BUILD YOUR OWN DRAFT SYSTEM! (at home!)

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

JOIN US LIVE!! bit.ly/3eBzX2J

[@crabmansteve6844]

One small recommendation, buy some foam board insulation and glue it to the back of your wooden collar. This will significantly improve the efficiency of the new keeper, keeping its power consumption low but also taking a lot of stress off of the refrigeration system itself, making it last a lot longer. As far as what I prefer, I like both. Kegerator at a higher temp for the heavy bready boys and keezer for the lighter, crispier types. I don't want to drink a stout at 35f, more like 55f; but I don't want to drink an IPA or a sour that's too warm.

[@StillIt]

Dude, this is the most complete, awesome, reference-filled, information-dense, keezer tut on youtube. Hell yeah

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

Thx for watching Jesse!

[@1TheLord1]

Kegerator guy here. Got one with the freezer at the bottom so I can have tall handles no problem. Like that more since it's easily fitting 4 kegs + tank inside for less sq ft. Also no temp control needed. I've heard bad stories of the probe freezing up and then the freezer froze all the beer. Probably not a big deal, but i prefer the internal control from the fridge. Cheers!

[@jamescrabtree72]

Kegerator is my preference. Great video.

[@ElementaryBrewingCo]

He’s back!!!!! Keezer for life Braj!! Killer vid!!

[@kobrewing]

Nice work on the production video and getting in a whole bunch of key points efficiently! I have both and prefer my keezer. Major efficiency benefit with keezer running 1.75 amps to refrigerator taking 15 amps and maxing out a whole outlet and circuit breaker. The keezer drops beer temps way quicker to crash. They do look better like CH said. One downside to keezer is if you're looking to get a commercial full keg they won't fit in your 5-7 cu keezer. Something I wanted living with a bunch of roommates in my 20's. My few pointers on the keezer builds is first get kilned lumber that isn't warped or bent or it will never sit right with huge gaps. If you want to go cheap 2x4’s still give you enough height to fit the corny kegs and connections. CH’s glue seemed to do the trick, but you can also use cheap aluminum plates for framing and put a couple on the back that attach to the would and keezer, which helps if you’re using silicone like I did. Drill, sand, paint, etc. before attaching the collar. FYI if for anyone that's doing a kegerator only drill in the door and never in the sides at you there's coolant lines you can hit and kill it the fridge for good. I regret going cheap on my faucets, shanks, and one of my regulators. Plated chrome faucets and shanks are not supposed to rust, but they defoliate quickly. In less than 2 years mine wore off on the insides exposing brass, which taste bad and isn’t good for you. You’ll save in the long run buying all stainless. My cheap regulator only lasted a little over a year, which is a lot less than my Taprite’s.

[@eddy_with_a_y]

Fantastic, so nice to see you back at it man, beautiful. Like a phoenix from the ashes 🦅🚬

[@mbrantner57]

Great video, braj! I have a keezer but just use picnic taps so I have to open the lid anytime I want a beer. I think it's time to build the collar with the shanks. Thanks for bringing back the old school how-to vids. Hope you're enjoying Knoxville.

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

Thx MB loving knoxville!

[@adrianquinlan3989]

Great to see instructional videos again

[@adrianquinlan3989]

Kegerator for me as I can store my hops and ice in the freezer

[@wouldbebrewmaster6218]

Keezer guy here. My cousin had an old CL fridge and after awhile the door was barely hanging on. One pro tip if your buying a new chest freezer: if you are moving and need to buy other appliances buy the chest freezer at the same time. That way the store will deliver it all at one. No chance I was fitting a 7CF chest freezer in my Hyundai Elantra.

[@markbrown2615]

So glad you are back. And the product looks great. What will you fill the kegs with?

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

Hazys!

[@markbrown2615]

@@HOMEBREW4LIFE I just brewed your (and Jus’ Brewin & Clammerhammer) 2 New Friends West Coast IPA and a Cosmic Trident from Northern Brewer with a new twist (Phantasm and Helio Glazer yeast). Now, the hardest part, the waiting.

[@kodydubarry4827]

Highly recommend two things. 1. put your temp probe in a bottle with water and 2 get a fan in there. You will get more consistent temps. Good to see the braj back!

[@SmokeNFermentables]

I wouldn’t use water as if there is a problem it can freeze and then you’ll get whack temps. Better to use vodka or moonshine. Something that won’t freeze. I believe Martin from homebrew challenge had this in one of his videos.

[@djg1224]

@@SmokeNFermentables I put a can in a koozie and wedge the probe in the koozie. Less chance of moisture ru inging the probe or plastic.

[@SmokeNFermentables]

@@djg1224 only concern would be that koozie may throw off temps due to insulation. I’m no real scientists just a guess/assumption. Would be curious to see if it’s true or not. Have you tested this?

[@djg1224]

@@SmokeNFermentables Haven't done a side by side comparison but I do this in my fermentation chamber and keezer and haven't had any issues with fermentation. Could be that I adjust my temperatures based on historical success.

[@SmokeNFermentables]

@@djg1224 right on, definitely interesting/good idea. Glad to hear it’s a success though.

[@pjoter2243]

I'm slowly switching from bottles to kegs and then CJ is posting this

[@lazyplumber1616]

Shout out for Still IT!!

[@rustedrootbeer]

"Get some 2 1/2 nails and some adhesive" Aka, deck screws

[@cwindhorst83]

You just changed my mind. Keezer looks alot better

[@sehomecanoe]

You kill every video, braj. The threesome analogy., Emit’s shirt, and “Regulator!” make me ridiculously happy. Bring back the MBC!

[@austenbach3356]

Keezer! Its more energy efficient, with the cold air staying inside anytime you open it (unlike a fridge door that lets out the cold air). Also, drill a small hole in the collar for your Inkbird thermo-wire, keep that lid sealed TOIGHT on the collar. I put a simple snap latch on the lid to keep the cold seal toight. Also, with the keezer, I found it necessary to buy a little computer "muffin fan and some pvc pipe to recirculate the cold air around the keezer. I put a metal grate on the bottom to keep the kegs up a few inches and away from the condensation on the bottom. Pro tip... add a splace of bleach to the bottom of your keezer to keep in freshhhh

[@bluecrewmark]

Master Braj, had to take my keezer up to the shrine level... 3" copper pipe, brass taps, wrapped in cedar casing. How can I send you a pic? Hoppy home brewing!

[@kevinfidler8074]

Cool video! I have a keezer, and one thing nice about them is you can put it in your kitchen without it looking weird. With the kegerator its more suited for a basement, garage, man cave area.

[@heatherandtimsharp]

Co2 for food grade and all others comes from same big container. There is zero difference between them…well the sticker on the outside of smaller container being filled.

[@djg1224]

Great video. Love how you make a tutorial entertaining. Like slipping some frozen peas in mac and cheese. One thing I will counter, with no credentials other than "the internet", is that you shouldn't use tephlon tape on the co2 tank. If you use the appropriate washer and tighten it down, you should be good. To my understanding, co2 to regulator threads are meant to be compression fit with that washer. If you need tape something is wrong. The other point which may be an old wife's tale, but you could end up with some tape in your regulator if you are a bit unscrupulous which could damage the regulator. But to each their own, it seems like a good insurance if you don't have a cheap supply of Co2!

[@Gjeffyg]

When buying a chest freezer, keep a look out for some that have a refrigerator setting (It’s more like a supper low freezer temp) then you can bypass the temp control. This is how I have my current keezer setup.

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

Good overview of the process. My advice to those deciding which way to go is to NEVER buy a kegerator with a draft tower and NEVER buy a fridge or freezer with a built in digital controller or any other circuit board. I made both mistakes in the Kegland brand kegerator I have. The draft tower designs always have foaming issues with the first pour and can develop growth in the lines while having anything electronic makes it prone to frying from power surges. It took my six months to finally get a replacement board.

[@adambee2224]

100% i wish I had seen this video 6 years ago lol

[@prattmattison4330]

skip the digital controler. Replace with a thermostat from an abondoned refrigerator. Its easy. Pos neg ground and thermocoupler.

[@blackwoodbrews]

Half way there braj lord, need a follow up video with brewing beer and pouring it out of the keezer. I also had a 5cu freezer with 5ft liquid lines. I just had the co2 set around 7-8 psi. I was able to have 3 corny kegs in mine, 2 on the bottom and 1 on the hump. Cheers dude…🍺🍺🍺

[@oldgoat8861]

THANK YOU I'm new at this.....but I'm an old man now and want a good hobby. Something I can constantly tweak, learn and get better at over time.....the long haul hobby. I was wondering about how to temp. Control the freezer. YOUR RIGHT.....AN EXTERNAL THERMO POWER SWITCH. for my taps I going to go with a NUKATAPS. That way I can fill pressurized Growlers or small mini kegs for my friends and neighbors. Time to start building it now

[@zamamoosh]

Love your videos! So I’m about to sort a temp fermentation controlled fridge. Can this be used as a kegerator too when I’m not fermenting? Even if is just with picnic taps (once I get kegs…still bottling atm) Thanks braj. (I’ve never heard this term before, I’m a Brit. Wot wot)

[@BentGateBrewing]

Always a great day when a new HB4L video drops! Hilarious and perfect pacing as always. Now back to listening to the Hoppy Hour stream since it's a tad difficult to listen live in Norway 🙂

[@cindy99toker]

Kegerators all day! Having a storage freezer for glasses, hops, steaks and ice cream is expert level homebrewer status

[@Homebrew58]

Suggesting 8 feet of beer line without knowing the users preferred temperature, serving pressure and beer line inside diameter is not a good idea. Your set up may work fine with that length but all of those factors come into play when balancing line length.

[@jketcik]

Prefer keezers, but have a mini fridge (holds 2 corny kegs + 5lb CO2 bottle) converted into a kegerator. Pretty easy project overall and have a 2 faucet tower which works well. I like it but it only attracts dudes, no chicks 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@kevindavis8199]

Outf#$%standing vid CH as usual! I wish you put this out back in August when I started down the damn homebrew rabbit hole! I blame you because your vids were so fun to watch. I'm a kegerator fan, 18 cu ft, that I snagged on Craigslist for pennies. Gotta find one with the freezer on the bottom! Have 4 faucets, 20# CO tank mounted outside, easily handle 4 cornys at a time. Picked up a $20 fridge the other day, warm temp control fermentation with the kveik yeast. Can't wait. Cheers🤘

[@thebubbacontinuum2645]

Pro tip...no, wait. Amateur tip. I just built a Magic Chef keezer one size bigger. I turned the cover on the LED wire upside-down so the wire points up, and suddenly the wire was long enough. Magic Chef was kind of stupid for installing it the other way.

[@Caprifool]

Dual mode chest freezers. Eliminates the Inkbird. If looking for used one's, manual PDF sites can help which ones have refrigerator mode as well as just being a freezer.

[@prattmattison4330]

Instead of external temperature switch on my kegafreezer, I take the thermostats of junk refrigerators I find on the street. Its pretty easy as the wires for both are pos neg, ground, and thermocoupler. Easier and cheaper. Then I lable it instead of hot cold to Margot Robbie and Rachael Maddow.

[@riskyb250]

I’ve had a couple different kegerators/keezers over the years… I’m done with them. Dealing with faucets and keeping them clean is just a pain in the ass. Currently I use just a chest freezer on a temp controller with no modifications and just simple cheap picnic taps inside. So much easier to clean. Cheaper. Since they stay on the inside of the fridge they don’t mold instantly like they would on the outside. Never going back to faucets for homebrew. I brew often but unless you’re running a business I just don’t see the need. If plastic bothers you, you can even get stainless picnic taps from torpedo these days. Added bonus- way less spills/accidentally knocking the faucet open with a picnic tap if you’ve got guests over.

[@perotross]

Got me a Magic Chef from HD just like you but the 7 cu ft. Still in the box. Gotta get the rest of the goods ordered up, kegs, hoses, connections faucets, CO2, etc... Agreed, bottling sucks when doing larger batches. Cant wait to get homebrew on tap. Its gonna be good!

[@vectorponder]

Something for the Knoxville BRAJS the volunteer welding supply place has the cheapest CO2 and they told me yesterday that you shouldn’t use Teflon tape on your regulator threads. Instead, they gave me these massive white Oring discs that go in there instead.

[@paskrell]

Don’t judge me but I live in Geneva where the rents are higher than in 90210. I’m therefore bottling and selling a bunch under the table. I actually like bottling as long as it’s with an itap or similar.

[@Lopdog0218]

posting this as a question; I have my Keezer and I'm gearing up to build my collar. I heard a suggestion to cut into the top part of the collar so that the seal of the door fits snugly into the collar. has anybody tried this before, not sure if it will work. Also, I usually set my temp to 38F, is there an advantage of setting it at 35 or is it a matter of preference.

[@pollenhead]

Nice tut CH. Now I've got to add building a keezer to my bucket list. Of course when I drink myself to death it will be your fault.

[@dstoffan89]

Keezer > Kegerator Fridge all day. I snagged a killer deal on a 2 tap Danby Kegerator when I first started kegging, and while a love it I would never buy one full price.

[@jsfourdirections]

CH is BACK!! Now you'll have to put in a double shift for your lack of MBC's recently

[@StevenDavisPhoto]

Hahaha. I just bottled my first batch ever and it sucked! Never again.

[@jwalsh5764]

I built a kegerator from an old soviet bar fridge that I gave to my brother, but he never picked up. Bottling sux though.

[@adam-xl9ft]

I got a kegerator and all the fixins from marketplace for $200, I thought that was a steal. Looking to brew my first batch soon!

[@superslyko123]

Just hit the top of your keezer with Chalkboard paint and write the brew for your tap with the same sidewalk chalk your kids want.

[@mozz69r]

I have a keezer, but would do a kegerator next time when it breaks. I have back issues and a full 5 gallon keg is borderline for me to hoist over into the thing.

[@TheFloaterjoe]

Save even more money and don't buy tap faucets and shanks and just do 8 to 10ft lines and plastic picnic taps.

[@zebraloser]

HES BACK!!!!!! Perfect timing braj, I’m looking at this project in the next few weeks.

[@chrisnewman861]

I've a dodgy back & not a fan of lifting kegs higher than a couple of feet so kegerator for me. A latch on the door eliminates the risk of it opening.

[@mulcslo]

Do not use teflon on all threaded parts, some are using concave sealing and teflon would ruin the fit and thread pressure. When you see a rubber or a plastic on the end of the fitting do not use teflon.

[@ClawhammerSupply]

Thanks!

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

YOU DA MAN BRAJ!

[@theweekendwarrior6355]

I built a keezer to hold more kegs. (8) only so many that'll fit into a fridge.

[@williamrodrigues2902]

I totally watched that menu video! Some day I may make one of these, but right now I have a free fridge that will be my kegerator. Like you I'm allergic to spending money. HA!

[@abrad3061]

Okay thanks but you didn't say anything about the temperature won't it freeze the beer

[@randyfrancis5424]

Great video. I’m getting back into home brewing and was/still debating on bottling or to keg.

[@freshplasticup5795]

I have a stand up fridge (no freezer) that I wired up some STC 1000 temp controller and 110 outlets inside it to power a small computer fan and a small desk space heater. I can ferment 10 gallon batches in my conical at 90f or have 4 beers on tap at 35f. Its a hell of a unit.

[@creatorhandl]

I drilled through the left side of the fridge so it doesn't matter about opening and closing akeardness

[@robertguay3773]

buy chalk board paint and paint the lid or the front and you can write what is in it on the front of the keezer

[@joshuathompson4769]

I know for a fact CH once stole money out of the Taco Bell drop level coin game.

[@Adamthehoff]

The Braj is back! To answer the final question, I love my Keezer. 8 taps, fits 6 5-gal crony’s and 2 3-gal ones. Needless to say we have a lot of neighborhood friends 😅

[@MinnesotaFats]

My keezer is now back to being a freezer... It's currently filled with meat. Great video!

[@RobNorton]

Carrot top and rosey lmao life changes when upgrading to kegging

[@reyn66]

I spent a little more on the collar and used red wood. And some big head brass screws.

[@gardencity3558]

Kegerator, low end 10 year old fridge had sitting for years in basement was free. 3 Korney kegs 2 taps. Freezer up top is key for ice for wort cooling or just having some for the cooler. You've taught us well!

[@onetgarret]

Just upgraded from a single gallon pressurized growler to a 2.5 gallon ball lock kegerator with a soda stream CO2 tank in the garage fridge. Baby steps, but skipped bottling entirely

[@Funpants94]

As someone who lives in kingsport it blows my mind to hear knoxville called a small city. Perfect timing on the video, i'm filling up my morebeer shopping cart right now since i want to get into kegging.

[@JBCvision]

Love your content. I would like to comment on using the Teflon tape on screw connections. You should never use it when it’s a swivel with a washer. Because the washer will secure the seal and not the thread. Only (and always!) use Teflon when the actual thread is the seal. The Teflon can actually prevent a tight connection from a swivel-washer. Anyhow, great content! Cheers from The Netherlands 🇳🇱🍻

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

Cheers from Tennessee!

[@dwaynetruhlsen8321]

Just use WD-40 to get the expansion foam off your fingers

[@vigilante004]

Is that a tactical beard or more of a hipster, taste saver beard?

[@koopaklaw11]

what up with the fridge magnets braj kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3ndpmaMpNJ5fpY

[@aasiaasi]

I added a thin layer of silicone all around to the top part of the collar. That way the lid will actually seal against the collar. I'm not sure if it actually helps with the cooling but I did it because I could.

[@ClawhammerSupply]

Nice work, homie! And nice shirt! We should get Emmet one of those...

[@ronzimmerman9591]

Nice one bonediddley. Upgrading to a 7ft keezer. Also EVAbarrier line with duotight fittings is the tits. Less line, perfect pour.

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

Duly noted!

[@coryhyatt2035]

Tape your temp probe (no not that probe) to a bottle of water then throw it in the keezer.

[@Rubio_Eric]

You know all the times I've gone to exchange my co2 tank I've never said anything about wanting food grade co2. I hope I was getting the right shit. I'll def mention it from now on

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

Yeah man and dont put cool stickers on tanks. Sometimes they just switch it out with an old one like a propane tank

[@955miro]

Kegerator here. Made one out of an old side-by-side fridge that came with my house. Holds three corny kegs and has room for two more shelves of bottles and cans above the kegs. Plus I can run whatever tap handles I want and still have full access to the freezer on the other side. Only thing that sucks is when the keg in the back kicks, you have to pull out all three to get to it.

[@blakebusse4315]

Great video! About to add a collar to my keezer, been just opening the top for pours so far. What is the keg coupler at 7:40?

[@crashtke]

Got that same freezer. Works great for my keezer overall but does get some icing.

[@partyshirtproductions5774]

Some serious comments commenting down below in the comment section

[@lazyplumber1616]

I bet you get more for a Keezer than 100 Smackers!

[@59apachestepside]

No ptfe tape on the tank threads, replace that gasket CH!

[@SmokeNFermentables]

I have a kegerator that I bought for 300$ cause it was the display but always love keezers love the fact you can customize it to your hearts content.

[@gerardnatale2387]

I love my Keezer if you want to call it that. I never made a collar and I just use picnic taps. Ya you have to open the lid every time you want a beer but it works for me. I have used it this way for over a year now and maybe someday I will complete it. Thanks for the vid CH. Cheers!

[@mp5a4shootsnick]

Keezer all the way, also, I'd set the temperature differential to be at least 5 degrees. I've found that the larger the temperature differential, the longer the compressor lasts.

[@jalawlis1990]

3 seconds in and thinking "the video we have all been waiting for"

[@Ghost-fc6oh]

Love my diy kegarator, best thing I ever done. Fits alot inside with door shelves for other bottle or can beers or moonshine jars like mine and freezer space up top for glasses and steaks.. Living the life..

[@b7gwap]

I demand more free content from Tha Brajfather

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Welcome back and glad to see you got that all set up finally! Cheers!

[@vruychev]

Excellent content! Was excited about this tutorial the moment I saw the community post. Love that you are back into brewing and pouring. Cheers, braj!

[@nccountryboy76]

Why not use 2x4 for the collar?

[@nork24]

You have achieved BOSS LEVEL ‼️

[@joshyjoshakin]

What diameter piping do you recommend for warping to world 4-2?

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

😂 😂 🍻 🕹

[@trevormccullough2953]

Brajjjjj🤙🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻

[@richadams881]

That's Magnum PI's shirt!!

[@RegicideBrewing]

Long time lurker, but finally subscribing. You older videos helped me come far as a home brewer and so it’s great to see you making content still. Looking forward to more content. Cheers from Texas!

[@TheBruSho]

He's back baby! Missed your videos more than you know and this one was 🔥 (and thanks for the Shoutout Braj!)

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

Thanks for letting me steal ur content! 💕

[@joshuapinter]

The subtle "Regulators" is killing me bro. I crack a smile every fucking time.