There are normally two types of refrigeration models that are good choices for typical kegerators, and these are the stand-up refrigerator and the waist high or chest freezer. Regardless of the brand, what is important is that the refrigerator to be converted must be ideal and congruent with your space requirements.
You have to determine if you want a storage space for your beer or if you would prefer it for serving purposes and for how many beers you would like to serve at any given period, as these considerations would help you choose the right refrigerator for your kegerator conversion.
The most commonly used type for kegerator conversions by kegerator enthusiasts is the stand-up refrigerator, because the conversion process for this type is the easiest and most convenient. All you need to do on this refrigerator type is to drill a few holes into the door and install your beer shafts and overflow tray.
However, you have to be sure that the stand-up refrigerator to be converted does not have coolant lines in the door. Some refrigerator models have their coolant lines in the door, and this would make it difficult to do a kegerator conversion as majority of the conversion will take place at the refrigerator's door. To be sure, you should inspect the inner lining of the refrigerator first to check if there are refrigerant lines across the door before drilling the same.
When considering small refrigerators and freezers, always make sure to measure first the dimensions to check if the standard size beer keg or Cornelius keg would fit in the refrigerator casing or not. Also ensure that the bottom or floor of the refrigerator is flat and level, otherwise you may include making a false bottom as part of the kegerator conversion to avoid the kegs falling off every time you open the refrigerator door.
If you are looking into installing more than three taps for your kegerator, or pondering over installing a large storage space for serving beer or for cold beer storage, you may want to consider converting a large storage freezer over a regular refrigerator. These large conversions are more complex altogether, although instead of having simple beer shafts into place, you will have the luxury of including draft towers, and with extra storage space can even afford you room for serving beer.
Some freezer units are large enough to accommodate six to eight taps, depending on the size of kegs you will store, and this would require extensive knowledge and experience in carpentry and electronics works. Most refrigerators and freezers that would be up for kegerator conversion will need modifications to the temperature controller as well. You are advised to do the conversion only when you are equipped with the skills and making sure that the unit is unplugged when you do so.
Always remember to ask the help of a recognized electrician to do the more sensitive and critical aspects of the conversion for safety's sake. Also, make sure to evaluate your precise needs first before choosing a refrigerator or freezer for kegerator conversion, in order to get the maximum benefits of your own kegerator at home.
