Choosing the right Kegerator may seem like a very complicated choice to have to make. A few simple considerations can go a long way in helping make this a much easier decision. There are many different sizes and types from which to choose and a little knowledge will help you pick the best one for your needs and your pocketbook.
A primary consideration would be size as that can have a great impact on convenience and space limitations. The two major options are a mini kegerator or a standard size kegerator. Knowing how much beer you will be serving each month will greatly help in deciding which size will work best for you. As most models can keep a keg of beer fresh for about a month choosing between a 5 liter mini keg design and a full size that can serve up to a 15 gallon keg will be greatly impacted by this factor.
Mini kegerators are usually small enough to fit on a counter top and are designed to use the 5 liter kegs that many brewers are beginning to use. There are several makes and models of mini's from which to choose one is the Beertender from Krups. The Beertender is designed to use only the 5 liter draughtkeg system from Heineken so if you prefer another brand of beer you should look into another mini keg system. Edgestar, Avanti and VinoTemp also make mini kegerators and these makers are not limited to only one brewer but should be able to use any 5 liter keg design.
A standard Kegerator is a larger unit and is usually able to hold the standard sized kegs from the 1/6 pony keg to the full 15 gallon standard keg that is available from almost any brewer. Most standard sized Kegerators are based on the mini fridge design and are of a comparable size to the average mini fridge available from most manufacturers. You have a wider variety of options from these types so a little time spent looking at those options might be helpful.
There are many different companies manufacturing kegerators along with conversion kits if you want to convert a refrigerator or even a mini fridge or chest freezer. Two popular brands are Danby Kegerator and Haier Kegerator both of these manufacturers offer many models from which to choose and have a proven history producing kegerators for both home and commercial use. The standard size can be broken down into three basic parts. A refrigerator, a tap system and a CO2 system each of these parts work together and most are pretty standard across manufacturers. Both the refrigerator and tap systems are pretty standard as the refrigerator is usually just a mini fridge and the tap system is designed to work with a standard keg setup. One helpful skill to develop is drawing from a tap and that is also pretty standard and easy to pick up.
The CO2 system can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and is something you should consider as it is the part of the system that actually produces the power to draw the beer from the Keg. Most CO2 tanks are of a standard size however you may have options when it comes to the pressure gauges. Gauges usually come in two types a single and a double gauge.
The two types of gauges are either a single or a double gauge and this is an important area to be sure you get right. A double gauge system is the best and most accurate as it will show not only the pressure in the keg but also the pressure that remains in the CO2 tank and avoid surprise loss of CO2 pressure.. Pressure is likely the single most important factor to get right as it can make the difference between a flat and tasteless beer or an over foamy mess. The pressure is usually set between 12 and 15 pounds however factors such as type of beer, temperature and even altitude can effect this setting. It is usually best to ask the supplier when you purchase your keg what the brewer recommends and use those settings and types of gas mixture. The popular brewer of stouts Guinness recommends a mixture of CO2 and Nitrogen for their product so checking before hand is a good idea.
Finally if you plan on using one outside primarily then be sure to purchase an outdoor kegerator as they are specially designed to be used in the harsher environment usually found outdoors. Many of the mini models are not cooled with a standard refrigerator and will not function properly in higher temperatures so check with the manufacturers recommendations if you plan on using one outside.
Once you know how you will use your new kegerator and which one will work best for you all that is left is to set it up and enjoy fresh cold draught beer from your own tap in the comfort of your own home.
A primary consideration would be size as that can have a great impact on convenience and space limitations. The two major options are a mini kegerator or a standard size kegerator. Knowing how much beer you will be serving each month will greatly help in deciding which size will work best for you. As most models can keep a keg of beer fresh for about a month choosing between a 5 liter mini keg design and a full size that can serve up to a 15 gallon keg will be greatly impacted by this factor.
Mini kegerators are usually small enough to fit on a counter top and are designed to use the 5 liter kegs that many brewers are beginning to use. There are several makes and models of mini's from which to choose one is the Beertender from Krups. The Beertender is designed to use only the 5 liter draughtkeg system from Heineken so if you prefer another brand of beer you should look into another mini keg system. Edgestar, Avanti and VinoTemp also make mini kegerators and these makers are not limited to only one brewer but should be able to use any 5 liter keg design.
A standard Kegerator is a larger unit and is usually able to hold the standard sized kegs from the 1/6 pony keg to the full 15 gallon standard keg that is available from almost any brewer. Most standard sized Kegerators are based on the mini fridge design and are of a comparable size to the average mini fridge available from most manufacturers. You have a wider variety of options from these types so a little time spent looking at those options might be helpful.
There are many different companies manufacturing kegerators along with conversion kits if you want to convert a refrigerator or even a mini fridge or chest freezer. Two popular brands are Danby Kegerator and Haier Kegerator both of these manufacturers offer many models from which to choose and have a proven history producing kegerators for both home and commercial use. The standard size can be broken down into three basic parts. A refrigerator, a tap system and a CO2 system each of these parts work together and most are pretty standard across manufacturers. Both the refrigerator and tap systems are pretty standard as the refrigerator is usually just a mini fridge and the tap system is designed to work with a standard keg setup. One helpful skill to develop is drawing from a tap and that is also pretty standard and easy to pick up.
The CO2 system can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and is something you should consider as it is the part of the system that actually produces the power to draw the beer from the Keg. Most CO2 tanks are of a standard size however you may have options when it comes to the pressure gauges. Gauges usually come in two types a single and a double gauge.
The two types of gauges are either a single or a double gauge and this is an important area to be sure you get right. A double gauge system is the best and most accurate as it will show not only the pressure in the keg but also the pressure that remains in the CO2 tank and avoid surprise loss of CO2 pressure.. Pressure is likely the single most important factor to get right as it can make the difference between a flat and tasteless beer or an over foamy mess. The pressure is usually set between 12 and 15 pounds however factors such as type of beer, temperature and even altitude can effect this setting. It is usually best to ask the supplier when you purchase your keg what the brewer recommends and use those settings and types of gas mixture. The popular brewer of stouts Guinness recommends a mixture of CO2 and Nitrogen for their product so checking before hand is a good idea.
Finally if you plan on using one outside primarily then be sure to purchase an outdoor kegerator as they are specially designed to be used in the harsher environment usually found outdoors. Many of the mini models are not cooled with a standard refrigerator and will not function properly in higher temperatures so check with the manufacturers recommendations if you plan on using one outside.
Once you know how you will use your new kegerator and which one will work best for you all that is left is to set it up and enjoy fresh cold draught beer from your own tap in the comfort of your own home.
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