For years, I’ve been bottling, and I’d like the ability to keg. However, I was put off by the price of Kegerators. The ones I was looking at had just one tap, and the steep price didn’t include kegs, lines, regulators, or CO2 canister. I think I can build something better, cheaper. I’d love something I can fit 2-4 corny kegs in and run multiple taps. Though it’s not vital I keep it small, I’ve got a space that’s 2 ft wide, 2 feet deep, and 3 ft tall that would be great if I can swing it. Any pointers, advice, or attempts at dissuasion? Thanks.
I used a 7 Cubic foot chest freezer and built a wooden collar for it. I’ll take pictures of it tomorrow if nobody else beats me to the punch
That’s what I did too. I don’t think you will find anything to fit the measurements you mentioned though.
Then if it’s empty you can also use it for a fermentation chamber, to get it filled again
If your floor area is 2’x2’, you can rule out a chest freezer if you’re looking to tap 2-4 kegs. Your only option really is a kegerator.
Yes, you can find a small chest freezer with outside dimensions that will fit that space–you’d be looking at a ~3.5 cu.ft. freezer–but it’s not going to fit more than one keg because the internal space is so much smaller than the outside (a freezer needs lots of insulation obviously, and a small one even more so).
It has been a long time since I shopped for a kegerator, so take this with a grain of salt, and by “salt” I mean the year 2013. I bought a 3-tap model that came with a regulator and (empty) CO2 tank. And if I recall, a 3-tap model wasn’t a whole lot more costly than a 2- or 1- tap model. The cost of kegerators doesn’t scale linearly with the number of taps, IIRC.
My only regret is that what I bought has the CO2 tank sitting inside the kegerator, on a small shelf at the back. It’s a PITA to put in a new tank or adjust pressure. This leads to more swearing than you might think when it comes to changing a tank. If I had to do it again, I’d get a model where the CO2 tank is outside the kegerator.
Long story short, a killer keezer setup for multiple kegs can be done for less than the price of a kegerator. But I don’t think it’s possible in a 2’x2’ space.
I’m not wed to using that space, but I am wholly committed to not paying as much as they’re charging. A killer keezer setup is what I’m looking for.
Do a search on YouTube. Many (many!) Keezer projects there that will interest you, if that is what you really want to do.
But you can buy a nice kegerator for $350 - $500, brand new. Check Craigslist…there is always someone wanting to get rid of theirs.