Vintage GE Kegerator

[fosaisu]

Right now, it's just taped to whichever keg is fullest. At some point, I'd like to seal it inside something with a bit more thermal mass.

Interesting, I hadn't really thought of that before but just read this post by zachattack in another thread which seems like a good way to go, so maybe I'll give this a try:

"I ... drilled a hole in the lid of an old White Labs vial. Ran the probe through the lid, and filled the vial with sand. Now the probe is surrounded by dry thermal mass, so no worries about water etc. getting in and ruining the probe after a while. I just have mine on the floor next to the kegs."

 

[kerber]

Too bad I can't convince him to give it up yet.:/

Keep an eye on craigslist and you might find one cheap!

 

[TBaGZ]

Keep an eye on craigslist and you might find one cheap!

I look all the time

 

[fosaisu]

Just saw kerber's fridge build posted on Hack A Day, fun to read the non-homebrewers' reactions: http://hackaday.com/2013/01/23/vintage-kegerator/

 

[kerber]

It got a pretty good reception over at reddit's /r/homebrewing as well.
http://www.reddit.com/r/Homebrewing/comments/174fc4/1950s_ge_kegerator_build_rdiy_xpost/

I am sure there's already a lot of crossover, but check it out if you've not seen it!
http://www.reddit.com/r/homebrewing

 

[Craghunter]

Hey i just got a GE fridge just like yours any advise on removing the door and the chrome pieces. The chrome all looks good and the fridge works just want to remove what I can before sanding and painting it.

 

[kerber]

Hey i just got a GE fridge just like yours any advise on removing the door and the chrome pieces. The chrome all looks good and the fridge works just want to remove what I can before sanding and painting it.

Honestly, it's been long enough that I can't remember the specifics. To give you a general idea, the door hinges can be unscrewed once you remove the chrome caps. The emblem comes off with a metal clip on the inside of the door.

 

[Craghunter]

Honestly, it's been long enough that I can't remember the specifics. To give you a general idea, the door hinges can be unscrewed once you remove the chrome caps. The emblem comes off with a metal clip on the inside of the door.

Thanks,

I plan on taking my time and getting a good kegerator out of it. Its my first build. any advise from doing this project that you can think of to help before I get going. I plan on cursing this forum for best taps and things of that nature.

 

[kerber]

Thanks,

I plan on taking my time and getting a good kegerator out of it. Its my first build. any advise from doing this project that you can think of to help before I get going. I plan on cursing this forum for best taps and things of that nature.

The biggest piece of advice I can give is this. If the refrigeration system works and is in good condition, be very careful with it. As you can see in one of my earlier posts, it can be separated from the rest of the fridge entirely. It makes it very easy to do whatever you want to the main cabinet without having to worry about the fragile bits.

 

[JamesonFan]

How long were the shanks that you used in the door? I recently bought a vintage GE refrigerator off Craigslist and am looking to put two taps in it as well.

I noticed you put the taps basically where the freezer door is after you removed it. Is that correct?

 

[Craghunter]

@kerber

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=594120

I am almost done with my fridge now man thanks for the help!!!!

 

[kerber]

How long were the shanks that you used in the door?

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like my shipping order from KegConnection has the lengths. I'd assume it was the standard 4 1/8", but it would be hard to know without pulling my door apart.

I noticed you put the taps basically where the freezer door is after you removed it. Is that correct?

That is correct. After modeling it in sketchup, I played with a few different placements and decided I liked the offset look and fit of it.

 

[kerber]

@kerber

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=594120

I am almost done with my fridge now man thanks for the help!!!!

That's excellent! The paint looks great!

 

[JamesonFan]

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like my shipping order from KegConnection has the lengths. I'd assume it was the standard 4 1/8", but it would be hard to know without pulling my door apart.



That is correct. After modeling it in sketchup, I played with a few different placements and decided I liked the offset look and fit of it.

No problem. I have the same style of GE refrigerator that you do and I'm just trying to figure out the best place for the taps. And I think that if you remove the freezer door, there should be plenty of room for the lines.

Thanks again for posting your progress on this. It's really inspired me to make my GE look great.

 

[phug]

Right side and top half of rear finished. 220 grit with a vacuum attached to my orbital sander. Lead paint is not tasty.

Hmm, I've heard the exact opposite, which is part of the problem. Or maybe it's an acquired taste.

 

[Craghunter]

That's excellent! The paint looks great!

Thanks man hoping it all turns out great i am excited about it

 

[Brewntang]

Very impressive. Thanks for sharing. I just saw a vintage GE chest freezer on craigslist I thought about retrofitting. This gave me some great ideas.

 

[fosaisu]

Very impressive. Thanks for sharing. I just saw a vintage GE chest freezer on craigslist I thought about retrofitting. This gave me some great ideas.

Do a search, I think someone on hbt did a vintage chest freezer conversion that looked awesome, might be some good pointers there.