Recommendations for a Beer Fridge?

Search online at the major retailers. There are a lot of nice ones for around 200-300 bucks and they are not the old school college junk. If you have the room you can get a smaller size regular style, the big box guys have some nice ones for around 400-600. Not sure on your budget but there are tons of choices these days.

 

I don't think you'll find anything new with that budget, so think about second hand shops, classified ads, CraigsList, etc. If you don't have a truck and some helpful friends, do your best to arrange delivery and placement to the spot where you want it.

 

I found a good one at Sams Club for less than $200. You could try there or Costco.

 

I just got a nice fridgedaire for 125 on letgo app. That would be my recommendation.

 

OP - where are you planning to put it? If the garage or basement for instance, then you can look for a good deal on a full-size used one. If kitchen or some other finished space, how tall/wide will fit in the space you have?

 

Also appeals to others in the house as overflow from main fridge during holidays when there is too much for the main fridge. Could buy a new main fridge and put your current one downstairs. Delivery guys might even move it for you for a twenty, not much harder than them hauling it out to the truck.

 

I'm looking for a used full size fridge for my beer to put in the garage. Problem is I want it at cellar temp and most fridges don't get that warm. I hear they make external thermostats that will override the built-in thermostat. Has anyone done this? How well does this work, does it keep the temp pretty constant, and is it easy to install?

 

Ya but u are better off using a small chest freezer. Use an inkbird external thermometer.

 

Why am I better off using a chest freezer?

 

If you want it at cellar temps then that is too warm for a standard fridgerator and fridge freezer combos work by the freezer turning on and cooling down the bottom from the top . Basically your compressor will burn out quicker and it is inefficient. A chest freezer only has one compartment to worry about. It can be warmed in the cold months with a small space heater and an inkbird external thermometer. It's the same reasons why a lot of people use chest freezers instead of fridges for a kegerator.

 

To be fair both should work but chest freezers are better insulated and therefore are more efficient with energy. One downside of a chestfreezer is condensation.

 

A lot of us keg'ers/homebrewers do exactly this. Here are a couple of external controllers that work well:
https://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-All-...srs=10796996011&ie=UTF8&qid=1518563114&sr=8-5

https://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-Pre-...srs=10796996011&ie=UTF8&qid=1518563114&sr=8-4

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ranco-ETC-...erature-Control-120-208-240-VAC-/381356199806

I have used all of these with good results. I ferment beer in stand-up fridge (typically mid-60s) and keep a keezer (kegerator-freezer) at 39°. Been doing this for years, once dailed in it is mostly maintenance free. Installation is a breeze . . . mostly plug and play (except for entry level model you have to wire). Expect a small learning curve, but it's easy to nail the temp.

I would have no qualms over either fridge/freezer, although a stand-up fridge will he a little easier to access your beers (i.e. shelves versus everything stacked on floor). The only caveat is extreme temps can be unhealthy for any cooling appliance in garage. If you have 100° summers it can suffer to keep up . . . sub-freezing temps are almost as bad, your lubricants do poorly in very low temps. Personally I wouldn't pay a dime for a used fridge, keep your eyes open and you'll be surprised what pops up (just don't expect a beauty queen).

 

I've been using this for a year at cellar temp (~53) and it's worked well for me. I have a lot of larger format bottles, so I appreciate the adjustable shelves.

It's $190 on Amazon currently, possibly cheaper elsewhere.

https://www.amazon.com/Danby-Beverage-Center-Stainless-DBC120BLS/dp/B002MPLYEW

 

I think that's the exact one I have. It's worked very well for me (I covered the front to keep out light), but unfortunately quickly got too small. Also I want a full size fridge for all my beer, because I have a stash in the closet that I'd rather refrigerate and I'd like to get everything out of the kitchen fridge.

 

What did you use to cover the front? I have the same fridge and have been considering buying tint for it.

 

I cut a poster to fit. Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here album cover.