Kegerator DONE, full details.

[CIPSI]

Hey everyone,

Just finished my Kegerator and thought it might be helpful for me to detail the total cost and give some pictures of my conversion for the next guy who is interested in the process.

First the fun part, here are the pictures of my build.


The Magic Chef 7.0 cu I bought at Home Depot.

The thermostat I used to convert this freezer to a fridge.

This is the hole through the top to the tower.

My homemade Corona Tap handle, wish I could get a keg in Corona.

Here are my detailed costs (Does not include tools I needed):
-------------------------------------
Magic Chef 7.0 Freezer $179.00
Temperature controller $ 54.90
5lb CO2 Cylinder $ 66.95
Primary Double Gauge - CO2 $ 41.95
D System - Black lever Handle $ 34.95
Gas Hose and clamps 4' $ 3.80
90 Elbow for Keg Coupler $ 16.50
3" Column 1 faucet SS $ 94.91
Shipping and Handling $ 24.30
1/6th barrel Belgium white Beer $ 49.00
Keg Deposit $ 30.00
Charge the CO2 Cylinder $ 11.00
---------------------------------------
TOTAL $607.26 (I live in DE so no sales tax)

Hope this helps the next guy doing this and would love any comments about my build.

[CIPSI]

The Inside

My CO2 and gauge

The tap and the 90 degree fixture.

Here is where the power cord comes out of the box, I had to drill
in to the step to get the thermostat inside.

[Mako]

Very Nice, job well done. Home Depot has the Magic Chef freezer on sale for 159.00 thru March 12th. Good oportunity for someone to get started.

Magic Chef 7.2 Cu. Ft. Chest Freezer - MCCF7WBX at The Home Depot

[CIPSI]

Originally Posted by Mako

Very Nice, job well done. Home Depot has the Magic Chef freezer on sale for 159.00 thru March 12th. Good oportunity for someone to get started.

Magic Chef 7.2 Cu. Ft. Chest Freezer - MCCF7WBX at The Home Depot

Thanks Mako, I took my receipt back to Home Depot, they would not meet the internet price, but the price of the freezer has gone down to $179.00 in store so they did give me $20 back.

Interesting enough, the sales online are NOT honored by the stores and in fact, you can not even return items purchased online in one of the stores..

I have updated my final cost above.

[cwhubbard]

I see you put the power cord through the step. did you have any trouble doing this? are you cooling your tower?
i scored an 8.4 CF monkey wards freezer off craigs list. i am trying to control the temp with a refrigerator thermostat i got at the junk yard. may end up getting one of those johnson controllers, if i cant get the temp dialed in with the fridge thermostat.
where in DE are you? i am in HdG, MD...
great setup you have.
Cliff

[CIPSI]

Hey Cliff,

I had no problem at all drilling through the step. I just took off the access panel and made sure I was not going to drill in to a line, and drilled. There is tin on both sides and a bunch of foam. It was very easy for this freezer.

I have the fan setup for cooling in the tower, but am waiting to see what kind of issues I will have before I am going to add it. I am not afraid of a little foam and will probably be pouring to multiple glasses or a pitcher instead of one glass and a time so I am not sure I will need tower cooling.


I live in Newark, DE.

Good luck on your mod!

[CIPSI]

Got a question from someone in a private email and figured I would post it for everyone to see.

The question was how many 1/6 Barrels do I think I could fit. Here is what I think I could fit in this freezer.

1 1/2 barrel (full keg)
1 quarter barrel (pony) 2 would be too high.
2 Slim quarters (Tall pony)
4 sixth barrels
4 Homebrew

I find the whole size thing a bit confusing like most, but this page does a great job of helping you visualize:
SIZE AID PAGE

I think I am going to put two slim quarters or two sixth barrels in this kegerator most of the time. I like the weight and the ease of putting them in the freezer. Plus the liquor store I have close has an excellent selection of sixth and quarter barrel kegs. Also, since it is hard to really tell how much beer you have left, this helps to know when you are 1/2 way out of beer. So, when I empty one keg, I will know to go get another before the next one runs out.

[cwhubbard]

is your store state line?

[CIPSI]

Originally Posted by cwhubbard

is your store state line?

Yes, State Line is awesome for keg selection! I need to find a good store down at the beach. Anyone know of a good store near Bethany Beach?

[RickDel]

CIPSI, I see you're using the slim quarters but are you purchasing them in DE?? I'm in Camden (next to Dover) and my local liquior store was unfimiliar with the slims (might have got an unknowing salesman too). Because of this, I've been trying to find a freezer that will house two regular size 1/4 kegs. (I want two beers on tap)

[CIPSI]

Originally Posted by RickDel

CIPSI, I see you're using the slim quarters but are you purchasing them in DE?? I'm in Camden (next to Dover) and my local liquior store was unfimiliar with the slims (might have got an unknowing salesman too). Because of this, I've been trying to find a freezer that will house two regular size 1/4 kegs. (I want two beers on tap)

Most liqour store carry the slim kegs. I was down in Betany Beach this weekend and had no problem finding them their either. If you travel up to Newark, I would head to state line liquors, they have a huge selection of 1/6's. Check out the web site.

State Line Liquors - Beer, Fine Wines & Spirits - Keg Beer

[RickDel]

Wow, that's a good site (I never knew we had that many beers to choose from)... I'm thinking of visiting the Sears Scratch and Dent Store up your way for my freezer. Have you ever been there, and do you think it's worth the trip?

[CIPSI]

Originally Posted by RickDel

Wow, that's a good site (I never knew we had that many beers to choose from)... I'm thinking of visiting the Sears Scratch and Dent Store up your way for my freezer. Have you ever been there, and do you think it's worth the trip?

I actually made three seperate trips to the scratch and dent when I was doing this build. They never had a small freezer in the 3 trips I was there. But they did have two smaller refrigerators:

Kenmore 9.5 cu. ft. Refrigerator - Model 6291 at Sears.com

This one was at the scratch and dent for $270.

The another one has been discontinued but was perfect for a build as it did not have the freezer section and it was shorter. and it was only $250. I would have had to modify the inside to get the full keg in, but I would not have had to change the thermostat and front opening refrigerators are easier to load full kegs.

I wanted to look around a little more to compare and by the time I had made up my mind that I wanted the one it was gone. So moral of the story is if you find something at the scratch and dent buy it as it might be gone if you have to go back.

Good luck.

CIPSI.

[hockeyplayer12]

u made that handle urself? any info on that process? thanks~

[41ants]

Great build! Are you able to shut that freezer with the kegs standing upright and tapped? If so, how much clearance do you have?

The reason I ask is because I am looked at the same size magic chef freezer I saw used on craigs list. When I meausred the internal height, I came up with 26.5". My measure could be off, but not by much. Figure the slim/sixth is 23" then add another 4" for the tap: 27"

Trying to figure out if I should pass on this freezer. Thanks

[CIPSI]

To get the tap handle, I just bought a six pack of the Coronita's and used a diamond bit to drill a single hole in the bottom. Then I dumped the beer out and allowed the bottle to dry. Then using a threaded rod and some hot glue and dye I refilled the bottle with the hot glue dyed yellow then jammed the rod in. Worked pretty well, but working with hot glue really is a mess.

[CIPSI]

The kegs fit fine. I had to buy the 90 Elbow for Keg Coupler ($ 16.50) to keep the height down, but I have no problems at all. I am actually thinking about changing the tower to a multiple faucet as I can put up to 4 sixth barrels in this baby! It currently has 2 in it, one to drink and one on deck waiting for the tapped one to kick!

[CoronaVegas]

very nice- how do you keep your tower cool? or do you even have issues with foam?

Also, I too am bummed about no corona availability in kegs, however, Labatt's Blue is becoming a huge favorite!