For all those who prefer their drinks, especially beer, chilled all the time, a kegerator may be more a necessity than a luxury. However, I hear you saying that kegerators are too expensive and will lead to a big dent in your pocket. While this may be true, there is no reason for you not to enjoy a kegerator. You can easily DIY one using a mini-fridge.
Now you must have a lot of questions. You may be wondering how to convert a mini-fridge to a kegerator, which size of the fridge will be the best, or perhaps even what the best mini-fridge to convert to a kegerator is. Well, this is your lucky day, for we have compiled a list of the best mini fridges for kegerator conversion.
Best Mini Fridges for Kegerator Conversion
Here are our top picks for the best beer mini-fridges. Read on to find your perfect match.
RCA RFR320-B-Black-COM RFR321
Features:
- Measures 20 x 18 x 32 inches
- 3.2 Cubic Feet Capacity
- Freezer capacity of 0.2 Cubic Feet
This mini-fridge is probably one of the best in its price range. It is a solid build with an elegant black exterior. It has two wire shelves that are removable to make space for your keg. There is a freezer which you may or may not prefer according to your taste. The freezer came with an adorable ice cube tray. It’s the little things that matter in such mini-fridges with freezers.
Unlike most mini-fridges, you get thermostat control within the fridge which is ideal for making a kegerator. After all, you don’t want your beer to be too hot or too cold. The mini-fridge is reasonably quiet, which is crucial if you wish for the kegerator to be placed in your living room or bedroom. It also has a reversible door which is really cool!
What we didn’t like about this mini fridge is that it has a compressor and tubing exposed on the lower back. Many fridges protect this area with a sheet of metal or thick cardboard. With this one, you must be very careful with moving this fridge, especially when adding a kegerator conversion kit, because you may accidentally end up damaging these and causing yourself more harm than good. All in all, this is the fridge to buy if you need good quality at too reasonable a price.
BLACK+DECKER BCRK43B
Features:
- Measures 17.5″ x 19.3″ x 32.7″ inches
- Capacity: 4.3 Cubic Feet
- Glass shelves
This is the perfect pick for someone who wants a fridge to fit a bigger keg. It has a capacity of 4.3 cubic feet, unlike most mini fridges! It comes with a very spacious interior with two glass shelves. The shelves are removable, leaving plenty of room for your keg. It also features door storage that can hold your beer cans for you! Doesn’t this sound like the best mini fridge for beer?
Despite this mini fridge having a freezer (again, having or not having a freezer is your own choice), it is perfect for becoming a kegerator. The fridge floor is perfectly flat, making it easy for your keg to stand on it without tipping over. It is available in elegant black, white, and stainless steel colors. The door is reversible if you are worried about the space you will put the kegerator in.
Even though you will remove them anyway, there is a vegetable drawer along with the shelves to store things. The freezer came with an ice tray which we loved! the best part is, it has storage spaces for two-liter bottles. You can easily store your soda or wine in the door. It’s the ultimate package to keep all your beverages chilled and in one place!
Danby Designer DAR044A4BDD-6 4.4 Cu.
Features:
- Measures 20.16 x 20.16 x 33.16 inches
- Capacity 4.4 Cubic Feet (124 Liters)
- Wire shelves
This is probably the most well-rounded option you will find on the market. Not only is it sleek and elegant-looking, but it also has a large storage capacity of 4.4 cubic feet. Isn’t that great news for those wanting slightly bigger kegerators. When it comes to design, it is almost perfect. Despite its storage capacity, it is very compact. This is owing to the fact that it does not have anything on its back – no bulging components sticking out.
You can easily fit this mini fridge anywhere you want, even in the bedroom. Another great thing about this unit is that it has a scratch-resistant worktop. Trust me; this is very necessary when you will be drilling holes and shoving pipes through the top. For all those who want to avoid any hassle by getting a mini-fridge with no freezer, well, here it is! This makes you have more space in the fridge for fitting the keg itself. Its height of 28 inches makes it possible to quickly fit in a 23-inch Cornelius keg.
From its build, we can already tell that this mini fridge will be very sturdy and will last us a long time. If you are looking for longevity, quality, and simplicity, this is the best option. Although it is a bit on the pricier side, trust me, it is worth it. To top everything off, this unit is entirely environmentally friendly! You won’t be negatively impacting the environment in any way with this; it is such a relief to know that!
Magic Chef MCAR320B2 All Refrigerator, 3.2 cu.ft 4
Features:
- Measures 17.5 x 18.7 x 33.4 inches
- 3.2 Cubic Feet Capacity
- Glass shelves
I cannot think of a better option for all those who want a more compact and minimalistic mini-fridge for a smaller area. Its sleek minimalistic design is bound to go well with wherever you choose to place it. It has reversible door hinges if that solves any of your space problems. It has a very sturdy and high-quality build made of steel. If you buy this one, it will last you longer than any of its competitors.
The mini-fridge screams convenience for all those who want to convert it into a kegerator. It does not have a freezer, leaving you with more interior space for your keg and the ability to install your kegerator conversion kit on the roof. To add to that, the top does not contain any cooling lines, so you need not worry about a slip of hand ruining your whole mini-fridge.
The mini-fridge also boasts a thermostat inside, ensuring that you can keep your beer at whatever temperature you prefer. The fridge has four removable glass shelves and a flat indoor surface ideal for your keg. the only drawback we sound was that the refrigerator could be somewhat noisy if not appropriately leveled. But that is fixable and not a dealbreaker!
EdgeStar BR2001BL Ultra Low Temp Refrigerator for Kegerator Conversion
Features:
- Measures 25.69 x 20.19 x 35.06 inches
- Sleek Black color
- Weighs 81.6 pounds
This is perhaps the most premium mini-fridge on our list. Although it is more expensive than other options, it provides unmatched convenience and features. First, we’ll go through the standard features. It has a reversible door that can help you if you are in a pinch for space.
It also has a handsome stainless steel build that will not ruin the ambiance of your house. The size of this unit is neither too big nor too small. It can fit 2 1/6 kegs or one 1/2 keg, which is excellent in our opinion. Now let’s get to the premium qualities only this mini fridge will provide. It has casters for easy mobility. Not only that, but it has a built-in floor plate that is there for added durability and protection. This will ensure that your mini-fridge floor is not scratched by the kegs being placed on it.
One fantastic feature of this mini fridge is that it contains pre-built holes in the top for you to install a kegerator conversion kit. You do not need to pick up your drills and risk ruining your mini-fridge. It is therefore great for people who are not good with tools. If you choose to convert it into a standard fridge anytime, just take out the conversion kit and stick it in the plug provided. All in all, you can’t go wrong with this fridge no matter what!
Danby DAR044A6MDB-6 4.4 Cu.Ft. Mini Fridge
Features:
- Measures 21.3 x 20.75 x 33.07 inches
- 4.4 Cubic Feet Capacity
- Elegant Black Color
This is one of the best mini fridges for kegerator conversion, not only because of its sleek and compact design but also due to its functionality. It has the perfect large size to fit your keg and fit itself in any of your rooms. It has a mechanical thermostat so you don’t have to worry about keeping your beer chilled to the temperature you like. To ensure optimum space usage, this fridge has a reversible door. This means you can place it at any angle in your room!
When it comes to design, we have no complaints. The design looks sleek and elegant and will fit any modern house. It is perfect for kegerator conversion as it has a spacious interior and removable shelves. This means that you will not have to drill down to fit in your keg. Its sleek black interior with glass shelves and LED lights scream a premium build.
Moreover, it doesn’t have a freezer which makes it easier for your kegerator conversion. Most people prefer keeping it simple with their kegerator conversions. The fridge is also not very loud for all those who want to keep it in their bedrooms. Although, it may appear to be noisier if not appropriately leveled. Best of all, it uses an environmental-friendly R600a refrigerant. You won’t have to worry about harming the environment!
What is a kegerator?
A kegerator is a mix of a keg and a mini-fridge. Brewers use a device to store their kegs at an optimum temperature and serve beer, wine, etc., through them using a tap. Why kegerators are so popular is because they keep the beer at its optimum temperature and pressure. The mini-fridge helps to keep the beverage cool while the keg maintains the pressure. This pressure allows the drink to stay carbonated for much longer than it would otherwise be.
It is common knowledge that beer tastes much more delicious coming from a tap than a bottle. The foamy ice-cold beer from the tap is worth getting a kegerator. Even though it is worth it, kegerators may be unaffordable for some. You can solve this issue by buying a mini-fridge and using a conversion kit to make it into a kegerator. With a fraction of the price, you can have the same chilled beer any time.
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Factors to consider before buying a mini-fridge for kegerator conversion
There are quite a lot of things to consider before making this purchase. Since you are planning on DIY-ing it, even the slightest differences in size and functionality may make the whole process hard. You have to make sure your mini-fridge is the right size with the proper functions, along with being right in your budget.
To save you from the hassle of spending hours on hours on research, we have listed the criteria you should use for judgment.
Price:
Although you may snicker at the obviousness of this first one, we believe mentioning it is necessary. Many people find themselves in life with something that far exceeds their budget. In such a scenario, nothing below that product is able to satisfy them. If you have a strict budget, we recommend using price filters to find only the products you can afford. Luckily, mini-fridges are not that expensive. You can easily find one that suits your needs along with providing pretty good quality for under 200$. It won’t be too much work to find one that fulfills all your needs without breaking your bank.
Size:
This is perhaps the most crucial factor of all. Everyone wonders what size mini-fridge is best for a kegerator. If your keg is too big for your mini-fridge, getting a new keg or fridge is the only option left. Hence, choose wisely! You should either check the product listings for the product dimensions or buy them from a physical store and ask them to measure them for you! While this may seem obvious, many people do not take this extra step and end up regretting their entire purchase.
We suggest you first buy a mini-fridge and then a keg that is the right size for your fridge. Moreover, make sure your unit fits your brewing room. Most people get inclined to the biggest and fanciest kegs when they go to buy them. This is especially if you choose to buy a big fridge and make a big unit. Size matters!
- A 5-gallon keg needs a mini-fridge 9 x 25 mini-fridge.
- 5.23 gallons capacity Keg needs 9.5 inches of diameter and a height of 23.3 inches height fridge
- The short quarter barrel needs 18 x 14.8 inches for a mini-fridge.
- A 7.75 gallons quarter needs a mini-fridge of 11 x 23,3 dimensions.
Space:
Yes, size matters, but so does space! The spaces inside your fridge must be ample enough to fit in your keg. If the mini-fridge is big enough but doesn’t have an interior that includes your keg, you are back to square one. Also, ensure that the mini-fridge has removable trays so you can take them out to fit your keg. The mini-fridge is the best to fit your beer bottles etc., apart from the keg.
Functionality:
Many mini-fridges also have a freezer. While this may sound appealing, it may not be the best option for making a kegerator out of your mini-fridge. This is because most people like to run their conversion kit through the top of the fridge. This is problematic because mini-fridges that have a built-in freezer often have cooling lines running through the top. If you want to keep it simple, buy a fridge that does not have a freezer.
Alternatively, some people want a freezer to freeze their hops or keep some beer bottles ice chilled. If that’s the case, then you can run the conversion kit through your door instead. Wherever you decide to drill and run your conversion kit through, just make sure it does not have any cooling lines.
Material:
Make sure your mini-fridge is made of durable and high-quality material. Stainless steel and aluminum are good options. This will ensure that your kegerator does not deteriorate quickly and lasts you a long time.
How to make a Kegerator out of a Mini-fridge?
Building a kegerator may sound so challenging that you may never want anything to do with it. But trust us with this; it is way easier to make than you think. Even those with less hardworking skills can make it with some work. There are many kegerator conversion kits available on amazon that will help you out. They are of many different types, and you will find one for every budget!
When you have your mini-fridge, kegerator, and other tools required, the only thing left to do is drill some holes and assemble some components. Below we have made a bride step-by-step instructional guide to help you in your feat of creating a DIY kegerator. Don’t stress and just follow our steps:
1. Select a suitable refrigerator
As we have mentioned ample times before, your kegerator will highly depend on the fridge you buy. So keep in mind the size, space, functionality, and durability of the refrigerator you purchase according to your personal preferences. The ones we listed in our guide are all fantastic choices, so just pick the one you like!
2. Choose a kegerator conversion kit
Again, try to keep your requirements in mind as you scour amazon for the perfect conversion kit. Keep in mind whether you want one tap or two tap kits.
3. Gather your tools
It is time to open the good old toolbox and keep all the tools you require. These will be: drills, both flat and Phillips head screwdrivers, 1 and 3-inch hole saw bits, and inch drill bits.
4. Remove Inner shelving of your fridge
You will first need to remove all the inner shelving of your mini-fridge to make up lots of room for the keg and Co2 tank
5. Take off the thin plastic covering on the fridge itself
Pulling this covering off may lead it to break. Just insert a thin spatula under it and feel for screws holding it in place. If there are none, then they must be glued together. Just scrape under it to make the glue lose its power, making it easier for you to pull this piece off
6. Look for the cooling lines
You need to make sure where the fridge’s cooling lines are because damaging these will make your fridge useless. Cooling lines are usually on the sides and sometimes at the top or bottom.
7. Drill a hole
If your cooling lines run at the top, you either have the option of finding a space where they don’t run and gently drilling through them or just moving your hole to the front door. Whichever you choose, make sure your hole is big enough for liquid lines to run through it
8. Install your conversion kit
All conversion kits come with detailed manuals on how to install them. Just follow those instructions, and you need not worry!
And that’s it! Installing the conversion kit may be a hassle, but trust me, these few hours of labor will give you years of fulfillment.
Bottom Line
Making your kegerator is both innovative and a savior for your bank. This way, you can have cold and frothy home-brewed beer whenever you want. We are sure your guests will take an immense liking to it as well. The best part about it is the customizability. You can have it as big or small as you prefer. Just keep in mind size, functionality, and price when you make your buying decisions. Getting components you are pleased with ensures a final product that will satisfy you as well. We hope you found the mini-fridge most suitable for you from our list. Comment below and let us know which product did you choose to buy. Cheers!
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