When you can't meet up with friends at the bar, bring the bar to your backyard with an outdoor kegerator.
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Best Outdoor Beer Kegerators for Home Enjoyment
Updated on Nov. 21, 2024
There’s something special about sipping a cold draft beer at home, no matter the season. To bring the bar experience to your backyard, consider adding an outdoor kegerator to your outdoor living space. As the name implies, an outdoor kegerator is a refrigerator specifically built to serve beer from a keg.
If you’re going to use a kegerator outside, be sure to buy one explicitly designed for outdoor use. A regular kegerator, much like a household refrigerator, operates optimally indoors. Depending on the outdoor temperature, an indoor kegerator may freeze up or fail to cool down properly. An outdoor kegerator, however, will perform flawlessly regardless of the weather, delivering the perfect pint every time.
Some kegerators feature multiple faucets for serving various beverages. If you opt for a dual-tap model to handle both beer and cold brew coffee, verify that all components in contact with the liquids are made of stainless steel. Due to coffee’s acidity, chrome-plated brass faucets can wear away over time, resulting in a brass-flavored cup of Joe that no one wants to wake up to.
Additionally, all the kegerators we’ve listed can accommodate standard American-style beer kegs. If you prefer European brews or Guinness, which usually require a different adapter to fit the keg to the kegerator, contact the manufacturer to inquire about the appropriate adapter for your favorite draft. After that, all that’s left is to sit back and cheers to a superb stout in the comfort of your own home.
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Best Overall Outdoor Kegerator
Kegco Two-Faucet Kegerator
The Kegco two-faucet outdoor kegerator offers the convenience of tapping two brews simultaneously, accommodating either a single full keg or two quarter slim barrels. It also has enough room for up to three Corny kegs—the reclaimed five-gallon kegs often used by home brewers—so you can tap your favorite homemade IPA and stout while a wheat beer chills.
Prefer another beverage? The commercial-grade compressor boasts unbeatable cooling power to dispense kegs of beer, coffee, kombucha and even wine. No matter your drink of choice, a digital thermostat makes adjusting the interior to the perfect serving temperature a breeze.
Pros
- Versatile compatibility with various keg sizes
- Forced air refrigeration for even cooling throughout the cabinet
- Keg tapping equipment included
- Freestanding unit with wheels for convenient placement
Cons
- Assembly required
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Best Compact Outdoor Kegerator
EdgeStar 15-Inch Outdoor Kegerator
Transform any small outdoor area into a welcoming kitchen with a bar stocked with all your favorite drinks. This EdgeStar kegerator is your go-to solution for anyone with limited space. This slim appliance is not only stylish but also versatile, offering front ventilation for under-counter, built-in or freestanding installations.
With forced-air refrigeration technology and digital temperature control, this kegerator ensures precise and even cold air distribution throughout its interior. It’s capable of handling up to a one-sixth barrel or a slim quarter barrel, depending on the keg’s width. Plus, it’s perfectly sized to fit the popular five-gallon Corny keg, making it a favored choice for home brew enthusiasts.
We also love that this model sits on four wheels, making it super simple to move around as needed. If portability is top on your priority list and you’d like flexibility in where you use your kegerator, this is a great choice.
Pros
- Slim 15-inch width fits in narrow spaces
- Energy efficiency interior LED lighting
- Door lock for added security
- Digital touch display for easy temperature control
- Cools down to an icey-cold 32 degrees
Cons
- Dispense equipment sold separately
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Best Outdoor Kegerator for Covered Patios
Cal Flame Single-Tap Kegerator
Sit back and relax under some shade and crack open a cold one with the Cal Flame built-in beer tap refrigerator. While it must be shielded from the elements, making it ideal for covered patios, this kegerator stands out as one of the best value options for outdoor entertaining. With the capacity to handle up to a pony keg (a quarter barrel, or a little more than seven gallons of beer), it ensures a continuous flow of cold brews for friends and family.
For added convenience, it includes gauges for tank, regulator and pressure system monitoring. It also comes complete with a rubber strap to securely hold the keg in place, a detachable hose line for easy cleaning and all necessary pumping mechanisms.
Pros
- Convenient plug-and-play 115-volt operation
- Fully enclosed and insulated unit
- Removable rack for versatile use as a refrigerator
- Reversible door swing
- Adjustable temperature control
- Includes a rechargeable CO2 tank
Cons
- Must be placed in a covered area
- Assembly required
On Sale
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Best Large Outdoor Kegerator
Beverage-Air 79-Inch Beer Cooler
Make your deck the envy of the neighborhood with the restaurant-quality Beverage-Air Beer Cooler. If you love entertaining and have the space for it, this is the ultimate pick to elevate your gatherings and host parties everyone will remember. The impressive unit, featuring two insulated columns with four dispensing taps, can handle four standard full-size kegs.
The galvanized and stainless steel exterior is wear- and rust-resistant and includes three self-closing doors, each equipped with locks to secure the contents. Plus, magnetic door gaskets create a positive seal to preserve the cold air inside—so every pour is chilled to perfection.
Pros
- Massive four-keg capacity
- Dual-tap beer towers
- Stainless steel construction for durability and easy cleaning
- Antimicrobial supply lines prevent bacteria buildup
- Full electronic control for precise temperature management
Cons
- Requires ample space due to its large size
- Higher cost compared to smaller kegerators
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Best Splurge Outdoor Kegerator
Bull Outdoor Stainless Kegerator
This Bull kegerator boasts a sleek industrial aesthetic that seamlessly complements any decor. For those looking to create a cohesive outdoor kitchen, Bull Outdoor offers a range of matching appliances to complete your setup. This substantial kegerator is designed to accommodate a single half-barrel keg or a pair of smaller kegs, providing ample pouring power for your alfresco gatherings.
Capable of withstanding the elements with ease, it’s crafted from premium 304 stainless steel to ensure long-lasting durability. As an outdoor-rated and NSF-certified appliance, it also meets the highest standards for both safety and performance so you can sip your stout with confidence. It does not come with wheels, though, so moving it around is a little more work.
Pros
- Durable 304 stainless steel construction
- Outdoor-rated and NSF-certified for quality assurance
- Versatile keg compatibility
- LED interior light for convenient visibility
- Reversible self-closing door
Cons
- Pricey
- Double-tap sold separately
What to Consider when Buying a Kegerator
Here are key factors to explore when shopping for a kegerator.
Cooling in Hot Climates
Maintaining the right temperature in hot, humid climates can challenge kegerators. Enhance airflow by adding fans, insulating the tower to reduce heat transfer or installing active cooling for the beer lines. These modifications help prevent warm beer and ensure a refreshing pour, even during the peak of summer.
DIY Modifications and Customization
Converting a standard refrigerator into an outdoor kegerator is a popular DIY project for enthusiasts. You can create a custom setup by adding ventilation, reinforcing insulation and ensuring good airflow. Look for models with adaptable features or those designed for modification to provide a solid starting point for personalizing your kegerator.
Maintenance
Outdoor kegerators are prone to rust, especially in humid areas. Applying rust-resistant paint or using a protective cover for metal components can extend the life of your unit. Regular maintenance and checking for corrosion are essential, particularly in wet environments or coastal regions, to keep your kegerator looking and performing at its best.
Security and Safety
Many people are concerned about securing their kegerator during gatherings. Tap locks and disconnectable lines effectively prevent unwanted access and protect your kegs. Adding these security features offers peace of mind, especially when hosting outdoor events for large groups.
FAQ
Can a kegerator be kept outside?
This depends on the brand and model of your kegerator. If it’s outdoor-rated, it can handle fluctuating outdoor temperatures. If not, the compressor struggles to maintain the right temperature.
Are outdoor kegerators worth it?
An outdoor kegerator setup is certainly worthwhile if you love beer and enjoy hosting parties. Serving various draft beers impresses your guests.
Can a kegerator go outside in winter?
If your kegerator is outdoor-rated, it can withstand both freezing winters and scorching summers. It should perform well outdoors throughout the winter. However, if it isn’t outdoor-rated, store it indoors during extremely hot or cold months.
