# Kegerator vs beer fridge: which suits you?

Source: https://corkandchill.co.uk/blog/kegerator-vs-beer-fridge
Published: 2026-10-12
Publisher: Cork and Chill

**In short:** A kegerator is a fridge built to hold a keg and serve beer through a tap, either with a CO2 gas system or a sealed mini-keg system such as a branded home draught machine. A beer fridge simply chills cans and bottles. Choose a kegerator if you drink one beer regularly and want it on draught; choose a beer fridge for variety, less upkeep and more flexibility.

Pulling a pint at home is appealing, and home draught systems have become more common in UK kitchens, garden bars and man caves. But a kegerator is a different kind of appliance from a glass-door beer fridge, with different running jobs and limits. This comparison explains how each works, what owning one involves, and which suits the way you actually drink.

## What is a kegerator?

A kegerator is a refrigerated cabinet with a tap tower on top. Inside sits a keg; beer is pushed up a line to the tap. Full-size systems use a CO2 or mixed gas cylinder and a regulator to push the beer and keep it carbonated, and they take standard or smaller kegs from a supplier.

Countertop home draught machines work on the same idea but use sealed mini-kegs, often around 5 or 6 litres, designed for that machine. They are simpler and smaller, but you are limited to the beers sold in that format. Both types need the beer to be cold and the lines to be kept clean.

## What is a beer fridge?

A beer fridge is a drinks fridge, usually with a glass door, set colder than a wine fridge. It chills cans and bottles on shelves, typically somewhere in the low single figures in °C. See our [beer fridge temperature guide](https://corkandchill.co.uk/blog/beer-fridge-temperature) for settings.

There is no gas, no tap and no lines. You load whatever you like, from lager and IPA to soft drinks and mixers, and take them out as needed. Our [drinks fridge guide](https://corkandchill.co.uk/best/best-beer-and-drinks-fridges) covers glass-door models for homes.

## Side-by-side comparison

The table compares the main points for home use, from how the beer is served to upkeep.

| Point | Kegerator | Beer fridge |
| --- | --- | --- |
| How beer is served | Tap, from a keg | Cans and bottles |
| Variety | One or two beers at a time | As many as you like |
| Upkeep | Line cleaning, gas swaps | Occasional wipe and defrost |
| Space | Tall or wide cabinet plus tower | Table-top to tall |
| Other drinks | Usually none | Soft drinks, wine, mixers |
| Best for | Regular drinkers of one beer, parties | Variety, everyday use |

Kegerator vs beer fridge

## Running a kegerator

Draught beer needs looking after. Lines and taps should be cleaned regularly with a suitable line cleaner, as beer residue can build up and spoil the taste. Gas cylinders run out and must be swapped, and the regulator set to the pressure the beer needs. Once a keg is tapped, the beer is best drunk within the time the supplier recommends, so a full-size keg suits households or parties that get through it.

Sealed mini-keg machines reduce the work: the keg is changed as a unit and the line is often part of it. They suit people who want a pint occasionally without managing gas.

Note: CO2 cylinders are pressurised. Store and connect them exactly as the supplier and maker instruct, keep them upright and secured, and ensure the room is ventilated.

## Running a beer fridge

A beer fridge needs little more than a sensible temperature, airflow around the vents and an occasional clean and defrost. It holds cans at any temperature you set and is ready whenever you want a drink. Running costs depend on the energy label figure in kWh per year and on the room temperature; see [how much electricity a drinks fridge uses](https://corkandchill.co.uk/blog/drinks-fridge-running-cost).

Cans and bottles also keep for months unopened, so you are not racing to finish a keg. Read [how long beer lasts in the fridge](https://corkandchill.co.uk/blog/how-long-beer-lasts-in-the-fridge) for the detail.

## Which should you choose?

Pick a kegerator if you drink the same beer often, enjoy draught, host regularly, and are happy to clean lines and manage gas or mini-kegs. A countertop mini-keg system is the easier way in.

Pick a beer fridge if you like variety, want soft drinks and mixers in the same place, have limited time for upkeep, or drink only now and then. It is also more flexible: it can become a wine or general drinks fridge later. Many home bars end up with both.

[Compare glass-door beer fridges](https://corkandchill.co.uk/best/best-beer-and-drinks-fridges)

## Frequently asked questions

**Can I turn a beer fridge into a kegerator?** Conversion kits exist, but they involve drilling the cabinet for a tower, which may damage cooling pipes and void the warranty. Check with the maker first.

**How cold should a kegerator be?** Similar to a beer fridge, a few degrees above freezing for lager. Follow the beer supplier's guidance.

**Do kegerators use more electricity?** They are fridges of similar size, so usage depends on the model and room. Check the energy label.

**How long does a keg last once tapped?** It depends on the system and beer. Follow the supplier's guidance, as draught beer is best drunk fresh.

## Buying guides on this topic

- https://corkandchill.co.uk/best/best-beer-and-drinks-fridges
- https://corkandchill.co.uk/best/best-wine-fridge-uk