Interested in buying a kegerator.. What brands/models/features should I know about?

[BeerGeek]

hey everyone,

I'm interested in getting a kegerator for my house. Been wanting one for awhile, but could never actually took the steps to acquire one. Couple of questions for you experts.

- What brands are the best? Models, etc?
- What features, if any, should I look out for when buying a kegerator?
- Where are the trusted websites to buy a kegerator from?

Any insight, tips or advice would be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[djc]

The best research you could do is look through the forums here. First step is to figure out how much you are willing to spend. The more you spend, the better the unit. Doesn't mean you can't get good pours from a cheap model, it will just take a little DIY to make it happen.

[stn]

And sometimes even the more expensive models require some DIY modifications. I bought a high end consumer model from a company with the same name as a popular super hero comic strip, and had to do quite a bit of mods to the unit to get good pours.

You'll get many good perspectives if you search the forums as djc suggests. Look for DIY conversion projects as well as out of the box units. Personally, if I had to do it over again, I'd look for an upright freezer and buy the conversion kit from MM. I would have spent alot less and done the same amount of work.

[dwdrumcat]

Beer Geek, do not buy a danby! I posted a question about the same thing, Still waiting for some answers on my thread

[BeerGeek]

Thanks for the great responses. I was thinking of getting a dual-tap Edgestar. Specifically, this model here. Does anybody have any experience with this brand/model? Any good/bad feedback?

EdgeStar Full Size Stainless Steel Dual Tap Kegerator & Keg Beer Cooler - KC2000SSTWIN

Additionally, I'm kinda on the fence about the dual tap. Not because I won't drink it, because that's certainly not a problem.. I'm just wondering if it's cheaper to get a single tap and then buy a conversion kit to make it a dual tap.

For $300 less, I can buy the "refridgerator" that they sell specifically for kegerator conversion, an then get a conversion kit. This would save me a little bit of money, but how difficult is the conversion to do? I'm a pretty handy, DIY type of guy, so I don't think it will be a problem. But, I obviously don't want to buy something to convert an then not be able to do so. I will poke around on the forums and see if I can find some past talk of conversion projects. May just be wise for me to buy the ready-to-go kegerator.

Also, how does this thing ship? Obviously, different websites will charge different amounts, but does it come in a giant box?

Thanks again for all the feedback.

[cubby_swans]

refrigerator conversions are very simple. It's just drilling a hole through the door and screwing together a few components.

[rickk1000]

A total homebrew one will be better and cheaper. Craigslist for a fridge or chest freezer, and then shop wherever for parts. The end result quality will be a little more up to you.

For what it's worth, I took a non-functioning chest freezer (free), cut a hole in the side of it, installed a 6000BTU LG brand A/C unit ($150 new at Home Depot) in the side which I had modified wire wiring a 27.4 K resistor across the internal temperature sensor. Now when I set it for 60F, it takes it to 40 F. 6000 BTU's is a heck of a lot more cooling power than the original 600 BTU freezer. My kegerator sits outside in my back yard. On the sunniest, hottest 100+ degree day I still have 12 faucets of 40 degree beer.

Also, with a store bought one you will get a dinky 5# CO2 tank. The fill cost for a 5# and a 20 # isn't all that different in price, and you only have to get it filled 1/4 as often. If you are homebrewing and force carbonating your own beer as well as dispensing it, you will learn to quickly hate a 5# tanks.