How to make a portable Wheelie Bin Kegerator

March 8, 2020

I drink beer. I like good beer. That’s why I created Beer Crawl. I also love camping. My camp fridge has less room for beer because the wife seems to think we need to bring food and drinks for the kids.
I did not want to go down the esky route as I hate having to buy ice – I wanted something more sustainable. Bringing bottles or cans is also a problem for rubbish storage.

I have a home made kegerator in my office. I look at it often. One day, I decided to make a portable version. I wanted something I could easily fit in the back of the Prado to take camping – or for when the wife drives – to the beach.

The first step was to add some insulation to the bottom.I had an old ‘pool noodle’ lying around so cut it through the middle (halving the height) then cut strips to the same of the base of the wheelie bin.

Next was to add a bracket to hold the regulator and gas bottle. I wanted this high so you could see it, but low enough for room for a 40mm foam inner lid.
I measured and drilled holes. Due to the weight, I added a bit of flat aluminium I had lying around to give it more rigidness (as the wheelie bin is somewhat flexible).

Next was to drill a hole for the tap shank to go through the front of the bin. Again, wanted the height right and added extra bracing before inserting the tap shank.
The Tap shank is made for fridges, being 100mmm long, I used a Dremel to cut to an appropriate length.

I had some left over insulation roll and sarking from a previous job, so measured 4 x panels, cut and wrapped the sarking. The sarking was bonded with spay adhesive and tape.
I don’t necessarily recommend this – it’s just what I had lying around

The last part is the inner lid. Just cut the 40mm foam with a slug fit to the internal of the wheelie bin. Then slot the Ice Bricks down each side (two on each side). Hardest thing to do is remember to prepare them before next use ?

If you are not into home brewing, and want to know where the nearest brewery you can use to fill your 19L (cornie) keg,

Check out the EAST COAST Breweries that fill em

Check out the WEST COAST Breweries that fill em

PARTS LIST

Wheelie Bin

100l mini wheelie bin - I/N: 4520172

100 litre capacity
UV stable
Complete with lid and wheels

Pick one up from Bunnings
Cost: $67

19 Litre Keg

19l new stainless ball lock keg

This single handle 19l stainless steel AMCYL are backed up by the name of Mangrove Jacks.
Give Brew Shed a call to see if they have any second hand

Pick one up from The Brew Shed
Cost: $139

19L Keg Jacket

Neoprene Keg Parka
60cm high
fit any kegs that are between 20-24cm in diameter.

Pick one up from Ebay
Cost: $20

Tap Font with Shank

100mm Long Shank

Pick one up from The Brew Shed
Cost: $78

Mini Regulator

low profile output pressure gauge
over pressure relief valve
can be used up to 25psi.
can be used with mini 16g threaded CO2 bulbs
high quality
compatable with other MFL fittings such as pin lock disconnects

Pick one up from The Brew Shed
Cost: $55

Disconnect Ball Lock (Beer Line)

Simple push on hose fitting
no clamps needed

Pick one up from The Brew Shed
Cost: $14

Disconnect Ball Lock (Gas Line)

Simple push on hose fitting
no clamps needed

Pick one up from The Brew Shed
Cost: $14

Beer / Gas Line

Food grade
You need 4.5M in total:
- 3.5M beer line (minimum)
- 1M gas line

Pick one up from The Brew Shed
Cost: $12

Soda Stream (c02 gas)

Refill / exchange cost $20
Best for convenience
can buy from any Woolworths / Coles etc

Pick one up from Big W
Cost: $35

Soda Stream Cylinder adapter

Unlike our cheaper sodastream cylinder adaptor, this adaptor has the added advantage that you can use the side thumb screw to depress the pin in the middle of the adaptor. This pin adjustment makes the sodastream cylinder adaptor significantly easier to use.

Pin Adjustment

Pick one up from Crafted Brewing Supplies
Cost: $20

40mm Foam

EPE foam is an expanded polyethylene closed cell foam, also known as Pearl foam. The EPE foam material is a lightweight, semi-rigid, flexible foam, most commonly used in packaging, for impact and shock absorption, vibration dampening, and surface protection. As an economically priced closed cell foam, EPE foam is quite popular to use for various moisture resistance and thermal insulation required applications wear price is important. Because of its great strength to weight ratio, you find them in basic foam packaging, floor underlay, furniture edge protection and water flotation