How to Make a Kegerator for the Ultimate Party Experience

One appliance that is becoming a popular is the home kegerator. According to Forbes, a recent poll suggests that 94% of people polled believe that their craft beer consumption has gone up from the previous year.

What once was considered a specialty appliance is becoming more commonplace, and why not? There are a wide variety of beverages offered by the keg these days. Along with your favorite craft beer, you can purchase kegs of wine, , cider, and  cold-brewed coffee.

Most kegerators start around $400 and can go as high as a few thousand dollars, but stick around and I'll show you how to build a kegerator for those DIY folks. 

Benefits of Owning a Kegerator

Besides for the fact that your friends will think you're cool, having a kegerator has a lot of practical uses, and who wouldn't want draft on tap?

1. Saves Money

You may think that kegs are expensive, but they are actually much more budget-friendly than simply buying a 12 pack here and there.  

• The average cost of a 12 pack of beer is around $10
• The average cost of a case of beer can cost upwards to $25 - $30
• The average cost for a 1/2 BBL keg of beer is between $100 - $200 (Depending on Type of Beer)

Now consider this: 

• One 12 pack has around 144 ounces of beer for $10
• One case of beer holds 288 ounces for around $25
• One keg holds 15.5 gallons or 1,984 ounces for around $100-$200

You can save up to 60% on the price of beer per ounce when you purchase by the keg. Over time, that's a lot of saved money. When you consider that the average millennial spends $63 on craft beer each month, it's nice to know your money goes farther when you buy keg beer.

2. Saves Time

Most people will have to purchase beer at their local grocery store or drive to their favorite brewery. By doing this their usually commuting around town, and it takes time to do this.

Just a couple stops each week, could be wasting you an extra hour or two that you could be spending drinking with friends laughing, or at home consuming a fine adult beverage . Think about it. 

3. Convenience

There is no doubt about the fact that drinking beer at home is much more convenient. It's great to get out and spend time with friends, but nothing beats the relaxation of sipping from your backyard. 

You won't have to worry about finding a designated driver, dealing with belligerent folks in a bar, or worry about getting pulled over.

Not only that, but you'll also know where the beer comes from. You can ensure its quality because you own it. Your friends will appreciate it. 

Now that we know a few of the benefits of owning a kegerator, let's talk about making a kegerator.

4. Safer for the Environment

Kegs are safer for the environment than the usual cans and bottles. A keg is reusable so it doesn't make any trash that may end up in the ocean.

In the time that you would empty one keg, you have saved the environment from potentially being littered with more than a hundred cans.

How to Make a Kegerator 

If you've got a DIY spirit, you know the satisfaction that comes from designing, building, and creating something truly helpful for your home.

We'll show you how to build your own kegerator with a few tools, some ingenuity, and a can-do attitude. 

Materials You'll Need

When it comes to materials that you'll need for your kegerator, the list is short and sweet. You'll need a refrigerator a kegerator conversion kit, and the keg of your choice. 

Refrigerator

You can convert many refrigerators and freezer boxes into a kegerator, but perhaps the most convenient option is your standard horizontal split refrigerator.

These are the standard refrigerators most people have before they upgrade to a newer, sleeker model. Simply put, they have a refrigerator on the bottom and a freezer on top.

Sound familiar?

These are a popular option because you can frost your beer glasses and mugs in the freezer. If you plan to use another kind of fridge, just make sure that it is big enough to hold the keg with space on top and the sides for the keg coupler and CO2 tank. 

Kegerator Conversion Kit

You can purchase a standard conversion kit for around $150. A kegerator conversion kit usually consists of the following parts or components: 

• Shank
• Tap Handle
• Faucet
• Beer Line with hex attachments
• Keg coupler
• Air line
• Regulator

While this sounds like a LOT of materials, it's not as complicated as it all sounds. It's worth noting your source for C02 can be found at your local air gas facility. You'll want to get beverage grade C02 in a 5 lb cylinder.  If you would like to know C02 cylinder sizes check this out. This is always a nice option because when you get low you can just refill it.  

5lb C02 cylinder should last around 5 1/2 barrels of beer. Know your C02 Cylinder size.

The Tools You'll Need

It's amazing to understand that with just a few tools and a little work, you can have your very own kegerator up and running in less than a day. 

Here is the list of tools you'll need for the job: 

• 7/8-inch hole saw
• Power drill
• Flathead screwdriver
• Spanner wrench
• Hex wrench

With these materials and tools, you'll be ready to get your kegerator up and running in no time flat! 

Step 1: Drill the Hole

A popular location for converted kegerators is on the front door, high enough to pour easily, but not so high that the tap handle gets in the way of the freezer door. Also, some people elect to drill their hole in the side of the refrigerator for this very reason. 

If you're using a smaller fridge, you may want to drill down from the top of the refrigerator. This is all just personal preference. 

PRO TIP: It is important to not drill anywhere on the fridge where there could be coils. These usually are found at the back, but it is important to check. 

Using your 7/8-inch hole saw drill in the desired position. If you're drilling through the front door, make sure there is space for the freezer door to open. Also, make sure you drill through the door, and the plastic lining inside the door. 

Step 2: Connect the Conversion Kit

To connect the conversion kit, follow these easy steps: 

1. Place the shank through the hole and tighten it with a hex screw.
2. Attach the faucet and then tighten it with your spanner wrench. 
3. Attach the beer line hex connections to the back of the shank and the top of the keg coupler and tighten with a hex wrench. 
4. Attach the air line to the nipple on the keg coupler and the regulator. 
5. Tighten the hose clamps with a flathead screwdriver. Or crimp Otiker clamp with Otiker pliers.
6. Attach the regulator to the Co2 tank and tighten with a hex wrench. 

PRO TIP: Make sure that your faucet and your regulator switch are in the off position before setting the pressure on your Co2 tank. Set your primary regulator to about 10 PSI and check the flow. Adjust as needed.

Step 3: Connect Co2 to the Keg

Attaching your Co2 tank to the keg may sound difficult, but it is very easy. Nonetheless, you should practice safety when working with C02 cylinders. Follow these steps to connect your Co2 tank to your keg: 

1. Open the Co2 tank by pushing the shut-off valve down to be inline with Air Line.
2. Attach the keg coupler to the keg. Set in keg collar and turn clockwise. Pull and push down to tap keg.
3. Adjust the regulator to 10 to 12 psi.  

PRO TIP: Be sure to store your Co2 tank and regulator upright to keep them from falling over.  A 5 lb C02 Tank can be placed in the back of your kegerator behind your keg in your refrigerator kegerator.

Step 4: Enjoy Your Beer

Now that your kegerator is complete, pour yourself a nice cold one, relax, and enjoy your first beer straight from the tap.

Whether you decide to use your kegerator for craft beer or domestics.  You are sure to enjoy your drinks from the keg from the first sip to the last. Plus, it's bad ass to have one.

DISCLAIMER: Don't say we didn't warn you when your house becomes the hit of the neighborhood. 

Clean Your Kegerator

Surprisingly enough, a kegerator needs little maintenance. Nonetheless, it's important to keep the surfaces that come into contact with the beer clean, and sanitary. Also, you'll want to keep the inside of the fridge clean. 

Lastly, you'll want to clean the beer lines between the replacement of a keg. You can purchase beer line cleaning kits online. This will ensure that your beer lines stay clean.

FYI,  your beer faucets make stick if you don't use your kegerator every day because the beer can dry and lock up the faucet moving parts. If this happens take some warm water and spray the front end of the faucet until it moves. If it doesn't you'll have to take the beer faucet off and put it into a cleaning solution to get it working again. 

Get the Gang Together for a Party

Having your own kegerator can save you time and money. They're fun additions for homes.

So, invite the gang over, let the beer flow, and celebrate your good fortune. 

For more information on the topic of all things beer, and beer-related news, keep checking back on our blog.