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HOME CONVERSION KITS FOR CONSUMER UPRIGHT REFRIGERATORS  TOP
An alternative for the home user to purchasing a factory made keg dispenser is the refrigerator conversion kit. These kits come with everything needed to convert a consumer upright refrigerator into a home beer dispenser.
The choice of the refrigerator used for conversion is important. Many older refrigerators were “cold wall” designs, meaning that the refrigeration lines ran throughout the case of the upright. These refrigerators aren’t suitable for conversion to keg dispensing, since holes will need to be drilled through the case and could puncture the refrigeration lines.
In addition, the chosen refrigerator must have sufficient space to hold a keg and enough interior head room to allow for the coupler and lines. 28 inches is considered the minimum interior height required.
Please be aware the most “dorm” sized refrigerators don’t have sufficient cooling power to chill even the smaller 8 gallon (pony) kegs. 1/5 horsepower compressors are recommended in the refrigerators chosen for conversion.
Following the instructions in the conversion kit, a hole is drilled in the door or wall of the refrigerator, a shank with a beer faucet is assembled in the hole, the coupler is attached to the beer line and the CO2 line. Lastly, the keg is tapped using the coupler.
Following are the most common questions about converted refrigerator beer dispensing:
What is the difference between the steel and the aluminum CO2 tank? TOP
- Mainly the weight. They both work and distribute the gas the same way.
- Steel tanks may rust after several years use inside of a keg cooler.
- No matter which tank is chosen, make sure it stands upright and never lay it down its side. There is liquid CO2 in this and will ruin your regulator and beer.
The CO2 tank shipped empty, where do I purchase CO2? TOP
- CO2 tanks always ship empty due to transportation regulations against shipping pressurized containers.
- Your CO2 tank can be filled by most welding supply houses, or from your beverage provider.
In many areas, expect to exchange your empty tank for a filled one, much like a gas grill LP bottle exchange. Exchange programs are desirable because the gas provider is responsible for testing and maintaining tank integrity.
What kind of coupler should I purchase? TOP
- This depends on the type of beer you are tapping. Most American beers use Sankey couplers. Some may take the 2-probe coupler. Import beers take a different coupler, depending upon where the beer is coming from. You should confirm the keg coupler type with your local beer supplier.
Following is a listing of some common keg coupler and beer brand combinations. Please be aware that local brewer’s kegs may not always conform to these suggested couplers. 
What is the proper CO2 pressure to use? Does the beer type matter? TOP
- On a regular beer system (short run), with the proper line sizing (5’ of 3/16” I.D. soft beer line) you should use around 12 pounds of pressure. Light beer may take a pound or two more pressure.
How long (how many kegs) should a CO2 bottle last? TOP
- A 5-pound CO2 bottle will dispense six to eight 16-gallon kegs using 12 pounds of pressure or around ¾ of a pound per keg.
What is the advantage of a double vs. single regulator? TOP
- The single gauge regulator will only tell you how much pressure in going into your keg.
- A double gauge regulator will show line pressure and it will also indicate how much gas is left in the tank. This way you can see when you are getting low (down to the red section) and need a refill.
How big is a keg of beer (in inches)? TOP
- They can vary a little. Standard straight walled Sankey kegs are generally between 15” to 17” in diameter and 23” to 25” high. You will need approximately 28” in height to make this work in a converted refrigerator beer system. Local and micro brewers and regional brewers may use different cooperage. Please consult your beer provider for further details.
- Half kegs contain 16 gallons of beer; Quarter kegs (pony kegs) contain 8 gallons of beer.
- Micro brewers and home brewers will often use 5 gallon bulk tanks (often called Cornelius tanks) that measure 8-1/2” in diameter and 25-1/4” tall.
How do I change the CO2 bottle mid-keg? TOP
- Shut off the valve on top of the CO2 tank and un-tap the keg.
- Back the screw that regulates the pressure all the way out.
- Put the new tank on the system.
- After making sure every thing is tight, open the valve and turn the screw to the right until the desired pressure is set.
- Re-tap the keg. Once the keg is tapped, double check the regulator pressure to assure the pressure is still holding to the preset.
What causes foamy beer? TOP
There can be many reasons, but here are some of the most common ones.
- Temperature change. (If cold beer hits warm beer lines)
- A system that isn’t balanced correctly. (Wrong size beer hose and/or CO2 pressure)
- The cabinet is holding a temperature that is too high.
- A dirty beer system.
What temperature should the beer be at the faucet? TOP
- Beer temperature is a personal preference. Colder beer takes less CO2 pressure to push than warmer beer. 36 degree beer should take around 12 pounds of pressure. Add 1 pound of pressure for every 2 degrees in temperature rise. When a system is set up properly, the beer temperature should be within 1 degree of what it is in the storage area.
How long will tapped beer last before going flat? TOP
- Different beer companies have differing ideas on draft beer. Some brewers say a keg should only be on tap for a certain amount of time to insure peak freshness and taste. This mainly pertains to a bar or a restaurant.
- If tapped with the proper CO2 pressure and kept cold the beer should last quite awhile and never go flat. If anything beer will get a bite to it, if it becomes over carbonated.
- Over carbonation can be prevented by keeping track of when the keg is getting low. If the beer has been on tap for over a month, after drinking your evening beer, un-tap the keg or shut the CO2 off. (More applicable to home or low volume user)
Line cleaning chemicals, which to use when? TOP
- For a home brewer or someone with a home keg box, the super no-rinse NC837, PLC1 powdered cleaner or BLC1 liquid concentrate are good cleaners.
- It’s best to let the solution sit in the line for a while before flushing to dissolve any sediment or scale buildup on the line’s interior walls.
- Remember, it’s not only what is used, but how often it is used. Get on a cleaning schedule and stick with it.
Keg Cooler Maintenance Tips TOP
- Remember to clean the refrigeration coils of your refrigerator as recommended in your owner’s manual.
- If you will not be using your keg box for several days and the keg is low, remove the CO2 pressure by decoupling your kegs. Constant CO2 pressure will over carbonate the beer, causing foam and a “bite” to the beer’s flavor.
- If your coupler has a ball in it, you will need to lift the ball to allow the cleaning solution to pass through. Rapids Sankey Ball Valve Lifter (FT137) is the correct tool for this job. In a pinch a wire coat hanger can be bent to fit, but may damage the ball valve. (Most operators who have short beer lines of 4 to 5 feet remove the ball valves from their couplers before putting them in service.)
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