Are PRE-BUILT Kegerators Worth It? | NEWAIR SINGLE TAP KEGERATOR | Pre-built vs DIY Kegerators

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What is the best solution - DIY or pre-built? There are good arguments for both. I review a NewAir Single Tap Kegerator and compare to my own 4-tap DIY kegerator and discuss where it makes sense to buy pre-built or build your own.
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0:00 Intro and welcome
0:52 Disclosures and relationships
2:20 NewAir kegerator overview and initial impressions
5:58 Positives
8:23 Negatives
10:30 Pre-built vs DIY kegerators
14:13 What am I doing with two kegerators?
15:48 Discount link
Full disclosure, most of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means if you buy through them I make a small percentage from the sale at no additional cost to you. All money earned through the channel goes back into the videos and brews you see on my channel. As always, don't just take my word for it, do your research before you decide to buy.
Music provided by Epidemic Sound: share.epidemic...
#newair #kegerator #singletap #homebrew #beer #brewing #kegging #draft

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Опубликовано:

14 авг 2024

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Комментарии : 105

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

What is your experience with pre-built kegerators? To help everyone do their research, drop your recommendations below and let us know why you made the decision you did!

@10intexas 2 года назад

I was given a comparable Danby kegerator from Costco for my birthday. I think it was about $489. I converted it to a dual tower for $89.00 from the big E and added a Perlick clone pair of taps ($35 each) with the springs to make them self closing. The most important thing I did was build a tower chiller to eliminate the foamy "first pours" that are one of the bad things about a kegerator. There are commercially available tower chillers and they make a huge difference. Looking back, the tower chiller is probably the first upgrade I would do. I like my kegerator. However, I would have built a keezer if I had the room. Much easier to load and unload, beer lines stay cold and uses less power. Also, I have my Co2 tanks filled at a paintball shop. They fill them to specified weight and it costs less.

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

I'll have to look into the tower chiller idea. So far, so good but I haven't really pushed this kegerator too far. Good to know!

@glleon80517 2 года назад

Steve, thanks for the review. This unit draws a little over an amp per the manual, which means it has a tiny compressor. If you add a collar and put 4 kegs in it you may have trouble keeping your beer cold. I have this problem with a mini-fridge that I put a collar on and it lives in an air conditioned garage. Remember your keezer has a deep-freeze rated compressor. Good luck!

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

Good to know! I've already made the upgrades and it seems to do pretty well at 38 F, not cycling too much. The beer has remained cold, but I imagine it is drawing more power than it used to now.

@Mr.Batsu12 2 года назад

So great to see your honest review about this. I've seen so many RU-vid channels who stay they give honest reviews but I never see them say any negatives about a product. I've never bought something that I wouldn't have at least some minor negative to talk about. :D Knowing the issues isn't a bad issue, it would make me feel better about buying it since I feel confident I know what the issues may be and if it matters much to me.

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

I appreciate it. I'd hate myself if I took a payout to say a script and con people into buying something as expensive as this. It's a great kegerator, but there are definitely better options for less money out there. My channel will always have a full disclosure and honest feedback on every product I discuss.

@Mr.Batsu12 2 года назад

@@TheApartmentBrewer What's great is when a viewer knows the real info they can then decide if the convenience is worth the extra money for them.

@ronnyskaar3737 2 года назад

Personaly I considered building a keezer or kegerator. Started scanning for fridges and freezers, calculated time and transport and cost of parts. Dropped the whole plan, ordered a kegland x-series with three taps and room for four cornykegs and had it delivered directly home. What a relief! Now it is just cheers! 😉

@TheBruSho 2 года назад

Excellent overview, and love that you did some pros and cons. Excited to see you expand it with the collar!

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

Cheers man!

@HOMEBREW4LIFE 2 года назад

Solid review braj! I still don't have a perlick faucet but great call on the upgrade

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

Thanks man! They make a big difference in cleanliness, I'd spring for the flow control ones if you're thinking of upgrading

@ElementaryBrewingCo 2 года назад

Great tips! My neighbor just gave me a 7 CuF chest freezer…so yes, I’m building my own😂

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

#win! Hopefully you're going to make a video on the build, I'd love to watch!

@danbrown586 2 года назад

I built a 2-tap kegerator our of a Sanyo 4912 several years ago, and had to sell it when I moved. The 4912 is now discontinued, and it doesn't look like there's anything else comparable on the market. So I'm considering building a 4-tap, 7-cu ft keezer, rather like yours, and I'm also considering the Komos v2 4-tap model--and I have to say, at $999 shipped, the Komos is looking pretty attractive. It's supposed to fit four ball-lock 5-gal kegs, it includes fan cooling for the tower, and it comes with forward-sealing (though not Perlick) faucets. It also comes with EVA Barrier tubing for liquid and gas, along with Duotight fittings for the gas. It doesn't include the CO2 tank, but I have that anyway. Getting to the kegs in the back will be a bit of a hassle, but I won't have to be lifting full kegs over the edge of the keezer. Not settled yet one way or the other, but this one's pretty tempting.

@Wind_Ninja_Jubei 2 года назад

They haven't changed much, I got one 5 years ago second hand with 2 kegs and a bottle of gas. Cost $400. Still working and no issues. Can even use fridge as a temp control if needed

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

Secondhand is probably the way to go!

@racingking22j 8 месяцев назад

just picked up a kegarator i dont see any videos about on youtube. i grabbed an artic king kegerator 4.9 cu. ft, single tap with everything. currently on onsale at walmart rn for 350. im pretty excited. i got 2 corny kegs so im going to need to convert it. overall i think its worth it. 350 bucks over the original 500.

@marblevoyager6327 2 года назад

Hi Steve in Australia i paid $1200 for a two tap kegerator that came with two full kegs of beer and a full gas bottle. Great review very honest really helpful and always enjoy your content

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

Glad you enjoyed the video!

@FermentationAdventures 2 года назад

I built a keezer, and I added capacity by building a Komos refrigerator only and putting my own tower, taps, etc. with 3 taps. As you mentioned the problem with most prebuilt kegerators are not tailored to homebrewer and have sanke connections. Cost aside, I prefer the purpose manufactured kegerators, since it's much easier to get kegs in and out, has a smaller footprint, built in thermostat and fan. Good video and congrats on the new kegerator!

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

There's definitely upsides to either option. Cheers, and I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

@cheechooj 2 года назад

My biggest con with Kegerators is stirring up the beer to swap kegs, sometimes you get lucky and then one you just emptied is the outer one and sometimes you have to move all 3 kegs

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

That is kind of a pain in the butt, just got to be gentle I suppose

@beeroquoisnation 2 года назад

Epic opener for your video. The production quality was very engaging. Very thorough review outline. Loved the review. If I had the need for a kegerator the NewAir would be on my list after watching your video. I suggest the company knew they would get a straight forward review from you, and they did. Cheers buddy.

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

Glad you enjoyed that! Just a little slow motion fun and timing with the music. Cheers!

@dieselboi91 2 года назад

I've been watching your videos for a few years now and I can tell you're probably a watch nerd like me (saw a Seiko box appear in one of your vids from way back). But there's some pieces you wear that I just cannot for the life of me figure out what it is. I know it might not be homebrewing/beer related, but do you ever plan on making a video sharing some of the watches you have? If so, it'll be so cool to see some of the pieces you wear!

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

Guilty as charged! Although everything I own is about the seiko price range with the exception of a few lol. I'll have to think about it for a video, I rotate a lot and buy/sell a lot too, so I may not still have some of the same ones I had in old videos. Feel free to ask if you're curious about what I had on in a particular video.

@NikitaVorontsov 2 года назад

Prebuilt one taps start off great as an introduction to kegging but I definitely think they come to a time where you really start needing extra taps! Especially since there’ll always be a 1 week period where your beer isn’t able to be drunk during carbonation! Great intro to kegging though with the 1 taps!

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

It's a good place to start, you're right! But there will always be a need for more taps haha. Cheers!

@jpboquete 2 года назад

I have one from edge star it has been very good as my first kegerator, i modified it with a double faucet and new double regulator, i love your channel i have made almost all of the lagers you have made using my pressure fermentor

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

Awesome stuff! Glad you enjoy the channel!

@Unsub-Me-Now 2 года назад

I have the Insignia - 5.6 Cu. Ft. Kegerator. It costs under $600 with a single tap and comes with a CO2 tank. I replaced the single tap with a 3 tap Intertap Draft Tower from morebeer. All in all I have a 3 tap kegerator for around $700. It is a pain replacing kegs because you have to move everything around to get to your keg. Buuut it saves space and looks legit.

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

Can't beat it!

@timothyfritz9604 2 года назад

Great review. I found a Kegco Commercial unit for 50% off. Cost was only reason why I went that rout. It does take up a little more realestate, but my Co2 tank is stored inside rather than inside and was a dual tap instead of a single tap. Mine also has a digital readout on front. I am extremely happy with what i have since my EdgeStar KC800 died on me.

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

I've heard lots of great feedback on the Kegco kegerators and that seems like a pretty good alternative!

@alvaradobrewhouse6387 2 года назад

Great review video AB!

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

Thanks!

@guillermojimenez5557 2 года назад

I got the Komos V2 on Black Friday for $740 with extra accessories it already fits 4 corny kegs so no mods needed. Got it with the 4 tap blacked out tower and blacked out Nukataps neoprene draft tower cover. Comes with a nice regulator and all Duotight fittings and lines but no CO2 tank. So far its been great no issues so much nicer than my previous two tap kegerator. I think $1200 is very steep for a one tap Kegerator that only fits 3 corny kegs. You can get a double wide Komos Kegerator that fits 8 kegs for about the same price.

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

Score!! Sounds like a phenomenal deal you got there, congrats!

@johnnyperez2260 2 года назад

Hey Steve. I'm kinda in the same situation as you. I first built a 3 tap keezer for about $1,000 including all the parts, paint and accesories. Still use it as a fermentation chamber. Once I made my bar in the basement I upgraded to a KegLand Series 4 Kegerator 3 tap. Similar in design than yours the only major difference is you can connect a hose inside the tower with a cooling fan to keep the beer in the lines cold which is a great feature. Things I dont like about the KegLand Series 4 is the ice buildup in the back which I have to breakup and clean every couple of months but overall happy with it.

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

That's a very interesting feature and sounds like a great design idea! Bummer about the ice but sounds like a solid option. Thanks for sharing!

@Rubio_Eric 2 года назад

I bought a used minifridge for 40 bucks and modified it to fit my keg in it. Its been working great for a couple years. I also have a beer fridge I use if I need more than one keg chilled

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

Perfect solution!

@theronjclark 2 года назад

damn braj....LOVE the extra honest review.....straight up,,,I LOVE my homemade full size fridge kegorator......but it LOOKS like a homemade kegorator..... That thing is just plain pretty...

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

I always try to be honest, glad you enjoyed it and your DIY setup is working for you! I just modified this one and now it looks homemade lol

@PartyTimeBrewing 2 года назад

Seems like a reasonably solid unit, but like you said, it would be great to see some comparisons. If I had to buy now, I'd look at the Kegland ones I think based on 3 taps plus somewhere in the region of 1/2 to 2/3 the price of the Newair, but I may be missing something in terms of quality comparison between the two. Cheers!

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

Kegland seems to beat Newair pretty solidly in terms of value for money. Thanks for watching!

@StevenDavisPhoto 6 месяцев назад

Since you only have one tap, couldn't you move the co2 tank inside so you can put it closer to the wall?

@westcoastbestcoast7683 2 года назад

I started off with something similar I got given, albeit a lot less fancy. I found the tower caused a lot of foaming in my beer because of the temperature change but I'm guessing the fan in this one addresses that. Built a keezer last year and haven't looked back! That looks like an awesome space saver in an apartment though.

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

The first part of the pour is definitely a bit foamier than the rest, but its not too bad so far. I think it can be compensated for with line length and serving pressure. Cheers!

@James-vf5gs 2 года назад

The kegland series X fits 4x standard 19L kegs. The footprint I believe is identical or just about. I rock this and think it's great, although I have nothing to compare to.

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

Lots of good feedback on the Kegland kegerators! Fitting 4 kegs out the box is awesome!

@TroubleBrewing 2 года назад

Never gotten a prebuilt kegerator. Always just built my own, but seems like a really nice kegerator. Cheers!

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

Building your own is a lot of fun too! Cheers!

@DualBalloon 2 года назад

Wow! With the extra space, would you consider increasing your batch sizes? Maybe with a Brewha system, that can make larger batches but not take a crazy amount of space?

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

Not really, all of my equipment right now is geared toward a 5 gallon batch, and I like to brew often so a bigger batch size really wouldn't suit me

@Rubio_Eric 2 года назад

And I see your editing skillz improving. I tried once....I don't have the time and patience

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

Appreciate that man! I had lots of time to play around during my content break so I got to spend more time editing

@HopsANDgnarly 2 года назад

Epic b roll 🤘🏼 Stoked to see the upgrades! Have you tried intertap or nukatap? I haven’t used a perlick but I’m sure they’re pretty similar forward sealing taps

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

I've used intertap faucets ever since I built my first kegerator (I'm 99% sure they are basically identical to nukatap) and I've had zero issues with them. In fact the first time I took them apart was to install them on the new draft tower here and they were totally clean inside.

@JoeGraves24 2 года назад

@@TheApartmentBrewer Nukataps are better. Redesigned plastic shuttle inside is more streamlined and they shaved a lot of mass off the tap body. This combined effect is much less foam on a first pour. I will never go back.

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

@@JoeGraves24 I'll have to look into them!

@davidsilva-eo2bs 2 года назад

I have a 3 tap pre-built from kegco it was a good choice for me. I had to add my own ball lock ends

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

Awesome! I've seen them around before this and been curious.

@pschannel6685 2 года назад

Are you planning on doing video(s) for the kegerator mods? I think that would interesting.

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

Yup! It'll be a few weeks but I threw something together

@weaf27 2 года назад

As I see you use Torpedo Kegs. Can you tell me the exact total capacity as I'm hearing that 5 gallon version only holds 4.75 gallons, is that true?

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

They hold 5 gallons

@paulconway8596 2 года назад

I built one for about €300. Savings of about €600 on a ready made one. I'm shite at DIY but it was very simple.

@6581punk 2 года назад

If you want 4 corny kegs in there then it's hard to find a big enough fridge to modify. It took me ages to find one and even then I had to get new kegs as the reconditioned ones are wider. A pre-built would have been cheaper but less fun.

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

I've found the chest freezer route to be good for 4+ kegs, but I was able to modify this one with a collar to fit 4. Bit awkward but it works

@Bassguitarist1985 2 года назад

Nice review! Too rich for my blood! Cost me over $2000 for building my 16 tap with all the design bells and whistles. I did take a single tap Danby kegerator and convert to two taps and ball lock ends.

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

$2000/16 taps is a pretty solid rate! DIY will always be cheaper in the long run. There's definitely great 1to 4 tap kegerator options out there in lower price brackets. Thanks for watching!

@Bassguitarist1985 2 года назад

@@TheApartmentBrewer definitely! Love your channel! Semi related question. In addition to your CO2 setup, do you also have Beergas (75/25) and a pure nitro system too? Reason I ask is because im about to put a pure Nitro system on my kegerator. I want it for wines and cold brew coffee. Beergas doesnt cut it for those beverages

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

@@Bassguitarist1985 I don't...yet. I am strongly looking into a nitro setup soon though, and I probably will end up springing for it in the next few months. Although I will likely be using Beergas for it.

@Bassguitarist1985 2 года назад

@@TheApartmentBrewer yes beergas first, then nitro for those specialty drinks. It will def put my build cost around 2400 when im all done there

@afhostie 2 года назад

I'd make sure the collar works before getting rid of the keezer. Having it at the top of the keezer is probably more forgiving than the fridge will be.

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

Agreed, its not something I was planning on doing right away. I was able to seat the collar securely by drilling through the sheet metal flange above the door and it's working pretty well so far!

2 года назад

If I wanted kegerator in the apartment girlfriend made an ultimatum that it must look nice, so DIY was not an option. I ordered an open box "Klarstein Big Spender Double beverage keg fridge" for 531€, converted it too corny disconnects, replaced taps with intertaps. It holds 2 ticker old used soda kegs and a co2 canister.

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

Rule number 1 is make sure your significant other is on board!!

@draculasdaughter36 2 года назад

Wow, $1200.00?😮 I paid $299.97 for my Danby Kegerator from Costco 👍

@Wulrus_Jones 2 года назад

What regulators have you found work the best?

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

I've had a kegland regulator on my tank for years that has been absolutely fantastic. Never had issues with gauges or leaks

@Will-jd2br 2 года назад

For pouring one beer per day, bottling is still the way to go. The tap will stick and you will always waste a 1/3 of a pint of foam every day. That’s a lot of wasted beer. I only use my kegerator to force carb. It seems more reasonable to use a leg if there are multiple beer drinkers in the house.

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

I'm gonna have to disagree. Most of the time you can dial in the pour to be less foamy or just let the head settle before drinking, then you're not dumping the foam and wasting beer.

@jeremypeterson705 2 года назад

It sounds like you need to balance your lines and use forward sealing faucets. I don't lose any beer to foamy pours anymore. My faucets never stick.

@TooManyWatches 2 года назад

What’s on the wrist?

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

Not the real deal

@TooManyWatches 2 года назад

@@TheApartmentBrewer still looks nice!

@cmcurran5 2 года назад

i feel like those are geared more towards the "man cave" guy that wants a half barrel for the super bowl. i made a full bar out of my keezer and can use it to hide the 4 packs from local breweries i dont want anyone drinking haha

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

I think you nailed it. The Sankey keg hardware really makes it so you can throw one of these in a frat house and you're good to go, less aligned towards homebrewing

@StevenDavisPhoto 6 месяцев назад

$1200 is ridiculous for a single tap. You can get better ones for $800 or so.

@Bigpete9000 2 года назад

this kegerator is making the rounds for sure ... its on like every beer/mead channel there is ..its so so overpriced.. you can buy a very nice kegland/komos for hundres less and its 4 taps.

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

Agreed! Plenty of other great options in the comments

@tommanning7337 2 года назад

👍🏻👍🏻🍺

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

Cheers Tom!

@HLBmusix 2 года назад

Your kegerator was 1000 bucks back then, I guess it’s more expensive these days

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

Inflation hitting hard!

@StevenDavisPhoto 6 месяцев назад

Not to self, don't buy a NewAir model. I'll stick to Kegco or Komos.

@theulsterexpat 2 года назад

if all else fails you now have a ferm fridge...

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

100% true

@platinumrespect 2 года назад

$1200? Yeah, fuck that. Great video, BUT - Instead, grab yourself a KOMOS V2 kegerator from MoreBeer with 1 NukaTap for $800. Best taps in the game. Or upgrade to a 4 tap tower for $950. Still well below this overpriced kegerator! Note: the KOMOS V2 can fit 4 standard kegs instead of 3 as shown here on the NEWAIR. No need to run a 2x6 collar around the door.

@TheApartmentBrewer 2 года назад

I'm glad so many people have put some good alternative recommendations out there, perhaps newair will drop their prices to something more competitive!