HOW TO BUILD A KEGERATOR WITH A SIMPLE CONVERSION KIT!
Tools You’ll Need
7/8″ Hole Saw
Power Drill
Flathead Screwdriver
Spanner Wrench
Hex Wrench
Measure Your Fridge
The best type of refrigerator to convert is a full size, horizontally split kitchen fridge with a freezer on top. However, you can really convert any type of refrigerator as long as it fits a keg, while leaving 6-8 inches above to fit the coupler. You also need to leave enough room for tapping and untapping your kegs. If you’re limited on space, consider using a low profile keg coupler. A standard US Sankey Keg Coupler is 3 & 3/4″ tall and 7″ wide, where a Low Profile US Sankey Keg Coupler is 2 & 1/8″ tall and 4″ wide, giving you extra clearance in a fridge with limited space.
Beer kegs come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so make sure the keg you choose will fit inside your refrigerator. keg sizes
Different brands of beers will require different keg couplers. A US Sankey Keg Coupler will fit 99% of all beers brewed in North America. For more keg coupler size information, check out our keg coupler list: https://www.kegworks.com/blog/keg-cou...
The Deluxe Kegerator Conversion Kit: https://www.kegworks.com/kit-deluxe-r...
has all the components you need to get started as well as a beer line cleaning kit, so your DIY kegerator can pour fresh beer every time. If your fridge is limited on space, the Standard Kegerator Conversion Kit – Low Profile US Sankey D System: https://www.kegworks.com/standard-ref...
...included low profile keg coupler will allow for more clearance.
Drill the Desired Location
Make sure the refrigerator is unplugged. With a power drill and hole saw, drill a 7/8″ hole in the door or sidewall of your refrigerator for the faucet and shank; do not drill into the back wall of the refrigerator. Check the inside of the door to be sure you have clearance for your shank. Also, make sure you have enough distance from the freezer door, so you can open it up without hitting the tap handle. Lastly, be sure to saw all the way through the door and the plastic liner on the
Connecting the Faucet and Shank
Insert the shank through the hole that you just drilled (from the outside) and secure it with a brass flanged lock nut; the black plastic flange goes on the outside to help cover up the hole you made.
Attach the faucet head to the shank and tighten with a spanner wrench.
Connecting the Beer and Air Line
Attach the beer line hex connections to the back of the shank and to the top of the keg coupler.
Attach one end of the air line to the nipple on the coupler and the other on to the regulator.
Tighten the hose clamps with a flathead screwdriver.
Then attach the regulator to your CO2 tank and tighten with a hex wrench.
Please Note: our CO2 tanks ship empty due to federal regulations. You can get them filled at a local welding supply company, or if you live in the Buffalo, NY area, you can get them filled right at The KegWorks Store.
Final Connections and Adjustments
Make sure the faucet and regulator switch are in the “off” position.
Open the CO2 tank and attach your keg coupler.
Adjust your regulator to a range of 10-12 psi.
Then turn it on to allow the flow of CO2 to your keg
DRINK!
Kegerator Conversion Kit Tips:
Draft beer should be stored and dispensed at 36-40 degrees F. Keeping a thermometer inside the fridge is always a good idea.
If your keg has been handled a great deal or has warmed up, it may take several hours to settle down and cool before pouring. So be sure to give your beer time to rest.
Open the beer faucet quickly and fully. Opening the faucet halfway will cause foam. Once you’ve filled the glass, close the faucet quickly.
When pouring, we suggest that you tilt the glass slightly so you can pour it gently down the side of the glass. For more on dispensing, check out our blog post on How to Pour a Perfect Pint.
Keep your beer system clean! We recommend flushing your draft lines with a good rinse every time you change your keg. This is the easiest way to make sure that you’re pouring nothing but crisp, tasty beer. Stock up on beer line cleaning supplies and kits here.
If you still have questions, feel free to give us a call at 877.636.3673 anytime Monday-Friday between 9am – 6pm EST.
