How To Convert Fridge to DIY Kegerator
There are few things better in life than the ability to enjoy a fresh pint of frosty beer without having to leave your home.
While the simple kegerator is an ideal way to keep your lonely keg housed, it isn’t always easy to fit it into a budget. The other option is to build one.
On the low side, you can pick up a cheap keg fridge for around $400. If you want a nicer one, you should plan on spending at least $600. However, if you have a spare beer fridge, you can make one for about $200. It is well worth the price and it isn’t hard to do.
All you need to do is take these following steps as they walk you through the conversion of a refrigerator into a kegerator.
You will need some hand tools, a fridge, and a kegerator conversion kit. Get those things together and you will be all prepared for the DIY kegerator.
Contents
Tools You’ll Need
- 7/8″ Hole Saw
- Power Drill
- Flathead Screwdriver
- Spanner Wrench
- Hex Wrench
Step 1: Measure Your Fridge
The first thing you need to do is find a full-size refrigerator. The ideal type splits horizontally with the freezer. You can use any fridge as long as it fits a keg and the coupler, but this type is just the easiest.
The best type of refrigerator to convert is a full size, horizontally split kitchen fridge with a freezer on top. You will also want the room to easily remove or replace a keg.
Step 2: Drill the Desired Location
You need to be positive that you unplug the fridge before conveting into DIY Kegerator. Then you can drill a 7/8 hole in the door for the faucet and shank. Be sure that you do not drill in the back wall.
You will need to allow clearance for your shank. Ideally, you need to leave plenty of room to open the freezer. When you are finished, the hole will go through the door and the plastic liner.
Step 3: Connecting the Faucet and Shank
Attach the faucet to the shank with reasonable tightness. Then place the shank into the PVC pipe and make sure to tighten it with the shank nut. So kits will include a wrench for this purpose.
Now insert the beer hose into the other end of the shank. Tighten it down with a clamp. You will have to put in on the hose loosely before attaching it to the shank. The other end of the beer hose will need a rubber washer attached to the nut and then wound onto the top of the couple.
Make sure you use a wrench to tighten. The drip tray needs to be screwed into the door about one foot below the tap.
Step 4: Connecting the Beer and Air Line
The hex connections need to be attached to the back side of the shank while still being attached to the top coupler.
You will then clamp the other end. It will need to be attached to the small end of the CO2 regulator. The other end of the regulator goes to the CO2 cylinder with a nut. You will need to be able to remove the canister when it is empty so don’t over tighten.
Step 5: Final Connections and Adjustments
The couple goes into the keg with the handle facing up. Rotate it until the coupler stops. Remove the handle and push it down until you feel it snap into place.
You can then open the regulator valve closest to the gauge. Open the valve on top of the tank. Turn the regulator until the gauge reads 10 PSI. You can adjust this to each individual keg of beer. You may need to adjust this to get the right amount of gas for each keg of beer.
The faucet and the regulator switches should both be in the off position. The first couple of beers may be foamy, but the gas pressure should even out by the third. Adjust the regulator as needed.
Summary
You will be able to do a single tap conversion with this DIY Kegerator guide. It is the easiest, and most popular, for keg conversions.
Double Tap Conversion Kits
You can modify it to be a double tap keg conversion, but it is up to you to make sure that you have plenty of room for storage and dispensing.
Kegerator Conversion Kit Tips
- You will want to add a thermometer to the inside of your fridge to maintain the temperature 36-40 degrees F
- It can take several hours for beer to settle, this is even more true if it has been handled a lot. Be sure to let your beer rest
- You need to be quick about opening and closing the faucet in order to cut down on the foam
- You should tilt your glass so that you minimize the amount of foam that you get per glass
- You should flush your line every time you change your keg to keep your beer tasting fresh.
