Keg fridge purchasing help

[wyatt880]

I have made several kegerators out of old fridges before, so that's not what this thread is about. I'm wondering if anyone has purchased the fridges made especially for kegs, and I am wondering about manufacturers, models, prices, what to look for, etc.

I guess now that I'm thinking about it, what you think of them vs. a home made kegerator?

I'm looking for a 1 full size keg fridge only, but can be talked into one with more capacity. :cool:

[beachtrader]

Danby is the low cost entry version. You can find this in Sam's Club or anywhere else. Runs ~$500. I have two neighbors who have it. Runs good, but the temp varies +-5 degrees all the time. For a quick plug-in and go solution its the cheapest.

Haier seems to have a lot of problems based upon all the reviews on the internet (Amazon, etc.). Never used them so its second hand info.

BevAir is expensive but everyone seems not to have any problems with them.

Sanyo is one step up from Danby. No experience with them one way or another.

As for whether you want a home made or purchased unit, it depends on you. I found a 2 keg size freezer on craigslist for $40. I'm turning it into a 2 keg tower unit for a fraction of what I would pay for a two keg kegerator.

[RyGuy]

I have a Beverage Air that has a "two tap" tower on it so I can fit two 1/6 bbl. kegs in there. Or, it will hold a single 1/2 bbl. keg.

I have a couple of buddies with the more 'entry' models mention (Danby, Sanyo) and they both struggle with consistency of temp, meaning struggle with keeping the beer at the right delivery temp and which can affect the flavor and shelf life of the beer.

Obviously it's not cheap compared to the others - - but the BevAir is, to me, worth the investment. I was particularly concerned about a durable, long lasting compressor b/c mine lives in my unairconditioned garage with summer temps routinely in the mid-80s. It works hard through the summers but the inside unit temp consistently holds where I set it, even through the toughest days of hot weather.

[wyatt880]

Here's one that I found. The more that I look at the floorplan of my proposed addition, the more I realize that I really don't have the space for a converted chest freezer. Probably can justify the cost b/c of the resulting smaller countertop. Plus, I like the fact that I can swing a keg in a door, vs. lifting and dropping.

Model: BM23C-B Draft Beer Cooler,
Portable, Club Type,
1 Keg, Black
General Specifications
Portable Draft Beer Dispenser:
The BM23C provides mobility with application (home, club, hospitality). With full keg capacity and heavy-duty, forced air refrigeration, beer is dispensed ice cold every time.

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn244/wyatt880/118-BM23CB.jpg

CONSTRUCTION:
Standard construction includes wear resistant vinyl on steel exteriors with black the most popular vinyl choice. Top is made from heavy-duty stainless steel including drip tray for easy cleaning. Glass railing is standard on the club model. Club model features glass storage area below and easy glide, stainless steel lid. Four-inch (4") heavy-duty swivel casters are standard.

Includes 2 1/2" insulated tower with single faucet is included. Each tower is adapted to have a continuous source of cold air channeled into it to keep beer at its coldest, best quality when dispensed.

Inside construction utilizes galvanized steel for walls and ceiling. Reinforced floors and doorsill are made from heavy-duty stainless steel to provide lasting service. Door is self closing with key lock. Magnetic gasket provides positive door sealing.

Cabinet insulation is foamed-in-place polyurethane (CFC Free) which helps to provide maximum operating efficiency and strengthen the overall construction.

REFRIGERATION:
Refrigerant used is R134a, which is CFC free for full compliance to all environmental concerns. A cord and plug is provided for electrical connection.


Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufactured by Beverage Air. Model BM23CB presented by Katom Restaurant Supply. At www.katom.com
Photo May Include Optional Accessories!

THIS PRODUCT TYPICALLY SHIPS
WITHIN 5 - 10 Days



DIMENSIONAL DATA: BM23C-B
Net Capacity (cubic ft.) 7.8
Net Capacity (liters) 198
Length overall (inches) 24"
Length overall (mm) 609
Depth (inches) - Less handle 28 1/2"
Depth (mm) - Less handle 724
Height overall (inches) 39"
Height overall (mm) 990
Depth with door open 90" (inches) 49 1/2"
Clear Door Width 19 3/4 x 27 3/4
Number of Shelves 1
Number of Kegs 1
ELECTRICAL DATA
Full load amperes 115/60/1 4.0
Full load amperes 220/50/1 2.1
REFRIGERATION DATA
Refrigerant R134a
Horsepower 1/5
WEIGHT DATA
Gross Weight (crated lbs) 171
Gross Weight (crated kg) 77.6

Features, Options & Specifications Subject to Change Without Notice.

This product is recommended for commercial use only
residential use not recommended!

[RyGuy]

Check out beveragefactory.com (I think that's the name) for a competitive price.

[doughboy63]

I am sure that is the top o' the line kegerator, but good lord, I went to the site and looked at the price. I am sure you have looked but Sams (http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=158307) and Costco (http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11315101&search=keg&Mo=0&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=keg&Ntt=keg&No=0&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1) both have versions. Sams is about a third of the price and Costco roughly half.

I don't know dick about kegerators, and I am sure you have done your research, but damn that is a huge price difference. I did notice that the one you are looking at said "for commerical use only". Maybe that is the difference in price. Who knows?

[doughboy63]

Just saw Ry's post and went to that site, I wold love to know feature differences that justify the massive price swings.

[wyatt880]

Cheapest that I found this kegerator was at:

http://www.shortorder.com/products/beverage-air-commercial-beer-cooler-kegerator-bm23c

I agree - $1200 for a kegorator seems to be a massive investment.

[wyatt880]

It appears that the major differences are stainless steel construction, a cooled tower, and overall reliability. That's just from reading some of the testimonials on the various websites.

[Quads]

I would think cooled tower would be a pretty big selling point.
Unless you like warm beer.

[RyGuy]

Cooled tower is one feature. The biggest difference, I would think, would be in the strength of the construction and the performance of the cooling system. As I said above, my Beverage Air commercial grade unit sits in an unairconditioned garage, and even inthe heat of summer it holds the internal temp remarkably steady. I'm satisfied that it will be a reliable, trouble-free unit for years (now watch it break down this weekend or something . . . . ).

[wyatt880]

Hmmm.... found this online:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Frigidaire-Pro-Kegerator-Beverage-Center-Beer-Cooler_W0QQitemZ350122683421QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_ DefaultDomain_0?hash=item350122683421&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A13 18

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn244/wyatt880/FRTB7B4EMB_med.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn244/wyatt880/9293_2_xlarge.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn244/wyatt880/9293_1_xlarge.jpg

Anyone have any experience with a Frigidaire fridge?

[Shadow]

Is that retro-fitted? Does anyone besides me think that the plastic shelf will NOT hold a 1/2bbl of beer for very long before busting?

[wyatt880]

I was afraid of that as well. It's listed on the Frigidaire website as a model they sell.

I guess I figured that there were some type of metal supports under the keg that are covered by the plastic. I definitely would want to see one of these in person before purchase.

[SinOrSwim]

I agree the plastic shelf will get killed putting kegs into it. As for frigidaire, I have frigidaire appliances and they are fine. I would definitely be worried about the shelf.

I have a Danby and it works just fine. Beer is always a good temp.

As for a cooled tower, I doubt you will see a major difference. You will get a little more foam without the cooled tower but not enough to justify the cost difference in most situations imo.

Good luck!

[wyatt880]

Just got done corresponding with a customer service rep...

Me: I have a question regarding the 16.5 Cu. Ft.
Refrigerator/Freezer Beverage Center. Only looking at the pictures, it is hard to tell if the bottom shelving has been reinforced to handle the weight of a full keg, and the force needed to get a keg onto the shelf.
What are the bottom shelving brackets made of? How do they transfer the weight of the keg to the floor?

This looks like a great product, but I would like to get a bit more information about it before purchase. Also, are there any stores locally where I might be able to view this product before purchase? I have been to several but none had this model in stock.

CS: Holds 1/2 keg, not full keg.

CS: Follow up to last message. If you Go to www.frigidaire.com Click on customer service then manuals. Enter model number and click search. this will give you more info on bev ctr

ME: Thank you. I did look at the manual for the center, which did not answer my original question.

My main concern is that the refrigerator is engineered to hold the weight of a full 1/2 barrel keg, which is roughly 160 lbs, and also the force of placing the keg into the fridge. From the picture, it appears that the support columns under where the keg would go are made of plastic. Are they strong enough to hold this weight? Also, is the floor of the fridge strong enough as well?

CS: If using 1/2 keg you remove shelf because it wont support it . set keg on floor of refrig.

ME: I guess I don't understand. Please see the attached .pdf, which is from the owner's manual. It clearly shows a 1/2 barrel keg on the shelf, and even states to make sure that you use 2 people to lift it onto the shelf. I believe that the shelf that you are referring to goes above the keg, not below, as the note states to reinstall the shelf after keg installation if using 1/4 barrel. Unless you are saying that you remove those columns, and both baskets, which is not part of the instruction manual.

My question again is what the columns (circled in blue in the attached
.pdf) are made of, and how they transfer the load. Also, in which stores would I be able to find this product?

CS: I'm sorry that I'm unable to answer the question completely. I did find list of Dealers within 50 mile radius of your zip code. Go to www.frigidaire.com Click on customer service then Dealers Enter zip code and dealers will be listed. you can narrow search to 30 or 10 miles

ME: There is not a thing that you told me that was not available from the website. Thank you for using absolutely no effort whatsoever to help me out.

[beachtrader]

And people wonder why companies are losing money...

[EVILGENIUS]

Do a chest freezer to kegerator conversion. The cold dense air mass doesnt have a seal to leak by making it around 15 times more energy effiecent than a standard door fridge. Air sits in chest when opened (like supermarket open top freezers). Have link to chest refridgerator site confirming this info.

[Joe Mama]

I would think cooled tower would be a pretty big selling point.
Unless you like warm beer.

The cooled tower helps ensure you dont get a glass full of foam when you take the first pull of your brew. Ensuring the tower and beer lines leading up to it are a nice consistent cool temp helps foamage.
-Me