Anyone done a fridge conversion (taps, lines, CO2 tank, etc.)? I want something that could double as a dispensing fridge and also allow me to start making lagers. Are there any full size models on the market (i.e. 15 to 18 cu. ft.) that don't have a freezer that would fit the bill? The ideal would be to accomodate draft and lagering simultaneously, if that's possible.
I also have an old chest freezer in my basement that I'm not using. I'm wondering if I could use that in the short term to start making lager.
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What's a good candidate for a beer fridge?
I don't know much about it, but I do remember that there is an external thermostat to allow you to use a freezer. Since you've already got one, it might be worth investigating.
Here's one example: http://kegman.net/9025.html
Here's one example: http://kegman.net/9025.html
I've been thinking about this myself.
If it doesn't need to be pretty, the chest freezer is probably the ideal solution. It seems most people build a collar between the chest & lid, and run their tap & air lines through that.
The problem with small fridges is that they're small.
Also, it doesn't seem like the towers that go on top are typically cooled, so it'd be better to have a tap on the door anyway.
You can get all-fridge, full-size, fridges, but they're not cheep (to start modifying). I've got one similar to:
http://www.wcwood.com/cgi-bin/ListModel ... l=R1813DW3
I got the fridge & upright freezer from Caplan Appliances for a reasonable price. It's mostly used as a bottle fridge, but serves as overflow for our small kitchen fridge.
I'd like to lager as well, but some of assembled products don't have a temperature control that would allow fermentation temperatures for lager yeast. An example is the Danby Kegerator (which would be over $1000 with taxes & shipping, if ordered from costco):
http://cgi.ebay.ca/kegerator-keg-beer-t ... 1|294%3A30
Regardless of the temp control, it sounds like the unconventional taps on that one are pretty cheap as well... so you really are better off building something on your own. Still, it'd be nice to have something pretty enough that my wife would allow in a rec room (if we ever finish ours!).
If it doesn't need to be pretty, the chest freezer is probably the ideal solution. It seems most people build a collar between the chest & lid, and run their tap & air lines through that.
The problem with small fridges is that they're small.
Also, it doesn't seem like the towers that go on top are typically cooled, so it'd be better to have a tap on the door anyway. You can get all-fridge, full-size, fridges, but they're not cheep (to start modifying). I've got one similar to:
http://www.wcwood.com/cgi-bin/ListModel ... l=R1813DW3
I got the fridge & upright freezer from Caplan Appliances for a reasonable price. It's mostly used as a bottle fridge, but serves as overflow for our small kitchen fridge.
I'd like to lager as well, but some of assembled products don't have a temperature control that would allow fermentation temperatures for lager yeast. An example is the Danby Kegerator (which would be over $1000 with taxes & shipping, if ordered from costco):
http://cgi.ebay.ca/kegerator-keg-beer-t ... 1|294%3A30
Regardless of the temp control, it sounds like the unconventional taps on that one are pretty cheap as well... so you really are better off building something on your own. Still, it'd be nice to have something pretty enough that my wife would allow in a rec room (if we ever finish ours!).
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Lager Bore
- Posts: 60
- Joined: Wed Jul 16, 2008 6:46 pm
Hey there,Gedge wrote:Anyone done a fridge conversion (taps, lines, CO2 tank, etc.)? I want something that could double as a dispensing fridge and also allow me to start making lagers. Are there any full size models on the market (i.e. 15 to 18 cu. ft.) that don't have a freezer that would fit the bill? The ideal would be to accomodate draft and lagering simultaneously, if that's possible.
I also have an old chest freezer in my basement that I'm not using. I'm wondering if I could use that in the short term to start making lager.
I don't know if you've since solved your cooling issue, but what I do is use a Johnson Controls A319 temperature controller and plug a chest freezer into it. The A319 is an older model which I got second hand never used. It requires a bit of wiring but is very straightforward.
Freezers are the way to go because you can cycle them into lagering range. The beauty of chest freezers is that they keep the cold in better when you open them. Check your measurements. Mine fits a five pound CO2 tank nicely on the compressor "shelf". If you buy them second hand you can consider them disposable; I'm on my second (I keep it outside) and I picked it up for forty bucks. Kijiji.
My setup's nothing fancy, just cobra taps, and I'm working on a manifold. Because I can hold four cornies, I can lager and serve. Sure, serve a little cold but what wanteth you for forty bucks and a Johnson.
Oh yeah, and because it's outside, come winter I just rewire the Johnson (as per instructions) to close the circuit when the temperature drops, and instead of plugging in the freezer, I plug in a hundred watt bulb in a trouble light. It's a little Red Green but it works.
Good luck with it!