Things You'll Need:
- CO2 tank and regulator
- Coupler
- Surgical tubing (about 3 yards)
- One to four taps
- Drip tray
- Draft spigot and handle
- Shank
- Refrigerator or mini-fridge
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Step 1
Purchase kegerator construction materials separately or in a kegerator kit. If you purchase them separately, you'll want to make sure you get a refrigerator that meets size specifications for the size of keg you want to house. You can also make a kegerator out of a mini-fridge, so depending on your space requirements, you will want to take measurements and then make your decision. If you are concerned about the cost of a new refrigerator, look into purchasing one from a factory outlet store, or a refurbished refrigerator. Make sure, however, that in this case, it still gets cold enough to keep the beer safe from bacteria.
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Step 2
Thoroughly clean and sanitize your refrigerator or mini-fridge. Remove the shelves. Drill a one-eighth-inch pilot hole for the shank holes. Make sure these holes are centered and level so that the spigot holes will be as well. Drill a 1-inch shank hole for the faucet and a larger 2- to 3-inch hole. Put the shank into this second hole with the nut on the inside and flange on the outside of the door. Install the drip tray by using the mounting bracket to measure alignment of the mounting holes and then drill them. Mount the drip tray on the outside of the refrigerator below the spigot and secure it tightly with the screws provided.
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Step 3
Secure all hose clamps and the CO2 tank. Set the CO2 regulator to between 7 and 12 psi. Different regulators may have different settings, so check your settings with the manufacturer to be sure they are correct. For CO2 tanks kept outside of the kegerator, drill a hole through the back and seal around the CO2 line with silicone sealant.
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Step 4
Connect the beer and gas lines. Flush them by pumping beer through the lines so you know they work, then sanitize them. Purchase a sanitation kit at the hardware store or online. Without proper sanitizing, your beer can become contaminated, so be sure to sanitize before sampling it. Check for the desired quality of beer by looking at the clarity and making sure the CO2 regulator is set to the appropriate setting. Open the tap and let the beer flow, serve and enjoy.
