The KRS2100 by Nostalgia is a full-size kegerator with a five-foot cubic capacity, a double meter regulator, and an adjustable thermostat. This model comes loaded with some great extras that will allow you to enjoy your favorite brew, anytime.
While the design is pretty basic, this model offers a solid, reliable performance, which makes it the perfect addition to your man cave or your next barbeque.
Overview and Features
This model features one American Sankey double tap system, an unfilled two-and-a-half-pound CO2 tank, stainless-steel drip tray, one shelf, and casters that make this model highly portable. It can hold barrel sizes: 1/6, ¼ slim, and ¼ short.
This is a single tap kegerator. If you’re looking for a more pro setup, click here to view our buyer’s guide, which also includes triple tap models of the leading kegerators on the market.
Performance
This kegerator will keep your beer ice cold. If you have any issues with the beer’s temp, simply turn the dial on the compressor and crank up the chill. If you find that the beer is still too warm this is simply a matter of moving it further away from the wall. Give the kegerator a minimum of six inches of clearance on all sides.
Before you get started dispensing your favorite beer, the manufacturer recommends allowing the keg to chill for a minimum of eight hours. Ideally, you should allow it to cool down for a period of twelve hours. If you fail to follow this instruction from the manufacturer, you can end up with beer that’s too foamy or very flat. When the keg is used before it has time to cool off the CO2 ends up separating the beer, so when the keg is tapped you end up with a high volume of foam. The result? You’ll end up losing a lot of your beer.
Don’t worry if you’ve given the keg plenty of time to cool off and your first beer or two is too foamy. The beer in the plastic lines that travel from the fridge to the tap will always be warm and foamy. Once you pour out a beer, the cold beer will fill the lines. Until you do so, the warm beer will remain in the lines.
Design
The kegerator features an innovative design in which the keg hangs off the edge of the fridge, with a half-moon shaped door that closes over it.
This kegerator cannot hold Coors kegs. But why? Coors uses beveled kegs that are much wider around the middle, which is why it’s difficult to find a kegerator that can accommodate this type of specific keg.
The beverage line is around five inches.
The included keg coupler will only fit American beers. This isn’t an issue that’s specific to this model. This is a known issue with Sankey D couplers. If you plan on drinking foreign beer then you can purchase a Sankey S coupler for that purpose. For German beer, you’ll need to use a Sankey A.
Assembly
The kegerator can be assembled in approximately thirty minutes. The included instructions are well-written and easy to follow.
Quality
[ichcpt id=”354″]Unfortunately, this model doesn’t come equipped with digital controls, which will allow you to set a specific temperature. Instead, it uses a standard control knob. At the coldest setting, the beer will reach a temperature of thirty-four degrees. The max temp will reach fifty-two degrees.
The regulator has a lockage output valve. This means you can set your CO2 level and lock the knob, so it doesn’t accidentally get changed when you’re switching out a keg.
In terms of noise, most people have reported whisper quiet operation, which is a huge selling point for any beer enthusiast.
So, how long is a keg good in a kegerator? With this model, you can expect your beer to last anywhere from one to three months, depending on the type of beer.
CO2 Tank Upgrade
This model comes equipped with a two-and-a-half-pound CO2 tank, which some beer enthusiasts may find a little limiting. For an instant upgrade, you may want to make the switch to a five-pound tank.
A five-pound CO2 tank will fit with a full half barrel and can be purchased separately if you want to upgrade from the included two-and-a-half-pound tank. The small CO2 tank can dispense around two to four ½ barrel kegs, while a five-pound tank is able to handle four to six ½ barrel kegs.
Casters
The included casters are optional. The kegerator already comes equipped with self-leveling feet. If you plan on keeping the kegerator stationary, you can leave the casters off. If you plan on bringing the kegerator out for barbeques or parties, then the included casters will allow you to bring the kegerator from room to room.
Shelf
For the times when you don’t have a keg, use the included shelf to turn your kegerator into a convenient mini fridge that can provide some much-needed extra fridge space.
Thermostat
As we mentioned earlier, this kegerator has a thermostat control knob, which means you won’t be able to set this model to a specific temperature. Some people have found it difficult to get the kegerator down below forty degrees, which can be a deal breaker for some. The manufacturer reports a temperature range of thirty-four degrees to fifty-two degrees. Remember, placement can also have an effect on the kegerator’s temperature, which is why the manufacturer recommends a minimum of six inches of clearance space on all sides of the model.
Pros
- Large
- Innovative design
- Included shelf
- easy to use
- Highly portable
Cons
- There have been reports that the regulator starts to leak after six months
- Does not come with digital temperature controls
- Difficulty getting the thermostat below forty degrees
Northshire Brewery.com Product Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
This full-size kegerator by Nostalgia is pretty basic compared to competing models such as the Keggermeister KM2800SS Kegerator Full-Size Single-Tap Beer Refrigerator, however, for the price, this model offers a solid performance and features a lightweight design that makes it highly portable. Reliable, powerful, and quiet-running, this model received a rating of four out of five stars.
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