I think I want a Kegerator, any input?

LR Max

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2007
Location
Atlanta, GA
So this past weekend I got a keg and all I got out of it was friggen foam. I tried to buy a new hand pump but they weren't available so a craptacular hand pump was procured.

I see this as a lack of proper equipment. Thus a kegerator, I feel, could solve all of my problems while providing quality beer. However I know nothing about kegerators, all I know is I pull the lever and beer magically shows up :lol:. Can someone educate me?

While this does make me sound like a douche, I'm just gonna buy a name brand kegerator, not build mine. From what I see, it looks like its gonna be the easiest to deal with and easiest to move.

So any brands I should look at? Avoid? What settings do I need for a kegerator? What about maintenance? Cleaning lines? How to or does Mr. Dishwasher handle this? How long can I keep a keg in there before the beer is crap? Any other random advice?

Damn hand pumps can go eat a dick as far as I'm concerned.
 
A good friend of mine turned an old fridge of his into a kegerator, works awesome. He spent around $200 on the materials (minus the fridge). The only thing he really said was make sure you don't skimp out on the regulator.
 
If you have a CO2 tank with regulator set at 10-12psi
and a Sanke keg tap similar to this http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/couplers/american/7485E.shtml
you won't ever have to pump again to pour beer.

Not sure how long beer will last in a refrigerated (36*) cooler before it goes bad. If you have the CO2 tank, you can shut off tank and bleed the pressure off the keg so it doesn't over carbonate.

Beer faucets are very easy to clean. Not sure how often you have to clean the "jump line" in a kegerator

Edit: I *think* most kegerators you buy have everything you need except the keg and CO2.

Kegs are like a bottle of coke, if you drop it a few times, it's gonna spew when tapped. Let it settle for awhile.
 
Micromatic Beer Forums - They should on your reading list.

Converted Fridges rock. Kits are not expensive. With my conversion - I have a freezer to chill the Vodka, Tequila etc etc. I have some of the shelves in the fridge which allow for soft drinks, bottled water etc to be kept cold. There are also beer mugs chilled in it. All of it sitting in my garage - ready to supply me - without having to go in the house.
 
Don't waste your money on a brand name kegerator. The old fridge conversion is the way to go. You can make it as simple or as complex as you want. Plus you will save a lot of $$. If you can drill holes and run air/CO2 lines you can do the conversion yourself. I have a 5gal. keg of homebrew in the fridge in my garage right now. I have helped a few people do the conversion and it is really easy. Parts list:

Old fridge( with a good thermostat)
various air/CO2 lines and fittings
A good regulator and CO2 tank( 10-20lb works great)
Fancy Tap of your choice.

If you decide to do it yourself send me a PM and I can walk you through it. I will try and get some pictures of my set up tonight. :beer:
 
Im sure if there is ever a problem finishing a keg the fine folks of NC4x4 will be happy to take on that burden.
 
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