Sunbeam kegerator from Circuit City

[toddlamp]

I'm in the market for a pre-assembled kegerator between $500-$600. Based on the info I gathered from here and the net in general, I have decided on the Haier unit with the expectation that I will need to make some minor adjustments to get it to work right. The only reason I am posting this is because I have just come across a Sunbeam keg cooler offered by Circuit City (Linky (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sunbeam-Half-Keg-Dispenser-SCK02SMWBS/sem/rpsm/oid/162588/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do)). Does anyone have any experience with this? I couldn't find any info on here regarding that cooler.

One of the prime requirements for my purchase is that it can be returned locally. I know that buying a lower end kegerator brings with it potential problems and I would like to buy from a local store (or it's .com affiliate, i.e. Walmart/Walmart.com) and buy an extended warranty.

While checking the local merchants I came across the Sunbeam unit at Circuit City (I wish Best Buy still sold the Haier) but have no idea what the quality level is. I'm sure, seeing as it's on $499, it's not great but is it at least on par with the Haier or Danby? Or is it more like the Best Buy special, Avanti?

Thanks for the help. If anyone has any suggestion I would appreciate it. I'm not sold on any particular model and would like to keep the shipped cost at $600 or less. I prefer a black unit over a SS one since all of my appliances are black. But if the price is right, that preference will go out with the wind.

Todd

[toddlamp]

Anybody?

[danno]

well, if it's quality you're looking for, there's really no worse you can do than Haier. this forum is littered with tales of crappy product from them. this forum is also teeming with tales of woe of inexpensive kegerators, and the basic problem is one of design. if you search for "foam" and "kegerator", you'll come up with a lot of people who have foaming problems with their new equipment, and it's a design issue. the Ideal Gas Law states that pressure and temperature are directly related, and when you apply that to kegerators, you see why you get foamy beer, because the towers in inexpensive kegerators have no circulation of cold air, so they produce foamy beer. that's also why decent kegerators are expensive, they have additional fans mounted inside to circulate cold air through the towers.

good luck...

[toddlamp]

Actually from what I read the Avanti brand is as far down as you can go. I was wondering if the Sunbeam is comparable to the Avanti or more like the Haier and Danby.

I understand what kind of quality issues i'm looking at with inexpensive kegerators and i'm fine with that. It seems like there are minor adjustments you can make to have these work just fine.

As a matter of fact it seems, based on my research, that among the cheap-o kegerators, the Haier is the better one. Still with it's issues, but it seems that a slight adjustment to the thermostat is all that is needed to get it going fairly well.

The beginning foam is inevitable with these units, and I understand that. Again, it seems that with minor adjustments that can be limited.

I am assuming that since no one has responded specifically regarding the Sunbeam unit that few, if any have tried it. That in itself is making me not want to get it.

If that's the case, can anyone recommend someplace to purchase the Haier unit? Someplace with a decent return policy and option for extended warranty?

Thanks.

[zoom6zoom]

(I wish Best Buy still sold the Haier)

They stopped carrying it because of the high percentage of returns. It's junk. Can't tell you about the Avanti, but I wouldn't expect much more for the price.

At that price range, you can buy a new chest freezer, a temp controller, and all the parts you need to build your own much better unit, should you be adventurous.

I'll probably have one of the Sanyo 1412's (unconverted) available for sale here in the NoVA area very soon, as I'm switching to a chest freezer.

[MeridianFC]

Haier is crap. A wee bit of research here and on the net in general will bear that out. Check the reivews on Amazon too.

If you've got the patience you can find a commerical grade unit used. I got a Bev-Air BM23 for $450.00 (DC area). It takes a while of watching eBay/Craigslist/classifieds but it's worth it IMO.

If you must have cheap and now, I believe the Sanyo may be a better bet.

[toddlamp]

Originally posted by zoom6zoom
I'll probably have one of the Sanyo 1412's (unconverted) available for sale here in the NoVA area very soon, as I'm switching to a chest freezer.

I assume the Sanyo 1412 is a mini fridge and unconverted means it's still a mini fridge.

I don't have a problem with making my own, but was hoping to buy a pre-assembled one and be done with it.

I will start keeping an eye on Craigslist for a higher end brand.

Thanks for the suggestions. I knew that the Haier has gotten a lot of bad reviews but based on my research, I found more bad things about the Danby unit and thought the Haier was the lesser of two evils. It seems as though that is not true. If you were forced to choose between the Danby and Haier would the Danby take it?

Edit: On second thought, how hard is it to just get the kit and buy a mini fridge and convert it? I would go with a chest, but my kitchen is small and there is limited space for the kegerator. From what it seems like it's just a matter or drilling a whole in the top of the fridge. Is there anything else too it? I know that some kegerators have a metal floor in order to support the weight, are the particular mini-fridges that are better than others?

[zoom6zoom]

You only need to cut a hole in the top if you want to mount a tower. Some folks just use cobra taps (cheaper, but you have to open the door to pour a pint). I've also seen a few with the taps mounted through the front door (no chance of hitting freon lines there). The sanyo's will hold two cornies and a 5# cylinder (it does require modification of the inside of the door). Not sure how this one would work if you're looking at using commercial kegs.

There's a link to a step by step conversion guide with pictures somewhere in the kegging sub-forum.

[toddlamp]

Thanks. I'll look into it. Seems like I could get a quality mini-fridge and kit for less than I was going to pay for the inferior kegerator.

[Mill Rat]

The biggest problem in converting a conventional mini-fridge into a kgrtr is that the cooling plate is shaped into a freezer section at the top of the unit, right where you want to cut a hole to mount your draft tower. Altering the shape and location of this cooling coil after purchase is fraught with risk, with failure marked by the sound "hsssss" followed immediately by "@#%@%#," "%*$@," and "^@##," though not necessarily in that particular order. A chest freezer is my recommended alternative.

[timmyg123]

I have a Sanyo 1/2 keg setup that is sitting now,
as I have to sell because of my sucky medical
reasons. Was $600, can let go for $375, all
ready to go with tap and gas, never a problem.

[zoom6zoom]

Timmy, you'll get better response if you let folks know where you're located.

[timmyg123]

Originally posted by zoom6zoom
Timmy, you'll get better response if you let folks know where you're located.

Ah thanks,
I'm by Bowie, MD