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Author Topic: How expensive is kegging?  (Read 4465 times)

Offline GS

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Re: How expensive is kegging?
« Reply #15 on: February 01, 2017, 06:56:36 pm »
Could someone recommend a good mini fridge that can be converted? I already have a two-tap tower and all the hardware, including a Dremel tool for cutting nice clean holes.

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Offline Stevie

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Re: How expensive is kegging?
« Reply #16 on: February 01, 2017, 07:31:28 pm »
Freezer free Danby's are what I see most often. Requires modification to the door.

Offline cascadesrunner

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Re: How expensive is kegging?
« Reply #17 on: February 01, 2017, 08:44:44 pm »
Same deal here, an acquaintance gave me three pin locks and another gave me a fridge after finding out about the kegs.  If I had to do it all over and had the money, I would totally get a extra large chest freezer and run 4 or so taps out of it.  That would leave room for another 4 kegs to condition in the same unit.  Right now I just have upright fridge and that fits 4 max.
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Offline mainebrewer

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Re: How expensive is kegging?
« Reply #18 on: February 02, 2017, 03:55:35 am »
Don't buy a co2 tank. Almost always more expensive than a deposit and you almost always hand over your shiny new one in exchange for the beat up full one.

Plus you'll have to pay to get your own tank re-certified every 5 years.
"It's not that people are ignorant, it's just that they know so much that just isn't true." Ronald Reagan

Offline pete b

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Re: How expensive is kegging?
« Reply #19 on: February 02, 2017, 05:47:06 am »
About not having the tools to convert: You can get a chest freezer and all you need to do is take the door off, make a 2x4 frame which gets attached to the top then attach the door to that. The wooden frame adds night and is any easy place to drill through for your faucets and gas line if you choose to keep your tank on the outside. So all you need is a cordless drill, a bit for pilot holes for screws, a paddle bit for faucets, and a tube of liquid nails. If you don't have a caulking gun the liquid nails comes in tubes.
Since mine is in the cellar that's all I need. If I ever bring it upstairs that will be a woodworking project to make it pretty.
Don't let the bastards cheer you up.

Offline deadpoetic0077

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Re: How expensive is kegging?
« Reply #20 on: February 02, 2017, 07:37:08 am »
wow thanks for all the responses guys!

Im in a smaller townhome right now so a small dorm fridge may be my best option. I might go with the picnic taps for now until I can do the chest freezer. That's my ultimate goal.

Is this a good set to do if I can find a decent fridge to fit it all in? would I need anything else aside from whats in this?

Also, what is the difference in keeping the c02 in or out of the fridge? Does it matter?

http://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=DChcSEwisvqDz0PHRAhXaVg0KHYH0AlEYABAN&sig=AOD64_1_Obe_FuL_v6KTXfz7ZGefUMrD1w&ctype=5&rct=j&q=&ved=0ahUKEwiv_pnz0PHRAhXHbiYKHbIOAoAQvhcINw&adurl=

« Last Edit: February 02, 2017, 07:46:55 am by deadpoetic0077 »

Offline nero558

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Re: How expensive is kegging?
« Reply #21 on: February 02, 2017, 08:12:42 am »
You can put your c02 tank in or out, doesn't make a difference besides looks, but the gauge will read different (lower) if it's inside.

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Offline Stevie

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Re: How expensive is kegging?
« Reply #22 on: February 02, 2017, 08:15:35 am »
That's not a bad start.

Offline Joe Sr.

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Re: How expensive is kegging?
« Reply #23 on: February 02, 2017, 08:58:41 am »
Pin locks are wider than ball lock kegs.  I'm not positive if two pin locks fit side by side in my mini-fridge.  I know there's some wiggle room with two ball locks, so pins probably fit but you should verify somehow.  You can make the fridge deeper by modifying the door.  You can't make it wider.
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Offline deadpoetic0077

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Re: How expensive is kegging?
« Reply #24 on: February 02, 2017, 08:59:32 am »
That's not a bad start.

Great! Maybe Ill try that out once I can find a fridge that can hold two cornys.
 
Freezer free Danby's are what I see most often. Requires modification to the door.
do you know if this will hold two cornys?

Offline Joe Sr.

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Re: How expensive is kegging?
« Reply #25 on: February 02, 2017, 09:03:22 am »
You'll need to post a model number.  The old standard was the Sanyo 3920 (I think that was the model number).

They don't make the Sanyo anymore, but there are Danby's that are the same dimension.

If you're lucky (I was) you can sometimes find a Sanyo on Craigslist.

The Sanyo (and I assume comparable Danby's) holds two cornies easily.  You can modify it to get a 5lb tank in there, too.

I left my door intact to store yeast and bottles.
It's all in the reflexes. - Jack Burton

Offline Stevie

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How expensive is kegging?
« Reply #26 on: February 02, 2017, 09:04:19 am »
I've only see the freezer free Danby with ball locks, not sure if it would work with pin locks. Give it s Google, there are tons of writeups and photos.

Offline natebrews

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Re: How expensive is kegging?
« Reply #27 on: February 02, 2017, 09:14:58 am »
If you put the co2 outside, just make sure you won't puncture a cooling cool when you drill the hole for the lines.  Again, the Google provides.
Risk of failure should be no deterrent to trying.

Offline Joe Sr.

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Re: How expensive is kegging?
« Reply #28 on: February 02, 2017, 09:19:27 am »
My mistake, it was the Sanyo 4912.  Google is nice.

Here's the basics.  Should work for a Danby or whatever brand.

http://homebrewing.livejournal.com/413981.html
It's all in the reflexes. - Jack Burton

Offline pete b

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Re: How expensive is kegging?
« Reply #29 on: February 02, 2017, 09:57:40 am »
As to gas inside or out: if you don't care about looks then having it outside gives more room inside which is nice. it may or may not be the difference between another keg depending on what fridge/freezer you get but more room is nice. Sometimes it even serves as overflow from the regular fridge.
Don't let the bastards cheer you up.