Converting a Refrigerator into a Kegerator

Most of us beer enthusiasts have an extra refrigerator in the garage or somewhere around the house. It’s the phenomenon that takes place when our spouse has the dire need to get a new refrigerator. We might not think we need one at the time. But, now we know what to do with it. Make a kegerator out of it.

With the refrigerator unplugged, start by figuring out where you want your tap. The side of the refrigerator is a great place. But, I’ve seen them in the door and that works just fine as well. In fact, that’s the preferred place for most beer enthusiasts as long as you make sure the tap is about a half a foot to a foot above the keg.

Next, make sure you have everything you need. Your kegerator conversion kit should have a beer faucet with shank, beer line with necessary connectors, air line with necessary clamps, a drip pan, a CO2 cylinder, a CO2 regulator, and a keg coupler. If you are missing any of these things, you won’t be able to put your kegerator together until you have them all. You might be able to put these pieces together for yourself at the local hardware store. But, you can buy kits that have all the pieces already in them.

When you are ready to convert your refrigerator into a kegerator, grab your drill and drill a hole the size of the shank. The hole should be where you want your tap to go. Put your shank in the hole and tighten the nut on the inside of the refrigerator. Now, you’re ready to start connecting everything together.

First connect the faucet to the shank on the outside of the refrigerator. Then, connect the beer line to the shank on the inside of the refrigerator. Connect the other end of your beer line to the top of the keg coupler. Remember to use the washers and make sure they fit right into the connections. You don’t want any air or beer getting through.

Depending on the kind of beer you will be putting in your kegerator, you’ll need a certain type of coupler. Your vendor should know if you have the right coupler for the beer you purchase. Of course, most beer enthusiasts get the coupler that they need for the beer they most like. Then, they add couplers to their collection as they start purchasing a variety of beer brands.

Next, screw your CO2 regulator on your CO2 tank. Now, connect one end of the air line to the nipple on the CO2 regulator and the other end to the nipple on the keg coupler. Fasten with screw clamps and make sure they’re tight. But, don’t tighten so much that you damage the line.

Make sure you follow the next steps exactly as they are written. On the faucet, make sure the handle is pushed all the way back. Turn the air shutoff valve on the regulator in the off position. Completely open the cylinder valve.

Now, put the coupler on the keg and turn clockwise until it is completely secure. Tap the barrel by pressing the coupler handle. Make sure you have the top pressure gauge on the regulator set to ten to twelve psi. If it’s not, adjust the screw on the regulator until it is.

Now, open the regulator shut off valve. CO2 will go rushing to the keg. Store the CO2 tank upright inside the refrigerator and get ready to pour.

From refrigerator to kegerator, you’re ready to drink some beer from your keg in only a matter of minutes. So, make sure you pour smooth mugs of beer. Also, make sure you clean your lines after every use. You should never have foamy beer that tastes like skunk if you take good care of your new kegerator.