Jockey Box Cooler

andymacintyre · Oct 10, 2011

I'm looking at beer cooling options and came across this - seems a popular method in the US:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DRAFT-KEG...ltDomain_0&hash=item35b4fc2b51#ht_1073wt_1073

Seems a simple enough idea but the price is way OTT. Wondered if anyone had made anything similar using a SS coil in a coolbox.

Other options are kegereezer - but messy, mouldy PITA to keep clean and not portable etc.
Proper beer line cooler - heavy, not really portable, needs a power source etc.

The simplicity of the coolbox idea appeals but I'm not paying that for one..!

phettebs · Oct 10, 2011

Yep, a couple friends and I went together to make one this summer. Instead of stainless coil, we had a chill plate which you can see in the first picture. You just fill it up with ice and you are good to go. I agree; buying one is insanely expensive!

Baz

andymacintyre · Oct 10, 2011

I like it. Nice piece of work. What sort of plate chiller is that? Does it somehow accomodate 4 lines in/out? Thought most of them would just take one line in and out or have you converted it somehow?

Do you find it is effective at cooling with the plate as opposed to a coil? Any foaming?

This looks a potential DIY project for the dark winter nights drawing in ...!

phettebs · Oct 10, 2011

This one has 4 lines in and 4 out so it works great. No mods needed. We ended up getting that one for free. My mate's dad picked it up at a sale somewhere and he just gave it to us along with the gas manifold. We provided everything else and just split the cost three ways. We now share it as needed.

It is extremely effective at chilling the beer. We served 4 at ounce during a party and it was fantastic. It did foam a little at first but we just messed with the regulator until it was good for all four kegs.