The Best Keg Dispenser of 2024

Keg Dispenser Buying Guide

Choosing a reliable kegerator or keg dispenser can be difficult and cumbersome as you have multiple options. A wrong choice will completely ruin your plan of enjoying your favorite beer in a chilled and fresh condition. Therefore, we have crafted a full buying guide to explain all the key factors you should consider before making a purchase.

How a Keg Dispenser Works

A keg dispenser is a drink dispenser designed specifically for beer. It includes a CO2 cartridge that produces carbon dioxide under high pressure according to the set psi value. Once you open the tap, the gas will apply pressure on the liquid from the top, causing it to rise above and enter the tube. Once it enters the tube, the beer will flow freely out of the dispensing tap under gravitational force. When you close the tap, the valve inside is also closed, and the gas pressure is restored so that the drink stays carbonated to its optimal level.

Consider These Features Before Purchasing a Keg Dispenser

Material

Most kegerators are made from high-quality and durable stainless steel. It can tolerate wear and tear without losing its tensile strength. Ideally, you should go for a product having a double-walled stainless steel body with a vacuum in between the walls. It will help prevent heat exchange, and your beer will stay cold for a long time. But if your chosen keg dispenser has a single-walled body, you might have to use a separate insulator sleeve to keep your beer chilled.

Keg compatibility

If you choose a keg dispenser that needs to be filled with a keg, check the size and type compatibility. For example, some products can accommodate a 5-liter keg that can be pressurized, non-pressurized, or reusable growler. You can also find kegerators that are compatible with ½ or ¼ sized American full kegs. Therefore, if you do not check the compatibility, you might end up buying an oversized keg that won’t fit inside the product.

PSI range

PSI is the value used to measure the pressure inside the kegerator. In some products, you can change the pressure from 0 psi to 15 psi, while a few keg dispensers allow you to set the internal pressure between 0 psi and 30 psi. If you like to have your drink with more carbonation, go for a product having a greater psi range.

Carbonation tuning system

There are two types of carbonation tuning systems: automatic and manual. In the manual system, either you have to rotate a cap or a turn-down dial to change the pressure inside and, thus, the carbonation level. However, for some people, this can be a cumbersome task which is why you can get a product with an automatic carbonation system. In such a keg dispenser, the pressure will be maintained at the optimal value for the maximum carbonation of the drink.

Temperature

Keg dispensers are meant to keep the beer in chilled condition within a temperature range of 30 to 53 degrees Fahrenheit maximum. You can easily change the temperature using a regulator or a combination of (+)/(-) buttons at your convenience. Furthermore, insulating the kegerator will keep the beer cold and prevent its temperature from increasing now and then.

Dispenser tap

Before you buy a keg dispenser, it is crucial for you to check the dispenser tap. Make sure that it can pour the liquid easily into your beer mug or pint glass without forming too much foam or splatter. It should also be easy to clean to prevent the formation of clogs. It would be better to choose a product whose dispensing tap can quickly pour the liquid to maintain the carbonation level.

Cartridge

To carbonate the beer kept inside the keg dispenser, you need to use a CO2 cartridge. It will charge the liquid and maintain the pressure at the set value. Some products come with cartridges because they aren’t compatible with any other cartridge. Even though having this type of keg dispenser is cost-effective, you won’t be able to use a separate cartridge. That’s why it’s better to choose a product where the cartridge sleeve has a universal thread to accommodate any cartridge of a recommended weight.

Portability

If you want to carry the keg dispenser to different places, go for a product with a handle that has a proper grip. This will prevent you from losing your hold over it.

Additional Features You Can Find In a Keg Dispenser

Some of the additional features that you can find in the kegerator or the keg dispenser are:

• A sight line will help you see the amount of beer left inside the keg.
• Some products have a small LED screen where the current internal keg temperature is displayed. This way, you can control the temperature with more accuracy.
• Some kegerators are reinforced with a tap lock to prevent the liquid from being dispensed.
• If you want more stability of the keg dispenser during transit, choose a product that has thick rubber feet.
• Some keg dispensers have a powder-coated body that can prevent damage from scratches.
• If you want to keep an eye on the pressure value inside the keg dispenser, make sure it has a pressure gauge.
• In a few products, you will have a drip tray at the bottom. The liquid will be collected in the tray if somehow the tap is left slightly open or the beer overflows.
• If your chosen keg has an automatic carbonation system, ensure that it comes with a pressure release valve. This will help you release the pressure inside for the safe removal of the cap.