You’ve got burning questions about kegerators, we’ve got answers. Dive in to our ultimate beginner’s guide to kegerators so you can learn about the benefits and decide if you need one.
What Is a Kegerator?
A kegerator is basically a refrigerator that is designed to store kegs and dispense their contents using compressed gas — typically carbon dioxide (CO2) or nitrogen.
Beer is the most commonly dispensed liquid, but any beverage kept in a keg can be dispensed. This includes cold brew coffee, wine, sparkling wine, sparkling water, kombucha, and cocktails.
Types of Kegerator
There are 3 main types of kegerator: freestanding, under counter, and multiple tap. (The names are pretty self explanatory as to their function.) Each is available in outdoor and indoor varieties. It is not recommended to use an indoor kegerator outdoors, so make sure you have the right one for your setup.
You can use kegerators to up the entertainment appeal of your:
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Grill station
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Patio
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Man cave
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Wet or dry bar
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Poolside
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Kitchen
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Small coffee shop
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And more!
Which kegerator is right for you? Give us a call at (513) 325-7279 for personalized advice.
What Is a Kegerator: Basic Setup
Although there are plenty of models, brands, and types of kegerators, here are the bare bones components that virtually all kegerators require:
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A refrigerator that fits kegs
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Food grade compressed gas tank
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One tube, also called a “beer line," and one tube, also called a "gas line"
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Coupler or corny keg connectors to attach to your keg
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Faucet(s)
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Gas regulator
Why Use a Kegerator? 4 Benefits
For the serious home brew enthusiast or trendy cafe owner, a kegerator can be an absolute game changer. Here are four major benefits:
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Expand your business (local restaurant or coffee shop) by winning more customers and increasing profits.
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Take your home entertaining capabilities to the next level. Your patio, kitchen, or man cave will be the envy of all the neighbors, not to mention you’ll save money on beer if you throw a lot of parties. A kegerator also makes it easier for guests to sample different brews, rather than committing to a full bottle of one type of beer.
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If you’re a regular beer drinker, you’ll save money by keeping beer on tap at home vs buying cans and bottles or frequenting the local bar.
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With a kegerator, it’s much easier to expand from home brew beer to other beverages such as cold brew, kombucha, hard lemonade, sparkling wine, and cocktails.
Do You Need a Kegerator? Things to Consider
A kegerator can be a big investment up front, so you want to make sure it’s right for you before you purchase one. Here are the most important things to consider in your decision (aside from your budget, of course):
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Will you get a lot of use out of it? Do you throw a lot of parties? Are you a homebrew aficionado? Do you have a cafe and want to expand to nitro cold brew coffee?
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Where will you keep it? Will you keep it outside or inside, and will it be easily accessible? Additionally, will it be easy to transport big, heavy kegs to the kegerator? Do you have enough room? Will you need to maneuver your existing setup to accommodate a kegerator, and is that doable?
If you’re really into home brewing, chances are, you already know the answer to this question: yes, you do need a kegerator! Shop our selection today so you can keep your Corny Kegs of goodness fresh and ready to serve.
How Long Does a Kegerator Last?
When well taken care of (including regular cleanings, which are very important), a good quality kegerator can last you 10 to 15 years.
Shop our selection of cleaning and sanitizing supplies, starting with the Home Brew & Kegerator Beer Line Cleaning Kit.
How Long Does Beer Last in a Kegerator?
It depends on the type of beer. As a rule of thumb, pasteurized beer can last 3 to 6 months; unpasteurized beer can last up to 2 months.
Getting Started with Your New Kegerator
While each kegerator is a little different, there are a few key rules to follow when you get started:
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Decide ahead of time what beverages you are going to store.
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Set up the kegerator per the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
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When you get your kegerator, let it sit for at least 24 hours before plugging it in and using it. You can assemble it right away, but it can take 24 hours to reach the ideal temperature.
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Kegerators need to be cleaned regularly. This is very important. Make sure you set aside time for regular cleaning and have the proper cleaning equipment. The manufacturer should provide information on how to clean your specific model.
Convinced you need a kegerator to take your brewing game to the next level? Shop our selection today, or call us at (513) 325-7279 for one-on-one help finding the best kegerator for your needs.