New Guy--Help be decide between two kegerators

[mjbarnet]

Another new guy here--went to a buddy's house a few weeks ago and he had a kegerator--I'm either old or naive (maybe both!) but I had never seen a home kegerator before and I was instantly enamored. I've been lurking on this site ever since, reading posts and suggestions but this is my first post to the forum. Because of space limitations (wife said kegerator must go in laundry/mud room) I've limited my selection down to two options.

1) Perlick HP24TS-1R2 24"
Single size with double tap tower
Perlick HP24TS-1R2 24" Signature Series Dual Faucet Beer Dispenser - Solid Stainless Door - Right Hinge | BeverageFactory.com
It looks like this unit was perhaps recently discontinued so it may be hard to find--single tap tower looks to be more readily available.

2) Beverage Air (Bev Air) DD48y-1-S
Double size with double tap tower
Beverage Air (Bev Air) DD48Y-1-S Stainless Steel Finish Beer Dispenser 48" - 2 Keg Kegerator

Any strong opinions between these two units? I will likely only have one keg tapped at any given time but I like the idea of being able to use the extra space in the Bev-Air to store bottled beer, water and pop. The Bev-Air also appears to be a little better "deal" for the money. The downsides with the Bev-Air are finding a dealer to sell to me (residential sale) and perhaps a louder compressor.

The Perlick downsides include it might be harder to find if it is in-fact being discontinued and it is a little pricier. Upsides on the Perlick are its nicer looks (strictly subjective) and Perlick being perhaps a little friendlier to residential end users.

I am missing anything here that I should be considering in taking into account? Attached is a picture where the unit will go. Cut out to the right (where previous home owners had an upright freezer) is where the Perlick would go. If we go with the Bev-Air I'd also remove the small cabinet area to the left (where previous home owner had a small fridge) where the cat hang-out is now.

Thanks for any input and thoughts! Mitch

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[PointPleasantNJBeerguy]

Both Perlick and Beverage Air make top notch units. But Those two units are apples vs oranges.The Perlick unit your looking at is a residential model. Meaning it will run quieter.But your also paying more $$ for the Perlick name in a residential appliance.All that stainless looks good new. But most people dont realize 3-5 years from now it shows every little scratch and dent put in it.The Beverage air #BM23 would be a better side by side comparison. The DD48 you picked along with any bev air will run louder.The DD48 also needs to be hooked into a drain or you have to convert the evaporator and and beer drains into a bottle setup (not very hard). Not sure if the Perlick comes with components but the Bev air units will need all inside draft components added.

[mjbarnet]

PointPleasantNJBeerGuy,

Thanks for your input-! didn't realize the Perlick was a residential model but that makes sense. I was leaning towards the BM23 that you have but I think it would stick out too far--my maximum depth to look good with the existing cupboards is 24-25 inches. I've only got one chance to do this and keep the wife happy--otherwise it's out to the garage for me and the kegerator

[THE ICEMAN]

Welcome to the forum,
If you are limited to 25" or so you are pretty much out of luck. Most kegerators of the type you are looking at are about 28" to 30" deep. As was mentioned earlier, both of the units you picked are good solid units. The Perlick is considered more of a 'high-end' unit & you will pay extra for that. I don't see why a local restaurant supply company wouldn't sell to you, your money is as good as any others. One other thing to consider is airflow around the unit. Those units are air-cooled & need to breathe. Your pic showed a fairly open space so I don't think you have a problem unless that room is closed off. A small closed room will heat up fairly quickly & that hurts the efficiency of whatever unit you choose, it could even kill the compressor. Also, you will need to clean the condenser coil from time to time. Generally not a big deal unless you don't do it, then the compressor suffers.


THE ICEMAN

[djc]

You can pretty much order units like this on line and have them dropped off, there isn't any restriction on residential vs. commercial.

[PointPleasantNJBeerguy]

THe DD48 is a 24" deep unit.They are a nice unit.You can save even more money if putting counter top over and get the DD48 with the sub top.(w/o s/s top)

[THE ICEMAN]

The DD48 is a 24" deep unit.They are a nice unit.You can save even more money if putting counter top over and get the DD48 with the sub top.(w/o s/s top)

I stand corrected. But you will still need an inch or two behind the unit to allow it to breathe plus you cannot fit some kegs in that unit.


THE ICEMAN

[KillianBoy]

mjbarnet,
Everything said, pretty much is what I agree with, the only thing I will add is unit you put in, other than size, will be determined as to what you plan on pouring.
If you plan on microbrews or big US brewery, either should be fine, but if you want European or UK beers, DD48 would be the one.
Check your local keg beer distributor, look at the keg list and sizes of kegs, if everything you want is slim 1/4 or smaller, either is fine, but if some things are only in 50 liter, you have to get the DD48, don't think the Perlick will fit a 50 liter.
KB

[mjbarnet]

Thanks all for the input! After taking into account all the suggestions I reconsidered my choices and I'm now down to the Perlick HP24TS-1R2 24 and the Beverage Air BM23S-2 (http://www.beveragefactory.com/draft...3S-2.shtml)--I am leaning towards the Bev Air. I know the Bev Air will stick out a few inches further than the Perlick (28 vs. 24 inches depth) but for the price difference (over $1,500!) I think I can live with the 4 inch "over-hang". I also found a dealer more than willing to sell me the Bev Air for residential use so that is no longer a concern. Any last thoughts before I order the Bev Air? I plan on pulling the trigger later in the week-Thanks again! Mitch

[djc]

Not really sure about the concern with finding a supplier to sell it to you, mostly anyone who carries them will, there is no Bev Air restriction on selling to non commercial. Maybe you happened across a restaurant supply store that has a policy not to sell to non commercial? Why not buy from Bev Factory, clearly you've been using them for comparison shopping?

[KillianBoy]

mjbarnet,
Don't forget tapping kit for BM-23, proper coupler for beer you plan on tapping first, look for place to fill CO2, and really important a cleaning kit.
If you are worried about the unit sticking out, maybe you could spin unit to side and when you have company and replace keg, turn back out.
KB

[PointPleasantNJBeerguy]

Bm23 is great choice.. Love mine.. Like I said before since you leaning towards the stainless finish be careful with it. You will be polishing the thing everyweek plus every dent or scratch stands out like a sore thumb.
If you can find unit locally for close to same price I recommend that approach to save from:
Freight damage( your responsible once you sign for it )
And you have to be home at time of delivery to accept it, and get off the truck if he doesn't have a liftgate
God forbid unit is defective you can return it easy enough

[PointPleasantNJBeerguy]

Another important item to have once unit is in hand is a quality digital probe thermometer to check beer temps for calibration of temp and co2 pressure.