At home Beer Taps or Kegerator

[Vicrog13]

I have recently moved to a new place with a bar in the basement, I really want to take full advantage of this and get some kind of beer tap set up.
Has anyone here used a Kegerator? How do they compare to a real bar set up. I know they are cheaper, but if they are useless id rather spend the extra money. Also is there anywhere in Calgary that sells this sort of equipment?
Thanks for any help.

[goeagles]

I was JUST about to ask this same question (where to buy equipment) except that I've decided to build my own. I've found some links on directions to build one (even found one that is specific to my model of bar fridge) and there's plenty of places to buy conversion kits online but it'd be nice to see the kits in person or know that you can get some of the optional accessories locally and not have to order form the states.

If you want a premade one, the only Canadian place I found one was Costco for $799 (there's a used one on kijiji right now as well). I've read that this model (Danby) works just fine though it takes a couple of minor modifications (easy and inexpensive apparently) to get more optimal performance.

Anyway, if you're interested, message me and I can share some of the links on this stuff.

Anyone else, if you can pass along any recommendations on where to buy keg equipment, let me/us know.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

My buddy has had that same one from Costco for about 3 years, and it works pretty well.

[fundmark19]

I have a mini kegerator and it works great! So far only have found Heiniken mini kegs but I havn't really tried all to hard to find others.

[Flashpoint]

My old man has a kegerator, and LOVES it. Had it running for about 5 years now with no issues. It's great to go home and watch hockey with it nearby...

[fundmark19]

Well it is that time again! I am starting my search to buy a kegerator. There is huge selection in the states but nothing for us here in canada. Does anyone have any tips for finding one? There are some on kijiji but I am not sure I want to buy a used one since the cheap units often have warranty problems.

[goeagles]

If you have a costco membership you can get one there online (I see it is now $589). They're also actually fairly easy to make (I made one and have pretty lmited handy-man skills). There's kits at micromatic.com and lots of info there.

You can also go to BBS Sytems in Calgary (they're in the SE). I think they gear mostly towards restaurants/pubs but they sell kits and kegerators (I bought a kit from them). That's what I did. I'm pretty sure they just buy from micromatic and then sell it to you but I wanted the peace of mind of knowing someone knew exactly the right parts to get me.

[fundmark19]

Originally Posted by goeagles

If you have a costco membership you can get one there online (I see it is now $589). They're also actually fairly easy to make (I made one and have pretty lmited handy-man skills). There's kits at micromatic.com and lots of info there.

You can also go to BBS Sytems in Calgary (they're in the SE). I think they gear mostly towards restaurants/pubs but they sell kits and kegerators (I bought a kit from them). That's what I did. I'm pretty sure they just buy from micromatic and then sell it to you but I wanted the peace of mind of knowing someone knew exactly the right parts to get me.

Do you think it is smarter to just buy the spare mini fridge and do it myself? How much was your kit? I know it isn't that bad to do I was thinking more in the warranty front. But if I can make it for 200 dollars cheaper then buying from costco I can just replace fridge if anything happens

[Wormius]

Do you need a fridge to cool the entire keg, or can you just have a "post keg" cooler to 3 or 4 pints at a time for instant dispensing.

[fundmark19]

You would want a cooler to cool the whole keg or else beer will be quite foamy when you try and pour

[goeagles]

Originally Posted by fundmark19

Do you think it is smarter to just buy the spare mini fridge and do it myself? How much was your kit? I know it isn't that bad to do I was thinking more in the warranty front. But if I can make it for 200 dollars cheaper then buying from costco I can just replace fridge if anything happens

The fridge I had had directions online for the exact same model so I felt comfortable doing it myself and the thing is a conversation piece and I liked being able to say that I built it myself. So if that appeals to you it might sway your decision.

I was planning (mostly) to only to use it for homebrewing so I could get away with using a smaller fridge and the one I happened to have at home fit the bill. If you want to use regular size kegs, you have to make sure you have a fridge big enough. Similar thing with décor. If it’s in your garage and your OK with any old fridge vs if you want a specific look for a room... If you want a tower kegerator (where the beer tower sits on top of the fridge) you need a fridge without a freezer on top…

The more specific kind of used fridge you want, you run the risk of not saving as much money. I also had to buy a couple of tools (likely the circular drill bit/saw attachment to make the hole for the beer tower) so there might be a cost there.

I might be wrong but I think my kit was ~$350 (which would've included kit plus some homebrewing stuff). And when I priced it out, kegerators were priced in the $800 range.

So in the end, is it 'smarter' to do it yourself? Not necessarily. But it's a pretty fun project to do with a buddy (or yourself) and there's a sweet payoff (endless beer). Here's what mine ended up looking like for reference/comparison with the costco one.

[Flash Walken]

That's a pretty solid looking project there, GoEagles.

Suddenly it's very important to me to have something similar.

[Buzzard]

Originally Posted by goeagles

The fridge I had had directions online for the exact same model so I felt comfortable doing it myself and the thing is a conversation piece and I liked being able to say that I built it myself. So if that appeals to you it might sway your decision.

I was planning (mostly) to only to use it for homebrewing so I could get away with using a smaller fridge and the one I happened to have at home fit the bill. If you want to use regular size kegs, you have to make sure you have a fridge big enough. Similar thing with décor. If it’s in your garage and your OK with any old fridge vs if you want a specific look for a room... If you want a tower kegerator (where the beer tower sits on top of the fridge) you need a fridge without a freezer on top…

The more specific kind of used fridge you want, you run the risk of not saving as much money. I also had to buy a couple of tools (likely the circular drill bit/saw attachment to make the hole for the beer tower) so there might be a cost there.

I might be wrong but I think my kit was ~$350 (which would've included kit plus some homebrewing stuff). And when I priced it out, kegerators were priced in the $800 range.

So in the end, is it 'smarter' to do it yourself? Not necessarily. But it's a pretty fun project to do with a buddy (or yourself) and there's a sweet payoff (endless beer). Here's what mine ended up looking like for reference/comparison with the costco one.

Good job eagles. I've had the exact fridge sitting in my basement for 3 years waiting to do the same thing, but I just havn't found the time. I actually have been thinking lately of doing it this winter cuz i'm GONNA have the time. One question if you don't mind. Where'd you get your kegs from?

[goeagles]

Originally Posted by Buzzard

Good job eagles. I've had the exact fridge sitting in my basement for 3 years waiting to do the same thing, but I just havn't found the time. I actually have been thinking lately of doing it this winter cuz i'm GONNA have the time. One question if you don't mind. Where'd you get your kegs from?

I mostly use homebrew so I use 'corny kegs'. I got those from BBS Systems. There's only a handful of commercial beer that comes in keg sizes that fit the fridge model I have but, like I said, I mainly use it for home brew so it's not an issue for me.

[Gobsgraham]

I'd tap that

[Travis Munroe]

Lounge Burger has these chill tower things that are pretty sweet. Not as cool as a kegerator but much cheaper and practical IMO.
Pour 6 beers in it and it stays cold for hours and has the tap and everything to poor. Easy to clean and you don't have beer spoiling while not in use.
Only about $50

[fundmark19]

That is pretty cool. To bad I all ready have a mini kegerator and now it's time to move to the real deal. I plan on using it monthly but even if it only ends up getting used 3-4 times a year I still feel it will be worth the expense and experience it adds to my bar.

[para transit fellow]

http://www.williamswarn.com/

I want one of these!

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by para transit fellow

http://www.williamswarn.com/

I want one of these!

[fundmark19]

goeagles - did you rig anything up to cool your tower? Or do you find that it doesn't foam up to badly?