Kegerator: convert or buy??

[Tizzel]

Been doing a shit ton of reading on these forums about kegerators.
From some of the posts it seems that a converted kegerator produces alot of head because the tower is so far from the fridge. Is there an easy way to overcome this or is it easier to buy a kegerator?

I kinda wanted to go the conversion route so it can be incorporated into the L-shaped bar I will be building

[Quads]

Foam and the tower being too far from the keg is bullshit. If that were the case, most every bar in America would serve foamy beer.
People are having a different issue, non-insulated lines from point a to b, too high / low pressure, uneven pressure regulation, etc.

AFAIC, if you've got an old fridge or freezer, convert it.
You'll save a ton of cash, and get exactly what you want.

[Tizzel]

Thanks!
In about 3 weeks I'll have updated pics of the mancave....just gotta finish this thing called work first

[JCinPA]

Been thinking about this for a couple of years. That means I'm within about two years of actually making one, if my poker table is any kind of gauge. :D

[Beatts]

Quads is correct.

It's all about the adjustments. My Co2 manual says to keep the pressure at 12lbs but I find 8 lbs is optimal. I also keep my beer a tad colder around 37 deg C

The longer the line, the higher the pressure.

For a line like you want, make sure you cool the lines, I have a simple computer fan inside a box that pushes cold air from the bottom into the tower, for something longer, you could insulate the lines to help.

I bought my kegerator. It's a entry lever budget system but with a few tweaks it works great. Knowing what I know now, when this unit goes tit's up I will convert a fridge simply for the extra space it provides.

Don't put a draught system in to save money, because you really won't. Put it in if you simply love the taste of draught beer.

Before I even put a pencil to paper for my renovations, I had to have one and it's the best decision I made. It will make your friends and family envious ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v253/viceroyhomes/45997_10150248086220153_681095152_14494617_8334689 _n.jpg


PS, try to clean your lines after every keg, doesn't take long to do and it ensures great tasting beer. I have a buddy who only cleans his after every 3 or 4 kegs and he's learning the hard way....

[Beatts]

You can't see, but my Co2 tank is on the other side of the wall (in my laundry room, for easy access)

[SniperD5]

Quads is correct.

It's all about the adjustments. My Co2 manual says to keep the pressure at 12lbs but I find 8 lbs is optimal. I also keep my beer a tad colder around 37 deg C


That is some warm ass beer. :D

[Tizzel]

Like a cup of tea!!

[Tizzel]

Any preference on what conversion kit I should but and from which place?
Take into account I'm in Canada and don't wanna be raped on shipping (then again I gain on the exchange rate :) )

[ACE'S FULL]

Any preference on what conversion kit I should but and from which place?
Take into account I'm in Canada and don't wanna be raped on shipping (then again I gain on the exchange rate :) )

Not sure on the shipping part but here is a good place.

KegWorks - Draft Beer Equipment, Bar Tools Bitters, Bar Foot Rails, Commercial Supplies and More (http://www.kegworks.com/home.php)

You can also check out DIY Projects - Home Brew Forums (http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/) for info on keg conversions as well as parts and other shit.

[Beatts]

lol !

Sorry NOT celcius!

I'm in Canada also, and Kegworks gets all my business. Super cheap, and fast delivery.

[Tizzel]

What does US Sankey mean??

Nevermind, my lazy ass did some reading. Looks like it'll work on kegs in Canada!

[Tizzel]

Just ordered the business end of the bar

http://www.kegworks.com/images/detailed/C240-TOW_Bx1.jpg
http://www.kegworks.com/images/detailed/dripTray-B.jpg
http://www.kegworks.com/images/detailed/splashGrid-b1.jpg
Splash guard replaces the cheap looking plastic one
All from Kegworks

[SniperD5]

I am incredibly jealous dude. Nice buy.

[Beatts]

Nice buy, that will work slick.

US Sankey will work in all kegs pretty much but Guinness.

I get my Co2 filled at the local welding shop. He just switches me tanks. Mine's lasted over a year so far...

Congrats and have fun with the new set up

[zathras]

A fully charged 5lb CO2 tank should push about 10 kegs. For me that's 2 years. A recharge is less than 15 bucks.

Congrats on your purchase!

[Dennis]

For those looking to buy instead, I'd suggest checking craigslist for a nearby college. Down here there's a lot of graduating UCF students who are unloading their kegerators for around $200. I'm sure they've all been thru 4 years of frat party duty, but they still look pretty serviceable...

[Diver4lifeUSMC]

In my honest opinion i would convert. Sure commercial kegerators are nice but its not your personal one per say. I got a free fridge from my wifes boss and bought a complete kit from beverage factory off amazon. I painted mine blue theres pics on the show me your kegerator thread. Im planning on getting a chest freezer and converting thaso i can have 6 corny kegs of different beers or home brews once my wife says its cool

[Bar 3-25]

I bought my Kegerator conversion kit from Amazon also, from The Beverage Factory. It came with everything to convert your fridge to a kegorator; the CO2 tank, drip pan, all lines, tap & handle, and pressure gauges. (even included instructions on how to install and drill sizes needed, anyone can do it, VERY easy job.)

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n147/3rdGenGT/Bar%203-25/2011-11-20_173716.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n147/3rdGenGT/Bar%203-25/2011-11-20_174635.jpg

[mancave-necessities]

you can use a chest freezer with a thermostat to keep it around 34-35 degrees. works great for my homebrew soda kegs.

Links removed.
If you're unable to read our rules, your account will be removed.

[Shadow]

^^

Does this post violate the terms of PMC/constitute advertising with those links/sig?

[antistan]

Tizz,

What resources online did you use to build? This is my project this year. Not sure where to start? Total costs by the end? Total time investment?

Can I get all the shit and throw this together in a day?

[Slev]

Tizz,

What resources online did you use to build? This is my project this year. Not sure where to start? Total costs by the end? Total time investment?

Can I get all the shit and throw this together in a day?

All you need is a refrigerator big enough to hold a keg and a kegerator system (like the one Tizz bought) and you're done. Kegerator system is anywhere between 200-300 bucks. Cut a hole in the door for the beer spout/line and you're done...shouldn't take more than a couple hours to do a nice job. I recommend running the CO2 line outside the fridge, that way you can see & adjust your pressures/change tanks without having to get inside the fridge

[Tizzel]

Tizz,

What resources online did you use to build? This is my project this year. Not sure where to start? Total costs by the end? Total time investment?

Can I get all the shit and throw this together in a day?

I built the kegerator into the bar with plans from barplan.com: The Leading Home Bars Site on the Net (http://www.barplans.com). I slightly modified the size of the bar to my needs, but the kegerator portion worked good.

I ordered the kegerator stuff from KegWorks - Draft Beer Equipment, Bar Tools Bitters, Bar Foot Rails, Commercial Supplies and More (http://www.kegworks.com)
You want total costs for the whole bar or just the kegerator portion?

Check out this post Start of a new Mancave...**NEW PICS** - The Perfect Man Cave (http://perfectmancave.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28062) for pics

[antistan]

Cost for the kegger portion.

Just wondering if this is a two week project or a two day project.

[thunderklees]

I have a fridge for my kegerator and found the kit on ebay for about $200 for 2 taps and a co2 tank. I was wondering if I could drill the holes for the taps on the side of the fridge instead of the door?

[JWalsh]

I have a fridge for my kegerator and found the kit on ebay for about $200 for 2 taps and a co2 tank. I was wondering if I could drill the holes for the taps on the side of the fridge instead of the door?

Yes. You can go through the side of the fridge. My old set up was on the side, but my current Fridge is through the door. I can't access the side in my current set up.

[thunderklees]

Thank you. I wasn't sure if there was anything important that I would drill through on the side.

[Tizzel]

Cost for the kegger portion.

Just wondering if this is a two week project or a two day project.

Total costs was about $500 including the fridge. Cost a little more because I purchased a drip tray (Absolute must) and a chrome insert to replace the stock plastic one

[Karpro]

Yes. You can go through the side of the fridge. My old set up was on the side, but my current Fridge is through the door. I can't access the side in my current set up.

Check the fridge, some have the cooling coils in the side walls instead of on the back.