Mad Max
2025-06-15 15:47:15
This is a great way to do ice baths. We started out with a collapsible ice bath, which is probably how most people get started. But the collapsible ones are a pain to set up and tear down, so we rarely did it. Plus you have to either make ice or buy it every time you want to use it. There are all kinds of approaches - freezing water bottles (which takes a lot of freezer space), using insulation and lids, moving it outside seasonally, etc. But the chest freezer conversion is by far the easiest if you have the space. It keeps it at a steady temperature, it's always ready to go, and the operating cost is very low (ours is about five bucks per month).Plus the chest freezer isn't as expensive as you might think. We just watched for deals, and were able to score a Criterion 14 cubic foot for around two hundred bucks.There is really not much you need to do for the conversion. You need a liner and some way to keep the water clean.Some people fill their chests with water without a liner. Chest freezers come with a foil liner in there, and are inherently somewhat water tight. But it's not intended for a human to climb in there! - the foil liner is thin, and a pretty risky move in my opinion.This vinyl liner fits almost any brand chest freezer between about 10-15 cubic feet. It's a perfect fit for the 14-foot range, otherwise it's going to be a little bit loose which is no big deal. Plus the liner makes it comfy. I recommend a weighted hot tub pillow to sit on. I've also used foam tile squares (like floor squares) to sit on - they're not very cushy, but they provide some padding and dry quickly.Some people remove the hinges from the lids of their chest freezers to install this liner, and lift off the lid each time. But I prefer to leave the lid on - they're heavy to lift off, it might get dented, it's just too much hassle to remove the hinges in my opinion. This liner will facilitate both ways.Either way, if you're ever done using this as a cold plunge, you can empty it, remove the liner, and use it s a normal chest freezer.The vinyl is legit - it's about 20 mil, which is the same thickness as a real in-ground swimming pool liner. It's much thicker than a kiddie pool or something like that (which would be about 10 mil). Plus if you ever snag it or rip it, it's easy enough to throw a pool patch on it.As for keeping the water clean, this brand has some solutions for that also (not included). Some people use ozone - which has pros and cons. It is extremely effective at sterilizing the water, and it's great for your skin. Ozone does nothing for filtering out oils and debris - in my view you still will need to filter the water. But there are two big issues with ozone for me. First, you should be really careful being around the machine while it's on - you shouldn't breathe ozone. Second, if there is any metal in the vicinity, ozone will cause it to rust. If the metal is wet, it will rust (oxidize) as quick as one day. So I don't like running ozone in my basement, and I would be even more concerned about damage to any metal parts in the freezer. So I do use ozone, but only occasionally, and not as a primary cleaning method.I prefer filter pumps, just like a hot tub. I also like adding minerals or using mineral cartridges (silver and copper). They make special cold plunge chemicals, but you can use hot tub chemicals too. If you have a filter pump, you can use the pump if you ever need to empty or change out the water.Anyway, I love the liner, and it's easier than you may think. All you need is a chest freezer, this liner, and some way to keep the water clean.Final word of caution - be extremely careful with chest freezers if you have children.
jubaby
2025-03-17 16:21:59
It’s durable and fits perfectly, transforming your freezer into a functional and affordable cold plunge. Ideal for athletes, wellness enthusiasts, or anyone looking to benefit from cold therapy without the high cost of a traditional plunge tub.
Jami Lilo
2024-12-17 13:07:19
This liner fits my 14.0 Cu ft freezer. The liner is a sturdy material and while it has patches for if it get a hole, I don’t think it will. I’m careful to not wear jewelry or anything when I plunge. The instructions are helpful with videos. Everything is very clear on how to start and they walk you through the process both with or without removing the door. It also came with toe caps which was fun to try out and keep the toes slightly warmer when plunging. Overall, it’s a very nice liner. I’ll update if any issues arise as I plunge pretty much every day.