Choosing the Right Kegerator
You love draft beer, and would like the convenience and cost savings of being able to enjoy it at home. You need a kegerator to store and serve your draft beer, but with so many models on the market, you're unsure of which one suits your needs. Some of the things you should consider consider to help your decision are:
- Will you use the kegerator indoors, outdoors, or both?
- Do you want it built into a counter or bar, or do you want a free-standing model?
- How much space do you have for the unit?
- How much beer do you want your kegerator to hold?
- Do you want to be able to serve more than one type of beer?
- Do you want refrigerated shelf space for bottled beer or wine?
- How much money do you want to spend on your kegerator?
Free-Standing Indoor Kegerators
The free-standing, single tap, indoor models of kegerators are the most economical, and most popular ways to serve cold draft beer at home. Most single tap models will hold a full or pony keg of your favorite draft beer. Typically, they will have casters for easy relocation, and come in multiple colors such as black, white, or stainless steel. Single tap models can cost as little as $400 for a new unit. If you want a two tap version, so you can serve two types of beer at the same time, you can expect to pay over $2,000.
There are many stand alone, single tap kegerators available on the market today, but we recommend the Sanyo BC-1206 model (shown in above picture). This kegerator has a capacity of 6.5 cubic feet, which holds up to a half-barrel keg, and comes with a complete CO2 tap system. The tap system includes a Sankey keg tapper (which fits all North American beer kegs) a pressure gauge, a pressure regulator, and an arm for pulling drafts. A cleaning kit and beer FAQ guide are also included with the unit. The Sanyo BC-1206 kegerator has a black exterior and compact size (37 inches tall, 23-5/8 inches wide, and 25 inches deep). It also has four casters on the bottom so you can easily move the unit to where you need it. The Sanyo BC-1206 Beer Cooler
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Built-in Kegerators
Built in kegerators are designed to be built under your bar or counter top in a fixed position. Unless you're a skilled do-it-yourself type person, retrofitting a counter or bar with a built in kegerator can get a bit expensive. Not only do you have the cost of the kegerator itself, but the addition cost of labor should be taken into consideration before purchase. If you can do the job yourself, or don't mind paying somebody else to do it for you, built in kegerators do provide a much cleaner, professional look than a stand alone unit.
Single Tap - For built in, or under bar kegerators, we recommend the Marvel 61 HKBBO Draft Beer Dispenser for the single tap variety (shown in above picture). We feel this is the easiest and most attractive way to integrate a keg refrigerator into your kitchen, den, game room, or even your garage. This unit holds half or quarter kegs, and the size of the unit (34"H x 23.875"W x 24.375"D) allows it to be built into standard cabinetry without needing to create added clearance. It also accepts a custom front panel, so it seamlessly blends in with your existing cabinetry. The ease of installation will make the Marvel 61HKBBO Draft Beer Dispenser
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Dual Tap - For the dual tap models, we prefer the Club Top Direct Draw Beer Dispensers model TDD3CTS from TRUE (shown in photo to left). This stainless steel model holds a pair of half kegs of your favorite beer, which allows you to serve two different types of beer at once. It has 3 doors, and includes and easy to reach refrigerated storage area under a slide top to store bottled beer, or other chilled drinks. The unit features an over sized, factory balanced, refrigeration system. The exterior has heavy duty, laminated black vinyl front and sides with matching black aluminum back, and an all stainless steel counter top.
Club's interior has stainless steel floor with 1/2" reinforced lip and heavy gauge galvanized steel walls, and an adjustable, heavy duty PVC coated shelf. The two beer tap towers are 3" diameter stainless steel insulated columns. Cold air is directed into beer column to reduce foaming and maximize draft beer quality. There's also an anodized aluminum glass rail, which provides convenient storage for glasses on top. The entire cabinet structure and solid doors are foamed in place using high density, CFC free, polyurethane insulation. Overall, the Club Top Direct Draw Beer Dispensers model TDD3CTS from TRUE
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Upright Style Kegerators
Upright style kegerators are upright refrigerator units that have been converted into kegerators. The benefit of an upright model is that you have plenty of extra refrigerated space for food, or other drinks, along with your keg. Most units also have freezer space for ice, drink mixes, or frozen food. Uprights are perfect for those who like to entertain and have a little more space for their kegerator. This type of unit is a good choice for garages, shops, finished basements, and party areas where there is plenty of space to hold a larger unit.
Upright styles tend to be fairly similar, but we recommend the Frigidaire model FRTB7B4EMB, which is a 16.5 cubic foot unit (shown in above photo). It includes a 12.75 foot refrigerator and a 3.75 cubic foot freezer. The refrigerator portion can accommodate a 1/2 keg of beer. The unit comes with an empty 5 lb CO2 tank, as well as a pressurized tap system consisting of a tap, regulator, faucet, hoses, and CO2 canister. This kegerator allows for tapping the keg and retrieving beer from the exterior of the refrigerator without having to open the door. The unit also supplies a five level wire shelf, which includes a can dispenser, wine storage, and space for 2-liter bottles. In addition to storing drinks, the appliance provides ample space for keeping food chilled. It offers two in-door freezer storage racks, two heavy duty slide out wire fresh food baskets, and a fresh food shelf to hold party trays or other food items (which must be removed if using a full keg). The Frigidaire features include two humidity controls, a "Never Clean" condenser, reversible doors, pocket door handles, and a large drip tray with a drain for quick cleaning. The Frigidaire FRTB7B4EMB 16.5 Cubic Foot Refrigerator/Freezer/Beer-Tap Beverage Center
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Outdoor Kegerators
Kegerators designed to be used outdoors cost more than indoor use units. If you're wondering, "What's the difference?". The answer is outdoor units meet UL standards for outdoor use. The backs of outdoor models are typically sealed to protect the electrical components. They are also equipped with a ground fault interrupter (GFCI) to prevent possible electrocution if the electronics do get wet. Additionally, higher quality outdoor units have better insulation to help regulate the interior temperature when outdoor temperatures get extreme.
Using your kegerator outdoors, it is not a good idea if it's an indoor model. Instead, get yourself a good kegerator designed to be used outside, like the Marvel Outdoor Series 6OHK-SSX Deluxe Half Keg Beer Dispenser (pictured above). This unit will allow you to enjoy draft beer at perfect serving temperature, without the need to go indoors. This deluxe model comes complete with casters, mug railing and drain kit. It also holds a half keg, and includes everything you need, such as a draft tower, hoses, CO2 tank and regulator, drip tray, and interior floor shield. The Marvel Outdoor Series 60HK-SSX
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If you're looking for an outdoor kegerator, but would like the "best of the best" model, the Perlick H2RTD2D20 48 (pictured to the left) is it. Since 1917, Perlick has earned it's reputation as the premier manufacturer of commercial bar and beverage equipment. Perlick engineers build every piece of it's equipment to meet the exacting standards of the commercial hospitality industry. Now, this tradition of design, engineering, and skillful manufacturing is being applied to developing products for your home with refrigeration units that offer discriminating homeowners the benefits of Perlick's quality.
Perlick offers designs that encompass the performance standards normally reserved for commercial equipment, and offer you the look and feel you want in your home. It's the extra touches they put into their equipment that truly sets Perlick apart from the crowd. This unit can hide discreetly under a counter, or it can make a bold statement as a functional standalone design element. Either way, the 48" dual tap kegerator provides you with exceptional beauty and versatility. This gorgeous piece can be specified with glass or stainless steel doors, or it can be integrated into surrounding cabinetry with a wood overlay. The luxury of enjoying draft beer at home achieves a new level with the Perlick Kalamazoo 48-inch Outdoor Keg Tapper with Glass Door Refrigerator
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Kegerator Conversion Kits
If you want to have a kegerator, but need a more economical alternative than the ones listed above, you can easily convert an existing refrigerator into a kegerator. There are many kits that can be purchased, along with directions, for around $200. If you have a refrigerator you're no longer using, or if you are able to purchase a used one locally, you can have a custom made kegerator for much less money than a new one. For information, instructions, and kits to do it yourself, visit our page on making your own kegerator.
Kegerator Parts and Maintenance
For information on proper kegerator operation and maintenance, visit our kegerator use and care page. If you need to find spare parts to repair or upgrade your kegerator, visit our online kegerator parts store.
