When designing and building a homemade kegerator, there are many ways you can make your kegerator uniquely your own. In addition to simple additions like varying tap configurations and tap handles, custom skins are available, and some folks have even gone do far as to build their kegerators into their R.V.s to ensure no lack of beer on vacation! Recently, some inventive brewers have taken to installing LED lights into their custom kegerators. If you are developing a home theme bar, a custom kegerator design can greatly enhance your bar’s atmosphere. You will want to think not only about looks, but also about what kind of beers you want to serve through your kegerator, and equip your device accordingly.
One aspect of custom kegerator design is the right choice of beer faucets. For example, equipping your kegerator to handle stout ales will require the installation of a new faucet shank with a stout-specific beer shank. The stout beer faucet connects to standard beer shanks, so at least that part of your installation will be the same as for regular beer faucets. These stout shanks pour at a slower rate to allow the stout to develop it’s head properly without gaining too much carbonation. Long-nosed “European” style beer faucets can also help – especially if you are having troubles with over-foamy beer.
Custom tap handles always help you to identify which beer is flowing through which tap. By having a large selection of handles, you can be sure to have the right handle for any occasion. There is no real difference in the function of the beer faucet tap handle unless you are short on overhead space.
The only custom kegerators I have seen that have space issues regarding tap handles are the sidewall mounted R.V. kegerators. These kegerators bring all that you need to your outdoor vacation, and enhance the value of your R.V. as well. Outdoor systems look to be built into already existing outside panels. Systems are on the market for either indoor or outdoor serving, and run off of the R.V.’s standard twelve volt power source. Building your own R.V. kegerator install is a bit of a daunting task, so I recommend seeking professionals if you are worried about damaging your R.V.
If you have confidence in your abilities, you may be able to accomplish this. The inside tap seems far easier that the outside tap configuration, but I suppose this depends on whether your R.V. has a convenient panel location for an outside tap. Keeping your keg cold and keeping it from over-foaming seem like the biggest challenges for a road-trip style kegerator. Really, I see no reason why building a kegerator out of your R.V. fridge would be much more difficult that building a non – R.V. kegerator. Most R.V. refrigeration units are not large enough to be well suited for making kegerators, due to their small size, but if your is big enough, the most important part of this operation would be locating the coolant lines in the refrigeration unit and also checking that power or gas lines are not in the way. A non-refrigerated draft system is be easier – it would require keeping your keg on ice, and probably insulated as well.
New innovations in custom kegerator design are always on the horizon. Keep your mind open and the new ideas flowing like the beer they represent – custom kegerator design is on the rise, and a growing market.
