Kegerator - where to driil for CO2 line

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Meatymc
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Kegerator - where to driil for CO2 line

Post by Meatymc » Thu Jan 16, 2025 2:55 pm

Going to set up CO2 line to keg this weekend through the side of a Blomberg fridge/freezer. Obviously concerned not to hit a cooling line so would appreciate any guidance on reducing risk if at all possible. For example, does anyone know whether the lines are generally sat centrally or more to the inner (or even outer - less likely I'd think) of the carcase 'wall'.

An comments helpful and fully appreciate all down to my own risk.

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IPA
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Re: Kegerator - where to driil for CO2 line

Post by IPA » Fri Jan 17, 2025 8:15 am

Meatymc wrote:
Thu Jan 16, 2025 2:55 pm
Going to set up CO2 line to keg this weekend through the side of a Blomberg fridge/freezer. Obviously concerned not to hit a cooling line so would appreciate any guidance on reducing risk if at all possible. For example, does anyone know whether the lines are generally sat centrally or more to the inner (or even outer - less likely I'd think) of the carcase 'wall'.

An comments helpful and fully appreciate all down to my own risk.
In the fridge compartment the cooling lines are usually in the back wall. So that when it auto defrosts the condense runs down the back wall into the channel and then down the tube to the top of the compressor. Where it is then evaporated.
In the freezer part the cooling lines are visible in the interior.
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Re: Kegerator - where to driil for CO2 line

Post by vacant » Fri Jan 17, 2025 10:15 am

I cut out a channel in the door seal and held the lines in place each time I closed the door.

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Re: Kegerator - where to driil for CO2 line

Post by nallum » Sat Jan 18, 2025 8:01 am

If the wall you intend to put the line through gets warm when the compressor is on it’s probably better to use an alternative entry point. Otherwise you want to take your time and carefully excavate a hole through at your favoured point. It’s not a problem, with sufficient care taken, and easy to patch up.

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Re: Kegerator - where to driil for CO2 line

Post by Meatymc » Sat Jan 18, 2025 9:41 pm

IPA wrote:
Fri Jan 17, 2025 8:15 am
vacant wrote:
Fri Jan 17, 2025 10:15 am
nallum wrote:
Sat Jan 18, 2025 8:01 am
Cheers guys

Took all your comments into account (many thanks) but realised that ultimately I just had to go for it and..........all worked well. Ended up going through at the back top left hand corner (adjacent to where the bottle will live) for the ingoing pipe and only encountered insulation (thankfully).

The most 'exciting' thing was/is, converting the adjacent free-standing cupboard to house the cylinder - either that or binning the cupboard which I'm loath to do. The 'exciting' bit is the walls and shelves of the cupboard turn out to be asbestos sheets - painted the same colour of the wood front and carcase. Probably had this unit (inherited) for over 30 years - only ever sat in sheds and garages and never noticed.

Being sensible, asbestos shouldn't be an issue, although I see they've created an industry out of it's removal. Born and bred in a little place called Heptonstall, Yorkshire, across the valley was Pecket Well where they processed asbestos until the '60's (I think), I had many friends whose dad's, granddads, uncles etc died directly (or indirectly) from the effects of processing/working with the stuff so I'm not trying to be a hero here, but it was a time when you're talking no ventilation, no protection and no knowledge - not by the workforce at least.

My personal experience of the stuff was on plot night when we broke it up (when the old folk had gone) chucked it on the embers and dared who'd stand there the longest - used to explode eventually.

(Wittering on as usual).

Only issue now is the fridge seems stuck at -2C. Haven't had it on over winter before (only over Xmas) but had to store last years hop harvest in there this time. Interesting that the freezer is still operating OK (albeit below -20C according to my brewing thermometer) so unlikely to be a thermostat problem caused by the recent freeze. Have done the usual re-set/power off (completely etc) but will drop the manufacturers a line to see what they say.

Yet another short post! :D

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