Cheapest fridge/freezer for a kegerator

What kind of keg? 1/4 Barrel, 1/2 Barrel or Corny? And do you want to mount the CO2 cylinder inside or outside? Do you want a serving tower on top or do you want to drill holes & have the tap(s) come out the front of the fridge/freezer?

Kent

OK,, I am going to sound like a nutcase, but here goes. Believe it or not,, you can find a fridge/freezer at the end of the driveway on garbage day. I would never have thought it, but a coworker drovve around on garbage day looking for a fridge,, and when he saw something that would meet his need, just knocked on the house door and asked the owner if the fridge worked and if he could take it away. I have seen his aquisition, and it works fine,,,, a side by side,, the fridge side for ale temp,, the freezer side for lagering.

No crap, that's about how I got mine. I advertised in the company newsletter that I would haul away a working refrigerator "for no cost!!!". Two weeks later I had a working beer fridge that has been quietly keeping my beer cold for over twelve years now. The freezer stopped working about seven years ago, but the lower part still stays plenty cold.

Corny. Serving tower on top, CO2 inside or out..

Thanks for the responses so far. It's hopefully for a half barrel, I like the idea of a front loading unit top mounted tap but if the cost difference is great I'm flexible. It looks like the extra controller to use a freezer is $50-60. Unit needs to be available in the US.

Thanks again

Nick..

Right now, I'm looking for one big enough for two corney kegs, yet small enough to fit under my bar (no more than 35"). New ones I can find, but I'm not happy with the price. I'm thinking of going for a wine refrigerator.

Phil =====visit the New York City Homebrewers Guild website:

I looked at those for a second, but didn't like the glass door I saw. Seems less efficient.

I'm looking to keep my beers around fifty degrees, so those fridges would be fine. Are the doors double glass?

Phil

=====visit the New York City Homebrewers Guild website:

Not to endlessly promote Ebay but..."Tom Hargrave Sales" has the controller you need for about $54 + shipping.

I'm using a 6.5 CF (I think thats how big it is) freezer that _just_ barely holds 2 corny kegs (I gotta squeeze them in)...I got it for $75 in the newspaper...it hardly takes up any room...I just need a tower & CO2 system & I'm good to go.

Kent

I don't know.. I was looking online for a general price range. So far I've seen keg fridges around $600. That seems a bit steep to me. Am I correct?

That was my take too. There is a place in Canada that sells em on ebay for about $500 but they are clearly modified regular units. I started the thread in the hopes of finding someone who had discovered the seemingly elusive compact refrigerator that could take a 16gal keg. Looks like it would be ~ $200, just need the right unit. I like the yard sale/trash pile idea as suggested previously but the wife is already not keen on the project and that would be the deal breaker......

I'm looking for one to hold two 5 gallon Cornys, and maybe some bottles. I don't like the yard sale, since you never know how long it will last when you get it.. I'd hate to pickup something and have it crap out just after I get my beer in it.

Nick, You appear to be on track looking for an old cheap fridge. What exactly is your problem? Remember you may eventually want to hold several kegs in the same fridge so "bigger is best". Remember also that your dispensing gear, taps & hoses will need careful & regular cleaning to preserve sanitary conditions. Its hard to go past PET bottles stored in an ordinary food fridge if space permits. Rgds, Pete

Sanyo 4912 (4.9 cu ft) minifridge can be modified to hold two corny kegs. Bought mine at best buy on sale $179 (not exactly cheap but cheaper than buying one pre made). I don't think it will hold a full sized keg though.

In my opinion, you should try

Dave

BillyBadArseBrew> Sanyo 4912 (4.9 cu ft) minifridge can be modified to hold two corny

Try looking in resale shops (Goodwill or Salvation Army) Also keep an eye on the classified ads.