New Kegerator Question

[randomkid003]

I am currently in the process of building a bar in the basement, and I figure what good is a bar without beer on tap? I have browsed some of the boards here, and it seems to me that the cheaper ($500 - $800) single kegerators (Haier, Danby etc.) are quite finnicky and not exactly the best of quality. I did some research online and found that for about $3-400 i can get a brand new chest-style freezer. Combine this with a new temp. regulator and a conversion kit and it seems i could have a *two* keg setup for about the same price. What does everyone think? How much work goes into calibrating/adjusting the conversion setups and how would the quality compare to just buying one already assembled? I'm extremely new to this and any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

[rrichards007]

If you decide to put one together yourself, I would not recommend buying used equipment off e-bay. I did and spent just as much money trying to cure my foam problems with used equipment as I would have if I bought new equipment from a reputable source. I finally fixed my problem by buying a tower from Micromatic. After I installed the tower and everything worked perfectly I looked inside the old shank I bought used and saw if was very rough inside causing turbulent flow and foam. So if you can't inspect used stuff thoroughly I wouldn't fool with it.

To answer your question, my system is a old freezer with a temp. controller and a double tap tower. It's not a lot of work, the quality is good enough for me. The only drawback I see from my system to a store bought system is top loading the kegs. I would think a front loading system would be better, especially in a bar setup.

Good Luck!


rr007

[USMC - Retired]

I use a converted refrigerator and love it. The best part is I have a freezer for storing mugs and frozen mixers and fruits. Plus, I use the door shelves for all my refrigerated mixers and chilled alcohols and still have room for a 1/2 keg, a five pound CO2 bottle and other bar related stuff like limes and such for parties. You could easily fit two 1/4 kegs (slims) in a system like mine if you wanted it would just need a second faucet installed in the door. Plus if you use a fairly new fridge like I did, you won’t need to use any external temp regulation. I have to agree with RR007 on the new over used issue, buy a new kit and save yourself many headaches!

Semper Fi,
The Gunns

"Beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy" - Benjamin Franklin

[randomkid003]

Hey thanks for the quick replies!
I'm thinking that I will buy the Micromatic conversion kit and a new freezer from sears or someplace similar. It looks like I can get a freezer big enough to (hopefully) hold two 1/2 bbls for around $350, plus the double tap conversion kit for $300, plus temp. regulator for $100. $750 total doesn't seem too bad for a dual setup, especially when compared to the quality of the commercial ones. Thanks for the tips, I'll let you know how it goes.

[jdogg]

I recently installed a system for my basement bar using a chest freezer, however I use a glycol cooled system to dispense 25 feet from a separate room where the freezer is located to a tower on my bar. I found a 14.8 cu. ft. Maytag chest freezer for $400 at my local Home Depot that works great for storing 2 1/2 bbls. and my CO2 tanks. This freezer has the step located in one corner unlike most that run across the bottom of one side, which allows the necessary room to get everything in. As rr007 mentioned top loading the kegs can be challenging. I can get the 1/4's. in myself but need help when it comes to the 1/2's.

You may want to consider purchasing 2 CO2 tanks and 2 regulators since some beers require different PSI's (Coors Light vs. Bud Light). A dual regulator may work for you, but do the research as to what you will be dispensing and their required PSI's. You also may want to invest in a blower to keep the tower cool to avoid some foaming issues related to the tower being too warm.

Good luck with your project. My system has already brought me hours of enjoyment!

J-Dogg

[randomkid003]

Do you think a blower will be necessary even if the tower is mounted directly to the freezer?

[USMC - Retired]

yes

Semper Fi,
The Gunns

"Beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy" - Benjamin Franklin

[randomkid003]

Thanks everyone for your continued help. If the tower will be directly mounted to the top of the freezer, what kind of tubing will I need for the blower? Will the entire beer line be insulated from keg to tap? Also, as jdogg mentioned, I may need to have two CO2 tanks and two regulators due to different pressures for different beers. If I purchase the Micromatic two keg regulator and then later run into problems, will I be able to just add another tank/regulator setup or will there be issues with the unused CO2 outlet from the dual? Essentially I just need a list of what parts I need to make this project work. I apologize for my incompetence, but I really just want everything to function properly.

[rrichards007]

I saw somewhere (may have been on this site) where someone got a project box and cpu fan from Radio Shack and built a tower cooler/blower that used a dishwasher drain line for the tubing up into the tower. I basically copied their ideal and it works great for me. Micromatic also sells tower blowers and tubing that goes up into the tower.
The beer line will be uninsulated in the freezer until it enters the insulated tower through the freezer lid.
I run two kegs off one CO2 tank. I just try to buy beers that have the same approximate pressure/temperature requirements. Seems like most will work with 14 psi @ 38 deg. I don't know if you would run into problems down the road with the unused CO2 outlet. If you did, just remove it and put a plug in its place or plug the line coming off the unused outlet.
Can't help you with a parts list. It really depends on how you want to set up your system. I'm sure different people would tell you buy some different parts, but the bones of the project would be the same.

Hope this helps and good luck. This is one project where you will definately be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor!

rr007