So it is finally time to get serious about getting myself a chest freezer and building a collar to make a Keezer.
The dilemma is: what size freezer to get? I know I want to be able to hold a minimum of 6 kegs (at the moment a mix of ball and pin lock), with up to 4 on tap and room for another two to be queued up or be lagering.
I was discussing this with a friend, and he told me whatever size I think I want, get a bigger one because he's sure I'll eventually want the larger space.
However, at any given time, especially at the beginning, I may only have 2-3 kegs in there at a time. Note that I will definitely have the controller probe in (or strapped to) a non-tiny water vessel like a growler to minimize wild temperature fluctuations. I also expect to get a controller with a compressor protector. The collar will also definitely be insulated.
So for those of you who operate these things, what would the expected effect of having a freezer operating at around 40F that is sized for 6, or 8, or more kegs with only 2-3 in place? Would it over-stress the compressor due to lack of thermal mass? Or do they run ok like that? Note that I don't want to stick kegs or whatever just full of water to provide the thermal mass, cuz I don't want to have to pull full kegs outta there when swapping out.
Just trying to make sure I don't buy myself a problem I don't need!
Thanks
The dilemma is: what size freezer to get? I know I want to be able to hold a minimum of 6 kegs (at the moment a mix of ball and pin lock), with up to 4 on tap and room for another two to be queued up or be lagering.
I was discussing this with a friend, and he told me whatever size I think I want, get a bigger one because he's sure I'll eventually want the larger space.
However, at any given time, especially at the beginning, I may only have 2-3 kegs in there at a time. Note that I will definitely have the controller probe in (or strapped to) a non-tiny water vessel like a growler to minimize wild temperature fluctuations. I also expect to get a controller with a compressor protector. The collar will also definitely be insulated.
So for those of you who operate these things, what would the expected effect of having a freezer operating at around 40F that is sized for 6, or 8, or more kegs with only 2-3 in place? Would it over-stress the compressor due to lack of thermal mass? Or do they run ok like that? Note that I don't want to stick kegs or whatever just full of water to provide the thermal mass, cuz I don't want to have to pull full kegs outta there when swapping out.
Just trying to make sure I don't buy myself a problem I don't need!
Thanks