Best Kegators for 2022 | Saveur

For beer fanatics, a kegerator is the last word residence equipment. It permits drinkers to have a draft expertise within the consolation of their very own residence, and for a lot of, draft beer reigns supreme over ingesting from cans or bottles. 

“I personally suppose draft is the perfect format for capturing the complete vary of aroma and style traits of most beers,” says Kayla Gibbens, assistant brewmaster at Widmer Brothers.

Plus, having a kegerator will help you finally pay much less for beer and is a extra eco-friendly possibility than shopping for beer in cans or bottles. “Having a kegerator in your house means which you can get pleasure from recent draft beer anytime, and the price is cheaper per serving,” says Jimmy Mauric, head brewmaster at Shiner Beer. “Lastly, it’s environmentally pleasant as a result of there’s no cardboard and no cans or bottles to go to waste.”

And whereas kegerators usually converse to beer lovers and homebrewers, you can too use it for pouring up kombucha, cold brew coffee, tender drinks, and extra. 

In case you’re able to serve up some chilly drinks, then learn on to see our picks for finest kegerators.

Our Prime Picks

Finest Total: Kegco Dual Faucet Digital Commercial Outdoor Kegerator

Dimensions: 24” x 34.125” x 25” | Supplies: stainless-steel | Keg Capability: full, half, quarter, quarter slim, one-sixth barrel, or Cornelius keg

Why we selected it: Kegco is a revered kegerator model, and this mannequin has the works, with two high-grade kegerator faucets and the most effective temperature ranges we’ve seen.

“There are a number of good manufacturers on the market,” says Gibbens. “I personally have a Kegco. It’s been dependable, retains beer good and chilly, and had the options I wished.” 

The temperature vary on this Kegco is exceptional and contributes to creating it the most effective kegerators on the market. It goes from 23°F to as excessive as 59°F. Plus, it will possibly home a big selection of keg sizes, together with the Cornelius kegs generally utilized by homebrewers. 

What’s additionally cool about this specific Kegco mannequin is that it has two Perlick 630SS keg faucets, which makes it a very nice kegerator for entertaining.

That being stated, it’s expensive at nearly $2,300. As nicely, a number of patrons famous that they have been lacking directions for organising completely different elements of their kegerator. Moreover, many famous that the screws supplied for the deal with have been too quick, and there aren’t any hose clamps included.

Finest Price range: EdgeStar Craft Brew Kegerator

Dimensions: 18.25” x 17.5” x 33.25” | Supplies: stainless-steel | Keg Capability: one-sixth barrel or Cornelius keg

Why we selected it: EdgeStar’s Craft Brew Kegerator is compact, straightforward to assemble, and straightforward in your pockets.

At slightly below $540, this kegerator delivers on high quality with out breaking the financial institution. Its compact measurement makes it straightforward to suit into any room or storage, and it’s fairly easy to assemble. Nonetheless, it will possibly solely accommodate two sorts of kegs. 

For chilly beer lovers, this kegerator can get fairly chilly, going as little as 32°F. And although some patrons report that the temperature management can get caught at 37°, those that have examined it by placing a thermometer contained in the kegerator discovered it does nonetheless attain 32°F. 

As nicely, many Amazon patrons talked about receiving a unit that was dented, although to various levels of severity.

Finest Splurge: Perlick Signature Series Adara Beer Dispenser

Dimensions: 34 1/4” x 23 7/8” x 24” |  Supplies: stainless-steel and chrome | Keg Capability: two half barrel kegs or one quarter barrel

Why we selected it: A trusted business model, Perlick’s kegerators carry the expertise of a bar proper to your property.

“Perlick is the perfect and confirmed,” Mauric says. “The Perlick Company has been in enterprise for over 100 years.” 

Famous for having their methods in bars, eating places, and stadiums, Perlick additionally creates high quality kegerators for the house. This twin faucet mannequin makes it nice for entertaining, and the modern, design-forward Adara tower will make your kegerator much more of a speaking level. 

In case you love your beer good and chilly, this kegerator is nice. However if you wish to home hotter drafts, like a stout, this may not be as nice, because the temperature vary on this mannequin goes from 33°F to 42°F. 

As nicely, that is by far the priciest kegerator on our listing, at simply over $6,200. 

Runner Up

Though not a kegerator, the NutriChef Pressurized Growler Tap System is value a point out on this information, particularly if you wish to have draft beer with out investing the cash and house a kegerator requires. It’s transportable, weighing slightly below 6 kilos with a tank measurement of 128 ounces, and it suits nicely within the fridge, so you’ll be able to have chilly draft beer able to go for as much as two months with out the beer going flat. Plus, it’s straightforward to place collectively and straightforward to wash.

Issues to Think about Earlier than Shopping for a Kegerator

Measurement

This is a crucial one. First off, Julia Herz, govt director of the American Homebrewers Association, notes, you’ll need to decide the place you need to put your kegerator, whether or not inside or outdoors, and whether or not you need it to be built-in or stand alone. You’ll additionally need to take into account the scale of your kegerator. “What number of kegs do you need to match? How huge are every of these kegs?” she asks.  

Before you purchase your kegerator, be sure you understand how a lot house you’ll be able to allot to it, whether or not in your house, storage or yard.  

Keg Capability

“One of many options you need to take into consideration is, is it an ordinary sufficient kegerator that it suits your commonplace half barrel of beer?” Herz says. “That’s 15.5 U.S. gallons of beer. You even have the flexibility to have kegerators that serve smaller sizes. A number of breweries are additionally producing beer out there by way of kegs which can be perhaps 5 gallons.”

Herz additionally mentions that homebrewers are inclined to keg in smaller sizes. So, it’s value contemplating if you need an ordinary bar-sized keg in your kegerator (the half barrel), or if you wish to go for a smaller sized keg. 

Temperature Vary

As a result of the optimum temperature can range for several types of beer, you’ll need to be certain your kegerator has a superb temperature vary, so you’ll be able to change the temperature correctly as you progress by way of completely different types of beer.

FAQs

How lengthy does a kegerator final?

“It has the potential to final for a few years if correct upkeep is completed on the mechanical facet,” Mauric says. 

Talking of which, make sure you swap in new draft strains periodically. “Your draft strains needs to be changed about each 5 years, [or] extra usually with very common use,” Gibbens says.

How usually do I would like to wash my kegerator?

Fairly continuously, our consultants say. “You need to clear your kegerator each 2 weeks,” Mauric says. “The chemical resolution must be run by way of the beer line and tap.” 

​​For the perfect beer expertise, Gibbens cleans her draft strains between each keg. “It’s a reasonably straightforward course of, and it’s value it to have the freshest beer,” she says. “In any other case, month-to-month is an efficient apply.”

What temperature ought to a kegerator be set at?

It varies. “If we take a look at restaurant kegerators and that shelling out system, the business ones, most kegerator methods and beers are distributed at 38°F,” Herz says. “That’s principally designed for American lager, probably the most bought beer style-wise by way of draft.” 

That being stated, Gibbens says she retains hers between 35° and 36°F, and Mauric retains his between 35° and 38°F. Finally, it comes right down to the type of beer you propose to maintain on faucet. For American lagers, you’ll need to be in that cooler vary. For IPAs, you’ll need to set your kegerator to at the very least 38°F, however it will possibly even go up just a little from there. For stouts, you’ll be able to go as excessive as 50°F. So, do your analysis and decide what temperature is finest for the beer you propose to maintain in your keg.

Equipment to Think about Buying With Your Kegerator

Barworks Beer Drip Tray

Whereas many kegerators include a drip tray, this can be a nice possibility if you wish to stage up yours. Some kegerators include a plastic drip tray, however this one is stainless-steel, which can make your kegerator look extra luxe. Plus, it suits two beer glasses, so it’s nice for twin faucet fashions, and it’s additionally straightforward to wash. 

How to Brew: Everything You Need to Know to Brew Great Beer Every Time

Advisable by Herz, this ebook is nice for brand new and skilled homebrewers alike. “It lays out every part you want,” she says, from gear to strategies to recipes. Think about this your information to all issues homebrewing.

Ultimate Ideas

In relation to figuring out the perfect kegerator for you, take into account how a lot house and cash you’re prepared to put money into it. These might be fairly huge and fairly expensive, so in the event you’re searching for an awesome kegerator interval, the Kegco one will likely be a improbable new addition to your property or yard setup. However in the event you’re searching for one that’s reasonably priced and comparatively compact, the EdgeStar one suits the invoice. 

Methodology 

We spoke to 3 consultants concerning the ins and outs of proudly owning a kegerator. They walked us by way of which options to look out for, finest temperatures to set your kegerator at, and the best way to care to your kegerator. With that in thoughts, we performed unbiased analysis and located the perfect kegerators for the completely different classes listed above.