This instructable will show you, step by step, how to build a kegerator using an inexpensive compact refrigerator. It's a fairly short project if you have all the right tools.
After scanning Craigslist for a couple of weeks and not finding anything suitable, I decided to pick up the GE 4.5 cu. ft. compact refrigerator, model WMR04GAVBB from Walmart ($125.00). This fridge does have the 3/4 width freezer unit at the top. I didn't want to spend loads of money on a fridge with no freezer so this was my best option.
There were no problematic road blocks during the construction of this kegerator. However, you do have to take your time and be diligent to not damage any internal and external parts. You don't want a 70-pound paper weight. After all, as soon as you make your first modification to a new fridge, the warranty immediately packs its bags and runs out your door.
Good luck, have fun, and enjoy your kegerator!
After scanning Craigslist for a couple of weeks and not finding anything suitable, I decided to pick up the GE 4.5 cu. ft. compact refrigerator, model WMR04GAVBB from Walmart ($125.00). This fridge does have the 3/4 width freezer unit at the top. I didn't want to spend loads of money on a fridge with no freezer so this was my best option.
There were no problematic road blocks during the construction of this kegerator. However, you do have to take your time and be diligent to not damage any internal and external parts. You don't want a 70-pound paper weight. After all, as soon as you make your first modification to a new fridge, the warranty immediately packs its bags and runs out your door.
Good luck, have fun, and enjoy your kegerator!
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Signing UpStep 1: Remove from box
This is easy. After removing the nylon straps the box slides up over the top. I left the bottom part of the box underneath the fridge to hamper slippage of the unit.
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I have been having a really hard time finding a fridge that will fit a standard keg. Any ideas?
First, let me thank you for putting this Instructable together. It was excellent, and really helped me be successful.
Second, let me share a couple of things I did differently which you, or others, may be interested in:
I was replacing an existing (full sized) keg fridge I had in my garage which was too large to justify the use (I live in a northern climate and parking two cars in the garage during the cold winters is a must, and the keg fridge was taking up too much space). So, one of my goals was to reuse all the existing hardware and materials I already had (tap, CO2 canister, regulator, etc).
I built a tap tower out of 1x8 pine boards (1x8's were chosen because the threaded tap mount piece was about 5-6" long, and I needed enough space inside the tap tower to get my hands in there and connect the tap tubes to the tap mount piece), painted it black to match the fridge, and installed a drip tray.
I also mounted the thermostat line to the freezer cold plate thing, had the same issue you were having with the fridge running too cold, and I readjusted the thermostat wire to make sure that the metal contacts of the thermostat wire were directly touching one of the bulbous tubular areas on the freezer cold plate where the coolant runs through. After doing that my fridge was running at a reasonable temp (a bit too warm actually, so I got to utilize the thermostat knob to turn it up one notch past the lowest/warmest setting).
My next step is to mount large wheels on the bottom of the fridge so I have the option of rolling the fridge around easily, and maybe even taking it with me to the family cabin this summer or some other outdoor event.
In summary: Tap beer rules.
These kegs are called "Cornelius" kegs. 5 gallon capacity.
If you were to do it again, would you put the tower in the same location? Can you provide measurements for where it is located?
I noticed you were drilling holes and adding screws to the top, back and right side of the fridge. Is there any danger of hitting any cooling lines in the top, back, or sides, or is the internal wire the only thing to worry about?
Thanks for the info!
-The build was easy; only about 6 total hours, start to finish.
-The fridge always runs and gets so cold it freezes the lines and probably eventually your keg. Even with the thermostat turned all the way down.
There are a couple of work-arounds for the freezing issue. The more expensive way ($60-70) would be to get a kegerator thermostat (digital) and let it control when to turn on/off the kegerator. The cheaper way ($10), the way I took, was to go buy an outlet timer like you'd use for interior lighting. Buy one that has up to 48 individual settings so that you can tweak the setting to your preference. I found that 1 hour on and 3 hours off worked best and still kept the beer cold.
As far as bending the coolant line, I grasped the freezer body and very gently bent it down until it looked like it does in the picture. I didn't actually touch the line while bending.
Nothing to worry about while putting screws in the back or sides. The only wire runs through the top (pictured)
I never measured the tower location. I eyeballed it and taped off (pictured) what looked good.
Good luck. Let me know if you need anything else.
anyway, i was going to carry out this same mod. after purchasing the fridge from walmart, i found that the motor was a bit loud. i probably wouldn't have minded but i wanted to place the kegerator next to my TV in the livingroom and it was too loud for me. how bad is the noise when the motor kicks on? maybe i got a bum unit.
Good luck if you do decide to do this job. It was fun and the beer is flowing nicely now.
Cheers!
(My head can be a scary place to get lost in sometimes)