Chest Freezer Collar- Is It Needed?

[djackal]

Hi guys,

I have been running through a number of sceneareos for my bar based on a chest freezer. I will be using fonts and I will not be drilling through the lid of the freezer. I am of the opinion that it will be easier to drill through the side of the lid and come down through the top of the plastic inner than building a collar for the freezer. Is there any particular reason why the collar is preferred by members of this site other than keeping the orignal freeZer intact for the option (though unlikely) of reverting the freezer back to its original design.

Any thoughts?

 

[Sammus]

because some peoples freezers arent tall enough to hold the kegs they are using. Also, some people like to mount taps straight onto the collar.

 

[big d]

I would imagine drilling into the lid then having to cut through the plastic inner cover then pry away the insulation would be enough reason to put in place a collar.At the end of the day its your call djackal.I havent a chest freezer as yet but will you have enough room to do what you want with the lid?.Im guessing you will be shy of room for the shank and nuts.

Cheers
Big D

 

[Darren]

Hi DJ,

If your freezer is tall enough to fit the kegs just do as the drawing below suggests. Push the lines under the seal (works fine) and either attach the taps to existing hinges on freezer, the wall or a free-standing "tower". No drilling required!!

cheers

Darren

 

[pokolbinguy]

G'day djackal,

Check out this thread - HERE

This has a good run down of my Chest freezer collar...may clear up some questions and give you a few clues...from what I gather a few other people have made similar collars for the same reason....mainly so as not to drill into the freezer.

Anyway good luck,

Pok

 

[snagler]

I am about to embark on a similar project with my chest freezer and also have a few related questions

1. Is a 200mm collar too high? (so I can fit 2 more kegs in)

2. Should I make it from solid timber (like bonj's or pokolbin guys) or with two thin timber sections so I can put foam fill insulation in between? Is there any efficiency gains to be made from useing the insulation fill method?

Thankyou

 

[KGB]

djackal: I'm not 100% sure what you mean but to me it seems it would be easier to drill straight through the lid. Another reason for adding a collar is some people make it like a "feature" of their chesty. Personal tastes though, so whatever floats your boat.

snagler: 200mm is OK, but it will work a lot better with one or two PC fans in there to circulate the cold air up to the top - mainly for the benefit of your taps and beer lines. I'm sure 2 thin walls with proper insulation would be better if you can do it easily. Solid timber is a pretty easy way to do it and works fine. It will need to be pretty sturdy if you want to bolt your taps through it, and needs to be solid enough to support the flipped-up lid.