Beer Dispenser FAQ

What is a Beer Dispenser or Keg Cooler?

A beer dispenser is a standalone unit designed to store and dispense keg beer while keeping it at serving temperature. They typically range in size from 27" to 95"W, although outliers (such as a 15" Slim Kegerator) are also available.

In general, dispensers use a self-contained refrigeration system to cool the beer, which means they are easy to install and maintain - all that is required to hook one up is a connection to the building’s electrical system, usually a standard 115V cord and plug.

Keg coolers come in a variety of styles, which means you can easily find one that will best suit the needs of your establishment.

What Keg Cooler Configurations are Available?

• Stainless Steel or Black Vinyl Exterior - Stainless steel is the more durable option, not to mention it provides an upscale look to your bar. Black vinyl, on the other hand, is less expensive and won't show smudges or fingerprints, which means you need to clean it less often.


• Single and Multiple Faucet Towers - While single and double faucet towers are the most common options, you are really only limited by the amount of kegs your kegerator can store! Rapids offers kits with everything you need to add one offset product, one inline product, or two additional products to each tower.


• Solid or Glass Door Keg Coolers - Most dispensers are going to have solid doors, as CO2 tanks, kegs, and beer hose don't really catch the customer's eye and make them want to try your beer. Those that do have glass doors usually combine the functions of a beer dispenser and a back bar cooler - half of the unit is used to store a keg, while the other half prominently displays bottled or canned products.


• Club Top or Basic Beer Dispenser - Club top beer dispensers have one or more sliding doors on top of the unit that provide easy access to a storage space where you can keep bottled/canned products, chilled glasses, juices, garnishes, condiments, and more. If you are short on space, this is a great option for you.

What Do I Need to Set Up My Beer Dispenser?

For a single keg cooler set up (providing you have a keg box with a draft arm) the proper hose size and length varies based on your initial setup: if you have a stainless steel down tube on your draft arm, you will need 4’ of 3/16” I.D. beer hose; if not, you will need 5’ of 3/16” I.D. soft line beer hose with a tail piece and hex nut.

Next, you will need one keg coupler with a neoprene coupling washer for each keg. The type of coupler varies with the type of beer being dispensed, but the most common is a Sankey D coupler.

A CO2 tank and regulator is required, along with CO2 hose and hose clamps for each keg.

On multi-keg setups where the desired pressure is the same on every keg, you will need a CO2 distributor for each keg. If you want different pressures, you will need a secondary (inline) regulator for each keg. The primary regulator on the CO2 tank will have to be set 5 pounds higher than the highest secondary regulator to ensure they will all get the proper gas pressure. You will need additional CO2 hose, clamps, neoprene washers, and couplers for each keg.

How Do I Run a Keg Cooler Using an External CO2 Tank?

On many keg coolers, there is a removable plug or a knock-out hole in the interior near the compressor enclosure. Simply remove the plug, make a hole in the insulation, and run your CO2 line into the box.

After the CO2 line has been run through the hole, insulate around the hose with plumber’s putty or self-expanding foam spray.

How Do I Adapt a Single-Keg Cooler to a Home Bar Top?

Though not recommended, this can be accomplished with extreme care. Note: You will be required to cut a hole in your bar top!

Put your portable keg box right under the bar, line up the draft arm hole on the top of the keg box and make a hole of the same size in the bar top. Add insulation to the space between the bottom of the bar and the top of the keg box. Cut a hole in the insulation so you can look down into the box from the hole in the bar. Mount the draft arm to the bar top using the screw holes provided in the flange.

After the draft arm is mounted, take the chill tube from inside the keg box and attach it to the inside of the draft arm. This will keep the temperature in the keg box and the draft arm the same.

If your beer comes out foamy, this could indicate insufficient insulation between the bar top and the keg cooler.

How Do I Convert a Refrigerator into a Kegerator?

Rapids has a kit for that! This is a great way to save money and make use of old refrigerators. Once you have a refrigerator that's large enough to store the kind of keg you want to tap, pick one of our DIY kits and get started!

Rapids Basic Kegerator Conversion Kit - This budget-friendly kit will prepare your refrigerator to hook up to a basic beer dispensing system. It includes beer line, CO2 line, washers, fasteners, shank, and a faucet (with handle).

Rapids Standard Kegerator Conversion Kit - The difference between this kit and the basic kit is that this kit contains a Sankey wing style keg coupler, which means all you will need to complete your setup is a CO2 tank, a regulator, and a keg!

Rapids Super Kegerator Conversion Kit - The next level of kit includes the (empty) tank and single gauge regulator, so you can get straight to tapping your keg! Also included are a faucet wrench and brush.

Rapids Deluxe Kegerator Conversion Kit | Single Gauge Regulator & Rapids Deluxe Kegerator Conversion Kit | Dual Gauge Regulator - If want to go all out with your conversion, the deluxe kits are the ones for you! They come with drip tray assembly, as well as a beer line cleaner kit (cleaner included!).