poll: which do you like better, keg fridge or keezer?

hoboscratch · Post by **hoboscratch** » Mon Mar 05, 2012 9:16 am

So as I mentioned before, I have an extra fridge. I'm trying to decide if I want to keep using my modified deep freeze as a kegerator (keezer) or just use the spare fridge. My line of thinking is I could extend the life of the keezer a bit by not needing it to cycle all the time since I would only use it when I had something fermenting. Also, it already has a new Johnson temp controller controlling it.

The other fridge would not require the controller, but I'd have to drill holes for the shanks and the co2 line. plus I'm not sure about how much room I would get for kegs in a fridge. My keezer is set up for 3 and I have plenty of room for other bottles.

What do you guys use and prefer?

-MG- · Post by **-MG-** » Mon Mar 05, 2012 9:40 am

For me definately the keezer. Love the amount of room you can get with it and most people who brew have a temperature controller around already.

carrisr · Post by **carrisr** » Mon Mar 05, 2012 9:49 am

So far I prefer my side by side kegregator to the old chest freezer for serving beer. I don't have a bar room so it needs to be stand-alone vs running lines through a wall etc. Here's a few things specifically that I prefer, having used both freezer and fridge setups: I have a bad back so getting kegs in and out of the fridge is much easier for me. I like having the taps a little higher up. I also like having the freezer section dedicated to storing hops etc. I can fit 4 ball-lock kegs in my fridge which is just right for me. There's still lots of space for bottles on the shelf above the kegs and in the door. I've got 3 taps installed right now with a space for one additional on the door if I need it. This lets me have 3 kegs serving and one lagering/conditioning.

However, I need to also confess that I would have probably stayed with the chest freezer and been fairly content if it had not died on me. I really wasn't planning to spend the money at that time. My wife could not have been more thrilled, however, as she got the new fridge she was wanting. Always leap to take advantage of the rare occasions when supporting your beer hobby pleases your wife at the same time!

But I think you'll find strong preferences for both setups among the group as there are advantages to either. I assume you have room for both or you wouldn't be asking...

On 03/05/12 09:16, hoboscratch wrote:

So as I mentioned before, I have an extra fridge. I'm trying to decide if I want to keep using my modified deep freeze as a kegerator (keezer) or just use the spare fridge. My line of thinking is I could extend the life of the keezer a bit by not needing it to cycle all the time since I would only use it when I had something fermenting. Also, it already has a new Johnson temp controller controlling it.

The other fridge would not require the controller, but I'd have to drill holes for the shanks and the co2 line. plus I'm not sure about how much room I would get for kegs in a fridge. My keezer is set up for 3 and I have plenty of room for other bottles.

What do you guys use and prefer?

Post generated using Mail2Forum (http://www.mail2forum.com)

Matt F · Post by **Matt F** » Mon Mar 05, 2012 9:52 am

I have not had a keezer but can tell you I love my side by side fridge converted to a keg fridge. Mine was a donated fridge so no cost there. Here is what I like about it.

-easy to load kegs, load from the front so easier to swap kegs in and out
-no temp control needed, also, device operating at what it was designed to do
-really nice bottle storage on the door
-taps installed at nice height, you can make adjustments with a keezer design, but with a fridge you just poke holes in the door at the proper height and you are done
-no condensation issues like in a keezer
-I currently tap 4 kegs in mine, and could easily do 6 while still having a fully operational freezer as well as lots of nice bottle storage

I think keezers are cool too and I have seen lots of cool conversions to build them in to a bar. My experience is with my side by side and it has been awesome. A keezer is a lot cheaper though if you are starting from scratch. My fridge was given to me after a remodeling project so it was a no brainer for me. I think you really can't go wrong either way. The driver for me would be what can I get at the best price as both will work. Bottom line is, you have beer on draft in your house. It is a win win no matter what you do.

Mr T · Post by **Mr T** » Mon Mar 05, 2012 10:23 am

I would lean towards the keg fridge, agree I like the height of the taps, and the fridge is running at the temp its made for. Although I really appreciate the room in a keezer, to me its much more accessible although I have lots of condensation problems running at fridge temps and my near new freezer is all ready starting to rust.

From: hoboscratch [mailto:brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org]
Sent: Monday, March 05, 2012 9:16 AM
To: brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org
Subject: poll: which do you like better, keg fridge or keezer?

So as I mentioned before, I have an extra fridge. I'm trying to decide if I want to keep using my modified deep freeze as a kegerator (keezer) or just use the spare fridge. My line of thinking is I could extend the life of the keezer a bit by not needing it to cycle all the time since I would only use it when I had something fermenting. Also, it already has a new Johnson temp controller controlling it.

The other fridge would not require the controller, but I'd have to drill holes for the shanks and the co2 line. plus I'm not sure about how much room I would get for kegs in a fridge. My keezer is set up for 3 and I have plenty of room for other bottles.

What do you guys use and prefer?

Post generated using Mail2Forum (http://www.mail2forum.com)

JimF · Post by **JimF** » Mon Mar 05, 2012 10:26 am

I've got a keezer with 2 insulated beer lines running through a wall. I'm happy with it. I just wish I'd gotten a larger freezer that would handle more than 2 kegs at a time. I also have a mini-fridge 1/2 keg kegerator that is converted to dispense from 3 corny kegs. I thought I would just keep 1 or the other but I always seem to have all 5 taps in use. I have a separate beer fridge for bottles. I've used the keezer to lager beers in the past but I always seem to have more beer than space. Bottom line, get more capacity than you think you'll need.
On Mar 5, 2012 9:16 AM, "hoboscratch" <brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org (brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org)> wrote:

So as I mentioned before, I have an extra fridge. I'm trying to decide if I want to keep using my modified deep freeze as a kegerator (keezer) or just use the spare fridge. My line of thinking is I could extend the life of the keezer a bit by not needing it to cycle all the time since I would only use it when I had something fermenting. Also, it already has a new Johnson temp controller controlling it.

The other fridge would not require the controller, but I'd have to drill holes for the shanks and the co2 line. plus I'm not sure about how much room I would get for kegs in a fridge. My keezer is set up for 3 and I have plenty of room for other bottles.

What do you guys use and prefer?

Post generated using Mail2Forum (http://www.mail2forum.com)

hoboscratch · Post by **hoboscratch** » Mon Mar 05, 2012 10:54 am

Thanks for the replies, guys. I've been using my 10 cu ft keezer for about 4 or 5 years now, and I do like it, plus I bought one of those AC rechargable dehumidifiers so I have my condensation under control. Its great for capacity for kegs, since I can fit 3 kegs and a fermenter in it. But for storing bottles, it is pretty limited, plus I wonder how much life I'm shaving off of it by having the compressor cycle so often, which is why I'm thinking of switching over to the fridge. Then I could keep using the keezer as a fermentation chamber, and strictly use the fridge for serving and bottles. Its a top mount freezer/fridge though, so the pain in the ass (or back) factor for getting kegs in/out won't change any. Plus I could save the $85 I was going to spend on a new temp controller and put it toward pilsner ingredients...

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