Kegerators: 5 things to consider

In this video I'm installing my new Komos kegerator and along the way I'll give you 5 things to consider for your own kegerator setup. The Komos kegerator is one of the best bang-for-buck kegerators on the market!
Join the channel to help keep it gnarly!
/ @hopsandgnarly
Komos Kegerator: bit.ly/3vgJzYH
Komos Draft Tower Black: bit.ly/49RPHFU
Komos Draft Tower Stainless: bit.ly/48RHPmK
Komos Gas Manifold: bit.ly/4adpoKm
Nukatap Faucet: bit.ly/3tuf1Qb
Nukatap FC Faucet: bit.ly/34Tzgwk
8mm Evabarrier Lines: bit.ly/48Oloi1
Duotight 8mm to 1/4" Flare: bit.ly/34IEwmg
Duotight 8mm to Shank: bit.ly/4cgafcG
GEAR THAT I USE
Doing some shopping for your brewery? Here’s a list of things I recommend checking out. Some of these links are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I’ll earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.🤘🏼🍻
GETTING STARTED
1 Gallon Beer Kit: amzn.to/3DqNdzo
1 Gallon Cider Kit: amzn.to/3Wuwlka
All Grain Beer Recipe Kits: bit.ly/3fuUrdQ
Anvil Foundry 6.5: bit.ly/2TnyEXb
Anvil Bucket Fermenter: bit.ly/3d0qyeE
Anvil Cooling System: bit.ly/3k9S4cw
Hydrometer: bit.ly/3EbZ7OZ
Hydrometer Flask: bit.ly/3YyvFLb
BREWTOOLS
Brewtools B40 Pro 110: bit.ly/3FIAScy
Brewtools B40 Pro 240: bit.ly/3sStBzf
Brewtools B80 Pro: bit.ly/3fwWKNy
Brewtools F40: bit.ly/3UhvTnh
Brewtools F80: bit.ly/3zyAmdp
Brewtools 4 Valve Starter Pack: bit.ly/3T0fwdy
Brewtools Inline Filter: bit.ly/3SVMvQl
Brewtools Spunding Valve: bit.ly/3UmKTQC
Brewtools Steam Hat (B40): bit.ly/3h79niH
Brewtools Steam Hat (B80): bit.ly/3fAa6Zb
Brewtools Inline Oxygenation Kit: bit.ly/3UkMTZP
Brewtools Hop Drop Kit: bit.ly/3DVcTFN
Brewtools Trubinator S: bit.ly/3U1VMrB
Brewtools Trubinator M: bit.ly/3UmOPkH
Brewtools Trubinator L: bit.ly/3DnOwiA
Brewtools 3” CIP Adapter: bit.ly/3WnhaJk
Brewtools CIP Ball: bit.ly/3WqzEbL
BREWBUILT
BrewBuilt X2 Uni Conical Fermenter: bit.ly/3YWgwDd
BrewBuilt IceMaster 2 Glycol Chiller: bit.ly/3MT2DQY
BrewBuilt IceMaster 100 Glycol Chiller: bit.ly/3RZA8E8
BrewBuilt Kit for Fermenting Under Pressure: bit.ly/3YV43PU
BrewBuilt IceMaster Max 4 Glycol Chiller: bit.ly/3YzsrqG
BrewBuilt Thermowell Offset: bit.ly/3Iuf5qg
BrewBuilt Stainless 1.5 in. T.C. Pressure Gauge: bit.ly/3YVVNiW
BrewBuilt MiniMax CoolStix: bit.ly/3XC5jXf
BrewBuilt Stainless Steel Work Table: bit.ly/3Ed5NMx
BrewBuilt X-Series Uni Rotating Racking Arm: bit.ly/3E9RHeZ
BrewBuilt Tri-Clamp Spunding Valve: bit.ly/3I43xbN
BrewBuilt 1.5 in. Tri-Clamp Thermowell: bit.ly/3XBqw3o
BrewBuilt SlingBlade Electric Heating Element: bit.ly/3Kb6cmn
BrewBuilt CIP Spray Ball: bit.ly/3XORdlD
ELECTRONICS
InkBird Temperature Controller: amzn.to/3hU9VJj
Heating Pad: amzn.to/3OuKHgR
Tilt Hydrometer: bit.ly/3efmLNj
PH Meter: amzn.to/3FEVsKN
BREWERY TOOLS
Brewzilla Lift-n-lock Pulley System: bit.ly/3EauXeL
MaltZilla Grain Mill: bit.ly/3sUwZd6
Grain Scale: amzn.to/3T0qC2j
Drug Dealer Scale: amzn.to/3JwqC5J
Espresso Spoons: amzn.to/3Ldq0mC
KEGGING
Torpedo Keg: bit.ly/32vvkOx
EVABarrier Double Wall Draft Tubing: bit.ly/33yXpaL
Duotight Ball Lock Quick Disconnect (QD) - Gas In: bit.ly/413dgYC
Duotight Ball Lock Quick Disconnect (QD) Beverage Out: bit.ly/3YPj1HT
NukaTap Faucet: bit.ly/3tuf1Qb
NukaTap Flow Control Faucet: bit.ly/34Tzgwk
BARRELS
Oak Barrel 56L: bit.ly/3Wiwua2
Oak Barrel 28L: bit.ly/3Nuhq5a
Oak Barrel 20L: bit.ly/3sRcvBI
PRODUCTION
(All you need to get started is your PHONE!)
Epidemic Sound (MUSIC): bit.ly/3TSJf9L
Canon M50: amzn.to/3NtFN2O
SmallRig M50 Cage: amzn.to/3h9YFI0
Canon EF 50mm f1.4: amzn.to/3STR7Xe
EF to EF-M Speedbooster: amzn.to/3sVht0k
Blue Yeti USB Mic: amzn.to/3WDcpvx
Zoom H6 Audio Recorder Kit: amzn.to/3Ug1d6t

[@HopsANDgnarly]

Full shed brewery build playlist kzbin.info/aero/PLC62TC7NnpJObuoqlSErVQVrDMhWI7qVu&si=w4xsozlILAXr3ylG

[@jonathanwilliams1974]

You left off the God-tier option...building a walk-in and having your taps come out of the wall :). I've just started planning my new brewery/pool room hang out build in my backyard and am doing a walk-in with the Cool-Bot. Can't wait to get this thing done!! Your channel is a very cool resource for planning out the brewery part. Cheers!

[@HopsANDgnarly]

This guy brews! Sounds like party at your place this summer!

[@jonathanwilliams1974]

@@HopsANDgnarly Yesir!! Putting in golf sim too!

[@HopsANDgnarly]

@@jonathanwilliams1974 You gotta! I hope it’s a Brewtools brewery

[@jonathanwilliams1974]

@@HopsANDgnarly I already have most/all of my brewery gear. 65L Brewzilla (220V) (can't beat the price/performance) and went with BrewBuilt X1 unitanks with the BrewBuilt IceMaster2 chiller. MoreBeer was closing out the X1 for the X2 and they were 50% off! For $350 they were just too good to pass up.

[@petergibson7287]

Wow; That's true commitment.

[@RiggerBrew]

Absolutely agree with forward sealing Faucets.

[@HopsANDgnarly]

Much cleaner 🍻

[@KOMOSDraft]

Awesome advice. Enjoy your new KOMOS. Your home brewery just got even more epic 🙌

[@HopsANDgnarly]

🙌🏼🤘🏼🍻

[@Jango1989]

This is the kegerator video I didn't know I needed! Thanks very much. This was really insightful and really worth watching after you think you know about kegerators.

[@HopsANDgnarly]

Glad it was helpful! Cheers!

[@brewing8094]

I have both Keezer and fridge set ups, one thing I would like to point out with both these options are timeless pieces of equipment, they never really age compared to the Kegerators. Kegerators have a lot of faults as well, new models coming out every two years and one has to think about replacement parts availability. A chest freezer has thicker walls then a fridge , better insolation makes it more power efficient, the beer stays colder traveling all the way to stainless taps so no foaming issues from warm tower/ taps. And looks great with stickers from great breweries.

[@HopsANDgnarly]

I agree with a couple points there. But any kegerator is great imo

[@FermentationAdventures]

One huge advantage of a keezer is that if a keg decides to spring a leak, at least the beer is contained in the freezer. Having experienced a leak in both a Komos kegerator and a keezer, the keezer was an easier cleanup!

[@HopsANDgnarly]

That’s a great point!

[@FermentationAdventures]

@@HopsANDgnarlytrue. One that I wish I never learned the hard way. Cheers!

[@demcastles7493]

Love this one! Had mine for almost 4 years and still going strong.

[@HopsANDgnarly]

That’s killer! Hope mine lasts that long!

[@platinumrespect]

Great video. I love my Komos v2 kegerator and adore Duotight fittings! However, it’s well known from the Kegland boys that both sides of the kegerator should have ample space to dissipate heat to keep the kegerator condenser from being overworked. Thus, extending the life of the kegerator all together. In your brew shed, it looks pretty tight. Surely the kegerator will work, but the life of it will be significantly diminished due to this. I forget the exact measurement on either side that is recommended but I’m pretty sure it’s like 1’ on either side. Oli on the KL faceboook group has talked about this before if you’re curious and want to convert his mm into inches. Cheers! 🍻

[@HopsANDgnarly]

Thanks for the tip! I definitely want it to last as long as possible 🍻

[@MrBrianmuz]

Great video. Agree with everything you've said. I've been using a very similar kegerator for a few years now and these are my top tips (apart from what you mentioned): 1) flow control taps are a great idea but cause foaming issues. Controlling your pour via line length is much better 2) EVAbarrier line comes in 3mm ID. This is GOLD as you only need 80-100cm to get the same resistance as 2m of 4mm ID. 3) larger shanks are better than smaller as they have more thermal mass and when chilled they also chill more of the tap outside the fridge. This can be hard with tight tower setups 4) rinse your glass with cold (tap) water before pouring. This chills the glass a little and prevents excess foaming 5) Pour ~40ml of beer before you pour your first glass and let this sit for 2 mins. This chills everything further.

[@HopsANDgnarly]

Thanks man! Gold

[@BrewabitRick]

Definitely some great advice, great video again cheers 👍🍻

[@HopsANDgnarly]

Thanks Rick! Cheers 🍻

[@slugger777]

Nice, I ended up getting a 3 tap KegLand Series X kegorator for a few reasons. It takes up a lot less space for the amount of kegs you can fit in it considering I live in quite a tight space. It also looks really nice and would be in my living room. The Nuka Taps are freaking great and DuoTight is also awesome. I did mess up and did not secure my connections to the shanks properly soo there was half a keg on the floor unfortunately. Ended up dismanteling the entire tubing setup and checking everything as I was reassembling it.

[@HopsANDgnarly]

Nice! I think that’s the same as mine but branded differently here. So far so good! 🍻

[@ElementaryBrewingCo]

Love duotight fittings!!! I just got some maybe four months ago and serious game changer. I have no idea why I didn’t just get them to start with. Cheers 🍻

[@HopsANDgnarly]

Man I wish everything was as easy as duotight

[@mikekoehler9551]

RE: Keezers biggest drawback is the temperature disparity between bottom and top - Why not just put your temp control probe in the bottom? That's where the kegs draw from, right? Does it matter that the temp 2' higher is a little higher?

[@scottcarr9985]

Informative. I have two flow control taps. A perlick and a nukatap with the different tips. But no forward sealing taps. I guess I should give one a try. Also I like the Olympia tap handle and the strohs. Two of my pre homebrewer favorites. My kegorator is over 22 years old. It's got to crap out soon doesn't it?

[@tylerhjensen4783]

Do you have a tutorial or video on your fridge conversion? I like how all the tap handles are inside the fridge and you are still using other areas of it for storage.

[@HopsANDgnarly]

Unfortunately no but what I did was just sandwich a wooden box between two shelves. The lines went up the side of the fridge through a gap in the shelf and then into that wooden box. Only took maybe 45 min to slap it together

[@deargrindy]

"A freezer will never ourfridge a frige". Have a like.

[@beattyj8]

Very well done as always! The only thing I found myself wanting is a quick synopsis of line length/diameter to combat foaming. I think flow control, line/tap temp, and tower temp control seem to do more to stop foaming than line length in my experience, but would love to hear your take on it.

[@HopsANDgnarly]

Thanks! I have another video on the channel where I cover that in some detail but here’s a detailed reply I sent in another thread. There are also line length calculators online Line length is super important but it depends on the ID. I use 12ft of 4mm ID. You can fine tune it over time if you cut your lines long. In my experience you need the regulator set at 12psi or higher to keep kegs carbonated. If lines are like 13ft and you’re not getting a two finger head then you can cut a little off until it’s just right. Just don’t jump the gun and cut lines shorter for an under carbed keg.

[@mikeATgrowintheglass]

Excellent video. My other channel just started brewing our own beer (to go along with our reviews) and I'm trying to convince my co-host to start kegging. I already have a home-built kegerator (using a dorm fridge), but you've given me a lot of ideas for upgrades. I've only got a single tap, but I'd like to go with a trio when I upgrade the who thing. Most importantly, however, where did you get the can tap handle? Very cool.

[@HopsANDgnarly]

Nice man what’s the channel called? I’m always on the hunt for old tap handles! Mostly find them at antique stores, estate sales, and stuff like that 🍻

[@mikeATgrowintheglass]

@@HopsANDgnarly youtube.com/@growintheglass We're both 911 dispatchers just having some fun on the side.

[@RavconRecords]

Speaking of FAIL, hope you have better luck with your Komos Kegerator than I did. Mine died 1 month past warranty, and Morebeer did nothing to help me. 13 months of use, and now I use it as a stand for a cheaper model (Ivation) I bought at the local hardware store, that runs great. Needless to say, I'm no longer a Morebeer customer.

[@HopsANDgnarly]

Sorry to hear this! It’s interesting because someone else commented with the exact opposite experience and there’s is still going strong years later. Hoping mine lasts a long time but I will of course report back if anything happens to it

[@dalesizemore6044]

Question, have you or anyone else had problems with the red o-rings in the Nuka taps cracking into pieces? Any ideas on where to buy a multi pack of just those red rings?

[@HopsANDgnarly]

Yes! I took apart 4 taps to clean and 3 had broken red o rings. They sell a maintenance kit with all the replacement parts but I haven’t seen just the red o rings.

[@dalesizemore6044]

All 3 of my Nuka taps on my new Komos kegerator had broken red rings. I contacted MoreBeer customer service and their response was I needed to purchase 3 kits at 4.99 each. Frustrating since don't need any of the parts other than the red rings. Put a regular black o-ring instead recently and so far seems to work 🤞

[@BobhulioONLINE]

What kind of full size refrigerator did you use for your "sleeper build" @HopsANDgnarly?

[@HopsANDgnarly]

It’s a refrigerator only unit from Samsung. Got it for free from work one time when we moved into a new office building. It was a great kegerator and I could still use about half of it as a fridge. That wooden box was just sandwiched between two shelves and the lines fit through the gap perfectly

[@BobhulioONLINE]

@@HopsANDgnarly Awesome thanks> Ill look for refrigerator only units and compare!

[@MATTW3R]

What's the recommended line length for the EVA barrier tubing? I'm serving Ipas and stouts, and does the line length matter if I want to do seltzers in the future?

[@HopsANDgnarly]

Line length is super important but it depends on the ID. I use 12ft of 4mm ID. You can fine tune it over time if you cut your lines long. In my experience you need the regulator set at 12psi or higher to keep kegs carbonated. If lines are like 13ft and you’re not getting a two finger head then you can cut a little off until it’s just right. Just don’t jump the gun and cut lines shorter for an under carbed keg. Seltzer should probably served at higher pressure but if it’s worth anything I keep hop water on tap and serve at my normal pressure. Fine for me

[@MATTW3R]

@@HopsANDgnarly thank you for the reply. I will take your info into account when I’m building my sleeper fridge.

[@theulsterexpat]

Shots fired😂

[@HopsANDgnarly]

Hahaha like I said having any kegerator at home is great!

[@theulsterexpat]

@HopsANDgnarly btw your production quality is 2nd to none. Really enjoying this series of videos on your journey

[@ELRORRITO1]

"A Freezer will Never out fridge a fridge". Ouch 😢. Pretty sure that's how an "I don't love you anymore, I want a divorce" feels like. Felt like Homer Simpson when he had a heart attack. Lol.

[@HopsANDgnarly]

Hahaha Any kegerator is great! But after having all three types I’d go with a fridge over a freezer

[@ELRORRITO1]

@@HopsANDgnarly All your fault that I'm on More Beer adding Duotight fittings and tubing to my cart... Using 6.3 mm for CO2 and unsure for liquid line either 4 or 5mm. I'm currently using Bevlex 3/16 in on 10ft lengths @12 psi and like the pours, not too fast or slow and nice head on top. I have 7 taps and don't mind having 10-12 ft lines in my Keezer. Which one would you recommend. 4mm on 5-5 ft lengths or 5mm at 10-12 ft lengths for my 7 kegs @ 12psi. Thx in advance.

[@HopsANDgnarly]

I take full responsibility haha I’m using 4mm ID on both the gas and liquid side. I used to use the bigger lines on the gas side too. Having one size Duotight makes it a little easier