A kegerator is a one-of-a-kind appliance that should be standard equipment in any man cave or home bar setup. Nobody enjoys drinking warm beer and a kegerator is the perfect solution for keeping your favorite brews icy and frosty on those long, hot summer days.
Kegerators are now very popular sale items at most bar equipment stores and can even be found online and delivered for a small fee. However, ordering, purchasing and receiving your new kegerator are just the initial steps in the process.
You will then need to assemble/setup your kegerator before it is ready to use and enjoy.
The process for setting up a kegerator involves many different steps and actions. However, do not let this lengthy procedure deter you from becoming a proud kegerator owner.
We say this because the process is actually pretty easy and hassle-free, provided you have everything you need to get the job done. Most kegerator units come complete with all the parts and accessories you will need for the assembly, but you will need a few tools on hand with which to work with these parts.
Some of the tools that may be required (depending on the kegerator you purchase) include:
- Flat-head screwdriver
- Phillips-head screwdriver
- Crescent wrench
- Pliers
- Allen wrenches
- And others…
Now that you have all your tools assembled, below we will take you through a step-by-step tutorial for setting up your new kegerator, explaining every step in detail as we do.
How to Set Up a Kegerator in 12 Easy Steps
Here are the simple steps for setting up your new kegerator:
1. Putting on the Wheels
One of the great things about a kegerator is that the unit usually comes with caster wheels that can also lock into place. This is a great advantage, as it allows you to move your new beer appliance from room to room with ease.
It also allows you to lock-out the caster wheels in a specific location to ensure the unit does not move or jostle about.
To put on the wheels of the kegerator you will first need to slowly and carefully tilt the unit on its side. Once you do this, you will notice one hole on each corner of the bottom of the unit.
This is where the caster wheels will go.
First, attach the threaded metal bracket into which the wheels will be inserted. Next, add a washer to each of the rods on the opposite side of the caster wheels.
Then, slowly screw the first caster wheel into place. Repeat this process on each of the four corners until every caster wheel is attached.
Finally, turn the kegerator over to its original upright position.
2. Removing the Top Plug
With the kegerator in the upright position you will notice a plug on the top side of the unit. This plug is concealing the hole into which the tap will rest.
Removing this plug can be accomplished in one of two ways.
First, you can pry the cap/plug off using a flathead screwdriver, or you can also open the door and, using your hand, push the plug out from the top of the unit.
3. Start Building the Draft Tower
Now that the hole has been uncovered from the top of the unit you can begin installing the draft tower—the tower from which the beer will eventually be poured.
To do this you must first unravel the beer line hose from the bottom of the tower.
With the hose completely unraveled, you will then insert/feed it and the hex nut through the top-side hole you created by removing from the plug.
4. Cinching up the Draft Tower
The next step is to align and secure the rest of the draft tower. After you have fed all of the beer line hose through the top-side hole, it’s time to insert the draft tower into the top of the kegerator.
To do this, line up the plastic adaptor on the lower end of the draft tower to the top-side hole of the unit. This alignment can be very tricky, considering that when you are finished the faucet connection for the tower must be facing the front side of the cabinet.
Start by aligning the tower adaptor to either the left or right side of the cabinet, and slowly turn it roughly 25 degrees towards the front side of the unit. This will lock into place and the faucet connection should be facing the correct way.
5. Installing the Railing
Most kegerators come with a railing that goes around the top side of the unit. This railing helps prevent items from falling off your beer appliance.
The great part is that the kegerator will probably have pre-drilled holes that are designed to accept this metal railing.
Simply align the rods on the bottom of the railing with the holes on the top side of the kegerator and snap them into place. Your railing is now installed.
6. Installing the Handle Faucet and Drip Tray
The actual faucet for your new kegerator will come in two pieces: the faucet itself and the faucet handle (or tap handle). First you will want to screw the faucet into the front side of the draft tower.
While doing this, you will need to make sure that the opening of the faucet is facing down towards the floor. Be sure to screw this connection very tightly using your crescent wrench or pliers.
Once the faucet is installed, you can then screw on the beer tap handle—as tight as you can using just your hands.
Finally, locate the four pre-drilled holes just beneath the faucet, and snap in the included drip tray, which is designed to catch any spills or overflows.
7. Connecting the Tube to the Regulator
This next step—connecting the tube to the regulator—is a bit more tricky but still very manageable.
First, locate the carbon dioxide (CO2) regulator and make sure it is in the “off” or “closed” position (when closed, the shut off valve to the regulator should be perpendicular—and not parallel—to the tubing itself). Next, locate the lengthy CO2 line tube and insert one end of that tube onto the hose connection of the gas regulator.
Once the line is inserted, you will need to secure it firmly in place. To do this, snap on one of the hose clamps and use your pliers (or screwdriver) to crimp or tighten the clamp around the hose barb.
You should place the clamp as high up as possible without getting in the way of the shut off valve.
Finally, locate and remove the rubber plug on the back of the kegerator, and feed the tube through the now-opened hole—going in through the back of the unit to the inside of the kegerator.
8. Connecting the CO2 Regulator to the CO2 Cylinder and Mounting the Cylinder
You will notice at this time that the CO2 regulator is equipped on one end with a large nut—a nut that also conceals an “O” ring to prevent any gas from escaping. You will need to screw this end of the regulator onto the corresponding valve of the CO2 tank.
Be sure to use a wrench to secure this connection tightly. This will also prevent any loss of pressure with your new tank.
Now that your CO2 regulator is connected to your CO2 tank, place the tank aside for a moment and look for the CO2 tank holder or bracket. You will notice that this bracket has four rods or extensions on each corner.
Next, find the four pre-drilled holes on the back of the kegerator and snap the CO2 bracket firmly in place. Once the holder has been locked in place you can now place the CO2 tank into the holder on the back side of the unit.
9. Connecting the Keg Coupler and CO2 Tubing
When connecting the keg coupler to the keg of beer you purchased you must first ensure that the pull handle of that coupler is in the closed position. Once you check this, simply insert the keg coupler onto the locking top portion of the keg and turn it clockwise about a quarter of a turn to lock into place.
Locate the opposite end of the CO2 tubing—the end you previously fed through the back hole of the unit. Attach that hose to the corresponding hose barb on the keg coupler.
Then, secure with clamps in the same way you did with the CO2 regulator.
10. Connecting the Beer Line to the Keg Coupler
Using the included beer line tube—which you previously fed through the top hole of the kegerator—connect that line to the top of the keg coupler.
Be sure to fasten it tightly by first inserting a washer and tightening the connection firmly using a wrench.
11. Tap Your Keg
To tap the keg, simply pull out the handle located on the keg coupler.
As you pull the handle outwards, simultaneously push the tap down onto the keg valve mechanism.
In some cases you will need to twist 2 flanges to lock it into place, but most taps will lock automatically after this step.
12. Calibrate Position and Enjoy
Following the step-by-step directions that came included with your kegerator, you will now need to calibrate the CO2 regulator—this is usually about a 4-step process.
Once it has been calibrated you can position the keg into the kegerator and begin enjoying ice cold beer right from the tap without ever having to leave home.
Pour Yourself A Beer
Finally, pour yourself a well deserved perfect pint of beer and sit back, relax and enjoy your surroundings. And take pride in knowing that you did the setup all on your own.