kegerator basics

"Do I Really Need A Kegerator?"

My answer to that question is always the same,

"Of course you need a kegerator"

And I think less of you for even asking that!

What self respecting beer drinker would not want access to a continual flow of their favorite beer at home.

Not only is is convenient to have a home kegerator, there is the cost benefit of drinking fresh draft beer.

A glass of draft beer is about half the cost of a can or bottle. Which if you drink as much beer as I do, can add up to substantial savings in the long run.

And don't forget the COOL factor of owning your own beer fridge.

Now that we have come to the understanding that you need a kegerator, don't run right out and buy the first one you find.

You should be armed with some basic knowledge first, which is what I want to help you with here.

Note : If you already have your own, or have built a kegerator, the following info may seem a little elementary. I am just looking to help a brother out who has little or no knowledge on this topic.

Parts Needed

The make up of a kegerator is simple. Here is a general parts list.

A Refridgerator - The main body.
CO2 Tank - used to pressurize your tap system.
CO2 Tank Regulator - Regulates the CO2 pressure.
Keg Coupler - This is the piece that fits in the valve on top of the keg and releases the beer.
Tap System - The faucet where the beer is poured.
Tubing - Styles and sizes vary depending on if it is being used for either CO2, beer, or a drain.
Beer Drip Tray- Spill area under faucet.

Thats it, the basic componets.

To get a good understanding of how all these parts work and other useful information.

Checkout this video Micromatic put out.

Got a pretty good understanding of the workings of a kegerator from the video?... Good. Here are some other important decisions when deciding what type of setup is right for you.

How Big ?

Kegerators come in a variety of sizes and styles. You can get unpright and short models in just about any size. If you're planning on building your own, your options are endless.

The two question that need to be answered when determining size are -

Where am I going to put it?

And

How many and what size kegs do I want to keep in it?,

These two factors alone will help you determine what size and shape you need.

Take a look at the chart below. It has keg dimensions and volumes to help you get an idea of how much room you will need inside the refridgerator for the amount of beer you want to keep.

Note: Keep in mind you will most likley have the CO2 tank inside as well.

Beer Tap Systems

When I say tap system, I mean the mounted faucet where the beer is poured, (called a draft tower in the video).

Taps are usually either mounted on the side, front, or top of the kegerator. The shape and size of the kegerator and kegs being stored will determine where your tap will be mounted and how many taps you can accomodate.

Single tap systems are the less expensive way to go, They do however limit you to only one type of beer.

Multitap systems are a lot more versital in suiting people's beer needs, especially in a party situation.

There are also different types of faucet heads available. I am not going too far on this one here. Just know that some beers pour better out of different shaped heads. A standard faucet is all you need. You can experiment with different heads if you want later on.

The Keg Coupler

As learned in the video, the keg coulpler is the piece that fits into the valve on top of the keg and releases the beer.

This next part is important.

Depending on what type of keg beer you choose determines what type of coupler you need. Different keg manufactures have different valves on top of the keg.

It's not as confusing as it sounds. There are six different types of couplers available, two of which will suit most people's needs.

The two most common are -

The US Sankey - Used for draft beers made in North America. Budweiser, Molson, Sam Adams, etc.

The European Sankey - Used for most European Beers. Heinken, Amstel, New Castle, etc.

These two couplers will tap the majority of kegs available, with the exception of some European beers and stouts such as Guinness.

The important thing here is that you have the right coupler for your keg. There is nothing worse than not being able to tap that baby and enjoy it.

Note: Most couplers are going to add 4-5 Inches in height to your keg dimensions.

The CO2 Tank

The CO2 tank is most commonly stored inside the beer fridge along with the beer kegs. You can however mount them on the outside to conserve space for the kegs.

Tanks rage in sizes from 2 1/2lbs to 20lbs. As a general rule, it takes about 1lb of CO2 per full keg of beer. Keep that in mind when deciding on tank size.

I personally think the 10lb tank is perfect. It takes up less room than a sixth barrel and you can get between 10-12 kegs out of it. The 5lb tanks are also quite popular.

Two common questions people have about CO2 tanks are -

Where can I get my tank filled?

and

How much does it cost?

To get a tank refilled check with the tank supplier or just pick up the phonebook and look under, Welding supplies or fire extinguishers. Either of these two should be able to help or point you in the right direction of someone who can.

As far as the cost goes it will vary from one location to the next. But generally a 5lb tank will cost about $15 to fill.

The popularity of home kegerators continues to grow. I have just helped you with some of the basics to have a general understanding of the make-up of a kegerator and some important things to consider.

So whether you are planning on buying or building, I wish you the greatest success and cheers to your new kegerator.

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