When pouring a glass of your favorite beverage, you want to make sure it’s chilled and ready to drink, and there’s nothing quite like pouring a glass from a keg.
Kegerators give you the experience of a chilled beer from the tap in the comfort of your home. It’s possible to create a kegerator using a mini fridge and a kegerator conversion kit.
This article covers a list of the best mini fridges for kegerator conversion.
Best Mini Fridge for Kegerator Conversion
So, what is the best mini fridge for kegerator conversion? The truth is, there are plenty of options out there, and it can be challenging to know which ones will be the best for you. However, we’ve narrowed it down to five that we think will provide you with all of the necessary features.
1. Kegco HBK309S-2 Keg Dispenser
When pouring your favorite beverage, you may want to opt for something simple. The Kegco Keg Dispenser is just that. It’s available in two different colors, including black or stainless steel.
This dispenser also includes a digital temperature control with an LED display that allows you to track and control the current temperature at any time. Plus, you get a wide temperature range, which allows you to dispense your favorite brew or ferment it to your liking.
This keg dispenser can store three kegs at once or a single 6-gallon bucket. Plus, it also functions as a standard fridge, allowing you to keep food or other beverages cool. If you want, you also have the option to add two shelves inside for storage. You’ve got everything you need with the two-tap system and the easy assembly.
Featured Specifications
- Two tap system for different drinks
- LED display
Benefits
- Easy to assemble and switch between pegs
Drawbacks
- Uses large CO2 container
Extra Features
- Ferment or brew options
- Works as a refrigerator
- Two color options
2. Kegco HBK209S-3 Keg Dispenser
The Kegco HBK209S-3 Keg dispenser is definitely one worth considering as this one is available in several different sizes. For instance, if you want something with the option of one, two or even three faucets the Kegco dispenser provides just that. That means you’ll have plenty of choice for your favorite brews. You’ll also have a full tapping kit with a stainless steel exterior that creates an attractive finish for your space. You’ll even have dishwasher safe components and a place to set down your drinks without them being knocked over.
This system is 25% more energy efficient than other options, which means it’s going to use less energy and therefore will cost you less to run but it’s still going to give you all of the different features you’re looking for. It also chills to 35 degrees Fahrenheit and can be adjusted easily from the back of the unit.
Featured Specifications
- 3 faucet unit
- Can hold 3 mini kegs
- Cools down to 35 degrees
Benefits
- Large capacity
Drawbacks
- Hooking up 3 may be difficult to wire through the unit
Extra Features
- 25% more energy efficient
- Evenly distributed weight
- Converts to fridge
3. Kegco K309SS-124 Wide Homebrew Single Tap
With this system you’re going to have everything you need to store your favorite beverage (or two). You’ll have two faucets as well as a dual gauge regulator and couplers. The inside will even store up to three different brew kegs if you’re brewing your own or you can ferment if you are looking to really get the process going. The digital temperature display will allow you to adjust settings easily with a push-button control and when you’re ready to have a few drinks you can set them right on top.
If you ever run out of fridge space and you need a little more this is a great way to get exactly what you need. It will actually convert easily to a standard mini fridge so you can store food and drinks (other than your favorite beer). It uses fan-forced cooling to keep everything the same temperature and gets all the way to 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Featured Specifications
- Two faucets for two different drinks
- Digital display
- Can hold one large or 3 small kegs
Benefits
- Split tap available
Drawbacks
- Uses larger 5lb Co2 tank
Extra Features
- Chills down to 32 degrees
- Works for brewing and fermenting
4. Homecraft Black Stainless Steel Easy-Dispensing Tap
For those who want a standalone kegerator without a fridge alongside it, this kegerator is a great option to choose. In fact, it looks a lot like your coffee machine but it’s going to give you something totally different. To get started, its as simple as connecting your keg adaptor to the CO2 and turning the regulator on. You’ll then be able to pour the perfect glass of beer each and every time. What could be easier than that? Even still, you can store the beer for up to 30 days.
This inexpensive option will give you up to 5ltrs of beer at a time and can be used as a pressurized or non-pressurized keg. Its thermoelectric cooling system is also able to be adjusted down to 36 degrees fahrenheit.
Featured Specifications
- Fits standard pressurized 5L mini keg
- Keeps beer fresh for 30 days
Benefits
- Uses standard CO2 cartridges
Drawbacks
- Takes up to 24 hours to cool drinks
Extra Features
- Standalone unit for small spaces
- Quiet to run
5. SPT BD-0538 Mini Kegerator & Dispenser
This kegerator/ dispenser can hold up to 5ltrs of beer at a time, which helps keep you refreshed for longer, without the need to keep replacing the keg. This inexpensive unit also has a CO2 pressure control so you can decide if you want pressurized or non-pressurized. You’ll also get an LED temperature display so you can select from the type of beer you want from the display. It even features a stylish, stainless steel exterior.
All you need to do is find a spot to set up this unit and you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite beer with your friends or entirely on your own. You’ll get 3 cartridges of CO2 included in the price.
Featured Specifications
- Holds one 5 liter mini keg
- 3 CO2 cartridges included
- LED Display
Benefits
- Fits both standard 5L and Heineken 5L shape kegs
- Low cost
Drawbacks
- Only suitable for small kegs
Extra Features
- Stainless steel exterior
- Thermoelectric cooling
Buyer’s Guide
Now that you’ve had a chance to consider some of the best options available, it’s time to take a closer look at some of the things you should be looking for. How will you know what you actually need? How will you choose your own if you decide that these options just aren’t for you? Well, it’s worth looking out for these specific features.
Overall Size
If you’re looking to buy a kegerator or a fridge you should consider the different sizes that are available. If you’re looking to entertain large groups of people, you should of course consider a large volume fridge. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something small that will hold a single or a smaller keg, you should consider a fridge of 4.4 feet or slightly larger.
COST
No doubt you’ll have a specific price range that you’re wanting to stick to when choosing your mini fridge. Whatever the budget, you’re certain to find something that will suit your needs. From there, you’re going to have several different options for the specific fridge you want to get. Cheaper ones may not work quite as well as some of the more expensive ones, but you don’t have to pay the highest price to get something that’s going to work for you.
Functionality
You need something that is going to hold pressure and you need to make sure that it’s going to keep a consistent temperature as well. So, look at the specific functionality that comes in with your unit. You may even want to look for something that has a digital display so you can make sure that it’s keeping at the proper temperature. You want it to stay at 38 degrees Fahrenheit to get the perfect match for what you need. But you may want to change that slightly depending on the drinks that you’re storing.
Tap Configuration
Look at exactly how the tap works and how many taps you want to have. You’ll generally find dual-tap kegerators but you can sometimes find a triple. If you’re going to have several different beers on tap you may want to look for something with more taps. On the other hand you could choose to get a single keg and get something that has just the one tap. It’s going to be entirely up to you to decide what you need most.
Placement/ Ventilation
You’re going to need space to put your kegerator set up, but you want to know how much space it’s going to take. You want to know how much ventilation the unit actually needs as well because that’s where you’re going to keep it functioning properly. If you choose a freestanding kegerator you’ll need even more space around it. If you’re getting something that fits into the fridge you don’t need as much space to fit around it.
Ease of Assembly
When it comes to putting your kegerator together you absolutely want to know that it’s going to be easy. You don’t want to spend too much time assembling it or trying to figure out how it’s going to work. If you have to spend too much time on it you’re going to be less inclined to actually use it. So make sure you know the instruction and the process before you start or choose the one you want.
Ease of Cleaning
Another important aspect of the process is that you’ll need to clean your kegerator. If you don’t know how to clean it or the cleaning process is going to be a whole ordeal you won’t actually use it. So, how are you going to make sure of this? Look at the cleaning instructions before you decide to buy something and make sure that it’s something you’re actually going to do before you decide which one you want.
Temperature Control
You should be able to control the temperature of your kegerator in order to keep it working right. That’s how you’re going to keep the ideal temperature for your beer or whatever you’re storing in the kegerator. If your system doesn’t have good temperature control or you can’t see the temperature on it at all times that’s going to affect the temperature of your brew and you probably won’t use it as much.
Durability
How durable and long lasting is the kegerator that you’re looking at? You want something that’s actually going to last a while, so make sure that you look for the materials that it’s made of and the quality of it. You need something that you can count on to work and keep providing all of the different features that you expect it to.
Noise
Some kegerators are going to make a lot of noise and some only make a little noise. You want to know what you can expect when it comes to the noise that your kegerator makes. You don’t want something too loud because it could take away from the fun you’re having with your friends or anyone else. On the other hand, if it’s too quiet … well, that’s what you’re looking for isn’t it? You want something that’s going to be as quiet as possible so you can continue to use it as long as you want without interruption.
Features/ Accessories
There may be some additional features of accessories that come with your kegerator. That could be a handle or casters to put everything on. It could be a digital display that lets you stay on temperature. It could be a dual pressure regulator to hold more than one keg where you want it. Or maybe even multiple taps, a cleaning kit or a portable battery pack or fan. All of those things are going to make it easier for you to get all of the features from your product.
FAQ’s
When it comes to choosing a kegerator or a fridge to store one in there are some common questions that many people will ask. So, what are the most common questions that you should be asking? Let’s take a look.
How big of a fridge do I need for a kegerator?
If you’re looking for the absolute smallest fridge you can use to create a kegerator you need a 4.4 to 5 foot model. This will hold at least one and potentially even two kegs. That means you’ll have plenty of space for whatever you want to drink and then some. So your party is going to do just fine.
Can YOU turn a mini fridge into a kegerator?
You can absolutely turn a mini fridge into a kegerator. All you need to do is make sure that you have a straight fridge rather than a fridge/ freezer combination. From there, you’ll be able to set it up to store your keg easily inside the fridge. If you get a fridge with a freezer it will be too small to hold your keg.
Conclusion
If you’re ready to set up your kegerator, we hope our reviews of the best mini fridges for kegerators have given you a good idea.
