Build a Kegerator



A kegerator is actually a refrigerator that has been modified to be used for serving draft beer. Thus, the name comes from the words "refrigerator" and "keg" because it is designed to hold kegs of chilled draft beer and it allows you to serve draft beer on tap at home. Commercially available kegs of draft beer can be purchased and placed in the kegerator. It is also possible to use kegs of beer that you have brewed yourself at home. The benefit is that the quality and taste of the beer would be similar to the draft beer that is available in pubs and taverns. Kegerators are also good for the environment because it avoids the use of cans or bottles.



For those who plan to build a kegerator, the first step is to comprehend the basic design of this equipment. Basically, this is an appliance where you keep a keg of draft beer inside the refrigerator and a beer tap is added to the door of the refrigerator. Thus, there would be no need to open the refrigerator door because the brew can be dispensed through the tap. This is also good for the environment because it conserves electric energy. Also found inside the refrigerator is a small cylinder of pressurized carbon dioxide, which supplies the pressure that is used to push the beer towards the tap. To make sure that the pressure exerted on the beverage is just right, the tank of carbon dioxide is provided with a regulator. Thus, a certain kind of tubing or hose connects the regulator to the keg and there is also another length of tubing or hose that provides a path for the beer from the keg to the tap.

The second step to take when you want to build a kegerator is to gather the needed parts and tools. The basic components are the beer tap assembly, faucet wrench, door spacer, beer hose, fittings for the hose, carbon dioxide hose, gas regulator, clamp for the beer hose, clamps for the carbon dioxide hose, cleaning kit, and drip tray. It should be noted that in order to minimize beer foam, the length of the beer hose should be at least five feet in length. The gas hose should be capable of handling high pressure and should be at least three feet long. The needed tools include a drill and bit, screwdriver, hole saw for the drill, saw, tape measure, pencil, and crescent wrench.