How Kegerators Function

At some point, many adults have grabbed a red plastic cup, stood in line at a backyard party, and tried to fill their cup from a keg. They know the struggles of angling the cup, kneeling beneath the keg's lid, or asking a friend to operate the tap while they pour. Despite the party planner's best efforts, kegs can be challenging to manage. They can be temperamental, hard to maintain at the right temperature, and tricky to manage throughout the night.

Enter the kegerator -- designed to maintain the perfect temperature, it delivers beer efficiently with minimal hassle. Breaking down the word 'kegerator' reveals its meaning: a refrigerator with a tap extending outward that connects to an internal keg. Kegerators come in various designs and sizes. They can be bought, rented, or custom-built, and they provide an excellent solution for preserving beer freshness over extended periods, reducing waste.

While the exact history of the kegerator is hard to pinpoint, it's believed that kegerators have been around since the early 1900s. However, the Prohibition era and the World Wars I and II, along with the associated costs in the following years, slowed the growth of home brewing until the 1980s. That's when home brewing gained traction, and so did the kegerator.

As we will explore in this article, the kegerator is an essential device for both the home brewer and the beer enthusiast. First, let's delve into the key components of a kegerator and how they work in tandem to maintain the freshness of beer.

From Keg to Tap

Kegerators are a straightforward system, and no matter their shape or size, they all share the same fundamental components:

A kegerator functions by using carbon dioxide pressure to push the beer out of the keg. While carbon dioxide is naturally produced during fermentation, the cylinder ensures a steady and even pressure is applied to the keg while it's tapped, maintaining both consistency and carbonation. The cylinder filled with carbon dioxide connects to a regulator, which controls the pressure. The coupler, or the valve that taps the keg and lets the beer flow, has its own set of tubing. One tube connects the regulator to the coupler's 'in' side, and another tube runs from the coupler's 'out' side to the faucet, from which the beer is dispensed. The keg is typically stored inside a refrigerator, with the faucet mounted on the outside.

One of the key advantages of a kegerator is its ability to keep beer fresh for extended periods. Beer in a kegerator can remain fresh for at least a month, but with proper pressurization and cooling, it can last up to four months [sources: BYO, Kegerators]. Several factors contribute to beer spoilage, which will be explored further in this article.

The most crucial element in pouring the perfect glass of fresh beer is maintaining the right temperature. This is where a regular backyard keg falls short. However, since the keg in a kegerator is kept refrigerated, the temperature is easy to control. Most beer stored in a kegerator is kept at around 36 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 to 4.4 Celsius), though the ideal temperature may vary by beer type. Storing beer at the wrong temperature can negatively impact its flavor [source: Anheuser-Busch]. Temperature can be measured in a variety of ways: Some kegerators come with built-in temperature gauges, but for those on a budget, a glass of water with a thermometer inside the kegerator can provide an accurate reading.

If you're interested in having a kegerator in your home, keep reading to learn about the different options available.

Different Types of Kegerators

There are several ways to acquire a kegerator for home use, depending on how often you plan to use it and your budget. For a one-time event, renting a kegerator might be your best option. However, if you're interested in enjoying fresh beer year-round, you can either purchase one or build your own. Kegerators, much like refrigerators, come in various shapes and sizes. They can accommodate different keg sizes, be customized for home-brew or commercial beer, and feature either side- or top-mounted faucets.

If you're handy with tools, building your own kegerator could be a great option. Many retailers offer kits to help modify an existing refrigerator, making it a cost-effective solution if you have an old fridge lying around. If not, you can purchase a used one to modify. The most important consideration when building your own kegerator is ensuring that the refrigerator has enough space to fit the size of keg you want, along with the carbon dioxide canister and tubing.

When deciding to build your own kegerator, it's important to consider the type of beer you'll be serving. Home brews are typically stored in 5-gallon (19-liter) soda kegs (also known as Cornelius kegs), while those from liquor stores are usually larger [source: BYO, Kegworks]. The coupler that connects to these kegs differs, with six variations in total. Your local liquor store can help you choose the correct coupler once you specify the type of beer you're dispensing. Most North American lagers use the "D" system, the most common of the six types. If you're brewing your own beer, you'll likely be using soda kegs, which typically require a special ball and pin type coupler [source: Micromatic].

With all these parts involved in storing and dispensing beer, you might be wondering if there are any risks associated with using a kegerator. In the following section, we'll explore how to maintain a kegerator properly and discuss safety concerns that come with operating the system in a home environment.

Maintenance and Safety

Kegerator systems are generally safe, but since they use pressurized gas, they need to be handled carefully. As a basic guideline, all carbon dioxide canisters should be kept upright when filled. Carbon dioxide is not transported, so the canisters must be filled locally, which can be done at various locations like paintball shops or welding stores.

Changing out the keg involves several important safety precautions. First, make sure to close the intake valve on the carbon dioxide canister before disconnecting it. After releasing all pressure, you can safely remove and replace the keg. While serious injuries are rare, a room filled with carbon dioxide could make you feel dizzy or nauseous. Also, keep in mind that kegs can weigh as much as 160 pounds (72 kilograms) when full, so it's a good idea to have a friend help you when swapping out an empty keg [source: Micromatic].

To ensure you always pour a perfect glass of beer, regular maintenance is key for your kegerator. This includes cleaning the beer line that connects the keg to the faucet, as well as the faucet itself whenever you replace the keg. Use a special line cleaner to thoroughly clean the tubing. Avoid using very hot water, as it could distort the beer lines and cause pouring issues. After cleaning, rinse the system with cold, clean water, and be sure to run a few glasses of beer through the system to flush out any remaining cleaning solution before serving.

Proper maintenance not only enhances the flavor of your beer but also extends its lifespan. Regularly cleaning the system prevents harmful bacteria from contaminating the beer, while maintaining proper pressure and keeping the carbon dioxide system sealed prevents oxygen from entering, which could otherwise spoil the beer.

Owning a kegerator isn't just about the upkeep – it also comes with a cost. Keep reading to discover how much investing in a kegerator might set you back and if it’s worth the price.

Cost and Benefits

If you plan to serve beer in large quantities, investing in a kegerator could be more cost-effective than buying individual bottles or cans. Kegerators can cost anywhere from $200 to over $2,000. A carbon dioxide canister is typically priced around $20, with refills costing between $7 and $12. Full-sized kegs usually start at about $70, and they’re reusable and refillable, helping reduce the waste from individual bottles or cans.

A full-sized keg of a budget American beer is priced around $68.99. To match that amount, you’d need to purchase around nine 18-packs at $12.99 each, which would cost you approximately $117 before tax. This same cost comparison applies to other beers, including local microbrews and nationally known brands.

Although a kegerator needs to keep the keg constantly refrigerated, it shouldn’t use more energy than a standard refrigerator. In fact, it could be more energy-efficient, since the door is only opened when replacing the keg or cleaning the lines, unlike a regular fridge, which is opened more frequently. Of course, running two fridges will add to your electricity bill, but the kegerator itself is fairly efficient when it comes to energy consumption.

Ultimately, deciding whether to purchase a kegerator system depends on how often you plan to serve beer and how much of it you intend to consume.

We've already discussed the importance of proper cleaning and maintaining your kegerator with the right pressure and temperature, but you may still run into some issues while getting the hang of operating the system. Keep reading to learn about troubleshooting tips for your kegerator.

Problems and Solutions

Having a personal beer dispensing system at home comes with its fair share of challenges. While most issues can be resolved with routine care and maintenance, occasionally more complex problems arise that may impact the taste of your beer.

For example, as we mentioned earlier, the temperature of the keg plays a significant role in serving a perfect beer. If the beer tastes off, is too foamy, or appears cloudy, the temperature could be either too high or too low. You can often resolve this by adjusting the refrigerator's settings to better suit the beer type, or by allowing the keg to cool down further. American lagers are typically stored and served at 38 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 Celsius), but different types of beers like stouts, ales, or imports may need different temperatures. It's always best to consult with the liquor distributor to ensure you are storing and serving each keg correctly.

Issues with pouring may also arise from the following factors:

To troubleshoot, check that the coupling is securely tightened and that there are no air leaks. If the beer line is the source of the issue, replacing it with the correct length may be necessary.

An improper carbon dioxide pressure can also lead to issues. To check this, monitor the psi (pounds per square inch, a unit of pressure). If the psi is too low, the beer will be flat and pour slowly. If it's too high, the beer will pour too quickly and have excessive foam. These problems are typically caused by an incorrectly set carbon dioxide regulator. The ideal pressure varies depending on the beer type, but most beers need around 12 psi to maintain a consistent, well-poured draft.