The KM280SS kegerator is a full-size single tap model that’s designed to keep a keg fresh for up to three months. It’s large enough to accommodate two five-gallon kegs, a pony keg, or a full-size keg. It’s also lightweight and highly portable, which is a huge plus if you enjoy having fresh beer on tap at home year-round and also enjoy hosting barbeques during the summer.
Since this model is pretty basic, it doesn’t come with a wide range of extra features, but it does come with a digital thermostat, for precise temperature control, and a few other great accessories that make this model convenient to use.
Overview and Features
If you’re searching for a kegerator to store your homebrew or one you can use for parties at home, then you’ve come to the right place. This model by Keggermeister received a high user rating for all the right reasons. Considered an entry-level model, this kegerator is perfect for anyone searching for a single tap, full-size model that’s also very versatile. Additionally, it’s also priced affordably so it won’t hit your wallet too hard.
Design
This model features a classic, sleek design. It comes with a chrome spout, black tower, and a matte black finish. There is also a metal guardrail located at the top of the kegerator that’s designed to prevent glasses and mugs from getting knocked off. This model does not come with any shelving like the Midea WHS-199BB1 Compact Single Door Kegerator Beer/Beverage Refrigerator and Dispenser, which is a downside for consumers who want to use their kegerator for extra fridge space when a keg is not in use.
Portability
The kegerator comes equipped with smooth rolling casters located on the base of the model, so you can move your kegerator to wherever the party is. The casters not only make this model highly portable, they also help to prevent scuffs and scratches on your floors.
Power
[ichcpt id=”358″]This model can accommodate two five-gallon kegs, pony kegs, and full-size kegs. You can even use this model to store your own homebrew. If you love brewing your own beer, don’t waste money on bottling it, instead, save some serious cash and have your beer readily available on tap.
Temperature Controls
Since it’s stored at an ideal temperature you won’t have to worry about your homebrew going flat.
But how long does a keg last in a kegerator? The manufacturer claims that this model can keep your beer tasting fresh and crisp for up to three months, as long as the kegerator has been set to the correct temperature.
This model is equipped with an LCD digital temperature gauge, in addition to a dual gauge regulator that monitors the PSI and how much CO2 remains in the tank. This feature will allow you to set the kegerator to the perfect temperature. Temperature controls allow you to set this model to temperatures ranging from thirty-two degrees up to fifty-two degrees.
Size
This model measures in at twenty-one inches wide, thirty-three inches tall, and twenty-six inches deep. While it’s designed to accommodate most keg sizes, you won’t be able to use it for oversized commercial kegs such as Miller Lite or Coors kegs.
This model features a single tap design, so you can only dispense one type of beer at a time.
Click here to read our buyer’s guide if you’d like to view top-selling double and triple tap kegerators.
Package Details
- This kegerator comes with the following:
- Sanke tap assembly
- CO2 regulator and pressure gauge
- Two-and-a-half-pound CO2 tank
- Chrome faucet and draft tower
- Tap handle
- Casters
Assembly
The user’s manual will easily walk you through the entire assembly process, which will take about half an hour. There are several steps to follow, but the manufacturer has included images that do a great job of explaining how to complete each of the steps.
Performance
There have been some reports that maintaining pressure can be difficult. If you’re having trouble maintaining the pressure this can be caused by a few issues such as a leak in the tank, or you may not have the CO2 tank turned up high enough. Additionally, the lines may be connected incorrectly. If you’re having issues with excessive foam, this is usually caused by the CO2 level being set too high. You may need to play around with the settings a bit to get the pressure just right. Keep in mind that every type of beer will require a different level of carbonation.
Typically, a kegerator will work the best if you plug it in and give it a few days before you add a keg. Since this model is so small, it can be difficult to get it to cool down right away if you immediately add a keg. The manufacturer recommends plugging the kegerator in for a few days, then adding a keg and giving the unit two to three more days to adequately chill it. Once the keg has reached the ideal temperature you won’t see much fluctuation here.
If you’re still running into issues with maintaining the right temperature, consider where you’re storing this model. This kegerator is designed for indoor use only and shouldn’t be placed in direct sunlight or in a hot place. It should be placed in a cool part of the house.
Pros
- Quiet running
- Can keep a keg fresh for three months
- Easy assembly and maintenance
Cons
- Single tap design doesn’t offer much variety
- Comes with a two-and-a-half-pound CO2 tank instead of a five-pound tank
Northshire Brewery.com Product Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
This model by Keggermeister has received plenty of positive feedback, although there were some complaints regarding difficulty maintaining temperature and pressure. But often, this issue is caused by a user error. Since this is an entry-level model, you can expect to run into some basic issues with performance. However, for the price, this kegerator performs better than expected. We gave this model a rating of four out of five stars.
