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Front loading kegerator

 
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OkieDokie




Joined: 31 Aug 2013
Posts: 191
Location: Oklahoma

Drinking: Electric ale, Weizen

Working on: Electric lager, American Amber Ale, Dirty Blonde


PostLink    Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 10:49 pm    Post subject: Front loading kegerator Reply with quote


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I noticed people who have permanent taps set up like Kal's, must load kegs from the front. I really want to make or purchase the base or "kegerator" part so as to not have to open the lid and place kegs down. Is there a thread with schematics or some model numbers, links, etc., where I can start the planning process. I can pretty much out together anything so complexity doesn't matter. Thanks.
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huaco




Joined: 05 Apr 2012
Posts: 1506
Location: Burleson Texas


PostLink    Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 8:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This is the style I plan on building.
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/upright-keezer-8-taps-11-kegs-371438/
love the small footprint. I'll probably stick with only 4 taps though. It should offer plenty of lagering/aging/carbing room for other kegs in my pipeline.
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Geosmashing




Joined: 25 Apr 2014
Posts: 36
Location: Ottawa, Canada


PostLink    Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 2:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Your standard upright, freezer on-top refrigerator is easy enough to come by for cheap (or even free) on your local Craigslist-type website. If you're willing to do some cutting, you should be able to fit 4-5 kegs inside easily, with the CO2 tank.

When using a fridge, you won't need to left kegs down/up, which was the OP's requirement. Also to his question, you don't need to worry at all when drilling through the front door, there will be no coils or lines in the door. You can never know with the sidewalls, though.
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kal
Forum Administrator



Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 4:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you're looking for a more 'turn-key' solution without any cutting or extra work required, check out actual kegorators made for homebrew kegs:

http://www.kegerator.com/?offer_id=12&aff_id=1074

Full disclosure: Using the link above helps support our site at no cost to you - we thank you!

Kal

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Geosmashing




Joined: 25 Apr 2014
Posts: 36
Location: Ottawa, Canada


PostLink    Posted: Wed May 14, 2014 3:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Kal, What temperature do you keep your condition/lager and carbonating refrigerator at?

I'm thinking you need to keep it at around 11 Celsius/52 Fahrenheit to ferment lagers properly, but if that's the case how do you carbonate appropriately by "simply connecting the CO2 up to the keg and waiting two weeks with the regulator set to the standard serving pressure"? Isn't that too warm to achieve 2.4 volumes of CO2 at 10-12 PSI? What PSI do you serve at?

Thanks and Mug
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kal
Forum Administrator



Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Wed May 14, 2014 3:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Near freezing, maybe a degree above.

CO2 in this fridge is set to ~4 PSI which at 33F gives me 2.0 volumes of CO2.

My serving keezer is also at the same temp, PSI set the same way to get around 1.8 to 2.0 for most ales, or 2.5 or slightly higher for Kolsch, light lagers, blonde ales, etc. (I use a 2-regulator setup). Keeping the keezer near freezing avoids any sort of humidity issues that keezers are known for - it simply freezes on the sides and once a year or so I take it off. Beer coming out of the tap is at ~38F.

Kal

_________________
Our new shop with over 150 new products: shop.TheElectricBrewery.com
We ship worldwide and support our products and customers for life.
Purchasing through our affiliate links helps support our site at no extra cost to you. We thank you!
My basement/bar/brewery build 2.0
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Geosmashing




Joined: 25 Apr 2014
Posts: 36
Location: Ottawa, Canada


PostLink    Posted: Wed May 14, 2014 2:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

kal wrote:
Near freezing, maybe a degree above.


Hmm, I'm confused. So do you ferment lagers in there too or use it only for carbonating/conditioning? Don't lagers usually ferment at 45 to 55 °F (7 to 13 °C)?
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kal
Forum Administrator



Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Wed May 14, 2014 3:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I do not ferment in the fridge or keezer (that are set to just above freezing). I only condition/lager.

Kal

_________________
Our new shop with over 150 new products: shop.TheElectricBrewery.com
We ship worldwide and support our products and customers for life.
Purchasing through our affiliate links helps support our site at no extra cost to you. We thank you!
My basement/bar/brewery build 2.0
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Vintage Year




Joined: 13 Jan 2014
Posts: 7
Location: Houston, TX


PostLink    Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2014 11:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Link to a under counter kegerator without the tap towers for a more DIY approach:

http://www.kegerator.com/edgestar-full-size-built-in-kegerator-conversion-refrigerator/BR7000SS.html#i.18pav0k85jeg2w?offer_id=12&aff_id=1074#i.16flx7sgqkevf1

Kal,

Please feel free to edit the link to support your site. (edit: Done! Thanks!)
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