Home Fridge/Keg-erators – Are they worth the effort?
I live in Buffalo, NY and Rochester is only an hour away. Beers of the World in Rochester, NY has/can get 70+ of many of my favorite micro and European brews in 1/2, 1/4, and 1/8 kegs! So . . . being a beer lover . . . I’m thinking about converting an old fridge to a keg-erator. Making one, adding external taps, and equipment isn’t a problem, but I’m curious what other people who have/use them think of them. Are they a pain to maintain or are they a great addition to a beer-geek/home brewer’s house? Just looking for personal opinions.
Location: Basement (I’m thinking of running two insulated lines up to my kitchen)
As far as what I’m looking for answer-wise, tap system need to be kept clean consistantly (taps, lines, etc…). Also, a line can go stale if not used daily.
Location: Basement (I’m thinking of running two insulated lines up to my kitchen)
As far as what I’m looking for answer-wise, tap system need to be kept clean consistantly (taps, lines, etc…). Also, a line can go stale if not used daily.
I’d say it’s one of the better investments a consistent beer drinker or homebrewer can make. The obvious reason being that it saves you a considerable amount of money in the long run and you don’t have to mess around with recycling and all that.
In response to your edit, beer in the lines can go stale especially if it’s out of the refrigeration but if your taps are getting enough use it shouldn’t be a big issue. When I’m using my kegerator I basically use it daily and either dump the first runnings or just drink it anyways, stale good beer is still better than fresh bad beer.
Again if you’re using your taps regularly you shouldn’t have to worry about cleaning the lines or replacing them too often but it’s such a cheap and easy thing to do that I personally just replace the lines every keg or so. With a home kegerator you’re generally talking about a few feet of hose which is a couple of dollars at the most especially if you just buy like 50ft at a time.
I wouldn’t recommend running lines from your basement up to the kitchen because it will be a pain in the ass getting consistent draws (non-foaming, non-flat) and it will make cleaning and such more of a chore. It’s not out of the realm of possibility I just think it’s a bit unnecessary is all.
You should do it. It’s not as bad as you think.
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Comment by Chicken H — December 27, 2009 @ 9:49 pm
I had a roommate who had one. It had two taps. For parties we’d get a keg of whatever – something mainstream – and everyone would throw in. He kept the other tap for "good stuff". It was great. As soon as I have a little cash to throw around, I’ll get one of my own. He figured it paid for itself, really, in how much it saved him drinking expensive brews at the bars.
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Comment by effin drunk — December 27, 2009 @ 9:56 pm
I so want one. But my wife says I need to quit.
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Comment by jeff t — December 27, 2009 @ 10:38 pm
I used to live with a guy who converted a fridge into a keg-erator and it was great. He never really had any problems with it. The only catch is that it doesn’t look that nice…I mean…we had a full sized fridge in our living room for the sole purpose of drinking good beer on demand. As a 22 year old guy it was an easy trade off.
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Comment by DCLee3 — December 27, 2009 @ 11:25 pm
I used and still use an old Norge. Ran the hoses to the Freezer part on top then out the side. Is a bar or counter top where those lines go to, with two taps over a spill tray.
I do not drink much anymore, I disassembled the hoses and stuff, repaired the hole that I drilled and the Norge still works fine.
That fridge is still outside and still working. The heat they or any fridge puts out is enough to put them outside in a shed or garage.
Going solar with everything soon, may not have enough amps/watts to keep the old Norge running.
One of the tricks or methods is to install or have a shutoff valve on or near the keg tap, Then a coupler with easy access to drain and clean the lines.
This coupler is an inline thing so untapping is not needed.
Also saves the gaskets and stuff from wear of tapping,un-tapping, re-tapping.
References :
Comment by Lawn Gnome — December 28, 2009 @ 12:10 am
I’d say it’s one of the better investments a consistent beer drinker or homebrewer can make. The obvious reason being that it saves you a considerable amount of money in the long run and you don’t have to mess around with recycling and all that.
In response to your edit, beer in the lines can go stale especially if it’s out of the refrigeration but if your taps are getting enough use it shouldn’t be a big issue. When I’m using my kegerator I basically use it daily and either dump the first runnings or just drink it anyways, stale good beer is still better than fresh bad beer.
Again if you’re using your taps regularly you shouldn’t have to worry about cleaning the lines or replacing them too often but it’s such a cheap and easy thing to do that I personally just replace the lines every keg or so. With a home kegerator you’re generally talking about a few feet of hose which is a couple of dollars at the most especially if you just buy like 50ft at a time.
I wouldn’t recommend running lines from your basement up to the kitchen because it will be a pain in the ass getting consistent draws (non-foaming, non-flat) and it will make cleaning and such more of a chore. It’s not out of the realm of possibility I just think it’s a bit unnecessary is all.
References :
Comment by AleSmith — December 28, 2009 @ 12:48 am
If your into the beer – its worth it. Cleaning the lines is not too much work and then you have to have a brew to be sure your done!
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Comment by G8R — December 28, 2009 @ 1:27 am
Id absolutely do it. My grandpa did it, he still swears it was the best thing he ever did.
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Comment by Miss Shannon — December 28, 2009 @ 1:54 am