How to Make a Homemade Beer Keg Dispenser

A homemade keg dispenser gives you fresh from the tap taste, beer after beer.

Having beer on tap in your own home is a wonderful novelty, great for parties and special occasions. Many breweries and beer distribution companies sell or rent kegs of beer in a variety of sizes. Because kegs of beer are not pasteurized, they must be kept cool to prevent bacteria from growing. A homemade beer keg dispenser keeps beer cold and easy to pour, saving you hundreds of dollars over ready-made 'kegerators.'

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Refrigerator
• Keg of beer
• Kegerator conversion kit
• CO2 cylinder
• Electric hand drill
• Drill bits
• Hole saw
• Screwdriver
• Measuring tape

1. Choose a refrigerator that suits your keg size needs. Mini fridges are popular because they are affordable; however, they will not accommodate large keg or two-keg systems. Keep in mind whether you want to store your CO2 cylinder inside or outside the refrigerator.

2. Install the faucet mount by measuring and drilling a hole through the top of your refrigerator or through the door, fastening it securely with the included hardware of your kit. If you intend to store your CO2 cylinder outside of your refrigerator, then drill a hole just large enough for the gas line to pass through.

3. Thread the included tap handle, or your own custom handle, onto the faucet. Take care not to over tighten.

4. Connect the supplied gas hoses from the keg coupler and the CO2 cylinder to the CO2 regulator.

5. Connect the beer line to the faucet and the keg coupler, ensuring a snug and secure fit.

6. Open the CO2 cylinder valve on the tank and then on the line leading away from the regulator towards the keg. Adjust the pressure to near 13 lbs. or as needed.

7. Arrange the keg and CO2 cylinder inside the refrigerator so that the door can shut properly. If your CO2 cylinder is stored outside of your homemade keg dispenser, secure it upright and away from heat.

Tips & Warnings

• Spill trays can be installed underneath the faucet to add a professional look while reducing the mess of over pours and leaks. For door-mounted systems, ensure that the beer lines are long enough so that they are not pulled when opening the door. Use customized beer tap handles to give your homemade keg dispenser a personalized flair.

• Cylinders of CO2 contain highly pressurized gas. Keep cylinders upright and away from heat sources at all times.

References

• Popular Mechanics DIY Kegerator

Resources

• Micromatic: Kegerator Conversion Kits