Kegerator Terms and Specs, Explained in Plain English

Kegerator Physical and Storage Terms

Kegerator physical dimensions dictate the footprint and clearance required for installation. Because these units require door swing space and ventilation, the external dimensions are rarely the only measurement that matters.

• Internal Volume – This is the amount of space available inside the cabinet; a larger volume allows for larger kegs or more storage room for glassware.
• External Dimensions – These are the length, width, and height of the unit; you must ensure these measurements include the depth of the door when fully open.
• Door Swing Clearance – This is the amount of space required for the door to open 90 degrees or more; you need to measure your workspace to ensure the door does not hit walls or nearby furniture.
• Ventilation Clearance – This is the required gap between the back of the unit and the wall; most units require 2 to 4 inches of space to prevent the compressor from overheating.
• Weight Capacity – This is the maximum weight the internal shelving or floor can support; ensure the rated capacity exceeds the weight of a full 1/2 barrel plus any extra supplies.

Kegerator Connection and Fitting Terms

Kegerator connection and fitting terms describe how the unit interfaces with your gas lines, faucets, and kegs. Using the wrong hardware can lead to excessive foam or a complete failure to dispense.

• Ball Lock vs. Pinched Style – This refers to the physical coupler design; Ball Lock is the standard for most home use, while Pinched Style is common in commercial settings.
• CO2 vs. Nitrogen Compatibility – This indicates whether the internal gas lines and regulators are rated for specific gases; while most are compatible with CO2, some specialized systems are optimized for nitrogen.
• Pressure Regulator – This is the valve that reduces the high pressure from the gas tank to a usable level; a high-quality regulator ensures a consistent pour and prevents “fizzing.”
• Draft Line Length – This is the distance between the kegerator and the faucet; if this distance is too great, the beer may warm up or foam before it reaches the glass.
• Faucet Type (Foam vs. Beer)** – This describes the shape of the dispensing head; a “beer” faucet is designed for high-carbonation beverages, while a “foam” faucet is for low-carbon content liquids.

Common Kegerator Term Confusions

Several terms in the kegerator category are frequently confused by shoppers, leading to incorrect hardware purchases or installation issues.

Beginners should first learn how a kegerator works to understand the basic mechanics of draft dispensing.

Kegerator vs. Cooling Cabinet
A kegerator is a specialized cooling unit designed specifically for dispensing beer from a keg. A cooling cabinet is a general-purpose refrigerator that may lack the necessary draft lines, regulators, or specialized cooling capacity to maintain the high-flow requirements of a draft system.

CO2 Tank vs. Nitrogen Tank
While both are used to push liquid through a line, CO2 is the standard for most beer because it maintains carbonation. Nitrogen is typically used for “nitro” styles or for dispensing non-carbonated liquids like water or milk; using the wrong gas can result in a flat or improperly textured beverage.

1/2 Barrel vs. 1/6 Barrel
These terms refer to the volume of the keg, not the size of the kegerator. A 1/2 barrel (half-barrel) is the standard large keg, while a 1/6 barrel is a smaller “sixtel” keg. You must ensure the internal dimensions of the kegerator are large enough to physically house the specific barrel size you plan to use.

Draft Line vs. Gas Line
The draft line is the tube that carries the liquid beverage from the keg to the faucet. The gas line is the separate tube that carries the CO2 or nitrogen to the faucet. You need both lines to function correctly; a draft line without gas will not dispense, and a gas line without a draft line will only release gas.

Reviewed by the MyHobbyLobby editorial team. MyHobbyLobby writes these guides from the 200 most-reviewed Kegerators listings in our retail dataset, not from manufacturer copy.