The Different Flavors of the Keg Refrigerator

Keg refrigerators come in many flavors. Sizes, colors, accessories are all extremely customizable, and Keg refrigerators are probably the most customizable appliances. Keg refrigerators can be installed as countertop units, they can stand free, be converted from old refrigeration units. They can even be outfitted with custom skins, or weatherized for outdoor use. In this article, we will discuss the many flavors of the keg refrigerator.

Countertop units are best for those who are designing their own home bar, or remodeling the kitchen. A keg refrigerator in the den or basement is always a nice addition, and can add a 'speakeasy' kind of feel to your gatherings. Installing these units can be as simple as putting a modified mini-fridge keg refrigerator behind the bar or as complex as building a refrigeration unit with cooling towers to ensure maximum quality for your beer right up to the end of the draft spigot. With countertop keg refrigerators, the sky is the limit, and as always, your ingenuity can save you money big time. So plan ahead, and do the research you need to do to know what options are available.

Another benefit of countertop keg refrigerators is that the hardware for these installations can be put to use to put a draft beer system inside your recreational vehicle or trailer. The beer line can be split so that taps are available inside or outside the RV. Smaller kegs are recommended for draft beer set ups in RVs or trailers, as refrigeration for kegs can be harder to maintain on the road.

Freestanding keg refrigerators are the most commonly found on the market. These models are ideal for the beer fan who wishes to have draft beer at home but does not want to make the investment into having a fully equipped home bar. The freestanding keg refrigerator can dwell in the garage, breakfast nook, or other out of the way place. It can be disguised as a TV table when not in use, or as a plant stand. While there are many of keg refrigerators of this flavor on the market, one may also utilize a keg refrigerator conversion kit to make one out of a small freezer, with or without tower - depending on your taste and pocketbook.

Speaking of keg refrigerator conversions, another variety of freestanding keg refrigerator is the one you make from your old fridge once you get that new one. It is much better to use that old unit as a keg refrigerator than to just give it to charity - they probably get plenty of them anyways. For just a few hours of your time and less than $100, you can have your own multi-keg draft beer system at home. Browse www.Kegerators.com for an extensive selection of the hardware and tools you will need to complete this project.

Weatherproofing your keg refrigerator is something you will need to do if you plan on storing it on the porch or in the shed for any amount of time. It is fairly easily accomplished - your main concern is little animals, lizards, or bugs getting in and chewing up the wires, beer lines, and insulative gaskets. We recommend three modifications, which will help weatherproof most keg refrigerators for outdoor use.

The first is to make your keg refrigerators vents lizard and mouse proof. Pests are naturally drawn to the smell of the beer, and stay for the warmth of the condenser and the water supplied by condensation on the refrigeration lines. Use a combination of hardware cloth and metal screen to ensure that pests cannot get in. Duct tape, while great in a pinch, is easily gnawed through by pests. You can either rivet your screens on or use self-tapping metal crews with wooden or metal battens to hold the screen in place, but you will probably want to disassemble the keg refrigerator somewhat in order to mount the screen on the inside. Make sure you get all of the vents - if you lizard proof three vents and miss the fourth, you have just made it more cozy for the lizards and mice that get in there!

The second thing to do is to replace the power cord with one that is rated for outdoor use. Be careful to unplug the keg refrigerator before attempting this, and you should probably just forget this step if you can't replace a light bulb without screwing it up.

The third thing you can do is make a physical barrier around the door to your refrigeration chamber. This will protect your rubber seal from being eaten by pests. We recommend using either wooden or aluminum battens for this, making sure to pre-drill and/or countersink for wood. Self-tapping screws are useful for this aspect of weatherproofing your keg refrigerator for outdoor use.

One fun aspect of spicing up the flava (or flavor) of your keg refrigerator is decorating it. We prefer the old timey look to the keg refrigerator. Depending on how old your version of old timey is, you can either modify a 1950's coke cooler, or collect scrap wood from an old schooner to use in your construction. Custom skins are available on the interwebs, but the probably the classiest way to decorate your keg refrigerator is to use a classic fridge from the 1950's as your base chassis for a keg refrigerator conversion. Make sure the refrigeration unit is properly serviced and working before you put all the effort into converting it, though!

This really is just the tip of the iceberg when talking about customizing your keg refrigerator. A unique selection of beer taps, beer sign art, neon, and pint glasses can all enhance your keg refrigerator experience at home, in your RV, or with a mobile bar at friend's parties. Increase the flava (or flavor) of your keg refrigerator.