Blog

Introducing the Wi-Fi Enabled Smart Chiller for Cold and Hot Plunge Therapy, designed to help you improve your physical and mental health. The adjustable temperature range from 37°F to 107°F allows you to experience the benefits of cold water immersion therapy (in addition to hot), which has been shown to reduce inflammation, enhance circulation, and promote overall wellness. With this chiller, you can create the perfect environment for your cold plunge therapy sessions, right in the comfort of your own home. The Cold Plunge/Ice Bath Water Chiller is perfect for anyone looking for a clean & consistent at-home cold tub experience. This powerful compact cooling unit can chill the water to 3 degrees Celsius (37F), for those looking for a deep chill. Plus, with its Wi-Fi control and digital display, you can easily customize your bathing experience. The Chiller is built with industrial-grade components, making it tough enough to handle even the most rigorous use. Get setup in minutes with a plug and play design. So why wait? Order The Cold Plunge/Ice Bath Water Chiller today! Use it as a standalone unit with your tub or purchase The Classic or The Barrel tubs that features intake hose connections and insulated tub walls for faster and more efficient icy water.When it comes to maximizing the benefits of ice baths and cold plunges, having the right equipment is essential. A water chiller designed specifically for ice baths and cold plunges can make a significant difference in your experience and recovery. In this article, we will explore the world ice bath water chillers and guide you towards finding the best water chiller for your cold immersion therapy. Whether you’re an athlete, a fitness enthusiast, or someone seeking therapeutic benefits, read on to learn more about the importance of water chillers and the top option available in the market.

The Spartan water chiller is a top-rated water chiller specifically designed for ice baths and cold plunges. With its powerful cooling system and precise temperature control, it ensures that your water remains consistently cold throughout your therapy session. Its user-friendly interface and durability make it an excellent choice for both personal and professional use. With its advanced features and energy-efficient design, the Spartan ice bath water chiller is a favorite among athletes and fitness enthusiasts.Customer Satisfaction and Reviews: This cold plunge water chiller has garnered praise and positive reviews from countless satisfied customers. Users appreciate its exceptional cooling power, reliability, and user-friendly interface. Athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and wellness seekers alike have experienced improved recovery, reduced muscle soreness, and increased circulation thanks to this cutting-edge water chiller. When investing in ice bath water chiller, you can trust that you’re choosing a product that has proven its effectiveness and quality in the market.

Durable and Safe: When it comes to investing in a water chiller, durability and safety are paramount. The Spartan ice bath water chiller excels in both aspects. Constructed with high-quality materials, this chiller unit is built to withstand the rigors of regular use and ensure long-lasting performance. Say goodbye to the inconvenience of adding ice every time – this chiller unit efficiently cools the water, allowing you to enjoy your cold plunge therapy. With its powerful cooling capabilities, this cold plunge water chiller ensures that your water remains at the desired temperature throughout your session, promoting enhanced recovery and rejuvenation. Easy To Use: The Spartan ice bath water chiller has prioritized user convenience and ease of use when designing the water chiller. Its intuitive control panel enables effortless temperature adjustments, ensuring that you can customize your ice bath or cold plunge experience to suit your preferences. The clear display provides real-time temperature updates, allowing you to monitor and maintain the perfect environment for your cold therapy. Additionally, the ice bath water chiller’s compact and sleek design makes it suitable for both personal and professional use, fitting seamlessly into any space.Investing in a high-quality water chiller is crucial if you want to optimize the benefits of ice baths and cold plunges. By maintaining a consistent and controlled water temperature, the Spartan ice bath water chiller ensures an effective and enjoyable cold therapy session. It is the best water chiller available in the market, offering superior performance and reliability. So, whether you’re a professional athlete or a wellness enthusiast, consider it to take your cold plunges to the next level and enjoy the rejuvenating benefits it offers. Ice baths and cold plunges have gained popularity in recent years due to their numerous health benefits. These therapies involve immersing your body in cold water for a specific duration. The cold temperature constricts blood vessels and reduces inflammation, which can alleviate muscle soreness, enhance recovery, and improve circulation. To maximize the effectiveness of your ice bath or cold plunge, maintaining a consistent temperature is crucial, and that’s where a water chiller comes into play. Experience the invigorating power of the Deep Dive Wellness Water Chiller. Rapidly cool water to an invigorating 41 °F (5 °C). Perfect for athletes and wellness enthusiasts seeking optimal cold water therapy. Embrace the icy coolness and elevate your wellness journey with the Deep Dive Wellness Water Chiller.

We are committed to providing our customers with the highest quality cold plunge bath experience possible. Our products are designed with your health and wellness in mind, and we strive to make the cold plunge process as accessible, safe, and enjoyable as possible.We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase of our Deep Dive Wellness products. If for any reason you’re not happy with your product, you can return it for a full refund within 30 days of purchase. Please note that you’ll need to cover the cost of shipping the product back to us. For the Chiller, the estimated return cost is $40.All orders are shipped from our USA & EU Warehouse centre. You’ll receive tracking when your order ships out, please note: that we cannot guarantee the delivery date and timeframe, since it’s in the hands of FedEx & USPS, the times stated above and at checkout are estimates from the courier itself. We can therefore not issue refunds for shipping cost if the parcel is delayed, and we advise contacting the shipping company itself should you have claims.

Compare our Standard and Premium chiller models to discover the ideal choice for your needs. The Premium chiller excels with its enhanced cooling capabilities, delivering twice the cooling speed of the Standard version, making it perfect for those residing in warmer climates with temperatures above 77 °F (25 °C).

Enjoy the convenience and performance of this dynamic duo, both indoors and outdoors. The Deep Dive Wellness Water Chiller and Plunge Bath work harmoniously to provide an unmatched wellness experience that refreshes and revitalizes.An ongoing clinical trial on Sea Swimming for Treatment of Depression and Anxiety further highlights the potential benefits of regular open water bathing on mental well-being, specifically, the impact that cold water swimming may pose for depression and anxiety. The trial suggests that cold water could have an impact on depression, possibly linked to the inflammatory system. Other factors such as the physical activity component and being present in nature are among additional developing evidenceSea Swimming for Treatment of Depression and Anxiety. ClinicalTrials.gov. Accessed 2/2/2023. .

With more than 500 million views on TikTok, the viral #coldplunge trend features individuals immersing themselves in icy water. While research suggests the tradition of cold plunging dates back to ancient Rome, the potential health benefits of cold water immersion remain unclear.For individuals cold plunging for the first time, experts recommend gradually easing into the practice to build a tolerance to frigid temperatures. Beginners should aim for no more than 10 to 15 minutes of cold exposure, says Dr. Russell. As one builds a tolerance to the temperature, the length of the cold plunge can be extended, though Dr. Van Dien notes that research typically focuses on the frequency of cold plunges when considering its health benefits, rather than the duration of each plunge. Torrobath is a portable, foldable, lightweight, and leakproof ice bath tub that helps expedite muscle recovery, improve blood circulation and enhance immune system. Enjoy the benefits of an ice bath at home or anywhere else! Carley is a writer, editor and social media professional. Before starting at Forbes Health, she wrote for Sleepopolis and interned at PBS and Nickelodeon. She’s a certified sleep science coach and member of the Peloton community. When she’s not creating content, you can find her boating on the Chesapeake Bay, chasing around her three toddler nephews or trying a new outdoor lunch spot with her Pomeranian, Leo.The Forbes Health editorial team is independent and objective. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Health site. This compensation comes from two main sources. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. Second, we also include links to advertisers’ offers in some of our articles; these “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them.

“Oftentimes, the duration that one may spend immersed depends on several factors including the water temperature, and how habituated one is to the process. Moreover, the duration may change based on an individual’s intent,” says Dr. Van Dien.However, even with these small and ongoing studies, “there is low-quality evidence to suggest that cold water immersion offers benefits in major depressive disorders or enhances relaxation,” says Dr. Van Dien. “This is similar for other purported benefits, including enhanced immune function and improved post-exercise recovery. There is more evidence to support use in muscle soreness,” he adds.

“Traditionally, cold therapy has been performed by athletes in an effort to enhance post-workout recovery,” notes Craig Van Dien, M.D., a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist at Hackensack Meridian Health’s JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute in Edison, New Jersey. “There has been growing interest amongst the general population, possibly as a consequence of the purported health benefits and wellness trends,” he adds.Some studies suggest 50 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 15 degrees Celsius) to be an optimal temperature range for cold plunges focused on reducing muscle soreness, notes Dr. Van DienMachado, A.F., Ferreira, P.H., Micheletti, J.K. et al. Can Water Temperature and Immersion Time Influence the Effect of Cold Water Immersion on Muscle Soreness? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Med 46, 503–514 (2016). Bleakley C, McDonough S, Gardner E, Baxter GD, Hopkins JT, Davison GW. Cold-water immersion (cryotherapy) for preventing and treating muscle soreness after exercise. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2012, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD008262. . However, there aren’t standard temperatures for cold plunges and temperatures vary depending on the user’s preference, says Dr. Russell, adding that most participants report using water temperatures ranging from 38 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold plunges may have a positive effect on stress management as well. One recent study in EXPLORE notes the association of winter sea bathing with lower levels of stress and higher overall well-being. The study also suggests that participants who take part in winter sea bathing feel a heightened sense of understanding their health versus those who don’t Demori, I., Piccinno, T., Saverino, D., Luzzo, E., Ottoboni, S., Serpico, D., Chiera, M., & Giuria, R. (2021). Effects of winter sea bathing on psychoneuroendocrinoimmunological parameters. Explore (New York, N.Y.), 17(2), 122–126. . Another small 2020 study saw small reductions in negative mood, heightened sense of well-being and increases in positive mood in a group of novice open water swimmersLateef F. (2010). Post exercise ice water immersion: Is it a form of active recovery?. Journal of emergencies, trauma, and shock, 3(3), 302. . Meaghan is an editor and writer who also has experience practicing holistic medicine as an acupuncturist and herbalist. She’s passionate about helping individuals live full, healthy and happy lives at every age. Outside of writing and editing for Forbes Health, Meaghan loves practicing yoga, reading and spending time with her family near the ocean in her home state of Maine.

Forbes Health adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved or otherwise endorsed by our advertisers.Cold plunging is one aspect of cold water therapy or cold water immersion, which is a practice that involves immersing oneself in cold water temperatures, usually for some type of health benefit. “People of all activity levels are experimenting with cold plunging as a non-pharmacologic means of [relieving] joint pain and inflammation,” says Troy Russell, M.D., regional medical director of Primary360 at Teladoc Health.

The evidence around the benefits of cold plunging is largely inconclusive, according to Dr. Van Dien. “Athletes looking to reduce post-workout muscle soreness, or individuals looking for an experience may find cold immersion appealing,” he says. The practice also serves as a treatment for long-distance endurance athletes who are prone to heat stroke.Cold water immersion can be performed in various locations, such as indoor or outdoor tubs, specially designed tanks or plunge barrels, local spas and even cold bodies of water, according to Dr. Van Dien and Dr. Russell. Though immersing yourself in a cold body of water may provide a dynamic plunge experience, Dr. Van Dien notes there’s limited evidence to suggest whether one location is more beneficial than another.

Risks of cold plunging can include hypothermia, cardiovascular events or dysfunction and drowning, says Dr. Van Dien. Additional risks to consider include the following, according to the National Weather Service:Additionally, experts recommend never cold plunging alone. “Cold water swims should always be done with others with access to medical personnel,” states Dr. Russell. As with any wellness practice, speak to your doctor to determine if cold plunging is a safe option for you.“Understanding your medical comorbidities and what risk they pose is extremely important before cold plunging,” says Dr. Van Dien. “At a minimum, individuals with known cardiac or pulmonary disease should steer clear of cold water immersion, given the immense burden placed on these body systems,” he adds. Older adults should use caution when cold plunging as well, adds Dr. Russell.The Ice-Mini Chiller takes water cleanliness to the next level with its UV disinfection filter and water filter. The UV filter ensures that your ice bath remains free from harmful bacteria, while the water filter removes impurities and particulates. This dual filtration system guarantees a clean and hygienic experience, giving users peace of mind.

For added peace of mind, the NüBreath Water Chiller comes with a standard one-year warranty. This assures that you are covered for any unexpected issues that may arise.With a temperature range of 3°C and 42°C, the NüBreath Water Chiller gives you the freedom to customize your ice bath experience precisely to your liking.Hygiene is paramount in an ice bath setup, and this is where the chiller’s built-in Ozone sanitation system comes in. This feature ensures the water is always clean and clear, creating a safe and hygienic environment for your cold plunge sessions.

From the easy-to-read digital display to the self-priming system, the Nubreath Water Chiller is designed for simplicity and convenience. The 20-micron water filter is built into the unit for easy maintenance, reducing the need for additional accessories or tools.This high-quality chiller is proudly made in the USA and offers an excellent balance of performance, value, and durability. Its efficient operation, quiet performance, and integrated pump make it an outstanding choice for those seeking a reliable ice bath solution.

Finally, The Penguin Chillers Cold Therapy Chiller is a very solid Most Affordable choice, offering high efficiency, low noise, and a rainproof design.With its advanced functionality, user-friendly design, and durability, the Ice-Mini Chiller is a fantastic investment for those seeking a high-quality ice bath experience.The Penguin Chillers Cold Therapy Chiller comes with a built-in pump, simplifying the installation process and reducing the need for additional components. This integrated pump provides a powerful and reliable water circulation system, ensuring that your ice bath maintains a consistent temperature throughout.

With its additional safety features, outdoor compatibility, and made-in-the-USA quality, the Penguin Chillers Cold Therapy Chiller is a solid investment for enhancing your cold plunge experience at a reasonable price.

Additionally, the chiller operates at a low noise level of 56 dBA, making it ideal for use in residential areas or spaces where quiet operation is crucial.

The Penguin Chillers Cold Therapy Chiller is our most affordable pick for the best water chiller for ice baths, without sacrificing noticeable quality.

The Coldture Ice-Mini Chiller is built with safety and durability in mind. It features a safety shutoff that prevents overheating and potential damage to the unit, ensuring a secure and worry-free experience. Additionally, the chiller is made with industrial-grade components, providing excellent longevity and reliable performance.

The Coldture Ice-Mini Chiller is equipped with a WiFi-enabled temperature control system, allowing users to monitor and adjust the water temperature remotely. This innovative feature provides added convenience and ensures that you can achieve the ideal temperature for your ice bath with just a few taps on your smartphone or tablet.If you’re interested in a NüBreath Water Chiller (or any of their products), our readers can enjoy 5% off when you use the code “coldplungefacts” at checkout! One of the key features of the Penguin Chillers Cold Therapy Chiller is its high-efficiency operation. This chiller has been designed to consume less energy while maintaining optimal cooling performance, ensuring that your ice bath remains at the desired temperature without driving up your energy bills. The Coldture Ice-Mini Chiller earns our top spot for the best overall water chiller for ice baths. This all-in-one unit offers a plethora of features that make it an exceptional choice for cold plunge enthusiasts.This chiller is equipped with a 10′ power cord that features GFCI protection, enhancing its safety and reducing the risk of electrical accidents. Furthermore, its rainproof design allows for outdoor use in various weather conditions. However, it’s important to disconnect the chiller and drain it completely when ambient temperatures are freezing or below to prevent potential damage.

The Penguin Chillers Cold Therapy Chiller is proudly made in the USA, ensuring a high level of quality and craftsmanship. It is backed by a one-year product warranty, providing users with peace of mind and protection for their investment.To ensure a clean and hygienic ice bath experience, this chiller comes with a filter stand, filter canister, and a 5-micron filter. This filtration system helps to remove impurities and particulates from the water, maintaining a pristine environment for your cold plunge sessions.

With the ability to withstand temperatures as low as -10°C (14°F), the Ice-Mini Chiller is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. This added versatility means you can enjoy your ice bath in a variety of settings, whether it’s in the comfort of your home, at a training facility, or even outside during colder months.In summary, the Coldture Ice-Mini Chiller is an exceptional choice for the best overall water chiller for ice baths. Its advanced features, user-friendly design, and durability make it a fantastic investment for those seeking to enhance their cold plunge experience.

In conclusion, the best water chiller for your ice bath will ultimately depend on your preferences, budget, and specific needs. The Coldture Ice-Mini Chiller is our top pick for the best overall chiller, with its versatile temperature range, advanced features, and portable design.Coldture offers a one-year standard warranty on the Ice-Mini Chiller, ensuring that your investment is protected. Although some competitors may offer longer warranty periods, the high-quality construction and advanced features of the Ice-Mini Chiller make it a worthy choice for those seeking a premium ice bath experience.

A highlight of the NüBreath Water Chiller is its Wi-Fi-controlled digital display, allowing you to adjust the temperature from the comfort of your smartphone or tablet.The Penguin Chillers come in at roughly half the price as the above two chillers, which makes it highly more desirable for many people, and some may look past the absence of some of the fancy features for the attractive price point. This water chiller is designed with portability in mind, making it easy to move and set up wherever you need it. The self-contained unit features a self-priming circulation pump, eliminating the need for additional components or complicated installation procedures. It’s truly a plug-and-play solution, allowing users to set up their ice bath quickly and efficiently. In conclusion, the Penguin Chillers Cold Therapy Chiller is a fantastic most affordable choice for those seeking a reliable and efficient water chiller for their ice bath.

⦿ Sleek Look – The ModPlunge comes with a sleek grey look protected with a UV finish. The modern look will go perfectly on any covered patio or in any iron paradise.

The ModPlunge comes in a Gray modern designed grizzly 400. This highly durable cold plunge is built using a roto-molding method and comes with a latching lid. The lid does latch and will help maintain the low temperature of the water. Lastly, this cold plunge is pressure injected with up to 2 inches of foam to ensure the water stays cold regardless of it’s environment.Cold therapy has been used by athletes all over the world for the past 30 years. Gone are the days when an ice bath was only found in a training room. New studies show that cold therapy is a healthy way to reduce inflammation and increase immune response. This makes The ModPlunge a gym or backyard necessity when it comes to taking your recovery to the next level.

Free Shipping! Due to high demand of this product the lead time is currently 8 weeks due to a shortage with chiller units. All of our customers say it’s well worth the wait!⦿ Durability – The Mod cold plunge is highly durable and rated for all weather conditions. We do recommend that the chiller unit is kept in a safe, and dry location.

The ModPlunge is truly the best bang for your buck when it comes to a cold plunge for your home! If you are looking for a clean, well-built, and easy-to-maintain cold plunge, this is the one for you! To checkout, simply hit the blue add to cart button above, followed by the checkout now button.

At The Cold Plunge Store, our mission is simple. We are your one-stop shop for everything cold plunges & we strive to pair our customers with the right fit for their lifestyle.⦿ Easy Set Up – There is very little assembly required with MOD Cold Plunge. Simply find a level location in your backyard or gym and set up within 15 minutes.The ModPlunge takes innovation to the next level! The ModPlunge is built with an ultra-durable Grizzly 400 cooler and paired with a quarter-horse chiller unit which is plenty of power to keep this insulated cooler COLD. This cold plunge is one of the most durable yet affordable cold plunges on the market!

“It’s really the best bang for your buck when it comes to a cold plunge. Everything else on the market is twice as expensive and built with cheap materials” – Benjamin M.

The external chiller unit is what separates The Mod cold plunge from other more traditional ice baths since there is no ice required. The 1/4 horse chiller unit will cool water temperatures to 39 degrees Fahrenheit. The Chiller unit is portable and can be plugged in using a regular outlet. Temperature control is done right at the unit and is built to be left on while the tub is not in use.The Cold Plunge/Ice Bath Water Chiller is perfect for anyone looking for a clean & consistent at-home cold tub experience. This powerful compact cooling unit can chill the water to 3 degrees Celsius (37F), for those looking for a deep chill. Plus, with its Wi-Fi control and digital display, you can easily customize your bathing experience. The Chiller is built with industrial-grade components, making it tough enough to handle even the most rigorous use. Get setup in minutes with a plug and play design. So why wait? Order The Cold Plunge/Ice Bath Water Chiller today!

If you have the budget and want low-effort, this is probably the way to go. Of the ones I looked at, I think the best is Modtub ModPlunge (in fact, their design ended up pretty close to mine). It’s one of the cheapest, uses parts that you can fix/replace by yourself if needed in the future, comes with a warranty, and importantly is well-insulated.

I chose to screw my filter straight into my pump to avoid one tube section and keep it more compact. However, I may eventually mount the filter on the wall, which is how it was designed to be used.

This is overall the cheapest that includes chilling. However, because it’s all-in-one, if anything breaks, you’ll probably need to replace the whole thing. Chest freezer compressors are fairly undersized and weren’t designed to chill 100 gallons all the time, so you’ll be putting a lot of load on it. Additionally, there’s no built in filtering and sanitization, so you will need to solve this separately. Finally, I’m aware of no chest freezers that are actually water tight — you’ll have to manually seal a lot of seams with a product like JB Weld Water Weld, which is a long process.

Water leaves the cooler, goes into the pump, then filter, then chiller, and back to the cooler. My design is more simple than others I found online, avoids gluing PVC, and is easily modifiable. All plumbing fittings are for 3/4 inch tubing, and all fittings use NPT threading (if you don’t know what this is, don’t worry — full parts list is below). My completed build was around $1700, most of which is the large cooler. You can follow this plan with a 100 gallon stock tank and save about $800, but you’ll then need to separately think about insulation.

Drill a pilot hole where your hole will go. This will help the hole saw bit not to wander on the slick plastic surface of the cooler. Make sure to drill perpendicular to the cooler wall. The cooler walls are slightly flared outwards, so it’s easy to accidentally drill slanted.Tighten the hose clamps, and you’re ready for a static leak test. Fill your cooler with water to cover the outlet hole. Water will start to flow towards your pump. Carefully check for leaks. If you see nothing, turn everything on.

The wall is thick, and you don’t want any tear-out inside the cooler, so stop before going all the way through. The hole saw’s drill bit should pierce through, though, so you’ll know exactly where to cut from the other side. If it doesn’t, use your normal drill bit to create a guide hole that goes all the way through. Once it’s through, use the hole saw on the inside of the cooler to go through. Remember to run the hole saw in reverse initially to get a clean hole. My setup chills the water at roughly 2°F per hour. With water at 40°F and ambient air around 75°F, when the chiller and pump are off, the cooler’s insulation is good enough to only lose roughly 1-2°F per day. I will update this when it’s warmer where I live — regardless, the chiller is more than enough to keep it cool. It can get below 40°F without issue, which is my current operating temperature. If you would like to know why you’d want to get into cold water regularly, I won’t pitch you too hard — instead, try it. I have no idea if it’s a health panacea (some act like it, some are mixed). It feels great, makes me feel energized for hours after, and gives an “easy” mental repetition for doing hard things. And regularly doing hard things is great.I can’t promise this will work, but based on my BTU math above, if you have good insulation, you may be able to entirely get away with the Active Aqua 1/10 HP unit which is a good bit cheaper. After I’m able to collect data from warmer temperatures later this summer, I’ll model what the cooler’s heat losses are so everyone can calculate what they’ll need based on ambient temperature.

I expected insulation to matter, but it really matters. My current (in late June) energy needs are roughly 2500-3000 BTU per day. As it gets warmer, it’ll likely increase to around 5000 BTU a day. My chiller cools the water at around 2500 BTU/hr (less than rated, because of heat losses in the uninsulated tubing). As in: currently the chiller runs for 1 hour a day, and worst case, will only run about two hours a day. It’s shockingly efficient.There’s several popular chillers people use. Active Aqua and Penguin both make good chillers that are appropriately sized. The most common power for cold plunge chillers is 1/2 HP, but since the cooler insulates so well, unless you leave the lid open a lot, you don’t need that much power. For the cost, the Active Aqua 1/4 HP model seemed the best to me. If you use a stock tank, you’ll need at least the 1/2 HP model, and perhaps the 1 HP model, depending on how well you insulate the top and what your lid is.

There’s tons on the market. The Cold Plunge ($5000), Odin Ice Bath ($6900), Polar Monkeys ($2800), ModPlunge ($3000), and more. The price range buys different (better?) design and different (better?) chillers, but not much else.

Additionally, buying the cooler first lets you have an ultra-insulated tub that you can use ice with until you decide to build the rest. It’s around the same cost as the Ice Barrel mentioned above, but better in almost every way.I do accumulate grit/dirt on the cooler floor from dirty feet (my plunge is outside). I struggled to clean this out well until I found this $1 water toy that allows me to suck up any dirt super easily from the floor. It works quite well. Your cold plunge will stay cool and the filter will remove most particulate. Depending on if your plunge is inside or outside and how clean you are when you get in, you may also need to consider sanitization in addition to your filter. Hydrogen peroxide (1oz of 30% solution) or chlorine (~3g of chlorine granules for hot tubs) both work. Do not do both — they react with each other. Eventually you may want to pick up a test kit to keep levels in check, but initially, you can use your best judgement and adjust as needed to keep the water clean. Chiller prices have gone up. If you’re on a budget, you may want to opportunistically find a good deal or wait until prices come down a bit. I purchased mine from a random gardening store online, and have seen some on eBay for reasonable prices.

This also doesn’t solve filtering and sanitization, so you’ll need to consider that. However, overall, this approach certainly works and many people have conversions that have lasted a few years. This is the best guide I’ve found.

I then added caulk to the hole on the inside of the cooler to ensure a good seal. This ended up not being required because I sealed it further later, but based on some research online, I think it is worthwhile to seal it in some way. Carefully examine all fittings and seals to make sure no drips are coming. Be exhaustive, because it’s far easier to fix it now before the cooler is entirely filled up. This is the route I went for a number of reasons. A well-designed cooler solves insulation, which lowers operating cost significantly, and comes water-tight with a well-fitting lid and drainage hole. This build also let me chose all the other components. Overall, it’s about $1300 cheaper than I could buy pre-made.I use a Grizzly 400 cooler, which is 400 liters (105 gallons) and easily fits my 6’2″ 180 lbs body. There’s a few alternatives, such as the Yeti Tundra 350 liter cooler, but it’s quite a bit more expensive. The Grizzly is built well, has a well-fitting lid, insulates very well, and has a locking lid feature. I wasn’t able to find anything significantly cheaper that had the same features.

Since having the completed cold plunge, I’ve used it almost every day. The lack of overhead—in and out in a few minutes—makes it so easy to use frequently. Next, I plan on building a wooden enclosure for the pump, filter, and chiller since my setup is mostly outside (in an open shed). If you’d like updates on how my setup is working, leave your email address below and I’ll provide updates as I improve things over time. Feel free to reach out if you have any build-related questions.You all are wonderful and I’ve had several great conversations with people who have built or are planning on building their own cold plunges. I’ll keep this section updated with useful takeaways. Mark the center of where you will drill, and then check several times that it’s in a good location. I chose to add both holes to the ends in the center, with the outlet below the inlet. My outlet hole is 9 inches from the bottom of the cooler (on the outside), and the inlet hole is 18 inches from the bottom of the cooler. You may also want to get some hot tub cleaning tools for larger particulate that your outlet doesn’t suck up (such as if it floats or sinks to the bottom).

I was concerned about leaks around the bulkheads, so decided to add a thick layer of JB Weld Water Weld around the entire fitting on the inside. This may not be necessary, and has the downside that the fitting can’t be removed. I recommend not doing this initially, and only considering it if you see leaks.Pumps are relatively cheap compared to the other big components, so I went with one that should be reliable for years: the Danner Mag-Drive. Danner makes several different flow rates. I chose the Model 12, which outputs a peak flow of 1200 gallons per hour. In practice, with all the resistance from the filter, fittings, and chiller, the flow is a good bit lower. I do think I oversized, and could have actually gone with the Model 7 (700 gallons per hour) without any issue.This obviously can’t be undone, so be careful and methodical. The holes can be on the side or back, depending on where you want to pipes from come out. The cooler floor is fairly thick, so make sure you don’t drill too low. Additionally, don’t drill the outlet too high, because it needs to be able to suck water in.Many people use stock tanks. I don’t think these are any better than the cheaper tubs you can get online, include no lid, and are horribly insulated. Think about it: metal stock tanks are basically heat sinks. This makes their total operating cost significantly higher unless you insulate them well. This YouTube channel has videos about building a stock tank with water chiller / pump / filter setup.Check your filter regularly to make sure it’s not too dirty. The filters are fairly cheap, so replace them as they get clogged to not wear your pump down.

The cooler will likely be delivered via freight and so will likely not arrive quickly. Make sure to order everything well ahead of when you intent on building the cold plunge. The cooler is over 100 lbs, so it’s best to have someone to help unload it. Or you can be like me and try to move it yourself.The biggest improvement I’d recommend is to add a temperature controller. This allows you to automatically cut off the pump and chiller when they’re not needed, and gives you remote control monitoring and basic smart automation. I use the Inkbird WiFi ITC-308. The temperature probe fits with the lid closed, but you can also drill a hole to slide it through. If you do, I recommend using a straw or small tube to line the hole, so that no water can get in the cooler insulation. Also consider a master-controlled (also called control/switched) surge protector. These are often sold to save energy, where if the master device stops pulling power, it cuts off power to secondary devices. The pump will be the master with the chiller as secondary, so that if the pump stops for whatever reason, the chiller will also be turned off. I have this one. These don’t solve chilling or sanitization for you, but are simple. They range from fairly cheap to oddly expensive. These are basically the same as using your tub, since you’ll need to manage ice and replace the water often. Since I wanted something I could use easily every day, these didn’t make much sense.

Attach one end of the tube, then add two hose clamps (one for each barb fitting). You can tighten these later, but won’t be able to easily add them once you put the barb fittings on.

Since the Ice Barrel doesn’t rely on electricity to reach the desired temperature, you’re free to place it anywhere. Just choose a location that will al
low you to drain and refill the water as needed.