Hi Everyone, i have been reading alot of posts and doing a lot of research on my first kegerator. I am having a home bar built in my basement and want something that will last for years to come. It seems the Beverage Air BM-23 gets the most consistent positive reviews. I don't want to spend more than $2000. I also want dual taps. Are there other kegerators worth looking into? Also, can i buy a single tap BM-23 and convert it dual tap easily? Thanks!
Beverage Air, True, Perlick and Summit all make commercial high quality units (Summit does have a cheaper line too). Can't go wrong there. If you can swing the coin, there is no need to mess around with anything less. You can buy a single tap and easily upgrade the tower to a dual tap later, the unit is the same. If you are planning to build the unit in, you need to buy one made for that, otherwise it will have issues with cooling it's mechanicals which can lead to early failures.
Thanks Doug, It looks like the built ins are a little more expensive. I spoke with a sales person from a website that really was pushing a Kegco brand because of the price. Is that brand not worth it? He also said the BM-23 was not really a built in model but that if I left enough room around it it would cool just fine. He made me pretty nervous with his "you're buying a sledgehammer when all you need is a ball pein hammer" line.
I don't have any experience with Kegco. If BillandSuz is around, I'm sure he will comment. The brands I've mentioned are definitely top of the line, but you will never have to worry about them. They are about as plug and play as you can get. They will last 20 or 30 years and likely never need service. If they do by any wild chance, they are fully serviceable.
you won't find anyone around here telling you not to get a BM 23. but you do have choices. all the brands mentioned are fine. you should know that the BM 23, and all commercial units, are pretty loud when running. not screaming loud, but if you have ever been behind a bar when it is empty you will definitely notice. so don't design your home theater around one of those. yeah, the BM 23 is something of a sledge hammer. talk to a salesperson who is knowledgeable, and by all means, do not buy on price point alone. do not buy your kegerators from the same online store that is selling knitting supplies. do not get it at Bed Bath and Beyond (oh man how I have grown to hate BBB). plan to invest some time in understating this thing. a lot of people come here with zero knowledge and get frustrated. its not hard to get good draft pours' but it does require at least an hour or so of thinking and reading. know what you are getting for your money. you want a tower cooler. dual gauge regulator, 5# CO2 tank (empty and not 2.5#), coupler(s), faucets preferably ss. ask what brand faucet, if they can't tell you the brand it is probably the cheapest pos imaginable and it will break. same for the couplers. drip tray, preferably with a drain. look at the casters, see if they are ball bearing and solid. the hinges should be solid. the chrome plating should be real plate and not spray on. OK, BM 23 is about $1300 retail I think. cheapest pos kegerators is $399. so you know there is a lot of corners cut. but $700 $800 and you can have a very fine appliance that will last forever. also, check out your local CL and restaurant supply store. bars are opening and closing, there are some good deals if you are patient and stay on top of it. Cheers.
