Yes I know this has been covered numerous times.. Sorry. ... Hello all, any info would be much appreciated. My head is spinning trying to read thru posts and searching on-line. I am looking for a new kegerator for my new bar in my basement. At this point I'm not 100% sure if I can fit a complete unit in there or if I need to get a fridge and a kit. So.... 1. In your opinion, a reliable option for fridge only. Everyone I find seems to have a freezer in it. 1b. If I go this route, a reliable kit. I am "handy" so I'm not worried about getting this together if I go this route. 2. Quality two tap kegerator. I don't want the cheap crap but I can't be spending over a grand either.
just from a quick glance at the double-taps available on kegworks.com there are none for under a grand so building your own may be the way to go.
http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/kegerators/dualkegerator/index.shtml There are a number of doubles available here. The other common double tap inexpensive units to look at are Edgestar and Haier. All the low end units require a few quick fixes to make them work better - tower cooler and longer lines right off the bat. The regulators should be upgraded at some point and the faucets / shanks too, but not required to start out usually. For conversion kits, check out micromatic. All of their stuff is good, a little pricey, but you won't have to screw around with it either. Not sure I understand why if you can't fit a kegerator in there, a fridge with a kit would be smaller? You can also do wonderful things with remote systems and put the cooler in another room and plumb the faucets over to your bar. If it is a short run, you can away with air cooling via a cheap tower cooler style forced air system.
How about a used commercial grade True kegerator? Craigslist or possibly restaurant supply type place. I have a True GDM (glass door merchandiser) with racks in the garage. Type of thing they sell Coke and Pepsi out of in the check out line in Walmart, etc. The thing runs like a champ and easily serviceable if something needs done.
you need to determine how much floor space you can devote to the appliance. this will determine your ability to dispense one, two or more kegs. and since commercial kegs come in 4 formats, each with their own footprint, there are really a lot of options available. here- http://www.micromatic.com/beer-questions/sizes-keg-draft-beer-available-aid-11.html measure the width height and depth you have available or would like to use and let us know. then we can determine the best fit. you can consider building a "keezer". it is very easy for a DIY guy and the results can be far superior to what you will be able to find elsewhere. and the savings will be substantial. plus you can customize a keezer with nice paint, polish, trim etc. i recommend a keezer over anything else, regardless of budget, especially if you are handy and want some flexibility. also. there are few refrigerator only options for conversion. Frigidaire makes one. i had one and do not recommend. my repair tech... who i got to know because he has repaired my Frigidaire junk too many times... explained that the fridge only is a freezer box with a cheap compressor and a refrigerator thermostat. other fridge only appliances are true commercial units and not practical because they are loud, expensive, heavy and expensive. Cheers.
The total floor space is 44 long, 33 height.... Depth may be an issue. Anywhere from 14 to 20.?? Forgive me but whet is a "keezer"... Building a kegerator into a freezer?... Can you adjust the temp up?
very well. yes, a keezer is a modified chest freezer. it is a very easy build. google keezer design for the basic idea. the advantage is that it is the cheapest option. 2, a keezer works very well. 3, customize. disadvantage is, lifting 170 pounds up and into a chest. this is not simply done and a serious obstacle. a typical keg is about 18" wide. the height is not an issue whatsoever; look at the "collar" built into the chest freezer that makes is a keezer and you will understand. with 18" of width you have two kegs. but a third sixtel or maybe a slim quarter. look at the dimensions and you can do the math. temp can be adjusted very well. explore Ranco temp controller or Johnson temp controller. its all very simple with a minimal amount of guidance. let us know your thoughts, we will provide some assistance. Cheers.
