Today’s article deals with a product that ladies probably aren’t crazy about. So how come is it that I’m writing about kegerators!?
Best Kegerator Reviews
Well, my wonderful husband, an avid beer drinker, is the answer.
He struggled for months to build a DIY kegerator before giving up in frustration and deciding to purchase one.
I made the decision to step in and assist him in selecting the best option because I am a food and beverage equipment fanatic.
Despite the fact that I knew nothing about these gadgets, I rolled up my sleeves and diligently researched them with my spouse.
After testing a few different goods, we ultimately decided to inform the public about what we learned.
Why Buy a Kegerator?
To be frank, this was the question that bothered me.
I thought, “Why would anyone buy these things for their house if they could simply get bottled or canned beer?”
So, I asked my hubby, and after a mini argument, he convinced me that there actually are valid and good reasons for purchasing a kegerator.
- The first thing I would have never thought about is how cost-effective it is in the long run. Buying a kegerator might seem like a big investment at first, but when you calculate the price of the beer by the pint, you’ll see that it pays off after a few kegs.
- Another reason which really got me going is that you can save on precious fridge space. Having a kegerator means that there is no need to buy cans or bottles anymore, which clears up an entire fridge shelf and leaves room for precious food.
- In addition to all of this, having one of these devices is more environmentally friendly than buying beer in other types of packages because they will eventually end up as trash in a landfill.
- Kegs can be reused, so can the glasses that you drink from, and consuming beer in this manner simply creates less waste.
- Lastly, the reason that might be the most important one for most guys, you will always have a great beer available to you at any time.
I’m not a huge drinker, but seeing a properly poured pint of beer brings a smile even to my face.
Enthusiasts of this drink (such as my husband) will definitely cherish having a draught in their own homes.
What to Know Before Buying a Kegerator?
This section right here was the biggest mystery to us at the beginning of our kegerator buying journey.
Luckily, as with any other product, there are always things to look out for, and if you do not wish to learn by making mistakes, it is best to read about other people’s experiences.
We actually tried out a few models before finally settling, so here are the things that you will want to pay attention to:
1. Size
This is a no-brainer, and I do not doubt that you will check the space available in your home before getting one of these products. As you know, we are not talking about a smoothie blender here; kegerators are bulky and usually require quite a bit of room. Now, there are two categories of dimensions that you need to consider here: exterior and interior.
Exterior dimensions are the outer dimensions of the kegerator, and they present the amount of space that the device is going to occupy.
Interior dimensions represent the space available for kegs, and they are important because kegs exist in several different sizes. Figure out what barrel size you wish to have, and see if the kegerator can accommodate it.
2. Type
These products can greatly vary when it comes to installation, size, and capabilities.
There are several types of kegerators, including mini, freestanding, built-in, commercial, and multi-purpose. To clear up any possible confusion, today we will be talking about freestanding models.
3. Functionality
When talking about kegerator functionality, there are two things to think about – temperature and pressure.
You want your device to be able to keep the beer at a constant temperature of around 38 F (it may vary depending on the type of beer). The temperature can be controlled and adjusted, and it would be ideal to look for a model with a digital display.
Second, the pressure makes sure that the beer is carbonated just right. Usually, the regulators will take care of this, but sometimes you will need to play with the regulator manually to get the desired outcome.
4. Necessary components
These include regulator, coupler, CO2 tank, hoses, beer tower, and spanner wrench. The vast majority of kegerators include these parts, but there are a few that do not, so make sure to check if they’re all included in the package.
5. Number of taps
You need to know how many beers you want to keep on tap. If there is only one beer, then a single tap kegerator will do just fine; if you wish to have two or more beers, then look for a unit with multiple taps. The dual-tap configuration is most widely used in today’s market.
Most Recommended Kegerators We Picked – Reviews 2022
After trying out a few different models, my husband and I decided to break down each individually in order to help you decide which one is good for your needs.
The kegerators you are about to see vary in sizes, prices, and quality, but I am sure that there is something in this list for every beer lover’s preference.
Kegco Kegerator Digital Beer Keg Cooler Refrigerator – Dual Faucet – D System
This is probably the most elegant looking device in my list of reviews today. K309SS-2 is quality but pricey kegerator that could certainly satisfy any draught beer enthusiast.
With the size of 23.7 x 23.7 x 33 inches, it isn’t much bigger or smaller than other products in this category. When it comes to the interior, it can hold a full-sized keg easily, as well as two Cornelius kegs (popular with homebrewers). It can also fit Miller and Coors barrels, which are not compatible with some other kegerators.
The digital controls make it very simple to set the desired temperature, and its extra chill mode can help to cool down beers very quickly. Now, the optimal temperature for the beverage is not indicated, so you will have to figure this out for yourself.
The model is freestanding, and it comes with all the parts that you need. The CO2 tank is shipped empty, though, so you will need to fill it. Assembly is very easy, and if you happen to run into any problems, the Kegco support service will be glad to help.
Finally, the dual-tap system, in conjunction with the large interior, gives you the possibility to have more than one beer in your cooler.
What I Liked
- Stylish design
- Very good functionality
- Deep chill mode cools the beer quickly.
What I Didn’t Like
- The optimal temperature is not stated.
- Some users complained that taps could get stuck.
EdgeStar BR3001SS Full Size Kegerator Conversion Refrigerator Only w/ Digital Temp Display
EdgeStar produced one of the leading kegerators in the market, simply because of the quality/price balance which is more than good.
With the dimensions of 23.4 x 23.6 x 33.5 inches, this model falls into the standard-sized products of this category. It can fit barrels of all sizes, from one rubber keg to several smaller ones (depending on their dimensions). Also, it contains two shelves inside.
What makes this kegerator so good is, of course, its effectiveness and functionality. Many customers have praised its ability to keep the beer cold and the temperature constant, and I can confirm this personally. The digital display makes it easy to operate and adjust the desired coolness.
It is a freestanding model and comes with all the necessary components which you need to assemble the product. The assembly is pretty simple, just stick to the instruction guide.
Edgestar BR3001SS has two taps which means that, if you wish, you can connect two smaller barrels to it and have two different beers available at all times.
What I Liked
- Excellent price for the quality
- Keeps beer cold very efficiently
- Has all the necessary components
What I Didn’t Like
- Doesn’t have lighting
- Not advisable to use it outdoors
EdgeStar KC7000SSTRIP Full-Size Triple Tap Tower Cooled Built-In Kegerator – Black and Stainless Steel
Just by the looks of it, I knew that this is a high-quality machine, and its performance convinced me even more. This is another top-notch model by EdgeStar in today’s reviews.
First, let’s get into the size. This product has the external dimensions of 34.3 x 23.8 x 23.3 inches, which is, again, pretty standard. Now when it comes to the interior, it can hold any full-size keg, including special kinds such as Coors or Miller, as well as three Cornelius and sixth barrel kegs. Now, that is a lot of room!
Its controls are all digital, and the thermostat is adjustable and easy to use. It cools the beverage very well. It also has a forced air-cooled beer tower, which makes sure that the beer stays cold at every moment on its way from the keg to glass. The regulator is top of the line allowing for excellent pressure at all times.
Its parts are all made of high-quality materials, such as aluminum or stainless steel, and the assembly is pretty simple.
As far as the number of taps is concerned, KC70SSTRIP has three of them, which of course, allows one to have up to three different beers at once.
What I Liked
- High-quality, well built
- Good functionality
- Forced air-cooler
- Large capacity
What I Didn’t Like
- Very expensive
- Fairly short warranty (one year)
Nostalgia KRS2100 5.1 Cubic-Foot Full-Size Kegorator Draft Beer Dispenser
The KRS2100 kegerator is brought to us by Nostalgia, a company with a name that instantly caught my interest. What I can say about this product is that it is a great option for anyone looking for a low-cost kegerator.
The dimensions of this unit are 20.3 x 26 x 32 inches, which makes it pretty similar in size to our previously reviewed model. It can fit a half-barrel easily (even though it’s called half, this is a full-sized barrel) or any other smaller ones. If you wish to put in more kegs, you can only do that with one/six barrels.
Now when it comes to cooling is where this model falls short. We set the temperature to 38 F, but the beer never got chilled properly. Its ability to maintain a constant, low temperature seemed to be pretty bad. The double regulator worked well though, and it really does enable you to pour a good glass of beer.
No need to mention that this is a freestanding model and all the essential parts are included in the package (CO2 tank, rubber tubes, etc.)
The KRS2100 is a single tap model, which might not be ideal for people who want to have more beers on tap. However, you can customize it if you wish and put it a double-tap.
What I Liked
- Good price
- Easy to assemble
What I Didn’t Like
- Didn’t cool the beer well
- Parts are low quality
- Customer service not very good
Keggermeister KM2800BK Kegerator Full-Size Single-Tap Beer Refrigerator and Dispenser, Black
Keggermeister brings us a solid kegerator that is able to keep your beer fresh for up to 3 months if a single keg can last that long in your house.
At first glance, it might look big, but in reality, the dimensions of 28.1 x 23.5 x 35.5 inches make it about the average size. Its interior can hold a full-sized barrel, a pony barrel (7.75 gallons), or several 2.5-gallon kegs.
The temperature is, of course, adjustable and the product comes with instructions on what temperature is ideal for your particular beer. When you turn on a brand new kegerator, it is advisable to let the Freon settle for about 24 hours so that it can cool properly. The dual regulator might need to be played with in order to get that perfect pressure for a nice foam.
This is another freestanding kegerator, and all the necessary parts are included. The CO2 tank is 2.5 pounds, and is empty when you first buy it, so it needs to be filled. It can last up to about 4 gallons of beer.
KM2800BK has a single tap system, which is bad news for folks who want to keep more beers on tap.
What I Liked
- Keeps the beer fresh for three months
- Great price
- Adjustable temperature control
What I Didn’t Like
- Sometimes the pressure needs to be manually regulated
- Can only cool down to 35 F
The Best Kegerator By My & Hubby’s Opinion
To sum up, I have to say that kegerators differ greatly and adequate research is necessary to know which one will suit you.
As far as John & I are concerned, EdgeStar BR3001SS is the winner of today’s list, mainly due to its great quality which comes at a fair price.
It is easy to assemble and operate, and it functions very well, giving you a properly poured glass of beer whenever you crave one.
There is no need to purchase a pricey product that will break your bank when there is an excellent kegerator like this one available. 😉