My new kegerator build - nearly finished now

[Runwell-Steve]

My wife has managed to get hold of a very nice fridge from freecycle. It Stainless Steel :) :) :) :)

So, it would be very rude not to turn it into a kegerator.

I already have 2 undercounter fridges that I use for fermenting, and a very small chest freezer that holds 2 cornies as my current kegerator, but this new fridge will hold 4 cornies plus a few bottles if I lay it out well.

Heres a pic of the inside

If I replace that shelf with something more substantial I will be able to put 4 cornies on there, that will leave me room to put the gas bottle under the shelf as well.

I plan to have 4 of Norms shiny kegerator taps mounted in the door, (I have 2 already, another 2 are en route along with 2 more cornies).

I plan to control the temp with an ATC - 1000, or whatever they are called, I have one on my current kegerator which will be used for the job, I don't need to worry about heating it as my garage never gets so cold that it's necessary.

Thats as far as I have got at present, just had to share the shinyness, I will update as and when it progresses.

EDIT: Anyone know why my pics are sideways? They are the right way up on photobucket.
EDIT, they aren't sideways any more, weird :wha:

 

[leedsbrew]

you lucky lucky barsteward! nice one man. I'm currently scouring the local freecycles for another fridge! no joy yet though!

 

[pjbiker]

I was chuffed with my acquisition of an 'under counter' from freecycle but that's outstanding. I only have room for the one king keg in mine. Still resisting the conversion to Cornies. Don't have much more space in the garage, what with the 2 motorbikes. Should be grateful for what I have :grin:

 

[BarnsleyBrewer]

SS kegerator, I feel a new "Bench Mark" is about to be created for the forum.!! :thumb: :thumb:

BB :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[Sean_Mc]

Going to look bloody good that Steve with Norms taps :thumb:

 

[Kev888]

very nice! <sigh>

cheers,
Kev

 

[Vossy1]

Nice find

 

[jampot]

I have obtained a fridge and have 1 of my pressure barrels in it. The highest setting is still too cold. The beer comes out at about 10 degs. Is there a cheapy way of getting the temp up a bit?

 

[Swazi]

Stainless and off freecycle. You are one lucky dude. Fridges are like kegs, they tend to multiply somehow.

 

[Kev888]

I have obtained a fridge and have 1 of my pressure barrels in it. The highest setting is still too cold. The beer comes out at about 10 degs. Is there a cheapy way of getting the temp up a bit?

I've seen threads elsewhere where people have adjusted some screws on the thermostat to change the range a bit; I've only used external controllers myself though, so have no first-hand experience of it.

Cheers
kev

 

[Vossy1]

I have obtained a fridge and have 1 of my pressure barrels in it. The highest setting is still too cold. The beer comes out at about 10 degs. Is there a cheapy way of getting the temp up a bit?

Most standard thermostats in fridges will be too low on the highest setting for real ale. I originally replaced mine with a thermostat with a higher range, though if I were to do it again I' use an external controller like Kev said, something like this, it's cheap enough

 

[cornyandy]

Low tech answer to perfect real ale temp

I know others will probably have done this and not everyone can deal with a wet garage floor, but, just wrap a wet blanket around it (the Keg) for a few hours. It's cheap/free and gives a great "Cellar Temp"

Chears

Andrew

 

[Runwell-Steve]

Well, today it was time for a little bit of DIY, actually all very easy.

I passed the sensor probe wire for the STC-1000 through the drain hole in the back of the fridge to save drilling any holes in the main body of the fridge.

Four 22mm holes drilled in the door for the taps, and a couple of wooden shelves, all pretty straight forward really.

I only have 2 taps at present, 2 more are en route, there is currently a bit of parcel tape on the door covering the vacant holes.

I have a few piccies.

The kegerator in place in the brewery

A quick shot inside, 4 kegs in position, plus a few bottles.

A bit of pipework, once the rest of my taps turn up I shall rig it up so all the kegs are connected up, and then tidy up the pipes a bit.

All of the kegs are held at the same pressure 12psi, which I find is fine for my Ales.

The CO2 cylinder sits nicely in the bottom leaving some space for some bottled beer as well.

I have left an extra CO2 line in the bottom to aid me when cleaning out kegs, I also have a party tap which I use when flushing out kegs as well.

And a close up of the front

I just need to sort out some better labels and a drip tray.

 

[StubbsPKS]

VERY nice!

 

[prolix]

That is smashing Steve. :

 

[robsan77]

bar-steward

 

[leedsbrew]

nice one steve! What line are you using for you beer? It looks a lot more flexible than the 3/8 line I have?

 

[Runwell-Steve]

nice one steve! What line are you using for you beer? It looks a lot more flexible than the 3/8 line I have?

Hi, I think the beer line looks more flexible than it really is.

I don't actually know what it is, it's just the stuff that came with Norms Corny Kegs.

 

[Kev888]

Looking fab! That fridge is great, and its a very smart looking conversion too <envy..>

Cheers
kev

 

[Runwell-Steve]

Well, the new taps have arrived so time to finish it off.

Here it is in all it's shininess

A close up of the shiny shiny shiny taps.

And a maze of pipework inside

What more could a man need, apart from some beer in them 4 emptty cornies.