Freezer vs. Refrigerator

[Grog]

I am new, but I've been poking around for a week now and everyone seems very helpful, so I thought I would ask.

I was told by my wife to buy a kegging set up because she is sick of tripping, tipping, slipping and looking at beer bottles. I have a good handle on the system in general, but I cannot decide whether I should use an old fridge or a new chest freezer. Old fridge = appx $150 / new freezer = $200 to $300. Any suggestions?

[fretlessman71]

Most people who use a freezer have to find a way to manipulate the temp. controls so they can achieve a higher general temp. You'd be looking at something in the range of 40--50 degrees. The advantage to a freezer is that you can fit a lot more in there, and it may be a little easier too, since the unit lies so close to the ground. But I think I'd be going with a fridge for this one.... just me, though. Welcome to the boards!

[wild]

Welcome grog -
I happen to use both a chest freezer and a refrigerator. I'd think your biggest issues would be cost and space. If space isn't an issue, a freezer will allow more kegs to be used. I can only fit 4 cornys in my refrigerator but 6 in my freezer. fretlessman71 is right about the extra cost for a temp controller so if price is an issue, go for the refrigerator.

Wild

[MrMethane]

Its mostly preference really, I used a mini fridge because I wanted to use a draft tower and they just don't look good mounted on a chest freezer plus with the way the freezer opens its really not practical. I mostly brew for myself and my girlfriend so I don't need to have more than one beer at a time. If I had people over more often I might consider the chest freezer so I could have more on tap. I also didn't want to deal with a temperature controller.

You'll be happy either way as soon as you make your next batch and realize you don't have to clean, saintize, fill and cap 50 bottles. You just rack into the keg, seal and hook up the C02. 10 minute job.

[danno]

Originally posted by MrMethane
...so I don't need to have more than one beer at a time. what is this of which you speak? one beer at a time? I don't comprehend... :p

if you only plan on one or two taps, take a look at the Sanyo SR4911M mini fridge, they are the perfect size for three cornies, and new for less than $200.

(then there's people like me, I have a 15cf chest freezer with six taps, another chest freezer for lagering, and a beer fridge in the basement...)

[fretlessman71]

PARTY AT DANNO'S HOUSE!!!! :D

[wabahoye]

Hey, Grog and others...I gotta come here more often - lots of fun discussion. My two cents is that a fridge can sometimes be had for very cheap if you get in touch with some realtors. They are often "stuck" with them in house deals and happy to get someone else to move 'em out for next to nothing. That's how I got mine...older model, but works great. If you are into this beer thing, you eventually end up with more than one as Danno indicated. I just got my lagering freezer a month ago at Best Buy for $125 after rebate. Saw the same thing at Meijer ( a midwest one-stop shopping place) for $135. The thermo-controller is another kind of big expense, but hey, that's what Christmas is for...

[Grog]

I just got a kegging system for x-mas, I'm responsible for the fridge (what a rip!)

But I DO have a buddy who is a realtor and I never thought of that. I will call him (but he will probably try to sell me a house :))

[benevolent brew]

I too am just getting into this whole kegging thing, and was wondering if anyone had checked to ensure that wires and what not are not run through the top of the sanyo (sr-4911m) mini-fridge. I want to install a dual tap tower on the top of this model (or any other one), but have held off on buying a fridge because I don't want to drill a hole through some of the crucial parts of the fridge. I tried to call the company about this concern, but just got a bunch of puzzled expressions from the company reps. Another fridge that I'm looking at is the Kenmore elite 4.9 cu ft compact fridge...does anyone know anything about this model? Thanks

[Monster Mash]

Check Craigslist for freezers, I found a 14.5 cu ft for $100 and I bought one on eBay for $85.

[Blkandrust]

Originally posted by Grog
I just got a kegging system for x-mas, I'm responsible for the fridge (what a rip!)

But I DO have a buddy who is a realtor and I never thought of that. I will call him (but he will probably try to sell me a house







Maybe so,but that house is more than likely to be equipped with a fridge:D

[Grog]

I would hate to spend $200K+ on a beer fridge.

BTW, as so often happens fate, settled this for me. I went into HD last week to look at fridges and freezers to see what cubic footage really looked like so I would have a better idea of what I wanted. I got talking to the sales rep who was an old homebrewer himself, and toward the end of the conversation he told me he had two 14.5cu.ft. freezers that were dumped off of a forklift. The compressors were fine, the lids were a little tweaked, but closed and the seals were good. He sold them to for $100 for both. A couple of external temp controllers and I will sooner have myself a dispensing freezer and a lagering freezer. I can't wait to brew my first Februaryfest. :cool:

-G-

[danno]

Originally posted by Grog
...he had two 14.5cu.ft. freezers that were dumped off of a forklift. The compressors were fine, the lids were a little tweaked, but closed and the seals were good. He sold them to for $100 for both. Grog, that is one nice score...

I've managed to get both of my chest freezers for free. we have a local website (http://www.twincitiesfreemarket.org/index.cfm) where people put their extra stuff up, but only free stuff. there's fridges in there fairly regularly, but rarely freezers. my first one though, the ad said "it just all of a sudden quit working". a little light went off in my head and went "thermostat!!", so I went and picked it up. sure enough, I bypassed the internal thermostat, it fired right up (or down, as it was :D), I picked up a cheapie analog thermostat from Grainger, it's still chilling my beer...

[Steve16823]

"I was told by my wife to buy a kegging set up"


I had a dream like that once, too.


Anyhow, I went the freezer route. I didn't mess around with a used one though, because you can get a new one fairly cheap.

[benevolent brew]

Due to space considerations, I recently picked up an ewave 5.2 cu ft chest freezer from home depot (about $150) that I put a dual tap tower on. It may be small, but I'm an almost strickly ale drinker and don't need that much space....at least right now. It fits 2 corney's, my co2 rig, and no2/co2 rig beautifully. The whole set-up was a bit $, but it was worth it to have both a draught stout and ale of choice on hand.

[grizzlymike]

hey danno. that free market site is pretty cool. i wish we had something like that in my area:(

[jsmurphy]

Originally posted by Monster Mash
Check Craigslist for freezers, I found a 14.5 cu ft for $100 and I bought one on eBay for $85.

I second that. Just bought one today off Craigslist for 30.00. It's an older Sears Kenmore 10 cu ft. model, but I got it home and it's working great.

What a steal...