Newbi - kererator size question

Discussion in 'Home Bar' started by challenger1441, Mar 29, 2019.

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  1. challenger1441

    challenger1441 Initiate (0) Mar 29, 2019 Pennsylvania

    Hello everyone,
    I have now (had its done) a Kegco 199ss that I've been using. I bought it used. I found it required a few modifications to work properly after a ton of research on multiple forums...
    However, it's time to replace the unit and I am curious as I would like to acquire a unit that will at least hold a quarter slim and a sixtel.
    The Kegco I have will only hold 2 sixtels max.
    I would like the unit to have a built in fan, I had to add a muffin fan to the Kegco to get the temps down.
    I really just need a cabinet as I have all the hardware for dual dispensing I need.
    Just looking for advice on a cabinet that will hold a slim quarter and sixtel.

    Regards thanks all
     
    #1 challenger1441, Mar 29, 2019
  2. DougC123

    DougC123 Savant (1,186) Aug 21, 2012 Connecticut

    Go to Beverage Factory, most of their products can be had a la carte so you won't need to buy all the stuff you already have. Look at units that can be configured with a triple tap - if they can hold three sixths, they can hold a slim quarter and a sixth. True used to have a footprint chart on their website showing what would fit in their different models. Might want to check that out as well as Bev Air's web site.
     
    #2 DougC123, Mar 29, 2019
    Last edited: Mar 29, 2019
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  3. reefer_bob

    reefer_bob Savant (1,010) May 13, 2014 California
    Trader

    I have the Kegco z163, and I swear it'll fit a 1/4 and a 1/6... I'd want to try to to make sure. it holds 2 1/6s easily with room to move them around...

    I'm went to Kegco's website and it didn't give internal dimensions of the two of them to compare...
     
    #3 reefer_bob, Apr 5, 2019
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  4. challenger1441

    challenger1441 Initiate (0) Mar 29, 2019 Pennsylvania

    I appreciate your responses fellows. I was checking out the z163. I do like the tower fan option.
    The Reason I was asking is Founders All Day IPA is only available in in a slim quarter or half and I want Sierra Nevada Hazy which I can get in a sixtel or half. Its very confusing with the manufactures on the dimensions as most say 1 full, 1quarter, and 2 sixtels or 3 homebrew.
    I decided to purchase a new Kegco KC MDK-309X-01 cabinet from Beverage Factory. Cabinet only for $566+ with free shipping. Great deal I feel.
    Comes with digital t-stat, deep cool function, large interior, built in fan.
    I already have a dual gauges to dial in CO2 separately, double tap insulated SS tower with my lines in copper and Intertap SS faucets. I swear the taps are awesome. No sticking and so easy to clean. I expect delivery in 7-10 days and happy to give an update.
     
    #4 challenger1441, Apr 6, 2019
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2019
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  5. DougC123

    DougC123 Savant (1,186) Aug 21, 2012 Connecticut

    If the door doesn’t close with the slim and the sixth, use a piece of 2x4 to lift the front keg up so it clears the white plastic trim on the door and that should get you a little extra room. You might need a low profile coupler if you have to lift the keg.
     
    #5 DougC123, Apr 6, 2019
  6. billandsuz

    billandsuz Pooh-Bah (2,097) Sep 1, 2004 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    This sounds like a great set up and a really good price.

    Two observations.
    1.
    Slim Quarters are slowly disappearing from the supply chain. The sixtel was introduced as a remedy to the half bbl footprint. That is to say two sixtles fit in the same footprint as a half bbl, and a quarter keg is not the answer to anyone's problems. Sixtels were basically invented to squeeze two products into a kegerator*.

    So thinking a few months or years ahead, there is a good chance your beer of choice won't be in a quarter and just as likely that you'll find you want something else anyway.

    2.
    You mention "double tap insulated SS tower with my lines in copper" and I want to be sure you do not have beer in copper lines. If so, that is a chronic health concern and it is specifically not allowed by the FDA.

    Beer and copper do not mix. The pH of beer is not the same as water. Beer will leach enough copper to become toxic, especially since beer sits in the line for an extended period and it is not typical to dump that beer. There is a specific FDA regulation against this (I can look it up and post the reference if anyone cares to see it, it's a fairly obscure passage and your local health department probably knows nothing of this).

    Keep in mind that the lead is regulated under an EPA standard known as the "Lead and Copper Rule". Copper is not lead. Lead is poison at any dosage, while copper is not. But copper is definitely toxic at an excess dosage.

    Cheers.

    *A quarter does hold a good amount more beer than a sixtel but they are not really a solution. The slim quarter replaced the half height quarter which solved the problem of vertical height. Again, nobody's problem.
     
    #6 billandsuz, Apr 7, 2019
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  7. challenger1441

    challenger1441 Initiate (0) Mar 29, 2019 Pennsylvania

     
    #7 challenger1441, Apr 7, 2019
  8. challenger1441

    challenger1441 Initiate (0) Mar 29, 2019 Pennsylvania

    I should have be more specific in my communication. Funny story honestly...
    Enjoying craft beer, especially IPA & NEIPA, I usually purchase growlers and cans. So expensive and now I start doing some homework.
    So I find the cost could go down if I purchased a keg....During a local can release, I ask if they have a sixtel and they say yes. "Holy crap" I just saved half the cost! However I have no kegerator at this time remind you. I decide its more economical to purchase the sixtel than it is to purchase 2 cases of 16 oz cans.
    So now I need a kegerator for sure...I purchase a used Kegco kegerator 199ss from a local guy who turns out to be a police officer so I feel good about the purchase. I get it home, hook everything up and plug everything in and get severe foaming issues with my first sixtel. Firehose pours.
    So I start to do some research and read and find my line is too short, I had no insulation in my tower, the kegerator had no fan, temperature was likely too high.
    I was so disappointed and discouraged, thought I made a terrible mistake going with a kegerator.
    So I made upgrades. I purchased a dual dispensing stainless steel tower, I thought I'm going all in and want to have 2 beers on tap. I added Intertap SS faucets, I added 7/16 beer lines @ 11' feet long. And I purchased a muffin fan and timer to cycle better temps.
    As a compromise of purchasing a cooling tower fan, I decided to insulate my tower with pipe insulation and run my beer lines in 1/2" copper pipe to transfer cooling into the tower. I find this works great
    As it is, billandsuz, thank you for pointing out the copper concern. I came across the copper line/beer incompatibility issue in a forum post. During my research, being in construction, I thought copper would help transfer cooling with the beer lines and looked for posts regarding the same. I did find a couple threads of people who implemented this concept and had good reviews. Some other reviews I read discounted this insulating concept. My experience has been positive.
    Hope some may benefit....
    Cheers!
     
    #8 challenger1441, Apr 8, 2019
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