We Are A Fermentation Supply Warehouse for Your Successful Craft Production, Since 1980.
How to Build Your Own Kegerator A Tutorial with Pictures and Discussion |
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| Building a custom kegerator can be a fun and relatively easy project to take your beer service to the next level with style. Customization options are bountiful, as you will see. | | How to Build Your Own Kegerator So you’ve decided you’re tired of all the work it takes to bottle your homebrew. Kegging is an easy and logical option. You’ve read all about what it takes and you’re ready to take the leap. With one of our Complete Kegging Systems, completing kegerator can be as simple as placing the equipment into a dedicated refrigerator to store and serve your beer (or cider, wine, hop water, carbonated water, kombucha, etc!). Also, there are many ways to customize a kegerator...but first you need refrigeration. Two common options for refrigeration when building a kegerator are a kitchen style fridge or a chest freezer. Kitchen-style Refrigerator Kitchen style fridges can be found in abundance and quite affordably on Craigslist (often for free) or at used appliance stores. Sizing varies but most fridges of this style can hold three or four 5 gallon kegs and a CO2 tank. A temperature override controller can be helpful as it will allow you to select precise temperatures needed for fermentation, storage, and serving, but it is not a requirement. For a fridge of this style, the beer is most often delivered through faucet shanks installed through the door. Each keg being served will need its own faucet shank. To drill through the door you will need a 7/8” diameter drill bit. The door material is easy to drill, typically consisting of thin sheets of metal and plastic insulated with foam. Most any 7/8" drill bit should work fine (hole saw bit, forstner, flat wood bit, etc). | | Faucet shanks and faucets installed into a refrigerator door. View from front of the door. | |
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Faucet shanks installed into a refrigerator door. View from back of the door. | Chest Freezer with Override Temperature Controller (AKA Keezer) Chest freezers can usually accommodate four or more 5 gallon kegs and a CO2 tank. With a chest freezer it will be mandatory to use a temperature override controller to prevent the freezer from freezing and to maintain a proper, even temperature for fermentation, storage, and serving. | | A temperature override controller. No special wiring required. | Depending on the freezer, it can be helpful to build a wooden collar to allow more space for the keg disconnects and tubing. A wooden collar also creates a good place to install a gas manifold. More about manifolds in a bit. | | | | | | | www.thebeveragepeople.com info@thebeveragepeople.com | We strive to help our customers produce world-class fermented beverages and foods by bringing together quality supplies and best-practices instructional content. Our knowledgeable staff works hard to channel an international supply chain and multi-industry knowledge base to make sure your hobbies are successful. | |
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