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Budget Kegarator Project
Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 8:25 am
by Keith
Not sure what happened to the original post, however I'm going to repost my Kegarator project thread.
Budget: $350
Total Spent: $360.82, Three Taps full size Kegarator with all accessories.
Over: $10.82
Breakdown
4 Kegs, Regulator and CO2 tank - $200.00
Fridge - $50.00
Co2 Manifold - $25.00
Lines, Air\Liquid Ball locks, Shanks, Taps, Clamps, Plugs, cleaning brush, etc -$160.82
Custom Drip Tray - Free
8*8 Charlie Sheen Winning Magnet - Free
Sale of 9 Dozen Bottles - $75.00
Total - $360.82
Pics
50dollar.jpg
inside.jpg
Plumbing.jpg
2taps.jpg
tray.jpg
winning.JPG
finished.jpg
Re: Budget Kegarator Project
Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 8:34 am
by GuingesRock
The tower of crates looks a bit dangerous if any young children went in there (might fall on top of them). Looks really nice. Does the bottom shelf need reinforcing?

Re: Budget Kegarator Project
Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 8:36 am
by Keith
Crates will be lowered. And the kids aren't allowed in that room. I have a lot of tools hung up.
Re: Budget Kegarator Project
Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 8:38 am
by Keith
GuingesRock wrote:The tower of crates looks a bit dangerous if any young children went in there (might fall on top of them). Looks really nice. Does the bottom shelf need reinforcing?

Lower shelf should be fine. Has a steel bar across the front on the underside of the tray
Re: Budget Kegarator Project
Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 8:47 am
by GuingesRock
I have a keezer and it only holds 5 kegs. It takes up more room, needed a temperature controller, and doesn’t have a freezer compartment for storing hops. The keezer builds up moisture inside. I think you might have chosen a better option going with that setup.
Re: Budget Kegarator Project
Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 9:02 am
by CorneliusAlphonse
My post disappeared too .. Great deal for for kegs, co2 and reg for 200, where did you find that?
Re: Budget Kegarator Project
Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 9:03 am
by Keith
Here's to hoping Hahah. However I'm sure I'll be happy for a while.
Re: Budget Kegarator Project
Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 9:09 am
by LeafMan66_67
Looks good! I spent at least that much on a 2 keg system, with mini fridge and tower.
Re: Budget Kegarator Project
Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 9:27 am
by Keith
CorneliusAlphonse wrote:My post disappeared too .. Great deal for for kegs, co2 and reg for 200, where did you find that?
I posted that I was looking for it on Kijiji. Had a reply in a couple days. Luck of timing to be honnest. If I can find another deal like that I'll be all over it.
Re: Budget Kegarator Project
Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 9:34 am
by Keith
LeafMan66_67 wrote:Looks good! I spent at least that much on a 2 keg system, with mini fridge and tower.
Yea I was on a tight budget to complete this. Was my own personal budget so I didn't get carried away. Just need a drip tray now. I still have 1 more tap to install, already tapped where I need to drill and am kicking my ass for not buying it yesterday (Dave I'll be back... possibly today haha). I was going to go with 4 taps, but figure I could have my 4th line charging the tank as one got low, and 3 looked better on the fridge.

<--- was me last night
Re: Budget Kegarator Project
Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 10:10 am
by GuingesRock
My keezer is too small now and I have kegs sitting at room temp that need chilling. I need more capacity. You got me thinking. Where did you get such a nice fridge for $50. One of those would be good for chilling the extra kegs, and the keezer could be for stuff on tap...or visa versa.
Re: Budget Kegarator Project
Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 11:40 am
by Keith
On Kijiji. They have more. I'll send you the link when I get home.
Re: Budget Kegarator Project
Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 2:14 pm
by Keith
GuingesRock wrote:My keezer is too small now and I have kegs sitting at room temp that need chilling. I need more capacity. You got me thinking. Where did you get such a nice fridge for $50. One of those would be good for chilling the extra kegs, and the keezer could be for stuff on tap...or visa versa.
Here is the link to the add. They have quite a few left. If you go to get one, I'm 5 mins around the corner, pop in for a cold one.
http://halifax.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell ... Z524610673" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: Budget Kegarator Project
Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 2:16 pm
by Keith
So in the end the fridge is all together. I had a "slight" line leak by the tap but was easily remedied after a mess down the inside of the door lol.
Question.
Should I put my carboys in the fridge and cold crash them before kegging \ bottling?
Re: Budget Kegarator Project
Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 2:20 pm
by chalmers
keithforbes wrote:
Question.
Should I put my carboys in the fridge and cold crash them before kegging \ bottling?
I do this, it helps with settling any still-suspended yeast/trub, and is a step towards clearer beer.
Re: Budget Kegarator Project
Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 2:26 pm
by GuingesRock
Thanks!

That's a great deal, the fridges look in very good shape, and the beer is tempting. I'd need half a day and a truck and gas money.
You even have storage for yeast in the crispers, Hops in the freezer compartment. That's looks like a good setup. At that price you could pick up another for a fermentation chamber.
Re: Budget Kegarator Project
Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 2:44 pm
by Keith
chalmers wrote:keithforbes wrote:
Question.
Should I put my carboys in the fridge and cold crash them before kegging \ bottling?
I do this, it helps with settling any still-suspended yeast/trub, and is a step towards clearer beer.
How would it impact bottling the beer and carbonation? I know forced carb is no issue.
Re: Budget Kegarator Project
Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 2:53 pm
by Keith
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GuingesRock wrote:Thanks!

That's a great deal, the fridges look in very good shape, and the beer is tempting. I'd need half a day and a truck and gas money.
You even have storage for yeast in the crispers, Hops in the freezer compartment. That's looks like a good setup. At that price you could pick up another for a fermentation chamber.
Fridge is in great shape, really happy with it, and is a 2003 model. As for getting one for a fermentation chamber, the wife would shoot me. lol. Need to slowly bring this stuff in the house. But eventually.

Re: Budget Kegarator Project
Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 7:54 am
by Downs
very nice keith
very similar to my first kegerator
and i think you even did it cheaper then i did
nice work
Re: Budget Kegarator Project
Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 9:08 am
by Keith
Downs wrote:very nice keith
very similar to my first kegerator
and i think you even did it cheaper then i did
nice work
Once I get my odds and ends done to it probably not haha. Also looking to source a few other novelty items.
Trying to source a 16-20" Drip tray. Can't find one so I'm now trying to source a 16-20" SS Drywall mud pan, 3M magnetic tape, a gutter cover.
Re: Budget Kegarator Project
Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 9:13 am
by GuingesRock
A small towel or bath mat on the floor under the taps would keep you within budget. You'd have to throw it in the washing machine from time to time, but that might be easier than cleaning drip trays

Re: Budget Kegarator Project
Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 10:06 am
by Keith
GuingesRock wrote:A small towel or bath mat on the floor under the taps would keep you within budget. You'd have to throw it in the washing machine from time to time, but that might be easier than cleaning drip trays

I could just imagine how grungy that would get lol.
Re: Budget Kegarator Project
Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 10:39 am
by GuingesRock
keithforbes wrote:GuingesRock wrote:A small towel or bath mat on the floor under the taps would keep you within budget. You'd have to throw it in the washing machine from time to time, but that might be easier than cleaning drip trays

I could just imagine how grungy that would get lol.
Just because you now have a really smart setup now...there's no need to get all hoity toity

(I have a towel on the hump of my keezer for picnic taps to drip on).
Here's just the thing. It would be grungy to start with

Re: Budget Kegarator Project
Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 11:04 am
by Downs
I used to use a towel, I found drip trays sooo expensive.
Now I have an entire stainless tower and bar top.

Re: Budget Kegarator Project
Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 11:24 am
by Keith
GuingesRock wrote:Here's just the thing. It would be grungy to start with

Sorry this is a beer fridge. No need to be stocking rocky mountain water.