A Kegerator is a unique item for your basement bar or games room. As the name would suggest, a Kegerator is a fridge that stores a cooled keg of beer and uses CO2 to pressurize it to dispense beer from the keg.
There are multiples sizes and styles of Kegerators to choose from along with different sized kegs depending on what you need. Plus you can choose from every domestic and import beer under the sun or brew your own.
A Kegerator offers long term savings on beer purchases but also offers the superior taste of draft beer over bottles and cans while also removing the need to return empties on a regular basis.
Let’s take a closer look at 7 questions to ask before you buy a Kegerator to ensure you make the right decision.
What are the dimensions of a Kegerator?
Kegerators come in different sizes and dimensions so they are able to hold various sizes of kegs. You want to ensure that you pick one that fits the keg size(s) that you either already have or plan on using.
Below are some popular sizes based on actual models. Each Kegerator manufacturer will have their own specs and features so it’s best to check your options carefully and the ensure you know which keg size(s) fits inside! Don’t forget to account for the CO2 container, too.
We’ll compare the following measurements:
Kegerator Model Width: This is the size that is usually advertised in the model name.
Nominal Height: This is the actual height inside the fridge to figure out the maximum keg size that will fit.
Nominal Depth: This is the actual depth inside the fridge to figure out the maximum keg size that will fit.
Nominal Width: This is the actual width inside the fridge to figure out the maximum keg size that will fit.
Weight: Total weight of the unit.
Possible Keg Types That Fit: Suggested size of beer kegs that may be used in each Kegerator type.
| Kegerator Model Width | Nominal Height | Nominal Depth | Nominal Width | Weight | Possible Keg Types That Fit |
| 15″ | 34″ | 27″ | 15″ | 84 lbs | 1 Cornelius, Sixth Barrel or Slim quarter |
| 18″ | 34″ | 19″ | 18″ | 64 lbs | 1 Cornelius or Sixth Barrel |
| 20″ | 36″ | 26″ | 20″ | 81 lbs | 1 Full size, Pony, Slim Pony or 3 Sixth Barrels or 2 Cornelius barrels |
| 21″ | 33″ | 24″ | 21″ | 95 lbs | 1 Cornelius or Sixth Barrel |
| 24″ | 34″ | 25″ | 24″ | 108 lbs | 1 Full Half Barrel, 2 Slim Quarter kegs or up to 3 Sixth Barrel or Cornelius barrels |
| 27″ | 49″ | 25″ | 27″ | 100 lbs | 1 Full Half, Quarter, Sixth or Mini keg |
What types of Kegerators can I choose from?
There are a wide variety of Kegerators to choose from depending on your needs and space that you have available.
Among other options you can choose from the following Kegerator types:
- Home Kegerator: Meant for home use and not commercial use.
- Dual Tap Kegerator: Has two taps rather than one to pour two beers simultaneously.
- Outdoor Kegerator: Typically on wheels, this one can be used outdoors perhaps with a barbeque area and can be moved around as needed.
- Triple Tap Kegerator: Has three taps rather than one to pour three beers simultaneously or at least serve several different brands at the same time.
- Homebrew Kegerator: Targeted at home brewers who want a complete package with all the equipment.
- Nitro Kegerator: Typically uses nitrogen as the dispensing gas rather than CO2.
- Commercial Kegerator: These types of Kegerators are typically larger size and capacity to handle larger drinking requirements.
What types of kegs are available to buy?
We can’t very well discuss Kegerators without talking about what goes inside them: The beer kegs themselves.
While there are many kinds of beer kegs available, do check with your local suppliers to be sure as to what they offer because it can vary.
Here are the most common 7 keg styles you’ll come across:
| Kegerator Type | Gallons | Pints | Dimensions | Use | |
| Bubba Keg | Single, Dual | 1.75 | 14 | 9⅞” x 6¾” | One-time use, personal use |
| Cornelius Keg | Single, Dual, Triple | 5 | 40 | 23″ x 9″ | Homebrew, small batches |
| Sixth Barrel | Single, Dual, Triple | 5.16 | 41 | 23⅜” x 9¼” | Commercial, limited spaces |
| Quarter Barrel | Single, Dual | 7.75 | 62 | 16⅛” x 13⅞” | Parties, limited spaces |
| Slim Barrel | Single, Dual | 7.75 | 62 | 11⅛” x 23⅜” | Parties, limited spaces |
| 50 Litre | Single | 13.2 | 105 | 20.94″ x 16.06″ | Events, business |
| Half Barrel | Single | 15.5 | 124 | 16⅛” x 23⅜” | Homebrewing, events, parties |
Is it worth having a Kegerator?
Depending on the cost of your Kegerator and the type of beer you buy, you can typically break even on the cost of your Kegerator by the time you buy your tenth keg. Having said that, the benefit of having a Kegerator to many owners is the convenience of not having to run out and buy bottles or cans with no empties to bring back, too. The superior taste of draft beer over bottles and cans and the cool factor are additional benefits.
A half barrel sized keg of domestic beer typically costs $120 – 140 depending on where you live whereas a similar amount of beer in cases costs around $140 and up. Premium and imported brands cost more. If we say that an average Kegerator costs around $700 – $800, that’s the sunk cost you’re going to spend to get started.
You can buy a 5 lbs or 10 lbs CO2 tank for about $70 or $100 respectively and you can expect to pay $20 or $30 respectively to refill each tank with CO2. Some depots work like a propane refill centers for your barbeque and will simply exchange your CO2 tank for one of theirs.
Depending on your consumption of beer, the more you drink the more you can save with a keg system. Plus the more you’re consuming the fresher the beer which tends to be another major advantage of draft beer over cans and bottles.
What should I know before buying a Kegerator?
Here are some questions to ask yourself before you buy a Kegerator to ensure it’s the right decision for you.
- Do appreciate the taste difference? Canned or bottled beer does taste different from draft beer and many beer aficionados notice. It’s one of the benefits of having your own Kegerator.
- Do you have the size and space? In order to have a Kegerator, you need to have the space to store one and it has to be slightly bigger than the keg you’re going to store inside it. Kegerators typically range from 3 cu. ft. – 7 cu. ft. in size. Once you add the tap on top, you’re most likely approaching 4′ in height, too.
- Do you have the need? While owning one seems cool, spending $800 – $4,000 or more on an average Kegerator means you want to ensure you need one and will use it frequently enough to justify the cost. That’s a lot of beers you could just buy at the beer store or at a bar.
- Do you have the patience and motivation? Kegerators require maintenance and cleaning. Check your chosen brand for details but it’ll involve using a dangerous caustic cleaner run through the lines to clean it. Are you up for the challenge?
- What about the keg(s)?: You also need to maintain and care for the keg that you buy too. It requires cleaning as well.
How long does a keg of beer last in a Kegerator?
A keg can stay fresh can stay fresh for up to 60 days once it has been tapped (opened). With a full sized keg holding about 124 pints of beer, that’s the number you’ll need to finish in about 2 months times once the keg has been tapped.
If you opt for a smaller keg due to your personal needs, you may be able to finish it sooner to avoid wastage.
Do you leave the CO2 on in a Kegerator?
Assuming there are no leaks, many Kegerator owners opt to keep the CO2 open even while the Kegerator isn’t actually in use once the keg has been opened.
You can alternatively shut if off to be sure but if you’re planning in emptying the keg fairly quickly, most owners will keep the CO2 line attached to maintain dispensing pressure.
Summary
While you can certainly save money on beer over time by purchasing a Kegerator, the up front cost of your Kegerator and the kegged beer brands that you purchase will factor in to your break even time.
Having said that, a Kegerator is a fairly unique item for your games room or bar that you can use regularly for your own usage or when you have company over alongside a pool table, shuffleboard table or home arcade.