Trying to decide which way to go with the chest freezer can be interesting to say the least. My first kegerator was in the basement, and when I was planning it out, I wanted to leave some options open. The most versatile option was to go with a collar.

Building a wooden collar to go between the freezer and the lid was fairly simple. I used weather proofing strips meant for air conditioners to make the connections relatively air tight. Since my kegerator backed against my workbench I ran the gas tubes out through the collar and into my work bench. The cylinders were tucked away and I could adjust pressures without opening the lid. The two shanks fit through the front side of the collar, and I was able to suspend the home made drip tray below the taps.

This worked out really well because it didn’t mar the freezer itself. Had I wanted to stop using it as a kegerator and recommission it for its original intended purpose I could have easily done so. The taps were a bit lower, but overall it was great for a basement where the kids weren’t allowed.

Putting a tower on the lid required a bi-metal hole saw to slice through the lid. I am able to keep the cylinders and kegs inside the freezer as a self contained unit. Putting the tower above the freezer makes it a lot harder to walk by and bump a faucet on. The stout tap really liked to spit when I had that attached and bumped into it. My towered kegerator is in the family room where the kids play and as of yet, they haven’t messed with it. (Firmly knocking on wood.) The downside of the tower is two fold, it is price prohibitive and once the hole is cut, it can’t be patched.

Both options have pros and cons. To recapitulate:

Collar doesn’t damage the freezer, hardware can be re-used with a fridge kegerator. Its easy to bump the faucet open and is at a perfect kid level, probably not a good idea where kids are.

Tower looks cool, is high up where little ones can’t reach. It is expensive, puts a hole in the lid.

Cheers!