Kegerator Buying Guide

If you're looking for a way to chill out at home and enjoy a cold beer after a long day at work, get yourself a kegerator. An outstanding kegerator will help you save money on beer wastage and keep your beer fresh. Even better, you can store and pour beer directly from the keg - it's like having your mini-brewery! Keep reading to know all about kegerators.

What Is A Kegerator?

A kegerator is a refrigerator that holds and dispenses beer or other beverages from a keg. It is usually used at home or for commercial purposes. A typical kegerator stores beer or beverages set to between 34-40 degrees.

Why Should You Buy A Thirst Quenching Kegerator?

If you are a true-blue beer fan, you probably want to have a tap in your basement or serve a lot of beer to your friends and family. But what about if you love beer and don't know if you should buy a kegerator? No problem; many models are available with us, from stainless steel benchtops to double-tap kegerators and even three-door kegerators with multiple taps. You can actually keep two or three of your preferred beverages flowing simultaneously.

Kegerator Benefits For The Beer Enthusiast

Quality: If you want to control the quality of your beer, a kegerator is the way to go!

Extra space for storage: Many kegerators also come with shelves to store extra cans and bottles for friends.

Draft on tap: You can keep your favorite draft beer on tap close by whenever you want it.

Money saver: You can save money by enjoying a few cold ones after a hard day in the comfort of your home.

Eco-friendly: It's a fantastic option for environmentalists since you won't be contributing to landfills with bottles and cans.

Free up space: You'll also save on fridge space by switching to a dedicated appliance for your beer.

Elegance: And don't forget the sophistication! A kegerator looks elegant and refined when you entertain at home.

Leaves no mess: You'll be amazed at how much less trash you'll have!

Temperature control: Temperature is essential to quality control, and a keg will last for a long time if you store it at the right temperature.

Safety first: Of course, there's the bonus of being safe. No more driving around drunk!

Some more facts about the kegerator:

 Beer keeps well in kegs for about a month.

 Kegerators come in various shapes and sizes.

 A usual full-size Keg carries approximately 124 pints of beer.

 Some kegerators can accommodate several smaller kegs.

 Typically, kegerators keep at a temperature of about 38 °F.

 The Kegerators in our store have an ambient working temperature, making them ideal for use within Australia.

What Are The Types of Kegerators?

Before you jump in and buy your first kegerator, itss an astute idea to know a little about the different models you have to pick from. Best of all, you can ensure you get the one that works nicely for your needs.

There are many different types of kegerators, including built-in, countertop, and freestanding models. You can install them indoors, outdoors, or both indoors and outdoors. They are also available for commercial and residential use. 

Mini/Countertop Kegerator

The mini or countertop kegerator dispenser is small enough to fit on your countertop and can cool and pour from the smallest of kegs. It can follow you from your breakfast brunch to a football tailgater. It's perfect for a beginner keg master or as a backup if you're a pro. Plus, it's way cheaper than the bigger ones. The only downside is that you might not be able to find all your favorite drinks in 1.32 gallons.

Freestanding Kegerator

Freestanding kegerators are the best choice if you're looking to keep your keg at home without investing in a permanent home bar.

Most shoppers like them for these features:

 They're mobile and come with rolling caster wheels.

 They can fit a full-size keg or a half-barrel.

 They're easy to plug in anywhere you have room.

 They're versatile; you can push them into your garage, pool, or even the end of your

kitchen island.

 Just be careful to leave 2-3 inches of space between the back and wall for ventilation.

The Built-in Kegerator

A built-in kegerator is the perfect addition to any home. They are similar to freestanding kegerators and can hold a full-size keg and several tap configurations. But wait, they are different because their front venting exhaust design allows them to fit snugly between your cabinets.

A built-in kegerator is installed straight into your countertops, like an oven. While some savvy customers install their own built-in kegerators, most rely on a professional contractor to get the job done. The kegerator should blend nicely with your existing cabinetry, so it's best to rely on a professional.

Commercial Kegerator

These are the big units you see at bars and restaurants. They are big in size and more expensive than the ones you'd find in your home. They fit the professional needs of bars and restaurants, hold more than a keg, and are definitely bulkier than others.

Outdoor Kegerator

Are you looking for a kegerator to serve draft beer on your outdoor patio or pool deck? Pick an outdoor model. The exterior of these kegerators comes in durable stainless steel that won't rust,

while the sealed back protects the electrical parts within. Even better, they're rated for outdoor use and can fit up to a full keg in a long-lasting refrigerator, with the wiring and other parts insulated for outdoor living spaces like a covered patio or pool house. They also have front ventilation; you can tuck them away in an out-of-the-way spot near a wall or in your outdoor kitchen.

What Are The Kegerator Parts And Accessories You Should Know?

Handles and Casters

If you want to move your kegerator around from place to place, you'll be happy to know that it comes with handles to make it easy mobility. Plus, the casters make it even easier to move around, so you can easily roll it around.

Draft Faucet

The draft faucet serves as the tap that dispenses the draft beer from the kegerator. Usually, it is of stainless steel or chrome-plated brass. It connects to the draft tower.

Draft Tap Handle

Pulling the lever opens and closes the faucet and controls the beer flow. You can customize the tap handle to reflect your persona or preferred type of beer, which is an excellent option to personalize your kegerator.

Display Temperature

With a digital temperature display, you can monitor the temperature inside the kegerator and easily adjust it to the recommended serving temperature for your taste. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a computer pro like Tej from Fast and Furious to figure this out!

Drip Tray

The space is occupied by the glass while it gets filled with draft beer. It collects any drips or spills from the tap.

Protective Guard Rail

The guard rail is attached to the uppermost part of your kegerator cabinet and stops glassware from falling on top of your appliance.

Draft Regulator

Regulators secure the CO2 or nitrogen tank to the air supply line and regulate and maintain the pressure level sent into the keg. The double gauge regulators have an additional gauge to watch the gas remaining in the tank.

Beer Line

The beer is transported from the keg to the tap using the beer line made of vinyl tubing.

Beer Tower

The beer line goes from within the kegerator cabinet to the draft tower then it attaches to the draft tap. Beer towers come in different styles and can accommodate many faucets.

Air Tank

It's the gas you use to make your beer. It's either a CO2 or nitrogen gas tank.

Air Line

This line is the vinyl air or gas supply line that transports CO2 or nitrogen beer gas between the tank and the keg coupler.

Air Tank Holder

This holder keeps the tank in place so it doesn't get knocked over or damaged.

Keg Coupler

The keg coupler is the connection point between the barrel and the air lines. When you tap the keg, the coupler connects to the kegerator valve. Standard kegerator couplers will not work with all types of kegerators.

How The Kegerator Works

 The kegerator is connected to the keg by a coupler.

 The coupler has an air line attached that pushes the gas out of the air tank and into the

kegerator. That's where the beer comes from.

 The beer goes from the beer keg, through the coupler, into the beer lines.

 From there, it goes up into the draft tower and onto the faucet, and your chilled beer pours out.

Details to Consider Before Buying

Here are a few points you may want to consider before you jump in to buy a kegerator.

Size: Think about the size of the outside of the kegerator to fit in your space, but also the size of the inside. Before you buy a kegerator, figure out how many kegs you want and how big you want it to be.

Cost: The kegerator cost can range from less than $200 for a mini-kegerator to over $3,000 if you are looking for a full-size commercial-grade kegerator. Quality beer lovers can find a kegerator for under $1,000. For example, the KegMaster XL single-tap kegerator costs $735 and can hold up to four 19-liter (5-gallon) ball lock kegs.

Configuration of Taps: Consider how much beer you want on hand. There are lots of different types of home kegerators that come with different types of taps. Most of them come with three, but if you want something a bit different, double-tap works too. With that said, if you have one beer that has always been your go-to, you are probably better off with a single tap.

Where to place: The location of the kegerator is critical as all kegerators require ventilation (except mini models). Should the kegerator be placed directly against a wall? In this case, a built-in ventilated unit may be the solution.

Get The Best Deals Now!

Before you go out and buy one, do due diligence. Research the type of kegerator you want, the size of the unit, the price, and the features. So, you can choose the one that best suits your lifestyle and entertainment needs.

Brands such as KegMaster provide an A-type and D-type coupler. The good news? You can have on tap almost any commercial beer made in Australia.

Nothing beats a cold glass of fresh-brewed draft beer. With the right kegerator, you will soon enjoy a draft beer on the couch at home instead of at the bar.

FAQs

What other parts does a kegerator need?

Most kegerators come with all of the required dispensing equipment. Furthermore, some manufacturers will not include the components to lower their costs.

In addition to your kegerator, you will need the following items to dispense your kegged beverage.

These items include keg coupler, beer & gas tubing, a kegerator regulator, a CO2 tank, a draft tower and faucet, an elbow or straight shank, a tap handle, a keg, a spanner wrench, and a cleaning kit.

What is the standard warranty of a good kegerator?

The warranty period for a kegerator will range from 90 days to a lifetime. The warranty period for parts & labour and the warranty period for compressors can vary.

Commercial kegerator warranties range from several years to a lifetime. Most companies will not honor a commercial warranty if the product is for home use.

What is the shelf life of a beer keg kept in a kegerator?

How long a beer keg will last and remain fresh depends on many factors. But, if cooled correctly, it will last at least 6 to 8 weeks from the day filled.

How many beer kegs can fit in a refrigerator?

Most residential kegerators can accommodate a half-keg or two to three corny keg/sixtel at once, depending on how large your refrigeration unit is.

Commercial kegerators come in several sizes and capacities, but most can accommodate 1 to 5 half-kegs and as many as 12 corny keg/sixtels.

How frequently should your kegerator get cleaned?

Cleaning your kegerator after every keg or at least every two weeks is something we strongly advise. Cleaning your system ensures your new keg and new beer won't get contaminated by old residue. If you haven't used your kegerator in a while, clean it to prevent clogged beer parts and contamination with germs or other foreign particles.

What is the ideal temperature setting for kegerators?

Ideally, you should set the temperature to 38 degrees Fahrenheit for most beers and lagers. This temperature allows for improved flow, pressure and pours, and proper functioning. Before tapping, the keg should settle for 3-4 hours while the beer chills.