Keg newbie with some q's

[GDRINKH2O]

Ok, so I was looking to purchase an inexpensive kegerator for my house. After some research it seems that in order to get anything decent I end up out of my price range. I was reading that many of the cheapy models don't get cold enough, and i like my brew cold. Im pretty handy and was wondering if I could make my own if I was able to find a cheap, small, fridge or freezer. My budget is +/- $375. I also think i would appreciate the process of building my own if it were feasible. My questions are as follows:

1. Is it even feasible to build my own kegerator with tower out of a small fridge or freezer on my budget?

2. Do I look for a frig or freezer? I would think a frig wouldnt stay cold enough but a freezer may be too cold.

3. Where would be the best place to find an inexpensive quality tower kit?

Thanks in advance!

[cubby_swans]

Micromatic sells the entire conversion kit on this site. It is definitely top quality merchandise. I would go with the freezer. You add a temperature controller to it to keep it at the correct temperature. You wouldn't get there with a new fridge or freezer, but I think $375 is doable if you found a used on on craig's list or your local paper.

You can get the standard conversion kit for $166 here (economy kit is $22 cheaper, but you get a single guage regulator and plastic tower instead of dual guage regulator and stainless steel tower. I don't see the economy kit as an option, as these two upgrades are well worth more than $22)

http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-...ts-cid-74.html

Then you could add the 5lb co2 tank for $56.95
and the E26 temperature controller for $59.00
for a grand total of $281.95.

Then you'd just need to find a $100 freezer. I think you could find one at this price with a little patience.

If you go with a fridge, you'd save some money off the kit (no tower needed) and you wouldn't need a temperature controller, so you'd be able to spend a little more on a fridge, but it would be critical to make sure you bought a fridge that cooled to 38 degrees. You will probably need a full size fridge with freezer on top. I have yet to see anyone on this site come up with a mini fridge that is big enough for a keg.

Here are the fridge freezer kits....

http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-...ts-cid-73.html

[GDRINKH2O]

Thanks for the response. I have already found a couple of freezers on craigs list. Im sure i could find a small chest freezer for around $75. The upgrades you mentioned seem the the obvious choice.

Once I get my system built, is there a lot of calibrating that needs to be done?

Thanks again for all your help.

[Woolly Bugger]

I converted a full-size fridge for a total of $300, and I'm very satisfied. I got the fridge used off of Craigslist for $50, and it is works perfectly. I bought my CO2 tank from a local store, and the conversion kit from Micromatic, and I was all set. The full-size fridge might not work for your space, but I like it because it required minimal conversions to fit full-size kegs, and didn't require me to cool the tower. As you read the forum, you'll find the tower issue to be a big topic of discussion. For me, it was worth putting the full-size fridge in the garage so I didn't have to worry about cooling the tower, etc.

[BigBadJohn]

I could have built my kegerator for under $125 if I really wanted to.
I picked up an already converted fridge missing a tank and regulator for $25
20lb aluminum tank costed me $20 cash and $12 to exchange for a filled one
Got a free regulator from work since the guage was broken

But then I did some things to improve on it a little like install a inside/outside digital temperature display, a thermostat controled lightbulb in case it got too cold during the winter, lock hasps and matching padlocks, and a stainless cup dispenser
Also got all new lines, a line cleaning kit, and a new guage so it all costed me $250 in the end, but like I said I really couldve made it for $125 if I wanted to be really cheap about it

[Skinsfan1311]

Originally Posted by BigBadJohn

a thermostat controled lightbulb in case it got too cold during the winter,

Can you please elaborate on that? Where do you keep the lightbulb?

Thanks!

[BigBadJohn]

Well I kind of N rigged this portion of my build since i was kinda half assing my way through it, but I got a honeywell winter watchman thermostat controlled outlet and plugged it into an outlet I built on the inside and then plugged a lightbulb in to it

I ended up not using it because the liquid temperature never seemed to get too low what with the freak weather we had this winter so I unplugged it. (had 60 degree weather a couple days even in december and january)

[BigBadJohn]