which chest freezer for kegerator

[izumidai]

Hey everyone. I am finally ready to take the plunge towards kegging. I am thinking of going the chest freezer route because it will look nicer in my kitchen. I would like to eventually have the ability to fit 2 or 3 cornies in the future. Does any one have brand/model number recomendations? Also, will simply adding a temp control do the trick or do you need to do addition work to turn a freezer into a fridge. I am sure I will have additional questions as responses come in. Thanks

[Thirsty Mallard]

Just put a temp. controller on it and that should be fine.

As for model, I use a Magic Chef 7 cubic foot freezer. It can easily hold 4 kegs and has a little shelf for anything else you want to keep cool. I keep some bar glasses in there to have them chilled and ready. I got the 7 cu. ft. because it is big enough to hold 4 kegs but still small enough to look good and not be cumbersome wherever I keep it.

[Speyedr]

Thirsty, you used to have a dorm fridge, right? Did you upgrade?

I have the exact same model and I love it. I will be building a bar later on this year and I'll probably get a sanyo just for serving, but the chest freezer is perfect 'cause you can lager in there too. Also, you can fit 3 gal cornies on the shelf Thirsty os talking about.
Temp controller is all you need, and taps of course. A top mounted tower is easiest 'cause you don't have to add a collar. Since there are no coils running through the lid, just cut a hole with a hole saw. The only drawback is you have to pull it out away from the wall before you open it or the tap handles hit the wall and dispense beer on the floor

Rob

[Bugeater]

Before you go out and look at freezers, cut out a bunch of cardboard circles the diameter of a keg. Take these with you to the store and deal them out in the bottom of the freezer to make sure you will be able to put in the number of kegs you want.

Also, if you have the space and $$, get a freezer that will hold 2 more kegs than what you think you want. That space won't be wasted for long.

Wayne
Bugeater Brewing Company

[Thirsty Mallard]

Thirsty, you used to have a dorm fridge, right? Did you upgrade?

Yeah, the chest freezer was one of the many undeserved gifts from Christmas! I should have the collar finished and taps installed by this weekend!

[Speyedr]

Thirsty, you used to have a dorm fridge, right? Did you upgrade?

Yeah, the chest freezer was one of the many undeserved gifts from Christmas! I should have the collar finished and taps installed by this weekend!

Schweet! You documenting that project for us? I JUST got my lagering freezer delivered this morning. Now I just need my Fermenator.... Should be on the way...

[Thirsty Mallard]

I forgot my camera for the build, but I have been taking as many pictures as I can to document the before and after. What kind of fridge? Stand up or chest? One day when I get a house and a garage I will need to buy a cheap fridge from Craigslist to lager in.

[Speyedr]

I mistyped that one. It's my Fermentation Chamber. I'll still lager in my chest freezer. I just got an upright freezer from Sears, almost exactly like the one shown on the Blichman Feremenator page. 13.7CF.

We're finishing the basement this year and I'm getting a Bar, so I'm going to pick up a Sanyo or Hair Kegerator for the bar and then use the CF strictly for lagering and crashing ales. My Wife says it's starting to look like an appliance store in the basement

I'm psyched for the show this weekend too, as they will cover conical usage... Yay, CONICAL!