Confused

[Absent]

I am lost... The only thing I know right now is that I love beer. A lot and I think most you peeps are like me. You truely appreciate a nice draft drink.

I just read some recent 2006 review online and it rated Haier and other kegerators that you all hate the best... So, my issue is this. I want to BUY a kegerator. I have no interest in building one. Some of you suggest finding an old used commercial kegerator (not really sure how to find those) and then this review tells me to buy the crappy kegerators... I am looking for a machine that can hold a half barrel now (at least!). In the future I would like it to be able to be converted to hold two 1/4 barrels, an American **** beer for my friends and Guiness for myself. I am looking for quality here. Something I can rely on for years. I do not want to worry about the tower or whatever not being cooled and ending up with skunky beer. This machine does not need to be pretty just able to dispense cold beer whenever I want it.

So you pros, an education from any of you would be greatly appreciated. I plan on buying my dream machine in the next year or so.

[edramshaw]

Well, as the saying goes... you get what you pay for. I think some of these review sites factor cost (rather heavily) on what constitutes a best value. If you notice, a lot of these problematic kegerators will actually pour fine after the first beer or two. Some people may be able to tolerate this or out of sheer ignorance, not realize this isn't normal. Used ones are out there but you can by a solid commercial unit for $1000. Check out the Bev-Aire unit Micro Matic sells. This will last you for years to come. Be careful about future plans too, I am not aware of Guinness coming in a 1/4 BBL so you may not be able to do the two kegs. Also the only way you will be able to fit two quarter BBLs (maybe) is if you use the slim qtrs which are somewhat elusive in certain areas. You will certainly be able to put on two 1/6 BBLs (sometimes called logs) without a problem. I am sure other people will chime in with some more input but that was my two cents. Good luck with your purchase, may it bring you years of trouble free beers.

[mctripj]

after my review of the review you referenced. i have come to the conclusion that the reviewers are not draught beer drinkers, or were drinking way too much when they reviewed the different kegerators. i noteced that of the 10 units, the top 5 were all under $1000. in my years as a draught tech, i have come in contact with a number of these different units in various settings. personally i have a bev-aire in my house and the only thing i have ever had to do to it was clean out the radiator in the back. i have friends who have severely modified(by me) versions of the haiers and danbys. i think they would not have them if i had not "hooked them up" with all the extras that my workplace supplies me with. i too think the reviews had "cost" weighing too highly. and it is true, you get what you pay for.

[donyw]

I did an old fridge conversion. Although it is not the prettiest of all kegerators, it keeps the beer the perfect temp. I use the freezer for icing mugs, and storing some vodka and shot gl***es. I bought the micromatic kit, and did it all myself. After reading all the problems on these boards that people are having I wouldn't trade my tan 1998 kenmore conversion for anything. No foam too. And I was pumping beer for less than $300.

[topgun3208]

there you go donyw, if I had to do it all over again I would definitely do a fridge or chest freezer conversion