Page 1 of 1

Kegerator help

Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 11:30 pm
by Student brewer
Hello all, my roomate tracked down a pretty old fridge. Any tips on how to clean this up and turn it into a kegerator?
Everything from how to transport it to how to remove rust & where I should drill holes for the taps, etc.

Thanks guys!

Re: Kegerator help

Posted: Sat May 18, 2013 6:29 am
by S-04
It's old... 1950's or maybe even 40's. Very cool.

Does it work? Can you afford the electric bill? :)

Re: Kegerator help

Posted: Sat May 18, 2013 9:02 am
by Student brewer
Fully functional . Electricity is included in our rent. Haha

Re: Kegerator help

Posted: Sat May 18, 2013 9:11 am
by mr x
Taps usually go in the front door.

Re: Kegerator help

Posted: Sat May 18, 2013 9:21 am
by S-04
I would clean it with CLR to get as much of the rust stains off as I could, then sand it a bit to smooth it out and scuff up the old finish. Then I would prime it with an oil based rust primer, and then topcoat with 2 coats of waterborne alkyd paint sanding lightly with 220 grit after the first coat. I'd probably do the same to the inside.

Re: Kegerator help

Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 12:50 pm
by Student brewer
Thank you S-04.

This is a machine that needs to be transported in an upright position, correct?

Re: Kegerator help

Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 3:06 pm
by bluenose
if it still works, then you're good to go, but if the compressor goes, you're frakked unless you know someone who can macgyver up a new one for you

those old fridges always look awesome when redone

Re: Kegerator help

Posted: Wed May 22, 2013 5:32 am
by S-04
I don't know particularly about old fridges, but with fridges in general, you want to transport them upright if possible. If you have to lay them down, you should let them stand upright for 24 hours to allow the coolant to drain back to the bottom before plugging them in. I moved a newish fridge on its side last year, gave it the 24 hours and it was fine.

I bet that thing weighs about 300lbs... :)