Want to start kegging - build or buy?

cubbyfan · Nov 13, 2013

Hey guys so this has probably been answered before but a bit of searching hasn't really given me an answer. Anyway, I want to start kegging my beer but am not sure what the best kegerator for my needs would be. I am pretty set on having a two tap tower style. Cost is not that much of a factor but quality is and I'd much rather pay $500 and put some work in than pay $1000 for something higher end if the end product quality will be similar. I'm fairly handy but need a decent set of instructions to follow if I'm going to be doing a lot of building/modification. Also looks are fairly important as well so I don't want to be starting with an old beat up fridge and would probably rather not have something will a lot of tubes and a gas cylinder hanging outside. Also, I don't have the time or interest to spend hours perusing ebay or craigslist to find the best deal.

So anyway, given all this it seems to me like the best option is either building one from scratch or buying a midrange unit and doing some upgrades. For you guys who have done this before, which option tends to work out better? If I build from scratch am I better going with a kegerator or keezer? Also if I build from scratch I'd probably get all the pieces as a kit - been looking at kegconnection or micromatic - any difference in quality between the different sites? Also, which are the most important upgrades? It seems like I'll want perlick faucets, 8-10' of tubing, a dual body regulator - anything else?

BirdmanBrewingCo · Nov 13, 2013

There's a ton of satisfaction in being able to say you built your own - whether a kegerator or a keezer. They're really not that tough if you've got even the most basic of handyman skills. This forum has numerous great "how to" threads.

If cost isn't a huge issue, you might start with a nice chest freezer from lowes or home depot, and then build it out from there with the parts you mention above. You can go simple collar route, or more elaborate coffin style. Again, lots of threads here.

And if you're going with Perlick stainless faucets, you'd also probably want to use stainless shanks, tailpieces, too.

63belair · Nov 15, 2013

BirdmanBrewingCo said:
There's a ton of satisfaction in being able to say you built your own - whether a kegerator or a keezer. They're really not that tough if you've got even the most basic of handyman skills. This forum has numerous great "how to" threads.

If cost isn't a huge issue, you might start with a nice chest freezer from lowes or home depot, and then build it out from there with the parts you mention above. You can go simple collar route, or more elaborate coffin style. Again, lots of threads here.

And if you're going with Perlick stainless faucets, you'd also probably want to use stainless shanks, tailpieces, too.

This.

If you are even remotely handy and have some fairly basic tools, you can easily build one. There are literally hundreds of threads in the DIY section with detailed step by step instructions and photos of the entire process for tons of different styles of fridges and freezers, many of which you can buy brand spanking new for not that much $.

The pre-built kegerators tend to come with garbage faucets and shanks that you will end up swapping out later for perlicks anyway.

mr_rogers · Nov 15, 2013

I went the build your own route but I saved quite a bit of money by buying the fridge (a stainless danby minifridge) from Craigslist. If you're patient you can find a very nice nearly new version of the fridge you want for less than half the price.

Of course Perlicks are the only way to go for taps.