Posted: 6/2/2025 10:10:35 PM EDT
[Last Edit: NBT][Edited]
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Looking to get advice on converting the fridge into a kegerator. Need two to fit two 1/4 kegs. One will be for an Ale/IPA, the other a lager/pilsner. Side by side fridge, 22.6 cu/ft. I am told that each type of beer needs to be set/served at different pressures. Appreciate any advice/recommendations. Pics are what I'm looking to do, and what the donor fridge looks like.  Donor fridge   |
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Wasn't planning on using the freezer space for the kegs. I did consider opening the panel between the fridge/freezer, by putting 4"or 6" holes at the top of the panel. The fridge has dual controls, set the freezer on the highest temp, and the fridge on the other end of the spectrum. Hopefully land somewhere around 38 degrees combined. Just getting a game plan, who is the go to kegerator conversion kit vendor, Kegco? |
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Originally Posted By NBT: Looking to get advice on converting the fridge into a kegerator. Need two to fit two 1/4 kegs. One will be for an Ale/IPA, the other a lager/pilsner. Side by side fridge, 22.6 cu/ft. I am told that each type of beer needs to be set/served at different pressures. Appreciate any advice/recommendations. Those side by side refrigerators are not ideal for kegerators. But if it was free or it's what you already have then I can see why you are using it. Two 6th barrel kegs will be tight fit but should fit. Fit on the very bottom. You will need to pull all the bins and shelving out of the bottom half. You may even have to build a 2x4 base if the bottom is not flat enough. No way two 1/4 kegs will fit with out building 2x4 shelving. Those glass shelves will not hold the weight of a 1/4 barrel. It's around 160 pounds full. They will bend and shatter. Stacking two is 320 pounds, that plastic bottom will need some reinforcement. To runs separate serving pressures, you will need a dual co2 regulator. You will also need to run between 5-10 feet of 3/16 beer serving line. I'd recommend googling "how to balance a draft system". It will explain to you how long your beer serving lines will need to be. The goal is to have the carbonation level pressure and the serving to be the same. Hence balanced. In almost all cases a longer set of lines is better. I would not cut holes in to the freezer side. You will just end up with frozen beer. There is only one compressor which feeds the freezer. There is a thermostat controlled vent door and fan in-between the freezer and the refrigerator side. Refrigerator gets to warm door opens fan turns on pulling in freezer air into the refrig. You cut holes and there will no way to control the temperature in the refrig size. So it will eventually equalize with the freezer. Freezing your beer. I'd google how to build a kegerator. Plenty of DIY postings with tons of ideas and pictures to walk you through the process. |
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Looks like a model GLRS267ZCB1 from the pictures There are refrigerant lines running inside the plastic liners on these SXS fridges. Their usually run contacting the metal trim that the seals sit on when doors are closed. That metal will feel warm when the compressor is running. Prevents condensation from forming Make your cuts closer to the back where the air damper opening is. Part #115 https://www.tribles.com/lookup/91961/561510#parts The temperatures are controlled by 2 thermostats. Part # 21 & 21A The freezer thermostat may not allow you to set lower than 35F I'm am going to guess. First thing I would try is moving the tip closer to the evaporator so it gets a colder shot of temperature. Yould have to experiment with location & temperature settings Option B: plug the refrigerator into some type programmable temperature controller. Run the sensor and secure to the inside. Set your temp. This fridge is so old and basic ( this is a good thing!) enough so that the controller will shut off all power to the fridge when it is at temp & shut it off when it is too cold. Meaning no lights, fans, dispenser etc. Compressor, condenser & evaporator fans & lights turn back on when the controller needs to cool down the fridge. This way your only trying to manage 1 temperature https://inkbird.com/products/temperature-controller-c206t Make your cuts so that both compartments see the same temperature |
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Okay good info, and yes this is an extra/garage fridge. I have been looking at DIY conversions on the net, but figured I'd ping the hive to get opinions and recommendations. I have no problems remodeling the interior of the fridge, also considered swapping to a different style, but this fridge has been solid, and thought it would make a great project. I assume that an ale versus a lager need to be served at different pressures? If so, can I achieve this with a dual CO2 regulator? I would guess that a #20 CO2 bottle would be recommended as well? Thanks for the continued info and insight. |
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Originally Posted By NBT: Okay good info, and yes this is an extra/garage fridge. I have been looking at DIY conversions on the net, but figured I'd ping the hive to get opinions and recommendations. I have no problems remodeling the interior of the fridge, also considered swapping to a different style, but this fridge has been solid, and thought it would make a great project. I assume that an ale versus a lager need to be served at different pressures? If so, can I achieve this with a dual CO2 regulator? I would guess that a #20 CO2 bottle would be recommended as well? Thanks for the continued info and insight. 20# CO2 bottle is pretty big for home draft system. Most people run 5# or 10#. Will you be serving commercial beers only? Or force carbonating homebrews as well? If you are just serving commercial beers then a 20# bottle will last you very long time. The bigger question is were are you going to put the CO2 bottle? Inside the refrig or outside? Inside a 20# will take up a lot of space. But is the easiest way. Outside you have to drill a hole in the refrig which is very sketchy to say the least. Meaning you can very easily hit a refrigerant line. Destroying the refrig completely. Either way works but, make sure to secure the tank in some way. It's very dangerous if the tank falls over not to mention one slip and your regulators will most likely get damaged. Those gauges are very fragile. |
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Not homebrewing, and will be using commercially filled kegs. I was not sure how long a #5 bottle would last, this is just for the Mrs and I, family and friend events. Longer than I assumed, so thanks for the heads up. I was told that an IPA needs to be set/served at different pressures, but may have misunderstood. Not sure how that works, apparently keeping pressures correctly is a thing, and certainly want to get this right, since we'll be using two completely different types of beers. Since it's a garage fridge, I would prefer to keep the CO2 inside the fridge with the beer. I'll be doing some rough measurements to get an idea what kind of room I'll need, and then gut rebuild the interior to accommodate. Still reading up on this stuff. Thanks for the post. |
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Finally getting into it. Had some leftover Trex decking, so I used it for the shelving to support the two 1/4 kegs or a pair of Sixels. Used high strength adhesive in addition to the screws to support the #200. Debating adding vertical support to the side brackets, since I have the material and room. Only thing going below is the #5 CO2 bottle.     Draft system ordered.  |
