James White on December 11, 2015 5 Comments As the holidays roll around and pricing begins to discount, many people will take advantage and buy that kegerator they’ve always wanted. Although some may be significantly cheaper, which seems like a positive, their construction material and specifications differ, resulting in a lower-end product. This kegerator comparison chart will eliminate contenders and help you decide which unit you’d benefit most from. Temperature Range (°F) Beer Tower Material CO2 Tank Reversible Door Door Finish Barrel Compatibility Dimensions EdgeStar KC2000 Low 30s Stainless steel 5 lbs. Yes Black ½, ¼, (2) 1/6, (2) Cornelius 33.50”H x 20.10”W x 24.82”D EdgeStar KC2000SS Low 30s Stainless steel 5 lbs. Yes Stainless Steel ½, ¼, (2) 1/6, (2) Cornelius 33.50”H x 20.10”W x 24.82”D Igloo FRB200 High 30s – low 40s Aluminum / sheet metal 2.5 lbs. No Stainless Steel ½, ¼, (2) 1/6, (2) Cornelius 34.64”H x 21.0”W x 27.0”D KeggerMeister KM2800SS Mid to high 30s Polished chrome 5 lbs. Yes Stainless Steel ½, ¼, (2) 1/6, (2) Cornelius 35.5”H x 23.5”W x 28.1”D Danby DKC052BSLDB-D Mid to high 30s Chrome, steel finish 5 lbs. Yes Stainless Steel ½, ¼, (2) 1/6, (2) Cornelius 33.00”H x 20.75”W x 23.75”D Avantco 178KEGRTRBLK Mid to high 30s Aluminum / sheet metal, painted finish 2.5 lbs. No Black ½, ¼, (2) 1/6, (2) Cornelius 33.25”H x 21.38”W x 26.88”D Nostalgia Electric KRS-2100 Mid to high 30s Aluminum / sheet metal, painted finish 2.5 lbs. No Black ½, ¼, (2) 1/6, (2) Cornelius 32.10″H x 26.20″W x 20.30″D KeggerMeister KM2800BK Mid 30s to low 40s Aluminum / sheet metal, Chrome 2.5 lbs. No Black ½, ¼, (2) 1/6, (2) Cornelius 35.5”H x 23.5”W x 28.1”D EdgeStar – KC2000 The KC2000 is the slimmest full size kegerator available, compared to its contenders, and offers perfectly chilled beverages in temperatures reaching the low 30s without freezing. Additionally, this EdgeStar kegerator is the only black-finished unit able to reverse its door swing, making it a great choice for spaces too small or narrow. This kegerator’s beer tower consists of heavy-duty stainless steel and comes equipped with an industry standard, chrome plated, brass faucet for long-lasting, reliable use. The unit’s air and beer lines are NSF approved for commercial applications and are commonly used in bars, restaurants and breweries. The included aluminum 5 lb. CO2 tank can supply 5 to 7 full-size kegs, making yours trips to the store less frequent. The KC2000 comes armored with a reinforced protective floor plate to prevent damage when loading/unloading your keg, and can store a full-size, pony, slim-pony, sixth barrel or a Cornelius keg. EdgeStar – KC2000SS As one of the slimmest kegerators on the market, the KC2000SS offers reliable and consistent use at an affordable price point. Designed with one of the lowest temperature ranges in the industry, this unit is able to reach into the low 30s to ensure for a perfectly chilled beer. The air and beer lines are NSF approved which are the same type used in commercial applications such as breweries, bars and restaurants. The KC2000SS comes equipped with a reversible door hinge, and because of its versatile, narrow design, it can be installed in various compact applications. The included 5 lb. aluminum CO2 tank provides a lightweight installation to make tank refills quick and painless. In addition, this tank can supply CO2 to 5-7 full-size kegs so you don’t have to refill as often. If you’re in need of more interior space, simply connect the CO2 tank to the external mount. This kegerator comes with everything you’d need for a high-quality pour. The beer tower is constructed of durable stainless steel and includes an industry standard, chrome plated brass faucet that ensures long-lasting use. The KC2000SS features a reinforced protective floor plate to prevent damage from kegs and is able to fit a full-size, pony, slim-pony, sixth barrel or a cornelius keg. The KC2000SS, is the lightest and highest quality option out of the others and will keep your beer perfectly chilled for many years to come. Igloo – FRB200 The Igloo FRB200 is the cheapest kegerator available and should be avoided if you’re looking for a quality pour. This kegerator’s beer tower is designed and constructed from aluminum/sheet metal—you can tell the difference in quality between the FRB200 and KC2000SS by gently tapping on the material. This appliance’s door is unable to reverse hinges, limiting its installation and accessibility. This unit is able to store full-size, pony, slim-pony, sixth barrel, and Cornelius kegs. Igloo Kegerator comes equipped with a 2.5 lb. CO2 tank to supply approximately 3-4 full-size kegs easily. However, many stores and facilities don’t accommodate this size, making it harder to refill once you’ve run out. This kegerator is able to cool your beverages to temperatures in the high 30s – low 40s, making it great for last minute get-togethers and more. KeggerMeister – KM2800SS The KeggerMeister works to keep your beverages cool with operating temperatures from the mid to high 30s, making it a more affordable option than others. This full-size kegerator is compatible with full-size, pony, slim-pony, sixth barrel and cornelius kegs. The KM2800SS comes equipped with a reversible door for a hassle-free installation, but its larger dimensions restrict this unit’s placement. This KeggerMeister’s beer tower consists polished chrome for a sleek look and can accommodate a number of different mugs and glasses. The 5 lb. CO2 tank can supply around 5-7 full-size kegs, reducing the amount of times you have to travel to the store. This unit is easily mobile with the included casters, the KM2800SS can move from room to room for any occasion. The KeggerMeister KM2800SS is a good addition to home bars, club houses and more. Danby – DKC052BSLDB-D While the Danby DK052BSLDB-D kegerator competes with the KC2000SS in terms of width, it lacks quality, industry standard beer components. The cheaper price is a result of low-cost materials, featuring thin, steel-finished chrome, as well as plastic beer/air lines. The Danby kegerator is compatible with full-size, pony, slim-pony, sixth barrel and cornelius kegs. This appliance comes with an included 5 lb. CO2 tank to supply 5 to 7 full-size kegs, compared to the 2.5 lb. which only supplies 3 to 4. The DKC052BSLDB-D comes complete with a reversible door to allow for it to be easily accessed, no matter the location. This Danby appliance’s interior cools to temperatures in the mid to high 30s to make sure your beverage of choice is cold and ready to drink. All the beer components needed to begin dispensing your beer are included. Avantco – 178KEGRTRBLK The Avantco 178KEGTRBLK is the most affordable kegerator out of the four listed, but sacrifices component quality to achieve this. Featuring an irreversible door swing and broad dimensions, this appliance has limited flexibility when it comes to the installation process. The inexpensive, steel-finished beer tower and chrome spout help to save money but are more vulnerable to everyday wear-and-tear. This unit can achieve temperatures in the mid to high 30s and is compatible with full-size, pony, slim-pony, sixth barrel and cornelius kegs, in addition to a 2.5 lb. CO2 tank which is able to supply CO2 to 3-4 kegs. Keep in mind, many stores are unable to fill this size, making it more difficult to refill. The 178KEGRTRBLK comes in a solid black finish and makes for a great addition to parties, picnics, barbecues and more. Nostalgia Electric – KRS2100 The lightweight attributes of the Nostalgia Electric KRS2100 make it easily mobile but its full-size dimensions and irreversible door make it an inconvenient addition to compact and restrictive spaces. The KRS2100 can chill your beverage of choice with a temperature range in the mid to high 30s. This unit is great for parties and other dim settings, the sleek-black exterior can provide an illusion of taking up less space. A 2.5 lb. CO2 tank comes included with the kegerator and is compatible with full-size, pony, slim-pony, sixth barrel and cornelius kegs. Please bear in mind that some facilities and stores are unable to refill this size tank, making it harder to replenish once you’ve run out. KeggerMeister – KM2800BK Use the KeggerMeister KM2800BK to supplement adequate cooling for your beer with a temperature range in the mid-30s to low 40s. Without a reversible door swing and compact dimensions, this all-black kegerator has limited installation and ease of access. This unit’s beer tower consists of lower grade aluminum and sheet metal while the faucet is constructed of chrome; the KM2800BK offers a sleek, clean appearance while lacking industry standard materials. A 2.5 lb. CO2 bottle comes included with the KM2800BK and is able to fill about 3 to 4 kegs with ease. Please make note that these size CO2 tanks are more difficult to refill—many businesses and facilities are unable to treat these sizes. This KeggerMeister can hold a full-size, pony, slim-pony, sixth barrel or cornelius keg. Use the included mobile casters to get the most out of this kegerator, take this appliance wherever the party is. Even though other kegerators are low-priced, The KC2000 and KC2000SS are built to achieve industry standards and go beyond expectations to ensure optimum customer satisfaction. We recommend EdgeStar than other kegerator brands for several reasons. These units are able to effortlessly achieve temperatures in the low 30s without freezing your beverage of choice, while the high-end stainless steel tower and industry standard chrome plated brass faucet assure for long-lasting durability. The NSF approved air and beer lines are able to handle high pressure and are commonly used in breweries, bars and restaurants, unlike competitors’ thin, low quality lines—this means less maintenance and more time enjoying perfectly chilled beer. Both EdgeStar Kegerators come prepared with 5 lb. CO2 tanks which supply enough carbon dioxide for 5 to 7 kegs, unlike 2.5 lb. tanks which can only supply up to 4 kegs at the most. Please note: Product information and specifications may vary. Please be sure to refer to your appliance’s product packaging or manufacturer’s website for the most accurate information.
Mark Spencer says June 15, 2016 at 11:54 pm I have the Igloo kegerator. Its been in my man cave for more than a year and a half. I have had no problems with it except how loud it is. It does produce a lot of foam the first pour. Maybe that is a poorly built tower. however the beer is always cold, right at mid 30s. the price was right, under $300(on sale). I am very happy with it. Reply
Sunset Brewery says December 13, 2016 at 5:01 pm Access foam has nothing to with your tower, unless you are opening your faucet slowly instead of quick. Most of the time access foam comes from either 1) your beer line is to short. Start with 5′ & trim down 1′ @ a time to get proper length. 2) To much CO2 pressure. I start out @ 5psi or less, depending on pressure already in keg. move up to 8-10psi by the end. 3) Sanitation. Clean & sanitize your beer lines, faucet, & sanke once a week, even when beer is still in keg. Clean your glasses by hand with light dish soap & air dry….DON’T WASH THEM IN THE DISH WASHER. Before pouring beer, rinse glass with water & DON’T PUT GLASSES IN FEEZER TO GET COLD. 4) Lean to properly poor a draft beer. 5) Serving temp is to high. Optimal serving temp is around 38 degrees. Anything over 45 can cause access foam. Get yourself a tempature controller. They override your kegerators thermometer & will keep your kegerator temp with in 1-2 degrees if you set it that way. Best investment I ever made. My kegerator fluctuated by 10 degrees Reply
Beverly says June 9, 2017 at 2:22 pm I am looking to replace a Danby kegerator. My problem is that I need one that holds Coors kegs, 1/2 barrel, the fat roundish ones. Suggestions? Reply