Chest freezer for kegs

[Matt in Birdham]

On a whim I have contacted someone on freecycle who is offering a small chest freezer with this description:

Scandinova Chest Freezer with light in lid. Good working order Size is 72cm wide by 70cm deep x 84cm high.

There is no picture, but I am planning to go and take a look as it is available. Just wondering if anyone knows whether this model is going to be suitable for converting into a kegerator/keezer type thing, and if there is anything I should look out for when inspecting? It sounds like it should be tall enough.

edit: Just to add, I have no experience of kegs or kegging so no real idea what is needed. I am guessing a flat bottom (interior) would be a good start? ANy idea what the minimum internal height is to house a keg + attachments at top?

[Rhodesy]

a standard corny keg is 63.5cm approx high and 21cm diameter. Add in another 5cm for quick disconnects and piping you will need an internal height of 69cm rounded up so looks like you find to house a couple. Most likely it will have a stepped floor which will house a compressor/electrics. I don't know the exact dimensions of mine but I build a collar for some extra height and can fit 4 19L or 25L (China ones) and also 2 9L ones should I wish on the raised bit.

Have a think about how you want to insert your gas/beer lines and also temp control (STC 1000/ATC800 etc). I am awful at DIY but managed to build a collar and attach it ok. Its nothing pretty but means no mess drilling into internal pipes etc. I am still fairly new to kegging also so getting the hang of it

[AnthonyUK]

I have one of a similar size, a little smaller I guess as it looks to fit in a standard 600mm space.
I needed a collar to raise the lid but as mentioned this is pretty straightforward. I just used MDF and there are no issues with lack of insulation.

[Matt in Birdham]

Thanks chaps - looks like it could be a goer then. Is the collar just resting on the freezer body there? Looks like a neat job.

Also toying with the idea of using it as a fermentation chamber for a while first. I have an old temp controller that I used to use for this on a fridge, but it seems to be only single output (i.e. connect heater or cooler, but not both). Most on ebay now offer connections for both - am I right in thinking that they will activate the correct output according to need, or do they operate in a single mode only?
The idea for heating is a reptile heating cable taped around the wall - is this the best idea, or are there other alternatives? I've read about using light bulbs but that sounds a little dangerous to me - also the light isn't the greatest when fermenting in translucent buckets.

[AnthonyUK]

The collar on mine is 'no nailed' on and silicon sealed.
The STC-1000 is cheap enough that you shouldn't consider anything cheaper.
There is an Inkbird pre-built device out soon with UK plugs - US version http://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-Itc-308-T ... B011296704

[Matt in Birdham]

That looks good - I think I'd be happy to pay the extra and not have to wire it up myself, especially I think by the time you built one with a decent case you'd be up over the £20 mark. The Euro plug version on amazon.co.uk is £33 - any idea when the UK version is due?

[marinali29]

I found that ITC-308 UK version on amazon now, it released last week. Pre-wired one is much convenient.

The collar on mine is 'no nailed' on and silicon sealed.
The STC-1000 is cheap enough that you shouldn't consider anything cheaper.
There is an Inkbird pre-built device out soon with UK plugs - US version http://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-Itc-308-T ... B011296704

[marinali29]

UK version there now.