Chest Freezer to Kegerator Conversion

[fj605]

I got started homebrewing almost a year ago and it didn't take long to get fed up with bottling, so I decided to build a kegerator. I chose to convert a 14 cu ft chest freezer rather than an upright fridge because the freezer would give me more room for multiple kegs.


I started by removing the lid and hinges and gluing a frame built from 2x6's to the freezer. I then set the lid on the frame and re-attached the hinges to the 2x6.

Using a 3/4" spade bit, I drilled holes for the taps. I also drilled a few holes for the temperature control box and power cords. I need to get some cables clamps to secure the power cords to the frame.

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To keep the kegerator at a suitable temperature, I picked up an STC 1000 temperature controller and project box from Amazon. After sacarficing an extension cord, I was able to connect the power cord of the freezer to the controller and back to the wall outlet. Unfortunately, the controller only reads in degrees Celsius, but it's not a big deal.

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I will be installing another CO2 manifold and 3 more taps next week.


Beer selection once this project is finished:

Pepper Porter
Jilly Vanilly Porter
The Dude Abides - White Russian Wheat
Strawberry Wheat
Highland Grove - Farmhouse Ale
Dicken's Cider

[rbeau30]

Nice Project! I hear ya on the fed up with bottling. I fill up growlers for people instead, or bring growlers (and sometimes the kegs themselves to celebrations.

I need to brew. It is so hard though in the 90 degree weather.

[GilpinGuy]

I picked up an STC 1000 temperature controller

This is one of the most important peices of equipment in a kegorator. I have one (bought it - didn't build it) and it didn't have a temp controller. After weeks of shitty, foamy beer and trying to adjust CO2 levels, etc., I figured out that perfect temp (38 deg IIRC) is essential to foam free beer. I assumed the colder the better, but this is not the case (I even froze keg solid...ooops). After I got the controller, it was all goodness.

Good luck with the project.

[DangerLee_Industries]

Looks good nice work!

[Hummer]

24/7 beer on tap! Nicely done.

Cleaning bottles for re use is probably the single biggest factor in discouraging home beer and wine makers. But then, that's why you can find lightly used beer and wine making equipment for cheap on Craigslist.

This week we bottled 190 bottles of Riesling and Riesling-Gewurztraminer with friends. That's a lot of hand washing, removing labels, sanitizing, etc. Today, I'll bottle another 6 gallons of Riesling, 6 gal. of Amarone, and 7 gal. of cranberry-apple wine. Sure gets tiring cleaning bottles by hand, but there's really no other way for non carbonated beer and wine.