How to Build a Beer Kegerator

Watch more Bar Life & the Art of Drinking videos: howcast.com/videos/241303-How-to-Build-a-Beer-K…

A kegerator is a modified refrigerator that keeps a keg of beer cool while dispensing the beer on tap. You can easily turn a refurbished refrigerator into a personal kegerator.

Warning
Don't drink unless you're of legal age. Drink responsibly, and never drink and drive.

Step 1: Clean the refrigerator
Thoroughly clean and sanitize the refrigerator and remove any shelves. The refrigerator will house the beer keg and a cylinder of carbon dioxide equipped with a pressure regulator.

Step 2: Drill a hole in the refrigerator door
Drill a hole for the shank in the refrigerator door. Insert the door spacer in the hole, and run the shank through it, tightening it with the crescent wrench and connecting it with clamps to the beer line inside the refrigerator and to the faucet on the outside.

Tip
The beer line connects the shank to the keg coupler on one end, and to the carbon dioxide regulator on the other end. The shank provides a conduit through the door.

Step 3: Attach the drip tray
Attach the drip tray to the outside of the refrigerator, under the faucet.

Step 4: Hook up the beer and gas lines
Connect the beer line between the faucet and the keg, and the gas line between the carbon dioxide tank and the keg. Be sure to tighten all hose clamps with the screwdriver and to secure the tanks, and to set the carbon dioxide regulator to between 7 and 12 psi.

Step 5: Flush and sanitize the beer and gas lines
Flush and sanitize the beer and gas lines according to the instructions with your beer line cleaning kit. Use only chemicals specifically recommended for cleaning beer lines.

Tip
Regular cleaning of the beer lines prevents buildup of bacteria, yeast, and mold.

Step 6: Invite friends over
Invite your friends over and tap the keg.

Did You Know?
Refrigerators account for about one-sixth of the electric bill for the average American home.