Who doesn’t love a cold draft beer or a perfectly chilled wine? If you prefer to drink from a tap rather than a bottle, it’s important to purchase the best mini
Getting yourself a kegerator also doesn’t need to cost you a small fortune. There are many kegerator options available on the market that can fit your budget. Moreover, you can turn a mini
In this article, we answer your questions:
- The 7 best mini
fridge for kegerator - What is a kergerator?
- Why is a mini
fridge perfect as a kegerator? - Things to consider when picking a mini
fridge for your kegerator - How to turn a mini
fridge into a kegerator
What Is a Kegerator?
A kegerator is a combination of a keg and a refrigerator; hence, its name. This equipment is popular among brewers and is used to store kegs of wine or beer. You can also serve ice-cold drinks through its tap.
The kegerator also keeps the pressure of your drinks, which maintains its carbonated state longer. If you have a mini-fridge at home that you don’t use, you can also turn it into a kegerator using conversion kits that you can buy online.
Best Mini Fridge for Kegerator
One of the biggest benefits of buying a kegerator is that you can have fresh beer whenever you want it. Beer and other drinks keep their flavor and freshness for long periods of time when stored in a stainless steel keg inside the refrigerated cabinet of a kegerator.
In this list, we are going to look into mini fridges that have a built-in converter kit and those that don’t. We also took into consideration some of the features that you might be looking for in a kegerator when you want to make home-brewed beer and other beverages.
Here are some of the best mini
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1. EdgeStar BR1500SS 15 Built-In Kegerator Conversion Refrigerator
This premium mini
The mini
The EdgeStar BR1500SS has a protective floor plate which improves its overall durability. It also comes with casters which allows you to move it around much easier. Its temperature ranges from 30 °F for low settings and 40 °F for mid settings.
Specifications:
Dimensions (L x W x H): 25.69″ x 20.19″ x 35.06″
Capacity: 3.35 cubic feet
Installation Type: Built-In
Weight: 81.6 lbs.
Wattage: 105 watts
Possible Keg Configurations: 1 slim quarter, 1 one-sixth barrel, or 1 Cornelius keg
Pros:
- Very mobile and easy to re-position because of casters
- Easy to control the temperature because of forced air refrigeration
- Wide temperature range of up to 60 °F
- Simple to convert and offers tons of customization
- Relatively large interior space
Cons:
- It is a lot more expensive than other models in its category.
- It’s a bit heavier than its competition.
- Consumes more electricity
2. RCA RFR320-B-Black-COM RFR321
If you want a more practical mini
Unlike other mini fridges, this one uses compressor cooling technology which can adapt better during hot weather. This
Furthermore, it also has an adjustable thermostat so that you can regulate the inside temperature better. Its feet also have an adjustable lever that allows you to adjust their height level.
However, the RCA RFR320-B also has some design flaws. For example, the copper tubing on its compressor is completely exposed around its lower back, which may require careful handling and installation.
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Specifications:
Dimensions (L x W x H): 20″ x 18″ 32″
Capacity: 3.2 cubic feet
Installation Type: Undercounter
Weight: 45 lbs.
Wattage: 92 watts
Possible Keg Configurations: 1 one-sixth barrel, or 1 Cornelius keg
Pros:
- Simple and ergonomic design
- Affordable price
- Generally quiet
- It comes with a reversible door.
- Clean and smooth finish
Cons:
- Some fragile parts are exposed
- It stays in one place
- Kegerator conversion kit sold separately
3. Magic Chef MCAR320B2 All Refrigerator
This Magic Chef mini refrigerator is an excellent option if you want to optimize space for your keg. Because it doesn’t have a freezer and cooling lines that run towards the top, it’s much easier to install your conversion kit. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about any frost.
The bottom of the
It also has interior lighting, two customizable glass cabinets, and a crisp drawer that is locked. Meanwhile, the exterior of this stand-alone
The main disadvantage of this unit, though, is its noise, especially if it is not leveled properly. Additionally, its storage capacity is a tad bit smaller than some of the other products on this list.
Specifications:
Dimensions (L x W x H): 17.5 “x 18.7″ x 33.4”
Capacity: 3.2 cubic feet
Installation Type: Undercounter
Weight: 46.7 lbs
Wattage: 60 watts
Possible Keg Configurations: 1 quarter barrel, 1 slim quarter, 1 one-sixth barrel, or 1 Cornelius keg
Pros:
- It is very spacious and can fit several small kegs.
- It’s a little quiet, but it cools down quickly.
Cons:
- It doesn’t have a freezer
- Rattles a lot when put unevenly
- A bit on the heavy side
4. Kegco Keg Dispenser
If you want to skip the conversion process of turning a mini
It also has a wide temperature range between 32 °F and 75 °F, which is great since you can also use it for homebrewed beer. You can control the temperature by pushing the up and down button on the control panel. The temperature can also be displayed as Celsius or Fahrenheit.
The mini
Furthermore, it comes with a complete kegerator kit with things such as a stainless steel beer tower, two empty 5 lb. CO2 tanks, clamps, a faucet wrench, dual gauge regulators, plus air and beer lines.
Specifications:
Dimensions (L x W x H): 23.69 “x 23.69″ x 33”
Capacity: 3 cubic feet
Installation Type: Built-in
Weight: 97 lbs
Wattage: 100 watts
Keg configurations include: 1 full-size keg, 1 pony-size keg, 1 slim keg, 2 one-sixth kegs, and 3 five-gallon kegs.
Pros:
- It has a Deep Chill mode for faster cooling
- Intuitive controls plus clear LED display
- Wide temperature range
- Able to accommodate a wide variety of keg sizes
- Even temperature distribution thanks to its fan
Cons:
- More expensive than its rivals
- It consumes a lot more electricity.
- A bit hard to install
5. Danby DAR044A4BSLDD-6 Mini Fridge
For those who want a larger mini
This compact mini
It comes with two full width and one ½ width glass shelves which can be removed when putting different sizes of kegs. The mini
Specifications:
Dimensions (L x W x H): 20.16″ x 20.16″ x 33.16″
Capacity: 5.1 cubic feet
Installation Type: Undercounter
Weight: 70 lbs
Wattage: 115 watts
Possible Keg Configurations: 1 full size keg, 1 pony keg, 1 five-gallon keg
Pros:
- It is lightweight and doesn’t consume too much space
- Large capacity cabinet with a sturdy frame
- Can accommodate one full size keg
- Scratch-resistant worktop
- Energy Star compliant
Cons:
- It does not include a conversion kit
- It can’t be moved around since it lacks casters
- The compressor is a bit noisy at times
6. KUPPET Kegerator & Draft Beer Dispenser
It features an elegant black cabinet with a chrome-plate guardrail. Meanwhile, it also has a detachable drip tray that collects excess water. You can also easily move around this
The manufacturer also included a beer tower with a stainless steel faucet, an ID beerline, an ID gas line, a coupler, a single gauge regulator, and an empty CO2 tank. These accessories are pretty helpful when preparing cold tap beer.
Furthermore, this mini
One of its disadvantages, however, is its subpar build quality. The installation manual is also not quite clear in explaining some of the installation procedures. Moreover, it doesn’t have a temperature display, which could be helpful if you are making homebrewed beer.
Specifications:
Dimensions (L x W x H): 20.1″ x 17.5″ x 31.2″
Capacity: 3.4 cubic feet
Installation Type: Built-in
Weight: 88 lbs
Wattage: 100 watts
Possible Keg Configurations: 1 quarter barrel, 1 one-sixth barrel
Pros:
- It includes a ton of accessories for the tap and beer tower.
- Guard rail is durable and chrome plated
- It comes with a stainless steel internal floor.
- You can choose from two colors. The interior
- space is a tad bit larger than some competitors.
Cons:
- The Conversion kit is difficult to install.
- Some components are poorly built
- It doesn’t have a temperature display
Why is a Mini Fridge Perfect as a Kegerator?
Homebrewed or craft beer is seldom sold in bottles or cans. Kegs are the most popular container for these exquisite brews. As a result, you’ll need a kegerator to serve fine craft beers at a cool temperature.
For several party hosts, this is perfect. Pub or small bar owners also use kegerators to keep their best beers refrigerated.
Mini fridges, especially those without a freezer, are perfect for storing small kegs since they fit almost perfectly in them. When converting a mini
Things to Consider When Picking a Mini Fridge for Your Kegerator
Before you buy a mini
Size of the Mini Fridge
The size of your mini
Extra Features
Mini fridges come with different features that separate them from their competition. The simplest mini
Value for Money
The price of the mini
How to Turn a Mini Fridge into a Kegerator
Converting a mini
Below is a short guide on how it is usually done:
- Choose a refrigerator that can accommodate the keg size that you want. Also, take into consideration its temperature range and other features such as thermostat and lighting.
- Decide on what kegerator conversion kit you are going to use. There are different kinds of kits, such as commercial and home-brew. They also vary in the design of their metal rails and other components.
- Disassemble the
fridge and make the necessary changes. Depending on the design you like, this might require drilling a hole or removing the plastic top piece entirely. - Next, find the cooling lines and pick a spot where you want your tower to be. Construct the tower cooling system, relocate the thermostat and light if needed, and follow the instructions on the converter kit.
Final Thoughts
Building your own kegerator from a mini
Do you have a mini
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