Kegerator advise?

[_CJ]

In the middle of a kitchen remodel, replacing all the cabinets, etc. Would like to put a mini fridge inside one of the cabinets and have a tap handle coming out of the countertop.

Any advise on what size keg to use? I have a small co2 bottle for welding that I could use. Don't know if a 5-gal soda keg will fit, I think it's going to be too tall. Maybe a 7.75 gal pony keg? Or are there 5 gallon kegs that are shorter than the soda kegs?

[ColoradoXJ13]

are you planning on serving homebrew out of it or store bought kegs? A sanyo 4912 will fit two 5-gallon cornies and a 5# tank. It will not fit a 1/4 barrel though. If you want to fit a pony, you are going to have to go with a danby.

[_CJ]

are you planning on serving homebrew out of it or store bought kegs? A sanyo 4912 will fit two 5-gallon cornies and a 5# tank. It will not fit a 1/4 barrel though. If you want to fit a pony, you are going to have to go with a danby.

Strickly serving homebrew. Two five gallon kegs would be nice, but I don't know if I've got the hieght inside the cabinet. I think we're only going to have 30" hieght inside the cabinet.

I've been looking around and found some three gallon cornies that are only 17" tall, so maybe two of those with two different beers on tap?

I've also found something called a Firestone keg? I guess they used to use them for gastanks on hotrods.

What about bungs for the 1/4 barrels and Firestone kegs? Are they available? Are they re-usable?

[jwjeep1]

If you're serving homebrew, how are you planning on using a 1/4 barrel keg? Firestone is a company that makes kegs, not a type of keg specifically. I don't think their corny kegs are really drastically different than the other manufacturers types. You can get a 1/4 barrel with a corny style lid and ball lock connectors, but they're really expensive. The 3 gallon cornies are super expensive as well. I've even seen people cutting down 5 gallon kegs, because the labor to cut and weld them would be less than just buying 3 gallon kegs.

[xjmatt]

I may actually have a line on a used sanyo 4912 right now if you are interested. I already have one or I'd be after it myself. I'd have to check on the price but probably no more than $120.

Like ColoradoXJ13 said the 4912 fits two 5 gallons and a 5lb CO2 tank perfectly with some room left on the door shelves for wine/beer bottles.

If you really don't have the space for the full size 4912 and you need to go with something smaller I've got an extra 3 gallon pin lock keg I'd be willing to sell. PM me if interested in that.

[ColoradoXJ13]

I may actually have a line on a used sanyo 4912 right now if you are interested.


If it is that one on CL, leave it alone, my friend wants it!

[xjmatt]

If it is that one on CL, leave it alone, my friend wants it!

MUHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

If it's the one with the temp controller as part of the add then I've already claimed that part. Just thought I'd share the love and help the seller with the fridge half :D

[ColoradoXJ13]

no worries, it turns out he doesn't want it now anyway.

I am going the chest freezer route, $188 for a Holiday 5.3cu ft at Lowes that fits 3 cornies and a tank.

[xjmatt]

no worries, it turns out he doesn't want it now anyway.

I am going the chest freezer route, $188 for a Holiday 5.3cu ft at Lowes that fits 3 cornies and a tank.

I'd love the chest freezer for storage but I just don't have anywhere to put it. I seriously need one though for my lagering projects as well as hop storage, yeast storage, temp controlled wine fermentations, bulk aging of various other fermented projects..... ok maybe I just need a walk in cooler.

Either way I'm not after that particular 4912. The woman would kill me if I brought home another anyway :eek:

[_CJ]

Here's a link to what I'm calling a firestone keg. I guess it's actually 7.75 gallons. 15" tall and about 10" wide. Can I fill it through the hole on the side and install a new bung?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=130145468925&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=003

I have a friend that insulated one of his cabinets, gutted a fridge and installed everything into the cabinet. Works well, but kind of a pain to do. It's looking like I may have to go that route. My cabinets interior space is 29.5" high, so the sanyo fridge is out. Soda kegs are 25" high, so they'll just barely fit if I do the gutted fridge thing.

Now, how about mini keg beer dispensers? like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/NOSTALGIA-ELECTRIC-5-LITER-BEER-DISPENSER-AND-COOLER_W0QQitemZ230162182774QQihZ013QQcategoryZ67119QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

They use these little five liter kegs that are starting to show up at the liquor stores. Like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/Bitburger-Bier-collectors-mini-KEG-5-Liter-mint_W0QQitemZ200142491194QQihZ010QQcategoryZ571QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD4VQQcmdZViewItem

I can only guess that they'd have to be keg conditioned and they'd have to be consumed in a timely manner to keep from going flat?

[ColoradoXJ13]

I'd love the chest freezer for storage but I just don't have anywhere to put it. I seriously need one though for my lagering projects as well as hop storage, yeast storage, temp controlled wine fermentations, bulk aging of various other fermented projects..... ok maybe I just need a walk in cooler.


The woman would kill me if I brought home another anyway :eek:

get rid of the woman to make space :D

seriously though, these are about the same size as a 4912, should fit a carboy no problem, and can fit 3 cornies and a tank.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productList&Ne=5000&category=Holiday&N=0+1000052+4294966009

http://images.lowes.com/product/058822/058822010813.jpg

[ColoradoXJ13]

youch, just noticed the prices on them jumped about $100 overnight...

[xjmatt]

youch, just noticed the prices on them jumped about $100 overnight...

Still shows up at $188 when I click the link and that's even for the 6.8 cu/ft one.

Oh yea... would love to use all that extra closet space for a chest freezer. Seriously my stuff takes up all 2-3 drawers? Why do we have 3 closets for clothes!

[ColoradoXJ13]

telling ya man, I got rid of my woman and I have plenty of space in several closets to put kegerators, and nobody tells me brewing is dumb anymore. And as a side bonus, I'm pretty sure my grey hair is turning brown and getting thicker...

[Snotty]

Still shows up at $188 when I click the link and that's even for the 6.8 cu/ft one.

Oh yea... would love to use all that extra closet space for a chest freezer. Seriously my stuff takes up all 2-3 drawers? Why do we have 3 closets for clothes!

Strange, I checked before and after your post and both time showed 298.00 for me.

[xjmatt]

Strange, I checked before and after your post and both time showed 298.00 for me.

That's because they traced your IP address as being close to Highlands Ranch. They know you're good for it. :D :D

[ColoradoXJ13]

if you enter a zip code it drops for some reason

[jwjeep1]

Here's a link to what I'm calling a firestone keg. I guess it's actually 7.75 gallons. 15" tall and about 10" wide. Can I fill it through the hole on the side and install a new bung?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=130145468925&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=003

I have a friend that insulated one of his cabinets, gutted a fridge and installed everything into the cabinet. Works well, but kind of a pain to do. It's looking like I may have to go that route. My cabinets interior space is 29.5" high, so the sanyo fridge is out. Soda kegs are 25" high, so they'll just barely fit if I do the gutted fridge thing.

Now, how about mini keg beer dispensers? like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/NOSTALGIA-ELECTRIC-5-LITER-BEER-DISPENSER-AND-COOLER_W0QQitemZ230162182774QQihZ013QQcategoryZ67119QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

They use these little five liter kegs that are starting to show up at the liquor stores. Like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/Bitburger-Bier-collectors-mini-KEG-5-Liter-mint_W0QQitemZ200142491194QQihZ010QQcategoryZ571QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD4VQQcmdZViewItem

I can only guess that they'd have to be keg conditioned and they'd have to be consumed in a timely manner to keep from going flat?

That keg looks like an old Hoff Stevens type, only in 1/4 barrel size. I have seen people who use them for homebrewing, but they're a PITA in my opinion. Cleaning them is practically impossible without a machine and caustic like the breweries that used to use them had. They're also hard to find taps for. If the 3 gallon pin lock kegs are cheaper than the ball lock versions, I'd go that route. Pin lock are much less desirable, so you might be able to pick that stuff up for reasonable.

[kensois@msn.com]

I've got that sanyo fridge with a 2 faucet tap on top I'd like to sell. $300.00 with 3 cornie kegs. I can't figure out how to put a picture here but would be glad to email you one.
kensois@msn.com