(Part 2) Best refrigerators, freezers & ice makers according to redditors

If I were to start over and buy new equipment, one of those all-in-one systems would be very attractive. My only concern with them is I don't have a high voltage outlet and I wouldn't want to deal with an under powered system.

For a traditional system I'd do something like this:

• $ 55 Hot Liquor Tank
  
• $105 Mash Tun
  
• $240 Kettle
  
• $100 Burner
  
• $200 Fermenter
  
• $250 Ferm Chamber
  
• $ 35 Temp Controller
  
  Total $985
  
  Bonus Upgrades:
  
  
• $ 25 Dolly
  
• $120 Water Filter
  
• $110 Grain Mill
  
• $ 15 Flask
  
• $ 30 Stir Plate
  
• $ 20 Yeast Ranch
  
• $490 Kegerator
  
• $ 95 Keg
  
  Total $905
  
  And you'll want various fittings and hoses and more kegs and a stir paddle.

An ice maker that does nugget ice.

Tramontina 126-Can Beverage Center $250

7 gal | Brew Bucket Brewmaster Edition $229

Inkbird $35

Yup; they're called pellet or nugget ice makers, like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Scotsman-Brilliance-Nugget-Machine-Finish/dp/B0057PAFVM

Just to throw some math at it, a 20lb bag of ice is around $3.50 x 2 = $7/day for 40lb store-bought ice (probably close enough).

I'm seeing 50lb ice makers for $800-$2000+. Payback works out to $800 (machine cost) / $7 (store-bought) = almost 4 months. The $800 SPT brand one I saw on Amazon draws 400 watts so 0.4kwH x $0.12/kwH x 24 hours = $1.15/day electricity usage which pushes the payback out a little bit. A little risky for my taste but if OP is going to be religious about using 50lbs a day, every day, for the next 6 months or more then it might be worth the adventure.

Sadly I'm still slumming it with the tiny base model top/bottom freezer/fridge. But one of my life goals is to have one of these monstrosities: https://www.amazon.com/Frigidaire-Built-Refrigerator-Freezer-Stainless/dp/B013XG06QA

Actually that's pretty attainable albeit extravagant. If I were rich I would go for a full sized walk-in.

I just built myself a fementation chamber...I used this.

I put a collar around the top like people do for keezers to give it more height. I can fit 2 6 gallon carboys in it, one on the "floor" and one on the compressor "hump". I did have to build a little bench thingy to support the carboy on the hump.

It's hard to pin it down, but if you look long enough, you'll see a whole bunch of machines with the exact same features - the molded handles will all be very similar but slightly different, but they will all fit the same template - they will mount in the exact same way and features will all be in the same place.

For example:
RCA (but also igloo?):
https://www.amazon.com/RCA-Cubic-Foot-Chest-Freezer/dp/B00ZPN3YNM/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=igloo+chest+freezer&qid=1573074716&s=appliances&sr=1-3

Kuppet ???:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YY1GCFX/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07YY1GCFX&pd_rd_w=Be0L4&pf_rd_p=45a72588-80f7-4414-9851-786f6c16d42b&pd_rd_wg=Qip8v&pf_rd_r=JJENA9GKCEQ49A2P84ND&pd_rd_r=fc1dbfa4-754c-4a1d-af2b-f0c875b1e07f&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyWUw4VjhIUDUxM0FTJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODA3Njk3MU9HTjhMUTg1RjgyViZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDU1NzgxMjNXU1cwOVpaRUJSOCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2RldGFpbCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Northair ?????:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X8NLN9V/ref=sspa_dk_detail_5?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07X8NLN9V&pd_rd_w=Be0L4&pf_rd_p=45a72588-80f7-4414-9851-786f6c16d42b&pd_rd_wg=Qip8v&pf_rd_r=JJENA9GKCEQ49A2P84ND&pd_rd_r=fc1dbfa4-754c-4a1d-af2b-f0c875b1e07f&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyWUw4VjhIUDUxM0FTJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODA3Njk3MU9HTjhMUTg1RjgyViZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUExMDMzMDc4MThCTjA1WktNN1Y4OSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2RldGFpbCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

RCA and igloo are both very old brands in the US, but have almost certainly fallen to the wayside and been bought out. I've never heard of Kuppet or NorthAir. Take a close look - there are some differences in the handles and the knobs, but all three of these products all have the same layout - sheetmetal grille on the right hand side, controls on the lower right - power light, run light, and a knob. The lights and knobs are shaped different, but they are all in the exact same place. It's just a slightly different skin over the exact same chassis. There may be some cosmetic differences, such as the racks or handles, but they are basically the same thing. Another giveaway is if the exterior dimensions are exactly the same in every direction. Some appliances have to fit standard gaps, like a kitchen fridge or a range, so the width will always be pretty close, but the backsplash doesn't have to be an exact height.

I actually have an Igloo branded version of the RCA-Igloo and it's pretty decent. Quiet, it cools quickly, it stays frozen for days if the power goes out, and it was pretty cheap. A relative of mine bought a much bigger, front opening freezer. They spent more on it thinking it will be a better machine. And to some extent, it is. It's a completely different type and class of freezer. It was also at the upper end of the price range for that type of appliance. It looks nicer, the interior lighting is better, etc. But within a year their thermostat went bad. It's really not the manufacturer's fault, they don't make the thermostats, and it would be stupid for them to reinvent the wheel. There are already a number of other companies that have specialized knowledge that make them. It just turned out that they happened to get a lemon that didn't show up for a year. I replaced it a few years ago and it's been fine ever since.

Funny thing is the cheap Igloo has the exact same thermostat. The reason I know that is about a year into it, the Igloo also failed, only my issue was the motor starter / overload, again, not made by Igloo. After replacing that, mine has been strong for years. I didn't look at the other one closely, but I vaguely remember it being a very similar looking starter. I'd be willing to bet that, other being sized slightly larger for the bigger compressor, it's the exact same part by the same manufacturer, and it's probably on a larger but otherwise identical compressor.

What I'm getting at is it is sort of a crapshoot; infant mortality is higher these days. You can spend a lot and have it die, you can get something cheap and have it die. But you can also spend $10 to fix either and have a great machine.

I'm not an expert, but what I'm getting at is if you see two very similar but cosmetically different machines at different prices, one is a name brand, the other is not, and both have fairly similar reviews, it's usually safe to go with the cheaper one. It's probably the same thing.

Here is a link on amazon for a 3/16 swivel nut. The beer line goes over the 3/16 "barb". The "flare" end will screw right onto the pin lock disconnects you have in your setup. Use worm clamps to secure your line to the barb fitting on the swivel nut and the barb on your beer shank that's attached to your tap. Read about keg line balancing to see how long your line needs to be to get a good pour. Hope this helps!

Hell, if you are gonna go there you might as well go there.

Chest Freezer questions:

Minimum size for 2 converted pin locks plus c02 tank?

Do I need to find a freezer that specifies its variable temp can go as high as needed or does it need to be modified somehow.

I have my eyes on this chest freezer but I am weary buying online without seeing in person.



Recipe questions:

Such a thing as a reputable "fast sour" brew?

for $100 you can have unlimited ice.

Save yourself headaches. Get one of these.

For the price of running lines and buying regulators and taps you can get - https://www.amazon.com/EdgeStar-KC2000TWIN-Kegerator-Draft-Dispenser/dp/B0170O0D82

Small (2 feet by 2 feet) and portable (Wheels) you can roll it in and out as needed.

Now, you said there is not room for more taps, but then you said you have a basement.... Have you measured and priced out building a walk in cooler in the basement right under the bar, then you could run the beer lines up the wall and the only bar space taken up would be some wall space and you could have MANY taps. Like this -

Try an under-counter ice maker like this. I know someone that has one attached to a reverse-osmosis hookup and I love going to their house in the summer - unlimited ice for cold drinks by the pool.

gimme some tech Daddi!

I nominate /u/teenaamariee

She's had a rough couple of weeks dealing with sun poisoning and now an aching tooth. I think this would make her day, and plus her counter NEEDS one of these ice makers...ya know, for the next time she gets sun poisoning. jk. it's for a nice cool beverage :D

USB fridge. Great to always have a couple of cold ones in whilst you procrastinate your education away.

"Chrome plated brass faucet"

https://www.amazon.com/EdgeStar-Full-Kegerator-Draft-Dispenser/dp/B0170O0D82/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1492790105&sr=8-6&keywords=edgestar+kegerator

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V6V67W5/ref=twister_B07V5SRD1Q?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 This is the link of the 25% off product.

A bit pricey, but it’s great.

I'd want to minimize the weight loss as much as possible, so sticking with a single piece would be ideal. I'm not 100% married to the idea of having full length ribs but I'd love to do tomahawk steaks as well. Yes, I'm going to see if I can work out a way to hang the steaks also.

BUT, if that all doesn't work out, I have been checking out the Whynter. Here's the one I was looking at:
https://www.amazon.com/Whynter-BR-130SB-Beverage-Refrigerator-Stainless/dp/B00P7QI4IM/ref=pd_ybh_a_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=T8A6ZCRZ60YF21A5PN9V

I like that it has built-in circulation but how effective have you found that fan? Did you have to supplement it with a second fan and if so, how'd you do the wiring?

I’m looking at something like
https://www.amazon.com/Frigidaire-Built-Refrigerator-Freezer-Stainless/dp/B013XG06QA
Or
https://www.amazon.com/SABA-Heavy-Commercial-Reach-Refrigerator/dp/B01FRKS0AY/ref=sr_1_19?crid=QPOV5V9GU39P&keywords=commercial+refrigerators&qid=1570401807&s=appliances&sprefix=Commercial+re%2Cappliances%2C196&sr=1-19

Thanks.

Alright, what do you think I can do here - Should I try to get something likethis swivel nut for 3/16" barb? It's the only one I could find. Or should I just not bother and get the proper disconnect/line for gas like everyone else?

You're going to either be looking at awkwardly small full-sized fridges around the 15 cu-ft size or dedicated beverage display coolers of various sizes.

http://www.amazon.com/midea-WHS-258C1-Single-Chest-Freezer/dp/B00MVVITCC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1450894884&sr=8-3&keywords=7.1+cubic+foot+chest+freezer

I've got one like this and it's been chugging away every day for about two years. Most of these $150-ish makers that people are posting just like this one work pretty well from what I've heard, they've all got very similar designs. They pay for themselves pretty darn quickly if you use ice frequently.


Aside from that I'd recommend storing ice in a freezer as it gets made and shutting it off when you go to bed at night. These ~26lb/day ice makers can't quite keep up with 5-6 people making drinks if you have guests, and since it'll continue recycling ice if you don't use it they can waste a decent amount of electricity at night.

In a former office bar we had something like this, which might help you here.

we use a 110v one. strictly for cocktails. takes about 15 mins or so to make enough ice for 2 drinks then we turn it off. Its not a crazy amount of power but i wouldn't want to leave it on all day either. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00INXG9MY/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I would probably shoot more for 2.5 v/v with a german pilsner. Try to dial in to ~13PSI for 40F. This should make it taste more like the brewer intended. Here's a blower fan if your serious about fixing the first pour foaming issues. There are also DIY blower fans you can build for much cheaper but will take a few hours to put together.

https://www.amazon.com/Kegco-K309B-3-Homebrew-Kegerator-Dispenser/dp/B00E93Y84I

For 3 grand you could get an Everest monster with space for 9 homebrew kegs...

http://www.amazon.com/Kegco-K309B-3-Triple-Digital-Kegerator/dp/B00E93Y84I/ref=pd_sim_sbs_la_6?ie=UTF8&refRID=0FT0EW8992Q3PEPEM0B2

Or this one?

Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis When I was dead broke, man I couldn't picture this

The thing I've been trying to save up for is the counter top ice maker.

We moved in April and our old fridge that had the ice maker in the door doesn't fit here. Currently we have to put the tap water through the filter, then freeze that in ice trays... and it's just not the same after we were spoiled with instant crushed ice before haha!

thanks for the contest :)

Depends on what your definition of affordable and itty bitty are.

Here is one that would hold a six pack, and includes a shelf for about $50 with shipping.

Here is one that would hold one can (or a few products, especially if you do some DIY shelving) for less than $20.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012EGZ9S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1