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Top or Front Mount Conversion Kit?

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  • Top or Front Mount Conversion Kit?

    Hello all! Been searching through the forums, lots of great information, but I have not seen this specific topic.

    I'm considering using a mini fridge that I already have to build my first kegerator. This would obviously cut down on my costs and put the fridge I already have to use. It is about two years old, bit only ran for about two weeks while we waited for new our fridge to come in after the old one died, so it is essentially new.

    From what I've been reading it seems a major challenge with kegerators is keep the beer in the tower cold. So it seems to me the easiest way to fix that would be to prevent it happening in the first place by using a front mount tap. Now I'm in now way the smartest guy around, so I know that I'm probably not seeing the downside of going that route. Is it a space issue, would the tap stick too far into the fridge and hit the keg? Would it be a problem with the routing of the hoses for some reason? Or is there some other downside(s) that I'm just not seeing?

    Thanks in advance
    Kevin

  • #2
    kevin_nj,
    You are right it is the simplest and most practical way to do it. But most want to be like the cool kids or BMOC and have the shiny tower on top to show the friends this is my kegerator, look how cool the tower looks, look how it sweats.
    No more towers for me, drill hole and be done with it, no tower cooler, no worrying about hot days warming tower.
    The biggest problem with a door mounted faucet on a mini fringe is you still have to circulate air, you are basically just downsizing from a standard refrigerator set-up, but cold plate will still not do the job by itself.
    Second thing is space, as you mentioned, depending on what keg you plan on using, it may be a tight fit, stubby 1/4, slim 1/4 and 1/6 (corny also), shouldn't be any problem, a full size keg might be tight, as you say. You have to measure tap stick (shank) properly and see what will and won't fit with 1/2 keg and where to drill which won't stop door from closing. Anything smaller, you should be golden, make sure you have the PVC spacer and if needed the drip tray.
    I cannot see any downside, maybe another member will see it but honestly this is the easiest. I think you are the second one to suggest or/have this configuration, welcome to the forum, and PLEASE let us know how it turns out, PLEASE, thanks.
    KB

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    • #3
      Thanks KB.
      I am more of a function over form kind of guy, so I'm not concerned with a cool look factor. I intend to go with a single tap 1/4 keg of Yuengling. I fear a 1/2 keg would stale before I finish it. It would be nice to have the extra room inside for a second so I could pick up a new a week before I estimate the current would be empty so I could immediately tap the new keg with no down time.
      I was going to see if I could find a distributer willing to let me bring my fridge in so I could do a test fit before I buy the kit and start cutting holes.
      I've also sent a couple emails on craigslist sales that I'm waiting on a response from. They're priced at about the cost I'd be spending on the conversion kits.

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by kevin_nj View Post
        Thanks KB.
        I am more of a function over form kind of guy, so I'm not concerned with a cool look factor. I intend to go with a single tap 1/4 keg of Yuengling. I fear a 1/2 keg would stale before I finish it. It would be nice to have the extra room inside for a second so I could pick up a new a week before I estimate the current would be empty so I could immediately tap the new keg with no down time.
        I was going to see if I could find a distributer willing to let me bring my fridge in so I could do a test fit before I buy the kit and start cutting holes.
        I've also sent a couple emails on craigslist sales that I'm waiting on a response from. They're priced at about the cost I'd be spending on the conversion kits.
        Instead of lugging your fridge in just pay the keg deposit and see if they will let you borrow a empty?
        What I got:
        Beverage Air #BM23
        with a "Sexy" Double Faucet Tower and Celli Eurpean Faucets
        -MM Premium Double Guage Primary Regulator
        -MM Premium 2 Product Secondary Regulator
        -MM S/S Keg Couplers
        YouTube video of the goods

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by PointPleasantNJBeerguy View Post
          Instead of lugging your fridge in just pay the keg deposit and see if they will let you borrow a empty?
          That seems like it would make too much sense and be too easy.

          Comment


          • #6
            kevin_nj,
            You should buy the gear separately, I don't see the value, moneywise, in buying kits, just convenience.
            Look at the length of shank, most times they will use a long shank, if too long you have to buy a shorter one. They throw in a 5 foot length of beer line which in most cases will be too short. If you call to order, I hear MM will customize the order (7 foot beer line and shorter shank), if you use internet, might be best to just order everything separately.
            Simplest way to measure fit is to cut out cardboard circles (resource tab under beer questions/keg size) the size of a 1/4 slim (just bottom, height just use a measuring tape) and just throw a couple inside (I assume you want to be able to fit 2 1/4 inside) and see if everything fits, no need for deposit, just cardboard and tape measure.
            KB

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            • #7
              Well it turned out my fridge interior is not large enough, so I had to scrap that idea. I just picked up an old sears unit I bought off of CL. I know it needs all new lines, coupler, faucet, probably a new regulator. It also needs a severe deep cleaning, and new top. It could use a new door seal too, but that's no longer available. As long as it keeps cold and lasts me a year or two to determine if I go through enough beer to make a kegerator make sense I'd say it was a decent buy.

              Comment


              • #8
                kevin_nj,
                Check seal by throwing bright flashlight inside and close door in dark room, if you see light then it needs work. If Kenmore, it might be a re-branded Haier, post pictures for members to confirm, if Haier, all it might be is the hinges need to be straightened, I take care of a Haier that seems to be 8 years old, limping along but still kicking, still have most of the original gear hooked up, if you have model #, you probably still can get parts from Sears PartsDirect.
                KB

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