Instead of installing a cooler as an attachment to your bar, you may want to consider installing an undercounter kegerator. These are usually marketed to frat boys, but as a home entertainer, one might come in handy in your own home.
The only problem is that installation can get tough. If you need a little help with your under counter kegerator, read on to discover installation tips that may make the process easier.
Installation Guide
Even if you have the instructions from your kegerator, they may be difficult to follow or a little unclear. Follow this installation guide for some help.
However, keep in mind that depending on your kegerator brand, make and model, you may have to make some slight alterations to the process we have here to work for your specific kegerator.
Begin with the Wheels
As you get started, first make sure that you’ve removed everything from inside the keg, including the keg floor. Carefully tip the keg dispenser on its side and screw in the casters with the washers, making sure that everything is screwed in tight and is stable.
Set it back up straight once you’re finished.
Installing the Tower
Begin by removing the plug to open up a space for the two. When you open the door, you’ll be able to put your hand underneath the top of the plug. Push until it comes out, or just use something like a screwdriver to pry it open.
At this point, you have a space to install the draft tower. Unravel the beer hose line and feed it through the hole and into the tower itself. Once the line is all the way through, you can place the tower in.
Alight the black adapter on the bottom of the tower to the hole in the cabinet and turn it clockwise to lock it in place. You’ll only have to turn it around 25 degrees, so don’t twist too hard Now when you look, the faucet connection will now face the front of the cabinet.
If it doesn’t, it’s easy enough to twist and remove it so that you can install it from another position.
Installing Under the Counter
When you’re installing the tower, you’ll want to do this once you have the hole drilled into your countertop. Your kegerator should come with a tower spacer to help you out when you’re done putting it together properly.
This will prevent the loss of cooling which occurs due to gaps between the top of the kegerator and the bottom of the countertop.
Make sure that the hole drilled into your countertop is lined up right with the hole at the top of the kegerator before you tighten the lock ring to keep it stable and flush with the countertop.
Add in the Details
Now that you have the faucet in there and the wheels at the bottom, you can install the handle faucet. Pick up the black faucet handle and screw it only the faucet. Then, screw the faucet onto the adapter on the front of the tower.
It should be vertical with the black handle that faces the ceiling and screwed on tightly. With that set up, put the plastic drip tray beneath the faucet atop the counter.
Connecting Your Lines
It’s now time to connect your tube to the regulator. First, you have to check on the switch below the main body to be sure the CO2 regulator shut off valve is closed and is perpendicular to the tubing.
Then, grab the CO2 line and install it on the regulator by attaching one end into the hose barb connection on the regulator. Secure it with a self-locking red plastic snap-on clamp and grab a pair of pliers to crimp the clamp as tightly as you can.
Just be sure the clamp doesn’t impede the valve. Finally, you only have to remove the black rubber plug from the back of the kegerator and feed the rest of the unused line through the tubing through the hole.
When you’re sure your CO2 cylinder is full and closed, attach the regulator to the cylinder by screwing in the loose nut into the valve. Tighten it with a wrench or pliers before you mount the cylinder holder.
Just match up the holes on the back of the cabinet and slide the holder down to lock it. The CO2 regulator should be in a position for you to read the numbers on the gauge and be able to grab the shut off valve easily.
Connecting to the Keg
Make sure the black pull handle of the keg coupler is closed as you insert the keg coupler into the beer keg. Turn it another 25 degrees to secure it to the keg. Now, attach the other end of the CO2 tube to the keg coupler and secure it with your other plastic snap-on clamp.
Secure this one tightly as well. The beer line has to be connected from the tower to the keg coupler too. Simply insert the washer into the beer line hex nut, remove the protective rubber cap on the keg coupler and screw everything in properly.
Now, you only have to tap the keg by pulling the tap handle out. Push it down until it locks and you hear a click.
Calibration
In order for your kegerator to work right, you’ll want to calibrate the regulator. This can be a complicated process. However, you really only have to open the valve to the gas cylinder, loosen the adjustment nut and set up the pressure to 12 PSI by turning the regulator adjustment screw.
You should hear the keg pressurizing as you open the shut-off valve on the regulator. Allow the gas to vent by pulling the pressure relief valve briefly, which will give you a more accurate reading.
Keep checking and rechecking the output pressure on the regulator until you have the right pressure. Put your keg in safely and you’re good to begin enjoying a nice beer!
Under Counter Kegerator Benefits
When kegerators are marketed towards college frat boys, why might you want one in your home? Beyond the fact that you’ll look like a master when you entertain, there are a few other advantages to installing a kegerator.
Lower Cost
Buying and setting up a kegerator under the counter is a lot less expensive than buying a cooler that’s attached to your bar. Over time, you can end up saving a lot of money by setting up one.
Lower Maintenance
The tap lines are short between the keg and the kegerator, meaning that cleaning the lines are very easy. Longer lines will require weekly cleanings and will need more insulation to keep everything cool and to be sure they don’t wear out over time.
Improved Temperature Controls
By doing an under counter kegerator installation, you’ll be able to keep your beer at the best temperature possible. Any kind of beer can be kept at the right temperature for serving by using an individual kegerator.
Installing an under counter kegerator may prove difficult with the different screws and lines you have to run through it to be sure that it works properly. However, worry not, since you now have all the steps needed to get yours set up and working.
You may be able to do them in a different order if it works better for you, or may need to make some adjustments depending on your model. But when you’re all done, you’ll be able to sit down and relax with a nice beer.