The 6 Best Kegerators of 2023, According to Brewers
Dotdash Meredith and Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.
Enjoy perfectly chilled pints at home with our list of expert-approved picks.
Amazon
While kegerators may not be at the top of most people’s priority list when it comes to shopping for appliances and kitchen gadgets, if you’re serious about beer, a kegerator is a game changer. For the uninitiated, kegerators are essentially purpose-built refrigerators meant for holding a keg of beer. They maintain a stable temperature and have all the mechanisms to allow for dispensing cold, fresh beer — it’s like a bar experience right at home. And though a kegerator might seem like something best left to those with a finished basement or spacious garage, kegerators don’t have to be massive in size. In fact, they probably shouldn’t be!
“The size of your kegerator should be no bigger than the amount of beer you expect to go through in a reasonable amount of time,” says Dan Shapiro of Figueroa Mountain Brewing. “If you’re buying a kegerator for your home, I generally wouldn’t recommend one that would fit more than two sixtel (5.15 gallon) kegs — about the size of a large mini-fridge.”
With this in mind, we’ve compiled this list of the industry's best kegerators designed for at-home use. There’s one for every type of beer enthusiast.
Best Overall: Kegco MDK-309SS-01 Keg Dispenser
Pros
This is a spacious yet compact kegerator from the industry’s leading brand.
Cons
This kegerator is not suitable for outdoor use or built-in installation.
Kegco is a respected name in kegerators, and the 309SS is a versatile choice for beer enthusiasts at home. The fridge will hold three different keg types — sixth, quarter, or full barrels — and the dual-tap head means you can make the most of tucking in two sixth-barrel kegs side-by-side.
A digital LED display lets you see at a glance how cold your beer is, and temperature adjustments as low as 32° Fahrenheit are as easy as pressing a button. This kegerator is meant to function as a standalone, indoor unit, which means it’s designed for ease of use in a home setting, making it an ideal choice for avid beer drinkers.
Price at time of publish: $953
Dimensions: 25 x 24 x 33.35 inches
Installation type: Standalone
Compatible keg type: 2 sixth-barrels, 1 quarter-barrel, or 1 full-size
Number of taps: 2
Best Value: EdgeStar KC2000SS Full Size Kegerator
Pros
This kegerator offers versatility and a generous capacity at a reasonable price.
Cons
It only has one tap.
Similar in capacity to our recommended Kegco but clocking in at a few hundred dollars cheaper, the EdgeStar KC2000SS kegerator is a great choice if you’re looking for full-size keg capability and don’t mind having just one tap.
This freestanding kegerator is available with either a stainless steel or black finish, and it includes everything you need — minus the keg of beer, of course — to get yourself up and running to enjoy draft beer at home. It even comes with rolling casters to make it easy to maneuver your kegerator as needed.
Price at time of publish: $629
Dimensions: 25.69 x 20.19 x 35.06 inches
Installation type: Standalone
Compatible keg type: 2 sixth-barrels, 1 quarter-barrel, or 1 full-size
Number of taps: 1
Best Splurge: Perlick Dual Tap Stainless Steel Kegerator
Pros
This is a sleek, ultra-high-end kegerator with two taps.
Cons
This kegerator is very pricey and recommended for serious beer drinkers only.
While we acknowledge that Perlick’s dual tap kegerator sits at a price point that is out of reach for many of us, we’re including it here anyway, because it’s a true high-end kegerator — and as they say, "Go big or go home."
Perlick is a well-reputed commercial brand, and this dual-tap kegerator brings that professional quality into your home. It’ll keep your beer cold and dispense it as smoothly and well-balanced as you’d expect from the taps at your favorite bar. Perfect for entertaining, the Perlick might even have your friends coming around a little too often. Now all you need is a set of matching beer glasses.
Price at time of publish: $6,945
Dimensions: 34.25 x 24 x 24 inches
Installation type: Standalone
Compatible keg type: 2 half-barrels or 1 quarter-barrel
Number of taps: 2
Best Portable: TMCraft Growler Tap System Mini Keg
Pros
This growler is lightweight and super portable, and it keeps beer cold for hours.
Cons
Due to its small capacity, it's not practical for frequent use.
Whether you’re grilling at the campsite or just hanging out in the backyard with friends, TMCraft’s mini keg is a fun, effective way to sip fresh beer on the go. This portable keg holds 128 ounces of beer, which is kept cold for up to three hours with the insulated keg cooler.
While this may not be the most efficient way to enjoy a draft beer on a regular basis, having a mini kegerator on hand can definitely up the fun factor of your social gatherings
Price at time of publish: $110
Dimensions: 5.3 x 7.7 x 18.3 inches
Installation type: No installation
Keg capacity: 128 ounces
Number of taps: 1
Best Countertop: HomeCraft Black Stainless Steel Tap Beer Growler Cooling System CBD5BS
Pros
Its convenient size makes having a kegerator more practical.
Cons
It’s not the sleekest-looking machine.
If you like the idea of a kegerator but simply don’t have the space for a full-sized appliance, this countertop version from HomeCraft can provide that fresh draft experience from a small footprint.
The HomeCraft mini kegerator works with five-liter kegs — either pressurized or not — as well as its own refillable growler. It dispenses through a simple pull and release lever and is compatible with standard-threaded CO2 cartridges. Beer will keep fresh for about 30 days in exchange for a bit of counter space.
Price at time of publish: $200
Dimensions: 19 x 18.5 x 13.5 inches
Keg capacity: 5 liters
Installation type: Standalone
Compatible keg type: Reusable growler, non-pressurized or pressurized mini kegs
Number of taps: 1
Best for Outdoors: Kegco Dual Faucet Digital Commercial Outdoor Kegerator
Pros
It's safe for outdoor use and suitable for either standalone or built-in installation.
Cons
It’s pricey, and you need outdoor space to store it.
If you’re looking for a kegerator for outdoor use — think of placements like an unheated garage, patio setup, deck, or workshop — Kegco is once again our recommendation. This durable kegerator is constructed specifically for outdoor use and can either stand independently or integrate as a built-in unit.
You’ll enjoy capacity for several different keg configurations, as well as two taps for making the most of a two-keg setup. It doesn’t come cheap, but this flexible kegerator is ideal for heavy-duty use in variable temperatures.
Price at time of publish: $2,374
Dimensions: 34.125 x 24 x 25
Installation type: Standalone or built-in
Compatible keg type: 2 quarter-barrel, 1 full-size, or 3 homebrew kegs (5 gal)
Number of taps: 2
Our Favorite Kegerator
We’re tipping our hat to the Kegco MDK-309SS-01 Keg Dispenser, thanks to its reasonable price, versatile capacity, and dual taps. This kegerator is ideal for beer enthusiasts who want to replicate the draft beer experience at home without spending thousands of dollars on an elaborate setup.
Factors to Consider
Size
Since the size of your kegerator will probably be determined by how much space you have available to accommodate one in the first place, don’t overthink this one. Unless you’re working with a countertop or portable kegerator, you’ll have some flexibility with keg size.
Installation
Most kegerators meant for home use are intended to be freestanding units. That means installation should be a breeze — but do double-check manufacturer recommendations to ensure that your kegerator is set up to perform at its best. If you’re looking for a kegerator that can be built in, be sure to shop accordingly.
Ease of Cleaning
Most kegerators will be fairly straightforward in terms of cleaning — a regular wipedown and occasional line flush. You’ll want to consult manufacturer directions in any case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big should a kegerator be?
As Shapiro notes, if you’re buying a kegerator for home use, it doesn’t need to be massive. Consider the amount of space you have available for a kegerator and the frequency with which you’re planning to use it, and go from there. Remember, most kegerators have capacity for different sizes of kegs and thus can accommodate a variety of needs.
How long does beer last in a keg, and what temperature should it be set at?
“You should keep your kegerator set somewhere between 36 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit,” says Shapiro. “Any warmer, and you risk your beer going bad; any colder, and you’ll suppress a lot of the flavor and risk the beer freezing.”
When kept at these temperatures, Shapiro says beer should remain stable in a kegerator for about a month.
How do you clean a kegerator?
“Basic fridge maintenance will apply here — including wiping down all surfaces and making sure the condenser coils are clean,” Shapiro explains. “But more important is to keep the lines clean. A well-run line system should be flushed every two weeks with a powdered brewery wash (PBW) cleaner, while all couplers and faucets should be disassembled and cleaned with the same cleaner.”
Where do you fill a CO2 tank for a kegerator?
Any store that sells supplies for home brewing should sell and be able to refill CO2 tanks. You can also check hardware and sporting goods stores, as well as welding shops.
Our Expertise
This article was written by Summer Rylander, a food and travel journalist who has written about food, beverage, and cooking products for Food & Wine, Allrecipes, Serious Eats, and The Kitchn. She made her selections based on thorough research and conversation with experts.
For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on Food & Wine.
