[sdfern4]

Has Zymurgy don any articles on keggerators?  either a how to? kezzer vs keggerator ? or a here what to look for/ look out for?

I'm looking to buy one and wanted some background.

[mattybrass]

Not sure about the answer to your question but that being said I have a 8.8 cu ft keezer and i love it

There are lots of forums including this one that you can use to find resources to build your own. Typically people go with a keezer options if they will be serving a whole bunch of kegs at the same time. Mine for instance has 4 taps, and fits two additional kegs for carbonating while im drinking from the other 4.

[theDarkSide]

The Jan/Feb 2013 Gadgets issue had an article called "Constructing a Keezer".

[mattybrass]

coincidentally i just saw this on the main page.

http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/pimp-my-system/brandons-apartment-friendly-keezer-build/

[rjharper]

A chest freezer with temp controller is really a lot more practical than an upright fridge if you have the space. It's more efficient because cold air does pour out when you open the lid unlike a fridge door. You also have the option of a collar with taps through it, or a counter top and tower but it seems more people prefer the collar for practical purposes.
Go as big as you can afford / fit. I have a 14.8 cu ft which holds 8x 5 gal + 2x 3 gal on the compressor hump. I can also fit 2x half barrel sankeys if needed.  Think that you can cold store / cold crash / lager etc in the same keggerator so add space for that too.
And buy Perlicks. They are more expensive than regular faucets but its worth it. If you save money and buy the cheaper rear seal taps, you WILL end up wanting to change them out, so do it right the first time.

Here's mine

[69franx]

A chest freezer with temp controller is really a lot more practical than an upright fridge if you have the space. It's more efficient because cold air does pour out when you open the lid unlike a fridge door. You also have the option of a collar with taps through it, or a counter top and tower but it seems more people prefer the collar for practical purposes.
Go as big as you can afford / fit. I have a 14.8 cu ft which holds 8x 5 gal + 2x 3 gal on the compressor hump. I can also fit 2x half barrel sankeys if needed.  Think that you can cold store / cold crash / lager etc in the same keggerator so add space for that too.
And buy Perlicks. They are more expensive than regular faucets but its worth it. If you save money and buy the cheaper rear seal taps, you WILL end up wanting to change them out, so do it right the first time.

Here's mine

Great info Ross, and your build is beautiful. Thanks for the post

[HoosierBrew]

Yeah, that is a killer build Ross.  Nice work !

[duboman]

That's a really nice build!

[mattybrass]

A chest freezer with temp controller is really a lot more practical than an upright fridge if you have the space. It's more efficient because cold air does pour out when you open the lid unlike a fridge door. You also have the option of a collar with taps through it, or a counter top and tower but it seems more people prefer the collar for practical purposes.
Go as big as you can afford / fit. I have a 14.8 cu ft which holds 8x 5 gal + 2x 3 gal on the compressor hump. I can also fit 2x half barrel sankeys if needed.  Think that you can cold store / cold crash / lager etc in the same keggerator so add space for that too.
And buy Perlicks. They are more expensive than regular faucets but its worth it. If you save money and buy the cheaper rear seal taps, you WILL end up wanting to change them out, so do it right the first time.

Here's mine

Man thats a clean set up!

Where did you buy the mats for the bottom?

[rjharper]

mattybrass - its from Lowes. It's a 3x3 floor mat for industrial shops / bars etc and it cuts really easy with a sharp knife.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_155419-20787-919115-LGS_0__?productId=3377248&Ntt=floor+mat&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dfloor%2Bmat&facetInfo=

Thanks everyone for the kind words! This was my second build after the compressor died in my old one, and I realized that if I was going to make the effort again I should do it right. I've got 8x CO2 gas lines and 2x Beer Blend gas lines. All the gas lines are 4' except for 1 CO2 which is 8' to reach out the top and help pressurize kegs external to the freezer during kegging.

I bundled the beer lines because I hate that tangled mess of hoses. That and I run 8' to prevent any foaming. I'm about to replace my shanks because the chrome is starting to flake off, so I think I'll go with stainless this time. And shorter too.

HoosierBrew - I'm in Pike township if you feel like stopping by for a brew sometime!

[HoosierBrew]

HoosierBrew - I'm in Pike township if you feel like stopping by for a brew sometime!

Thanks,man !  I may take you up on that sometime .

[mattybrass]

mattybrass - its from Lowes. It's a 3x3 floor mat for industrial shops / bars etc and it cuts really easy with a sharp knife.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_155419-20787-919115-LGS_0__?productId=3377248&Ntt=floor+mat&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dfloor%2Bmat&facetInfo=

Thanks everyone for the kind words! This was my second build after the compressor died in my old one, and I realized that if I was going to make the effort again I should do it right. I've got 8x CO2 gas lines and 2x Beer Blend gas lines. All the gas lines are 4' except for 1 CO2 which is 8' to reach out the top and help pressurize kegs external to the freezer during kegging.

I bundled the beer lines because I hate that tangled mess of hoses. That and I run 8' to prevent any foaming. I'm about to replace my shanks because the chrome is starting to flake off, so I think I'll go with stainless this time. And shorter too.

HoosierBrew - I'm in Pike township if you feel like stopping by for a brew sometime!

Awesome thanks ill go check it out.

Do you guys get a lot of water at the bottom of your keezers? I tend to get some buildup over time even with an Eva-Dry in there. should i pick up another? Maybe its related to the temp i keep it at?

[rjharper]

It ices up from time to time. I just shop vac it out as necessary.

[Stevie]

I have not had much luck preventing ice and water. Damp rid will freeze up if I position it too low in the freezer. I think air circulation with the damp rid is the trick.

[tommymorris]

I use an upright fridge with no water issues.

A few friends with chest freezer setups took the drain plug out the freezer so the water drains as it is accumulated. Of course you need a place for it to go.