How to Build a Kegerator
This is the place for everything about kegerators. The main part is how to make your own at about half the cost of buying one. If you can drill a hole, you can make a kegerator.
This diy (do it yourself) project is easy and will provide years of enjoyment.
Or there is also a few sections on where to buy them.
Top reasons to have a kegerator.
It saves you money
A half keg of beer contains about 165 12oz beers or 124 16oz pints. They vary in price according to which beer you get, but if we took Miller Lite as an example a keg is about $70 or 56 cents a pint or 42 cents a can. That would be a $5.10 12 pack.3 points
You never know when a party will break out
With a keg always on tap you will be prepared.2 points
Beer from a Kegerator lasts longer
Because beer from a kegerator is pumped from a CO2 or nitrogen tank instead of a handpump the beer lasts longer. A hand pumped keg will only be good for about a day, while a keg in a kegerator will last a month or so. (We have had some for longer than a month. It is beer dependent.)0 points
Step 1 - Get a refrigerator
Top places to get a refrigerator under $100
Chances are you are reading this because you don't have a lot of money to spend on the refrigerator. If you did you could just buy a kegerator (check below). Thus, you need to start with a cheap refrigerator, something under $100. Here is the list of the top places to get a cheap refrigerator.
The most important thing to check when getting a refrigerator is that it is big enough for a keg. Here is a good link about keg dimensions. To fit the biggest keg with the biggest coupler you will need a refrigerator compartment with about 30" of height. Make sure you measure the height from the top of the hump in the bottom to the lowest point of the ceiling You will also need a depth of at 18" from the front to back. Make sure to factor in the shelves on the door. Usually, it is not a problem but you should also check the width of the compartment to make sure it can hold both a keg and a gas tank for CO2 or Nitrogen. The gas tank diameter will be under 9".
You could also get one of those big freezer boxes to put your keg in.
Top places to get a cheap refrigerator
Get a free one from a friend or family.
After I bought my refrigerator from ebay I have had lots of friends mention that they were getting rid of their old one to get a new one. Ask around to see if anyone you know is giving a refrigerator away.1 point
Goodwill
My brother got his refrigerator for his kegerator at goodwill.0 points
Your kitchen
Come on, how much food do your really need to have in your refrigerator. Where you really ever gonna eat that broccoli? Why not take everything out and put in a new keg?0 points
Step 2 - Get to cleaning
OK, so you have your refrigerator. If it was like the ones my brother and I bought, then it isn't smelling to great right now. Time to start disinfection. While you're cleaning take out all the shelves and the crisper. Step 3 - Get a kegerator kit
Top kegerator kits on Amazon
There are many kegerator kits listed below. The biggest thing to check is that you get a kit for the type of beer you drink. Here is a breakdown of the different keg taps.
Some tips on kegerator kits
1. Make sure your shank is long enough. - There will be a shank in the kit that needs to go through your refrigerator door. Make sure it is long enough.
2. You don't have to get a tank with your kit. - If you get your gas from a gas supply store, you may just want to get your tank from them. If you get your gas from your keg supplier, then you will need your own tank.
3. Get a drip pan. - I recommend getting a drip pan that has a drain on the bottom. This way spills can drain into a container in the kegerator. Also, make sure the drip pan can be connected to the front door of your refrigerator.
4. Get some cleaner. - Make sure to get a beer line cleaning kit. You will need to clean your beer line with each keg.
5. Get two gauges. - It is much easier to maintain your keg and gas if you have a two gauge system.
6. Two kegs are better than one. - If your refrigerator has enough space. Add a second keg. Keep in mind there are smaller kegs that may fit.
7. Get some extra tubing for a drain line.
Deluxe Double Keg Kegerator Refrigerator Conversion Kit
The Deluxe Double Keg Tap Conversion Kit comes with everything you will need to successfully convert your refrigerator or chest freezer into a two product draft beer cooler. This keg tap kit is designed to run two completely separate kegs. Depending upon your refrigerator capacity, you can run 2 full size kegs, 2 pony kegs, 2 6 gallon kegs or any combination you choose. All the draft beer parts are of the highest commercial grade quality which are designed and built to last.0 points
Economy Guinness Kegerator Refrigerator Conversion Kit
BeverageFactory is proud to offer a complete solution to dispensing Guinness draught kegs. Before you purchase this kit, you must first learn what makes pouring Guinness different from your standard carbonated beer. The key differences a Guinness conversion kit as opposed to our standard kits is the specialty faucet, the Guinness coupler, and the mixed gas high pressure tank. Guinness requires a specialty faucet with a restrictor spout to achieve the proper head. To properly tap a Guinness keg,....0 points
Economy Two Keg Kegerator Refrigerator Conversion Kit
The Economy Double Keg Kegerator Conversion Kit comes with everything you will need to successfully convert your refrigerator or chest freezer into a two product draft beer cooler. This kegerator kit is designed to run two completely seperate kegs. Depending upon your refrigerator capacity, you can run 2 full size kegs, 2 pony kegs, 2 6 gallon kegs or any combination you choose. All the draft beer parts are of the highest commercial grade quality which are designed and built to last.0 points
Standard Double Keg Refrigerator Conversion Kit
The Standard Double Keg Kegerator Conversion Kit comes with everything you will need to successfully convert your refrigerator or chest freezer into a two product draft beer cooler. This keg tap kit is designed to run two completely separate kegs. Depending upon your refrigerator capacity, you can run 2 full size kegs, 2 pony kegs, 2 6 gallon kegs or any combination you choose. All the draft beer parts are of the highest commercial grade quality which are designed and built to last.0 points
Two Tap Wall Mount Refrigerator Conversion Kit (No CO2 Tank)
Convert an old refrigerator into a draft beer dispensing unit. Any size fridge will work as long as it's large enough to hold a keg. In stock and ready to ship. Features: This kit has everything you need, except the CO2 tank, to convert a fridge into a kegerator. Includes: (2) faucet knobs in black. (2) chrome faucet heads. (2) 5" shanks. (2) 5' beer line jumpers and hardware. (2) US Sankey keg couplers with lever handles. (2) 5' air line jumpers. Two-product regulator kit. Door mount drip tray....0 points
Economy Beer Line Cleaning Kit
After each 1/2 keg or so you should clean your beer lines to make sure your beer tastes fresh and to remove debris that can cause foam. The included, easy to follow directions will have you cleaning your beer lines in a matter minutes. In stock and ready to ship. Features: One quart plastic jar and pump assembly. Faucet wrench. Faucet brush. Beer line cleaning solution. Detailed instructions included. Specs: Capacity: 4 oz cleaning solution bottle.0 points
Deluxe Beer Line Cleaning Kit
Cleaning your beer lines improves the taste of your beer and prevents foam-causing debris from building up in your lines. We recommend you clean your lines after each 1/2 keg. Easy to use. In stock and ready to ship. Features: One quart plastic jar and pump assembly. Faucet Wrench. Faucet Brush. 32 oz. Bottle of Beer Line Cleaning Solution. Detailed instructions.0 points
Kegerator door for step 4 (below)
Step 4 - Bust out the drill
Here is the hardest step of making a kegerator (and it is not that hard). You will need to drill one or more holes in the front of your kegerator door depending on which options you will have on your kegerator. Before you start drilling unplug your refrigerator. I am no refrigerator expert, so I can't tell you if there is any electrical wiring in your refrigerator door, so just to be safe, unplug it.The holes:
1. The faucet shank - choose a drill bit just bigger than your tap handle shank. If you are going to still use your freezer after you may want to make sure the tap is low enough that the freezer door will not hit the handle when you open it.
2. The drip pan - You will need to drill some holes to mount your drip pan. Make sure you have screws long enough to go through the door.
3. The drain - Add a hole for a drain line below your drip pan. You will want this high enough so that you can add a pitcher in the door of your kegerator to hold the spills. Also, have the tubing with you that you will use for the drain to make sure it can bend into your pitcher without kinking.
Step 5 - Make a shelf
Most refrigerators have a hump in the bottom back. The keg will need lots of flat space, so you will need to make a shelf. This will not require much wood, so usually you can find enough wood to get the job done in the scrap section of home depot or lowes. They will even cut the wood for you if you ask nicely.First - measure the height of your hump and the width and depth of your refrigerator.
Second - go to home depot or lowes and ask about their scrap wood. Find a 2x4' long enough to get two legs for your shelf. (We went with four legs just to make sure). Find a sheet of wood (3/4' or bigger thickness) wide and long enough for your shelf. Ask if they can cut if for you to the dimensions you need.
Third - Screw the legs of the shelf to the shelf with wood screws.
Fourth - Put brand new shelf in bottom of kegerator.
Keg hookups for steps 6 and 7
Step 6 - Get supplies
You are almost there. You need 2 more things.1. Fill up your gas tank - You can get C02 from a gas supply store or from some liquor stores. Of course if you are going with Guinness your need nitrogen.
2. Get a keg - Just make sure it is something you and your friends like, because there will be a lot of it.
Step 7 - Hook it up
- Clean your beer line. - This will ensure your beer always tastes fresh, and it will reduce foaming.
- Connect the C02 tank to the regulator.
- Hook the CO2 line to the regulator and the tap.
- Hook the beer line to the faucet and the keg tap.
- Hook the tap up to the keg. You should strap your CO2 to your kegerator I didn't do it yet on my keg, but it can be dangerous if your CO2 bottle ever gets a leak. Tank holder Mythbusters also covered how a C02 tank can take off if the valve is messed up.
- Enjoy the first day of the rest of your life.
Taped Keg - A thing of beauty
Step 8 - Dress it up
Choose what you want your keg will look like from the outside.
There are many ways to dress up your keg. My brother and I just used contact paper to cover our beige. Below is what my neighbor did with his kegerator. You can see his whole construction at The Best Website Ever.
More pictures from flickr.
Add yours and vote.
Did you make your kegerator?
Forget All of This - I Want to Buy a Kegerator
Some Nice Kegerators to buy from AJ Madison
Make sure to use their coupons.
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Summit CARTOSBC 61" Serving Cart with 2 Towel Bar Handles, Bottle Opener, Ice Storage and Beer Dispenser - $3,779.00
Avanti BD6000 20" Half Keg Beer Dispenser with Reversible Stainless Steel Door and Refrigerator Conversion - $549.00
Summit SBC490 24" Freestanding Full Keg Beer Dispenser with Automatic Defrost, Covertible to Refrigerator, Included Shelves and Tap System Kit Included - $789.00
Some More Kegerators to buy
If it all seems like too much. You can buy kegerators on Amazon
Nostalgia Electrics KRS-2100 Keg-O-Rator Refrigerated Beverage Keg Dispenser
Release Date: 05/15/2008
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $499.00 (as of 07/19/2008)
List Price: $499.99
Used Price:
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Sanyo BC-1206 Beer Cooler
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $814.01 (as of 07/19/2008)
List Price: $950.00
Used Price:
Usually ships in 24 hours
BeerTender from Heineken and Krups B95 Home Beer-Tap System
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $294.95 (as of 07/19/2008)
List Price: $400.00
Used Price:
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Frigidaire FRTB7B4EMB 16-1/2-Cubic-Foot Refrigerator/Freezer/Beer-Tap Beverage Center, Silver Mist
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $1,029.00 (as of 07/19/2008)
List Price: $1,029.00
Used Price:
Usually ships in 1 to 2 days
Best links to more information about kegerators and beer.
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Frequently ask questions about kegerators | Kegerator FAQ
Yes, the keg is designed to not shoot beer all over the place when you remove the tap. The bigger problem is connecting the coupler without having the beer line and faucet connected. That will shoot beer everywhere. (From experience)
Let me know what you think.
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NooNoo
Great lens, very informative, thank you. Posted April 20, 2008 |
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Bruce_Beerdrinker
Well I should be getting my kegerator conversion kit in a couple of days. I cannot wait until I get my kegerator up and running. Posted April 09, 2008 |
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Stephene
Nice lense.. thks for useful information.. i hv bookmarked this lense and joined your fan club.. (^o^) Posted March 16, 2008 |
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Bruce_Beerdrinker
Good job on the lens, more people needed to know about the benfits of a kegerator. Posted March 10, 2008 |
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flowski
Great idea. I'm going to make a kegerator this summer, thanks for the idea! Posted March 06, 2008 |