Building a Kegerator Advice

[RodMatt]

Hello Guys

So I am really new to home brewing and have only ever brewed 1 Gal on the stove top using a 1 gal Demi John for fermentation.

Apologies if my questions are rudimentary

I have bought some new equipment recently a GRAINFATHER and an SS Brewtech conical fermenter

I am looking to build a Kegerator and I have an existing counter I want to fit the fridge under.

However what I’m trying to fathom out is does my tap tower need to be attached to the top of the fridge or can I run the lines from a hole in the top of the fridge to the underside of the counter top and into taps that are fixed to the counter top ?

If I do this how do I stop the fridge becoming inefficient how do I run the lines to the underside of the counter top and ensure the hole on top of the fridge is “sealed”

Hop this makes sense

Thanks

[sneezles61]

Welcome to NB forum!
Well, that's very tricky indeed... It can be as simple as just like you stated ..... hole through the top (premade?, if not.. refrigeration lines to be concerned about) then through the counter top.... You can carefully seal up the hole in the kegerator with foam or pipe insulation... But then there is line left from there to the tapper not chilled... Un-wanted bugs will grow there and you may not like the flavor....
Tell us what's your kegerator... Made for that or are you going to make it be one....?
Sneezles61

[RodMatt]

Hi there thanks for the response

So I am planning on making the kegerator and the distance from the top of the fridge to the bottom of the tap tower/underside of the counter top would be no more than literally about 5 cms to 10 cms

What do you reckon ?

[brew_cat]

That short of run should be no problem. Pipe insulation and silicone. I actually just duct taped mine because it's easier to change lines when that time comes. Welcome

[loopie_beer]

I’ve made a keggerator for my buddy’s bar out of a fridge just as you described. I used a piece of PVC and insulated it for the run from the hole in the fridge to the counter top. The tower sat on the countertop. If you want to get super fancy run your lines from the top of the tower through 1/2” copper pipe that enters into your kegerator a bit. The copper pipe is super conductive and carries the cold all the way up your tap lines through the tower.
Edited: WELCOME TO THE FORUM. This a great place where people don’t troll around.

[sneezles61]

See? There are quite a few great Brewers here....
Sneezles61

[RodMatt]

Thanks guys - greatly appreciated

[RodMatt]

Thank you - all makes sense

[hd4mark]

I wouldn't hurt if you could somehow push the cold air up into the tower. A PC fan maybe. A commercial kegorator I had came with a fan and flex tubing to cool the tower. Have fun with your new project.

[joshinglis95]

One thing to consider is space whether you buy or build. I made mine using a chest freezer. It is a four tapper and unfortunately, I have just enough room for three 5 gallon ball locks and a 2.5-gallon ball lock on the hump. I hate not having space for a new keg to sit and condition while I'm still working on the older kegs.
_____________________________________________________________________--
See: https://reviewwhore.com/best-under-counter-kegerator/