Advise on Build it or Buy it

[TFP]

OK, so i bought a Danby before I read this forum and low and belhod it did not work. After reading the horror stories on here, I promply retuned the unit and got my money back. Because by the time i bought the parts to fix the Danby unit, I could have just bought or built a better unit. So here are my options going forward trying to keep my cost under $700.

1) Buy the kenmore unit for ~$650 from Sears. That one seems to have good reviews from the people in the forums. I own a lot of kenmore appliances, and they have all been great so far.

2) Build one out of a chest freezer. Total cost about $620.

A. Premium - Tower Refrigerator Conversion Kit - $240

B. Brewer's Edge Digital Temperature Controller II - $99

C. New 7.2 or 8.8 cuft Chest Freezer - $175 - $250 (depends on the one i get)

D. 5# CO2 Cylinder - $70

So my question is, is one route better than the other? I'm indifferent to the labor to convert one, I would have to assemble the kenmore anyhow. I'm courious about how you all would view the performance and quality of the final system. If the resulting chest freezer conversion is a much better system, than I am fine with the labor involved, if they would be equivalent than I would probably just get the Kenmore and save myself the build time (and screw up costs). Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time to read and hopefully respond to a noob,

TFP (Thanks4Playing)

[ashman]

If I had to do it over, I would do a freezer conversion.

[psychodad]

+1 conversion

[stemikel]

Knowing what I do now, I would go with a freezer conversion. Good luck with the project.

[joepizi]

TFP, Have you decided yet? I am in the same boat as you and am only hesitant to build one because due to my inexperience, it may not look or work as good as the kenmoore unit, where as the kenmoore unit would be the safe bet but probably mediocre performance.

[BartenderPlease]

Same here, I have a Kenmore fridge out in the garage, where I measured the fridge side and it should hold a 1/4 and 1/6 kegs fine, corneys as well...but my lack of handy man skills scares me...the price is right too, I have most of the parts as I bought a kit that had the faucet/knob, CO2 Gauge, air line, coupler, and CO2 tank...

I need the shank, beer hose, and drip tray...and tools to do the work to this fridge.

But I want this by Saturday, to watch OU beat Mizzou...doubt that can happen...so buying would be way faster!

Decisions decisions.

[brewski121]

i would build one. I have built several and converting is rather simple, If you want to save yourself some hassle make sure you have enough room in the freezer for the co2 cylinder. All the walls of a deepfreezer have coils in them so drilling a hole for the co2 is the hardest part. One can build a 2X4 frame on top and drill into that but I find it doesnt look to nice. Or drill into the compresser box and pass the line that way. But I found the easiest was to leave it inside the unit itself. Then all that is really left is cutting a hole in the top and connecting some tubeing. You can actully run the hoses then throught the light fixture area of the interior lid so that you dont have to cut any holes on the inside to give it a nice finished look. You may want to place some wood supports in the lid for added tower suppot. Good luck .

[BartenderPlease]

The Kenmore fridge I have out in the garage, I took out the bottom two drawers/shelves last night and noticed there was a slant in the bottom back..leaving me only like 15" deep, not as deep as I need for a full sized keg.

So I got bummed, but then I remembered I can get smaller kegs, which would be less wasteful anyway...as I doubt me and the wife and occasional friends would drink through a full keg quickly. So the 1/4 or 1/6 kegs would fit in there fine with a 5lb Co2...wouldn't it? I think the space is 15" x 18"...

So now I'm thinking I'll convert, once again, instead of buying.

Its ok that I can never get a full keg in there right? I could probably even get two of the slimmer ones in there eventually...expansion to come later after the first one goes in first, smooth and successfully...

Is this thinking off?

[BigBadJohn]

Building doesnt have to be expensive. It just takes some patience and it doesnt hurt yo be of the "hebrew persuasion"

I found an incomplete kegrator on Craigslist for $25
(The day after, I saw a complete one with co2 tank for free! DOH!)

Bought a 20# co2 tank that had been used to ferment wine for $20. Took off the valve and cleaned it. Took a couple hours. Then took it in and got it exchanged for a full for one for $12

Waiting on some new lines and a tray off of beverage factor y

All in all, including the external digital temp display and the lock hasps and matching lock set as well as a thermostat setup I desgined myself, the thing will be a little over $200 after all is said and done

[bonefish]

I got a Kenmore a few weeks ago. On my third keg. It has been great.
Sean

[cubby_swans]

Originally Posted by bonefish

I got a Kenmore a few weeks ago. On my third keg. It has been great.
Sean

Third keg in a few weeks.... nice. You are one dedicated beer drinker. My hat is off to you.

[BartenderPlease]

Originally Posted by bonefish

I got a Kenmore a few weeks ago. On my third keg. It has been great.
Sean

Must be in a Frat or Dorm!

[bonefish]

Glasses.
No college life here. I really like having a cool pop after work. And lots of em on the weekend. Some day I'll post a pic of my favorite room.
SEAN

[dave2005]

My recommendation would be to build it yourself. I had an extra side-by-side refrigerator in my basement that I converted to a kegerator. I ran the lines up from the basement into my kitchen so all you see is just the tower sticking out of my counter. I only spent about 8 hours getting the whole system set up. It is helpful to have all of the right parts and tools. To that end, I would recommend reading the information on this site for running a beer line 5 feet. My run is slightly longer at about 6 or 7 feet, but I get a perfect pout every time.

I also saw that someone mentioned the slant in the bottom/back of the refigerator. I too had this problem and only measured 15". However, I solved it by building a platform to set the 1/2 barrel keg on. I would recommend doing the same thing. My platform is about 8 inches high on all sides.

[bonefish]

Pictures of my kenmore.
SEAN

[oneandonlychaz]

I also debated this but since i was putting it in my living room i went with the kenmore unit. I have gone thru right under 40 1/2 kegs in about a year and a half and havent had a problem. Altho i dont leave kegs in very long I have no problem getting it to maintain temperature in fact its actually set a little too cold (meaning to get on that actually) but as far as foam its only a small issue on the first pour, i get the first beer which i take for myself of about 1/2 and 1/2 but after that i get good beer all night as long as the faucets stay running.

Originally Posted by BartenderPlease

Must be in a Frat or Dorm!

He may not be but i however am in a fraternity so get a lot of help drinking my kegs

[sheadwsc]

I am plannng on purchaseing a kegerator for my boyfriend for Christmas. I originally came up with the idea when I saw the Danby at BestBuy. However after doing research I'm leaning towards the Kenmore or Summit. I've heard that the Kenmore is identical to the Heir which has problem. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Steph

[Cold One]

sheadwsc: In my opinion, for the money, the Summit or Sanyo 1206 (they are the same) is a nice kegerator. I purchased a Sanyo 1206 a few months ago and it is doing fine. The only drawback I've found with it so far is that the tower is not cooled and the first beer you pour (beer in the line from the Keg to the faucet) has a lot of foam, after you get the past the first pour and get to the beer in the keg, it is fine. They are listed at $595. on MM's website. If you can afford more and purchase one with a cooled tower, the Beveraire BM23 at $1,075. seems to be a good unit. It is a commbercial unit and runs a little noisier from what I've read from other posts I've read. Good luck!

[DeltaNu1142]

Originally Posted by bonefish

I got a Kenmore a few weeks ago. On my third keg. It has been great.

+1 on the conversion... I've got a full-sized Kenmore side-by-side that dispenses beer from the fridge, and liquor from the door dispenser (whole different project). The fridge was $80, the conversion kit was $160 with CO2 tank, $30 liquor pump, and figure $20 for miscellaneous fittings, etc. I still haven't been able to tune my temp & pressure, but it's still by far my best investment to date...!!!

Non-handy types shouldn't shy away from this project, there's REALLY nothing much to it. Buy/borrow/steal a drill & hole cutter, and that's the most difficult part.

[BeerCamp]

Depending on where you intend to keep it, (i.e., size limitation, less than pretty) I would definitely build your own. Don't be discouraged about the build. At most the only real tools you need is a drill with the appropriate size hole saw. Your faucet will come with an appropriate sized wrench. The hoses just clip on by hand or gently with pliers. I picked up a great used fridge off the bulletin board at work for 25 bucks. Start to finish it only took about a half an hour to install, and half of that was reading and double checking the instructions to make sure I was doing everything right! I also had to whip up a quick platform, but will be able to remove that when I get around to taking the plastic shelves and what not from the door (butter and egg trays, etc). Another thing is the CO2 tank. Go as big as you can fit in the unit. The difference in cost for a larger tank is minimal, and in the smaller sizes the cost to fill them is just as much as a larger most the time (or close to). Why go for fills/exchanges twice as often with little or no savings!