Many cold plunging enthusiasts want to enjoy the benefits year-round, even in the heat of summer. But keeping the water cold enough can be tricky when outdoor temperatures rise. The good news is that with the right tools and setups, you don’t have to give up cold plunging during the warmer months. In this article, we will walk you through practical ways to keep your water cool in summer.
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Cooling Water with a Flow-Through Cooler
In the world of cooling technology, water cooling with flow-through coolers has undergone a remarkable development in recent years. Originally designed for catering and industrial applications, this technology has become increasingly popular for home use. These devices pass water through cooling fins or tubes, quickly reducing their temperature.
How Effective Are Flow-Through Coolers?
This method of cooling has several advantages, including the ability to lower temperatures than conventional air coolers. With the right setup, flow-through coolers can chill water down to 4–5 °C, an ideal range for a refreshing summer plunge.
Size and power
The coolers are relatively compact in size (dimensions approx. 50x50x50 cm depending on the variant). Most weigh around 20 kg and vary from 400 watts up to 2,000 watts. A mid-range option (800–1,500 watts) usually provides the best balance of efficiency and practicality.
Advantages
- They are compact in size
- Fast cooling times
- Reliable results
Drawbacks
High-powered models may strain your electrical setup if multiple appliances are running.
Professional Cold Pools
Professional cooling pools are specially designed pools that are permanently installed with a cooling unit, filters, and hoses or pipes. These are often weatherproof and can sometimes be set up outdoors.
Features
- Built-in cooling units
- Filtration
- Durable stainless steel or fiber
Benefits
- Professional cold pools allow precise temperature control to ensure a consistent and safe experience for users.
- The materials used are often stainless steel or fiberglass for durability.
- Features a stylish design that can double as a backyard centerpiece.
Drawbacks
Cost. Prices typically fall into the four-digit range, making them more suitable for wellness businesses or serious enthusiasts.
Ice cubes
Ice cubes or ice molds are also suitable for cooling down water. However, they are not as good as you might think, because ice cubes are actually more for looks in the summer than for any real cooling effect. The problem is that you need huge amounts of ice to generate a reasonably good cooling effect. We have tried this out several times and ended up with around 7-15% ice in relation to the water. For a pool with a moderate 200 liters of water, that would mean around 15-30kg of ice!
Best Use Case
One option, of course, is to fill the bathtub with a minimal amount of water and then lie down in it. This is less comfortable, and often some impractically built body parts stick out :-) But pragmatists could certainly still enjoy a cold plunge – in this case, you might be able to get by with about 7-10 kg of ice.
Converting Freezers
Freezers are also a very effective way to enjoy a cold plunge in summer with a little DIY work. Freezers that are normally used for food storage can be converted for use as ice baths.
Why Freezers Work
They are usually large enough to hold one person, have precise temperature control to cool the water to the desired temperature, and offer insulating properties. This means that the water stays cold for a very long time and, as freezers also have a lid that can be easily closed, dirt and dust are also kept out of the ice bath.
Downsides
On the one hand, the disadvantages are of a visual nature: a freezer is a freezer and looks like one too. Although it is possible to clad the chest in a wooden look, it is and remains a freezer. For some cold plungers, a lack of space also speaks against this solution.
Safety first: Always disconnect the electricity before getting in. Also, seal the joints properly to prevent leaks.
Natural Cold Water
Anyone who has the privilege of living in the Alps and having a glacial stream on their doorstep, or at least somewhere in the immediate vicinity, saves themselves a lot of effort. Alpine streams, which are mainly fed by melt and glacier water, are a wonderful natural experience for every cold water swimmer. And even in summer, these glacial streams rarely get warmer than 8-10 °C.
Quick Comparison
| Vessel | Continuous flow cooler | Cold pool | Ice cubes | Deep freezer | Waters |
| Acquisition costs |  |  | | | |
| Duration until the 1st cooling | | | | | – |
| Practicality | | | | | |
| Energy efficiency | | | | | |
| Water purification | | | | | |
| Insulation | | | | | – |
| Optics | | | | | |
| Ice bath temperature | | | | | |
Conclusion
Unfortunately, we are not blessed with a mountain glacier on our doorstep. As a result, natural waters are unfortunately out of the question for us in summer without extremely high travel costs. After a few attempts, we have also ruled out ice cubes, as there is simply not enough space in a normal fridge-freezer, and there is a lot of fiddling around with the water and the molds. What bothers us the most, however, is the low cooling capacity and the long waiting time – after all, the ice also takes a while to melt.
The cold pool, on the other hand, is a really good method of cold plunging in summer. If costs are just a minor consideration or it is a purchase for a business, for example, then a professional cold pool is definitely the right choice.
We personally opted for two options: a blast chiller and a freezer. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages, which is why it’s difficult to narrow down to one option :-) Our freezer is superbly insulated, has low energy consumption, and was inexpensive to buy. The blast chiller, on the other hand, is also relatively cheap, mobile, cools faster than the freezer, and can be used with any container. However, it may lack the proper insulation that a freezer provides.
That said, our final thoughts are:
- For daily use, a converted freezer is efficient, affordable, and reliable.
- For occasional plunges, a flow-through cooler gets the water ready quickly.
- For those who want the ultimate setup, professional cold pools combine comfort, precision, and style.
No matter which option you choose, you can keep enjoying the benefits of cold plunging year-round.
Happy cold water swimming!
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