Planning stage conversion of freezer to dispensing chamber

[EagleDude]

I have an 8.8 cf freezer that I have been using for fermenting. A buddy just gave me another upright fridgerator that I am planning on using to ferment in with one carboy above the other (will have to reinforce the shelf). After I build a collar for the chest freezer (6 inch), I should be able to fit 7-8 corny kegs by using the freezer shelf and the extra space from the collar.

For starters, I am thinking that a 4-way gas manifold will be necessary to carbonate 4 corny kegs at once (2 batches) with one tank. Then I would shoot for two taps (perlick the way to go?) and end up with a two beer variety to start with and the second corny keg of each type of beer carbonated and waiting for the first keg to blow.

For anyone that has already build a multi-keg dispensing system, how does this sound and what suggestions/changes would you make.

Thanks,

[andy77]

For starters, I am thinking that a 4-way gas manifold will be necessary to carbonate 4 corny kegs at once (2 batches) with one tank. Then I would shoot for two taps (perlick the way to go?) and end up with a two beer variety to start with and the second corny keg of each type of beer carbonated and waiting for the first keg to blow.

This is a great idea. I built my 4 tap kegerator in a freezer that fits 4 kegs. So 1 keg is always about to blow, I never have room to lager or condition (without taking a tap out of commission) and have other problems. Plus, being the totally anal type, I hate having 4 taps with only three beers pouring. Much better to have fewer taps always pouring perfectly conditioned beer.

Perlicks are great, but not indispensable (no pun indended).

Buy your beer line in bulk. You'll save money over time then buying lengths.

Buy one of these:http://www.eva-dry.com/ and stick it in the corner of you kegerator. It'll save you cleaning mold due to condensation.

[EagleDude]

Andy ... Thanks for the input! I guess I'm on the right track for the conversion ... and yes I don't want to always have a cup over taps that aren't pouring beer. I would ultimately like to have 3 or 4 taps that always have a selection, but brewing 10 gallons every 2 weeks barely keeps me in beer as it is. As a result, I think 2 taps is all that I would need.

[Nyakavt]

Perlicks are really nice if you don't drink every day, prevents tap sticking. You can get them for around $29 each (525SS) at a couple of places (austinhomebrew, rapidswholesale), so they are very comparable in price to other stainless taps.

You have the right idea with the manifold. You can get air tool splitters at Harbor freight for $3 each which will turn one outlet into 3. I used them on my system, they work fine. Shutoff valves are optional if you don't have any leaks, but you do want to get some check valves to prevent CO2 (or beer) exchanging between kegs.

[andersonimes]

Buy one of these:http://www.eva-dry.com/ and stick it in the corner of you kegerator. It'll save you cleaning mold due to condensation.

This is a great tip... thanks!