Why Have a Kegerator? - Shop for Keg Refrigerators
Like a lot of our customers, it is probably a dream of yours to have cold beer flowing in your own house. But aside from the obvious reason – that it’s just plain cool – there are practical reasons for installing a kegerator.
Save Money:
- Depending on the type of beer you drink, will find that you will save anywhere from 50% - 70% serving keg beer versus buying bottles and cans.
Save Time:
- Reduce trips to the store! No more running out to restock the fridge every time you have a few friends over for the game.
Take it Easy:
- Stop stressing! With a kegerator at your next party, you won’t need to worry about how to pack a few cases of beer in your fridge.
- There are no empty bottles and cans to deal with.
And our favorite reason for getting a kegerator: Keeping the peace! Your spouse will always know where you are hanging out drinking!
Buy a Keg Refrigerator or Convert an Old Fridge into a Kegerator?
Depending on your kegerator usage and your budget you have a few options for having beer on tap:
- Buy a Keg Refrigerator. This is an all-in-one refrigerator and draft system.
- Get a Keg Refrigerator Conversion Kit. A conversion kit allows you to transform an old fridge into a Kegerator.
Why Buy a Keg Refrigerator?
- You don’t need to worry about finding a fridge that works and that is not being used for another purpose.
- A new Keg Refrigerator will usually look better than revamping an old fridge; and if you are building a new bar you may want to maintain a particular look and feel.
- If bought new, Keg Refrigerators typically come with a manufacturer’s warranty. Warranties differ by manufacturer, but the standard is one year for parts and labor and five years on the compressor.
Why Convert an Old Fridge? - Shop for Conversion Kits
- It is considerably cheaper. You can convert an old refrigerator for around $150. Better refrigeration conversion kegerator kits are a little more expensive, but well worth the investment.
- Your old refrigerator most likely has a freezer, where you can chill your glasses. There is nothing like pouring a cold beer into a frosted glass!
- You can store bottled or canned beer, wine coolers and malted beverages in the door.
One word of caution: Many people think they can use a Tower Conversion Kit to convert a small college dorm room refrigerator, but most times this is not possible. You need to make sure that the fridge is large enough to comfortably fit a keg. There should be enough room so that the keg does not come in contact with the freezer, usually found at the top of these units.
If you choose a tower conversion kit, one solution is to buy a cube freezer and use a freezer temperature controller to keep the temperature from falling below freezing. This device is easy to install. Just plug it into the wall, and then plug your freezer into it. Put the sensor in the freezer and close the door.
Choosing a Kegerator Kit
If you have decided to convert an existing refrigerator into a kegerator, the first thing you need to do is make sure that it is large enough to hold a keg. Before you go any further, you should read these Draft Beer Fast Facts:
- ½ Keg: Holds 15.5 gallons, which is 7 cases of beer
- ¼ Keg: Holds 7.75 gallons, which is 3½ cases of beer
- Beer Ball: Holds 5 gallons, which is 2¼ cases of beer
- In some places you may be able to find a 5-gallon mini-keg
Next, you need to decide if you want to use a shank-based refrigerator conversion kit or a tower refrigerator conversion kit.
Our Deluxe Refrigerator Conversion Kit has everything you will need to convert your fridge.
Building Your Kegerator
Instructions will vary depending on the type of kegerator conversion kit you purchased. Most kits will come with instructions.
Here are some KegWorks pointers to think about:
- The most important decision you will need to make is where to put the faucet. Some people choose the side, other prefer the back. It is your personal preference.
- You need to be sure that when you drill you do not hit one of the cooling coils. This is particularly true if you are drilling inside. To be safe, drill through just the outside layer and stop. Then, look inside to make sure you will not hit anything before going on. This could be a costly mistake!
- If you choose to drill through the door, make sure the tap is low enough so you can open the freezer without any interference from the freezer door.
Maintaining Your Kegerator
Luckily, your kegerator and draft beer system will require very little maintenance. Keeping it clean should be your main concern. You should keep it clean both inside and out with normal cleaning agents, at your discretion. We suggest that you clean your beer lines every time you change your keg. Using a cleaning kit is the easiest way to do this. It only takes a few minutes, and will assure your beer tastes fresh and crisp. This will also help to avoid sediment build up in the beer lines, which can cause foam.
Compact Refrigeration
Below are some questions that are frequently asked by our customers when buying a compact refrigeration system:
Q: What the difference between built-in and freestanding units?
A: Built-in units vent from the front and can be backed up to a wall, while freestanding units vent from the back and therefore cannot be built-in. If you were to put a freestanding unit against a wall, the heat build up in the back can decrease the life of the compressor in your unit.
Q: Can I build any of these units into my existing cabinetry?
A: No, not all units can be built into your existing cabinetry, but some can. It depends on the type of unit you decide to get. You can build most front-vented units into your existing cabinetry. All the U-Line units vent from the front, so you can build them in.
Q: Will a keg of beer fit in any of the compact refrigerators KegWorks sells?
A: No. The units we have online will not accommodate a keg; they are too small. Keep in mind that many of these units have the compressor in bottom, back. Therefore, the keg will not sit perfectly flat. It’s very difficult to find a compact fridge that will hold a keg and the necessary equipment. So, unfortunately there isn’t any particular model we can recommend.
Q: What’s the difference between frost-free, auto-defrost and manual defrost?
A: The term “Frost-Free” means that no frost will accumulate inside the freezer compartment. There is an automatic defrost cycle on frost-free units, but the temperature will only go up a few degrees during this process. Auto-defrost means that there is an automatic defrost cycle. You may have to totally defrost the unit once a year (or less) if there is significant ice build-up in the freezer. Manual defrost units mean that you must defrost the unit at your discretion. There may be ice build-up in the freezer compartment over time. The amount of build-up depends on how much you open and close the door and the room humidity.
or Half and Halfs. Easier to use than any regular spoon for these treats, the Black & Tan Spoon can almost guarantee perfect layered results every time. What’s more, it has a crook in its handle which lets it easily rest on top of the pint glass, so you don’t have to worry about trying to keep it steady in a rush.
helping to get hundreds of bottles of beer to patrons faster and easier than trying to do it all by hand ever could. You’ll find bottle openers in all shapes and sizes, but the professionals usually choose one that’s flat with a rubbery grip.
