front of the freezer?

I originally used 3M tape that held up for about 9 months. I now use what is called a keyhole bracket. There is a single screw behind each bracket through the front of the freezer (no worry about hitting anything there).

It required that I routed out the back of the wood triangle a bit to fit the keyhole bracket in there, but the installation is clean with no visible screws.

Here's what the keyhole bracket is: http://www.homedepot.com/p/OOK-20-lb-Large-Keyhole-Hangers-2-Pack-50236/100018911

 

[DrunkleJon]

I have seen others that have used the angle brackets, paired with a wooden frame of sorts and then loaded it up with rare earth magnets to attach. I am not sure if it will cause slippage though if you put weight on it. Though I have found with strong magnets if you put something like a piece of tape below where they are sticking they will not jump on top of it to start sliding.

 

[Huaco]

I'm working on hanging mine in a way I've not seen done yet. I'll wrap it up in the next few days and make sure I photo-log it as I go so I can do a nifty write-up.

 

[Huaco]

Ok. So, I finally got around to mounting my drip tray this evening. I used galvanized 1/2" pipe flange, nipple, and street elbow with another flange. I'll add some Velcro™ that has some skookum holding power under the tray. I don't want it sliding off.
I'm going to eventually drill a hole in the door at the center of the right-hand mount and pass a vinyl drain tube through the pipe to drain into a vessel for collecting dips and leaks.

EDIT: Also, I thought it would be VERY convenient to have it sit low enough to attach a piece of silicone tube to a tap and fill a growler with it sitting on the tray...

 

[Huaco]

Dang, the curse of the sideways picture! I'll fix when I get to a PC. Sorry guys...

Fixed pix

 

[DrunkleJon]

looks good. I like the industrial look.

 

[General_Jah]

I originally used 3M tape that held up for about 9 months. I now use what is called a keyhole bracket. There is a single screw behind each bracket through the front of the freezer (no worry about hitting anything there).

It required that I routed out the back of the wood triangle a bit to fit the keyhole bracket in there, but the installation is clean with no visible screws.

Here's what the keyhole bracket is: http://www.homedepot.com/p/OOK-20-lb-Large-Keyhole-Hangers-2-Pack-50236/100018911

Can you give me any details on what you used for the wood triangle?

 

[JonW]

Can you give me any details on what you used for the wood triangle?

Umm... wood. LOL - sorry that was too easy.

It's 3/4" thick pine cut to about 5" square, then cut as two triangles. A single screw is plenty to hold each bracket very sturdy.

Here's some pics:

 

[General_Jah]

You're the man! That is what I was looking for! Will attempt this for myself today

Umm... wood. LOL - sorry that was too easy.

It's 3/4" thick pine cut to about 5" square, then cut as two triangles. A single screw is plenty to hold each bracket very sturdy.

Here's some pics:

View attachment 337220

View attachment 337221

View attachment 337222

 

[prandlesc]

I used 3M double sided automotive moulding tape (I got it at an auto parts store) and it's been holding for over 2 years. I used a 3/4" curved and routed shelf bracket (from Lowes) that I cut to fit the shelf width. So far, they've been holding strong. I use a 1 gallon container for recirculating beer line cleaner that I use three or four times a year, so I know it will hold at least 8 or nine pounds.

 

[IloveWorts]

This is bad ass

 

[BrunDog]

On mine I bonded rare earth magnets to L brackets with JB Weld. A drip tray is then attached to the L brackets with 2 sided tape. It works well and is much stronger than expected. No holes needed and can be moved or changed without any heartache.

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1456170548.465531.jpg

 

[Huaco]

So, I suppose drilling through the top of the upright freezer is pretty much 100% safe.??? I need to bulkhead 2-3 lines through my upright for gas and I'm scared to death to do it.

 

[KKHolidaze]

Huaco, I'm glad you asked. I'm in the middle of my build and was wondering the same thing (I'm going to be covering mine with wood - need to lay furring strips to offset the hinge). I took everything I could out/off my freezer and it appears as if everything of value is on the back wall towards the bottom. FWIW, my top is bowed and beat and still runs like a champ. I also just drilled above the coils against the back wall and didn't hit anything other than insulation. Is that an option for you or do you need to go through the top?

Also, really like your mount for your drip tray and will be using that idea with the line drilled for a drain. Thanks!

 

[Huaco]

Thanks man...
I have the Velcro installed, but I don't have the drain line in just yet. I'll let you know how it goes once I do. You may want to look at using 3/4" pipe fittings for this though... The 1/2" that I used just doesn't have much room in the I.D. of the pipe.

 

[BrunDog]

No, don't drill through the wall or top blindly. If you catch a coil it's game over.

However, run it for a while. Feel for sections that get hot. Don't drill there!

 

[JonW]

You can almost always drill right above the hump area on the back wall and be safe. If you don't have a visible coil on the back side, then they are in the walls & top.

 

[Huaco]

Ok... I know I have coils in the side walls at least. The walls are warm to touch while operating. So, If I feel around the back side and don't feel heat, it's likely safe to drill through right above the hump?

 

[BrunDog]

Yes. Don't make any assumptions. I have two Kenmore upright freezers. One has coils in the back and the other doesn't.

 

[itsnotrequired]

if drilling on the rear, couldn't you do an 'exploratory' drill by using a hole saw to cut just the exterior and then poking the foam to see if there are any coils?