Haier HBF05EBSS Draft Beer Dispenser Review

It was 'ignaugurated' at a party I hosted, and the 5 gal keg didn't last long!(Of course, it was a good beer...locally brewed Pacific Coast Emerald Ale.)

Be prepared:After it's set up and you've had people over, you're going to be QUITE popular!Expect comments like "I'm going to be over at your place every afternoon."Haier America should realize their best marketing ploy is satisfied customers.I've had it two weeks and Haier may be selling 3 additional units soon.

OK, so what about the product rating, especially in light of all the negative comments provided earlier?Well, here's my take on it:

- Set up was fairly simple, if you discount the fact that one part was missing (see below).
- Quality seems to be adequate.They use quality parts, e.g., the CO2 regulator and dispensing valve.
- It's keeping my second (post party) keg perfectly chilled and pressurized.(Since the first keg only lasted several hours, we can't base much judgement on that.)
- It's wonderful to come home to a fresh, draft beer!
- Finding a place to refill the CO2 canister can be difficult.Most commercial places will only exchange (take your brand new canister and give you a used, filled canister).I finally found a fire extinguisher service that does refills after making MANY calls.

Does this make it perfect?Hardly.

My experience confirms that Haier America has poor customer service.I purcased the unit a week in advance of a party I was hosting.After getting it home and setting it up, I realized (according to the manual) that it was missing the washer that goes between the CO2 tank and the regulator.I called Haier customer service the following morning and was shocked by how they treated me.The basic tone of their response was "tough luck."I would have to follow their procedures which were:1) fax or send via US mail my purchase receipt 2) Allow them two business days from their receipt of this to get back to me 3) After doing a 'confirmation' they would send me the washer within two weeks.

I was irate and told them so!I had purchased the unit specifically for my upcoming party and now would not be able to use it!Their reponse:"These are our procedures."

I did two things after this:
1) I located the manufacturer of the CO2 regulator and contacted them about the possibility of getting a washer.They informed me that the regulator was redesigned and did not need a washer.Haier was supposed to include an update with their user manual (they didn't, and customer service obviously wasn't aware of this change).
2) I located information on Haier America and faxed their CEO an scathing letter telling him what I thought about spending $500 for something and not being able to use it at the function I bought it for!Lo and behold, the next day I received a call from their corporate offices saying they would be overnighting me the missing washer. I explained I had learned it wasn't needed, but the woman calling me wasn't taking any chances.She overnighted it to me anyway.Moral of the story:Make your voice heard when you recieve bad service.

Anyway, my 'washerless' set up is now working fine and I'm loving the unit.

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Product Description:
The Haier HBF05EBSS Kegerator with Stainless Steel Door is the only full-size keg beer cooler with the ability to be turned into an all-refrigerator with two shelves. In addition to coming complete with all the all the necessary draft beer equipment to pour fresh draft beer straight from the keg, this kegerator can easily be converted to a regulator refrigerator. The Haier Kegerator with Stainless Steel Door is designed for home use so it designed with quiet and energy efficiency in mind. 2 1/2" casters make this unit very easy to move from your bar to your patio. This unit also comes with an attractive metal safety rail to help keep mugs and glasses from sliding off. This unit comes with everything you need except the keg. You will need to get the CO2 tank filled locally. You should look up gas suppliers in your local yellow pages to find a place to get the tank filled. A full CO2 tank should last about 5 to 6 kegs.

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Summit : SBC500B 24in Freestanding Full Keg Beer Dispenser with Manual Defrost - Black Review

I bought this item a month ago and it has worked fantastic. Already tapped my fourth keg. Wheels mean that it's easily moved. This is comparable to the Sanyo version (made at the same plant) just labeled with a Summit Tag. Sanyo products are also dependable.
I question the numbers in the description. The C02 should be "12" to "14" instead of "10". The temperature should be 36 - 38 degrees. Sam Adams recommends 38 degrees which is colder than anything that you can find in a bar. Since the gauge isn't percise, flirting with 32 degrees sounds appealing but you could run into problems with ice chips, frozen keg or wild keg (too foamy).
If possible, upgrade the CO2 gauge. The one provided is a single gauge, which shows the pressure on the keg. A double gauge would also provide you with whats left in the CO2 tank. The single guage works fine if you are on a budget. I'll upgrade later.
- Scott in Louisiana

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Product Description:
Summit professional sbc-500b is a fully featured (24 inch wide) Full size portable beer dispenser in black. It ships complete with all accessories and can take half, quarter and pony kegs. Summit sbc500 beer cooler (Sometimes called kegerator ) is available in versions for home and commercial use. U. L. Approved. 100 percent cfc free. Right hand door swing. Holds 1/2 keg, 1/4 keg or mini keg. Cleaning kit. Sankey American tap. Co2 tank. Drip tray. Draft tower. (4) Casters. Regulator. Wooden slats. Top rail. Adjustable thermostat. Shipping weight: 145 lbs.

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BeerTender from Heineken and Krups B90 Home Beer-Tap System Review

ALas.....it seems I as many of the early adopters are learning the pain of the KRUPS BEERTENDER.

I was very excited for this product and my girlfriend bought one for me for my birthday in APRIL 2008.
THe product is well designed and works well when it works.
Problem is...I only used it 2x...and the unit stopped cooling.

One thing customers of this item should know is that you really aren't supposed to store a Heineken Draught Keg in it for more than a day (they say this in the manual) and that you are supposed to remove the keg and put it in the fridge if you plan on storing it longer.

ISn't that kinda stupid and defeats the purpose of such an expensive unit?? Also...it only uses Mini-Kegs that have their own CO2 pressuration built in like the Heineken Mini-keg.....so expect your choice (if any) to be limited.

Anyhoo, I used 2 Draught Kegs in a 6 week period....and the unit stopped cooling. I contacted KRUPS and received an RMA and had the unit shipped in for repair on 6/23/08. After hearing nothing I followed up on 7/24/08 as to the status of my machine, they apologized and put in a rush order to have a replacement shipped after emailing them 2x and calling.

My latest phone conversation (8/19/08) I was told that they had been backordered on the machine until this past week and should receive my replacement machine in 2 weeks....we'll see.

While I like the machine......the rep said that this being a brand new product for Krups they were experiencing issues in servicing of the unit. I am thinking this machine was not ready to be released and that the cooling unit is very likely to fail in every unit.

I would have to say there might be a better options if you plan to use this type of dispenser regularly.

UPDATE (9/21/08):
Received my warranty replacement unit at the end of AUGUST. To my surprise.......KRUPS did not repair my machine...they sent a completely NEW Unit!! YAY!

So far the unit has worked perfectly and I have used it 1x since i received it. Hopefully they have resolved any issues they were experiencing in manufacturing so I or others won't experience the cooling failure that I did with my 1st unit. So Far So Good.....there are also rumors of more varieties of Draught Keg coming to the US like they have in Europe....that would definitely make the unit a more worthwhile purchase rather than a creature comfort.

Click Here to see more reviews about: BeerTender from Heineken and Krups B90 Home Beer-Tap System

Product Description:
Krups, the world wide leader of small appliances and Heineken, the leader in European Premium Imported Beer have partnered together to create the ultimate beer drinking experience at home. The BeerTender system is compatible with the Heineken DraughtKeg system which utilizes an internal carbonator pressure unit. The Heineken DraughtKeg unit releases Co2 every time the tap is opened, ensuring the beer remains fresh for up to 30 days and allows for a crisp quality beer with Heinekens' signature head of foam and trademark "bite". The BeerTender silent cooling system provides constant and consistent cooling of the 5L Heineken DraughtKeg and will keep it at the ideal temperature of 41 degrees F.Easy to operate, just run the keg's plastic tube to the BeerTender tap and you're done. It's that simple. Inserting a keg takes less than 15-seconds. The Krups BeerTender has an LCD display panel featuring a volume indicator and temperature indicator. It features a detachable pour handle, detachable draw spout, a removable tray. Beautifully designed, the BeerTender is compatible with the Heineken DraughtKeg and Heineken Premium Light DraughtKeg.

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Danby DKC645BLS 5.8-Cu.Ft. Designer Beer Keg Cooler, Black/Stainless Review

Out of the box, this unit will not function correctly.You will have serious problems with foaming beer because of 3 defects.

1. Temperature regulator does not sense liquid temperature.It is also located too close to the cooling plate and needs to be moved further away to get a more accurate reading.

2. The tower does not flow cool air and ambient temperature inside is much higher than it needs to be

3. The spigot is also non-conventional and doesnt encourage an even flow

As far as I know, mine doesnt make any noises at all so I'm not sure what the other review is referring to or if they have a unit that isnt working correctly.

All of the above problems can be corrected.

Temperature -

a) Purchase a new regulator and bypass danby's.
b) Move the sensor away from its current position and put it in water to get a more accurate "liquid" reading.

Tower - Install a small fan to circulate air into the tower

Spigot - Replace with a standard one

Unfortunately for Amazon reviews, i cant link to other information that will help you do all of this, but if you search for the name of the unit, links that will help, show up very high in the list.

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Product Description:
The Danby DKC645BLS 5.8 Cu. Ft. Designer Beer Keg Cooler takes beer drinking to a whole new level. With room for full or pony sized kegs, this cooler also converts to a 5.8 cu. ft. all refrigerator for maximum versatility. It features an easy-to-program electronic thermostat, a scratch resistant work top for storing accessories and a stainless steel door with reversible door hinge. Designed for indoor use, this keg cooler is perfect for parties or watching the big game.

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Standard Kegerator Conversion Kit (US Sankey Coupler w/5lb CO2 Tank) Review

I received the kegerator kit, had it installed and pouring beer in about 1/2 hour.Basically the hardest part was drilling the hole, how hard is that!It was relatively easy to hook up, after watching keg works video on how to hook it up.The only reason I didn't give it five stars is the US Sankey coupler broke the third time tapping a keg.I believe I used to much force when tapping it.I emailed keg works telling them how it broke and they are sending me a replacement coupler. The customer service is great. I would greatly recomend this product if you enjoy a good cold draft beer at home!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Standard Kegerator Conversion Kit (US Sankey Coupler w/5lb CO2 Tank)

Product Description:
US Sankey Coupler Conversion Kit - Turn your fridge into a kegerator. This kits contains everything that you need to convert an old refrigerator into a draft beer dispensing unit. Any size fridge will work as long as its large enough to hold a keg. This kit is used for dispensing most Domestic beers. Video: Turn Your Fridge into a Kegerator! Learn How Click to download installation instructions. In stock and ready to ship. Features: Our most popular kit! Perfect to get started on serving draft beer at home. Specs: All brand new equipment. Installation instructions included. Ships within 1 business day. Includes: (1) 5# aluminum CO2 Tank (empty). (1) Keg coupler. (1) Double gauge CO2 regulator. (1) Chrome faucet head. (1) Faucet knob. (1) 5" shank. (1) Beer line with connectors. (1) Air line with clamps. (1) Tap Soother Faucet Cap. Washers. Detailed instructions.

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Nostalgia KRS-2100 Keg-O-Rator Refrigerated Beverage Keg Dispenser Review

I ordered this item on September 14th. Didn't get delivered until October 4th. Way out of the time range that was initially given. Product information made it appear that all you would need to do is supply the Keg and get the CO2 tank filled. WAY OFF. The "regulator" that comes with the Kegerator doesn't regulate ANYTHING its simply an off on switch for the CO2. After spending 2 days wasting beer I took it to my local tavern and confirmed whatI already thought. So I had to drive to my local Beer Supply store and spend an additional $50 for an actual regulator. Then I experienced the problem that any regulator you buy doesn't connect to the supplied air hose as it should. Next stop Ace hardware where i purchased new tubing and fittings (another $10 down the drain). Upon affixing my new regulator and air hoses I realized that the beer comes out WAY too fast causing an excessive amount of foam. Last trip to Ace Hardware and got a water flow restricter for another $3 and now at long last i finally have a fully operational kegerator. Cheers and have fun.

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Product Description:
Ideal for home brewers or just regular beer drinkers, this full-size single-tap refrigerator features a semi-gloss black tower with a black-handled spout that can accommodate a variety of different-size beer glasses or mugs. The unit also comes equipped with a chrome guardrail on its durable, black, counter-style top. An attractive black exterior allows the refrigerator to fit in nicely with almost any home decor, while four durable casters provide convenient mobility around the clubhouse, pool area, rec room, or anywhere people are gathering. If the refrigerator has been placed in a horizontal or tilted position for any period of time, be sure to wait 24 hours before plugging the unit in. Accessories include an empty CO2 bottle and a cleaning-and-maintenance kit. Versatile, lightweight, and approved for commercial use, the refrigerator measures 20-1/4 by 26 by 47 inches and carries a 90-day limited warranty.

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BeerTender VB2158001 T-fal Home Beer-Tap System Review

I typically am not even a big Heineken fan, but my wife got this for me, and I figured what the heck. The 5L mini-kegs sell for seventeen bucks at my local grocery store, and you throw one in, let it cool overnight and you are good to go! It's not cheaper than buying 'regular' beer cans/bottles but the novelty, convenience, COLDNESS and a great draft pour are why I usually keep a second (or third) mini-keg in a small refrigerator just in case a party breaks out. The only reason this is not a 5-star review is because you can only get Heineken & Heineken Light currently...I hear Newcastle Brown is in some test markets though, so hopefully that will change soon.

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Product Description:
T-fal BeerTender is perfect for home entertainment and enjoying premium Heineken beer.Great for gift giving or have fun enjoying the ultimate at home draught beer experience yourself.Indicator lights up when beer has reached the ideal serving temperature.The DraughtKeg utilizes an internal carbonator pressure unit that releases Co2 each time the tap is opened.This innovative technology ensures beer remains fresh for us to 30 days.The BeerTender keeps the DraughtKeg chilled and allows for a crisp quality beer with the right head of foam and the right 'bite'.The BeerTender works exclusively with Heineken and Heineken Premium Light DraughtKegs which are sold separately.

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Standard Kegerator Refrigerator Conversion Kit Review

Shipping was fast, billing a breeze.This product is everything you expect it to be, and installation couldn't have been easier.I told my dad that these were the best, clearest instructions I have ever read, for anything.I highly recommend the product, and the company's customer service is fantastic.

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Product Description:
The Standard Kegerator Conversion Kit comes with everything you will need to successfully convert your refrigerator into a draft beer dispenser. Keg Beer Cooler Tap Kit.Compared to the Economy kegerator kit, the standard kit upgrades the single gauge Commercial Grade regulator to a double gauge (second gauge lets you know how much Co2 is left in the tank) and also upgrades the keg coupler from wing handle design to the more durable lever handle. All the draft beer parts are of the highest commercial grade quality which are designed and built to last.

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Mini Kegerator Refrigerator & Draft Beer Dispenser - EdgeStar Review

The Background:
I first thought of the BeerTender from Heineken as the 5L kegs are simple, easy to use and a big hit at parties and keeping the beer cool and out of the fridge is a challenge.While in a specialty shop I saw several other foreign brands of beer also in 5L kegs, but to my surprise, their tap was at the bottom like a Gatorade cooler.I then learned that the Heineken Draft kegs have an internal pressure system and that the Beertender would only work with that particular type of keg.

The Search:
At first it didn't really matter that much to me because I love Heineken and Heineken Light.After seeing the variety of beers available in the 5L minikegs, I decided to start shopping for a kegerator that would work with more than just the Draftkeg line.A low price was important, but so was functionality and reliablility.While searching, I found several other options with most looking similar and having the same features.You can go crazy and get one of the $300+ models out there, but I'd only recommend doing that if you have that kind of cash-flow to spend on a counter-top beer dispenser.

The Product:
The EdgeStar Mini Kegerator jumped out at me first because of its low price, and second, because it's identical to the more expensive Avanti MBD5L Mini Kegerator.(Note: Although the Edgestar doesn't display a drip tray like the Avanti, one is included.)For about $50, you can purchase a CO2 kit to tap and use non-pressurized 5L kegs from any other brewer (I've even seen it suggested that home-made beer can be placed in such a keg.)The kit comes with three 16-Gram CO2 cartridges (the small silver ones that you can pick up at Walmart) which are enough to dispense 3 or more 5L kegs.If you don't feel like replacing the cartridge every time you change the keg out, the space provided for the CO2 canister is large enough to accommodate a larger (340-Gram) CO2 Cylinder which is enough to dispense up to 20 5L kegs!The EdgeStar comes with a direction booklet, a cleaner bottle to wash out the system, an AC cable and DC cable, and an adapter for the Heineken Draft kegs.

The Perks:
- Having draft beer right in your own home!
- Looks great and comes in silver or black
- Better than the BeerTender for the following reasons:
o Costs less even with the CO2 kit
o CO2 kit allows you to use any 5L keg
o Has a controllable temp fan (38-54 degrees Fahrenheit) for a variety of beer types
o Comes with a DC adapter for tailgate parties and RV use!

The Bad:
- Can be tricky for people who don't normally pour from a tap
- Pours a lot of head if not setup properly (I suggest coiling the tube and getting it as horizontal as possible to mitigate this.)
- Tap is plastic, not stainless steel

Five stars because even with the few shortfalls, it blows the BeerTender away!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Mini Kegerator Refrigerator & Draft Beer Dispenser - EdgeStar

Product Description:
The EdgeStar 5-Liter Mini Kegerator (model: TBC50S) is an advanced beer dispensing system that uses DraughtKegTM carbonator pressure technology to deliver a pub-quality pour of beer everytime. In addition to being the perfect complement to the Heineken DraughtKeg, the TBC50S mini kegerator can easily be modified to tap and serve any (non-Heineken) standard size 5-liter keg using the optional CO2 accessory kit.The TBC50S mini kegerator features electronic temperature controls that preserve the mini keg at your preferred temperature for drinking. And the compact size, lightweight construction and included AC & DC power adapters enable the EdgeStar TBC50S to readily go from the home countertop to a tailgate party or RV application'perfect for the active beer connoisseur.Key Features Include:# Quietly and efficiently maintains optimum mini keg temperature# Metallic silver cabinet with window for displaying favorite brand of mini keg# Interior blue LED lighting with on/off switch showcases mini keg without raising beer temperature# Chrome faucet and design accents# AC / DC compatible with both adapters included# Easy upgrade kit available to fit any brand of mini kegs

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