I discuss how I built my chest freezer ice plunge in a previous article and one of the most frequent questions I get is, “How do I keep it clean?”
Properly maintaining a chest freezer is really important to not only extend the life of your freezer but also to keep the water sanitized, especially if you’re dipping your head under.
To maintain clean water you have to make sure to filter and sanitize the water on a continuous basis.
- Filtering removes debris. You can use an aquarium filter like the Marineland Magnum Filter and an Evob Skimmer net. I run the filter 24/7.
- Sanitization kills bacteria. Sanitization methods includes adding hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and Epsom salt to the water and using an ozone generator. UPDATE: I have now added an ozone generator. More on that here.
Taking care of those two methods and showering prior to getting in (especially if you’re sweaty) is important for extending the life of the water.
But it’s also important to do a through cleaning on a reoccurring basis. I empty and clean my tank every 3-4 months.
Here’s what you’ll need and how to do it.
Supplies needed:
Instructions:
- Unplug everything *IMPORTANT!*
- Remove filter, disassemble and clean filter with brush
- Place anything that was in the water in a basin with H2O2
- Clean around vent
- Drain
- Spray seal with H2O2 (wait 10 min)
- Wipe down exterior and lid
- Spray interior with H2O2 (wait 10 min)
- Spray down interior with water
- Squeegee interior
- Inspect seals
- Install drain plug and filter
- Fill back up 1/2 way with filtered water
- Pour in 32oz (or more) hydrogen peroxide
- Add Epsom salt and Magnesium flakes
- Add 100-200 lbs ice
- Continue filling with water until it’s about 3/4 of the way full
- Lock it up (if your freezer has a lock) and turn everything on
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I’m getting chunks of calcium on the walls of my plunge ice bath chest freezer. maybe because of my county water. Any idea how not to get these?
I’ve never heard of that.
I’m getting some “white chunks” forming here and there as well. My water is filtered.. wondering if it’s possible it’s just epsom salt clumping?
That what it sounds like. After adding the epsom salt, do you stir the water around until it’s completely dissolved?
I have a 150gal Rubbermaid stock tank I put in my garage for cold plunges. I don’t really plan on draining it at all this winter. Do I use food grade hydrogen peroxide? Can I use chlorine tablets? What would be the best method to keep my tank clean.
The best option is to use an ozone generator (see this post for more details https://troydelaney.com/upgrades-to-my-chest-freezer-ice-bath/). You can use either H2O2 or chlorine tablets, whatever you’re more comfortable with. I prefer a combination of H2O2 (about 16oz) and magnesium salt (about 5 lbs).
Can I do without the ozone generator since my tank is inside and doesn’t have a lid?
Yes, you definitely don’t need it but it’s by far the best way to sanitize your water. Ozone dissipates very quickly so if you have it run at 1am in the morning and you’re not in the room at that time, there really shouldn’t be a concern.
I have a 500 liter chest freezer, can I only use hydrogen peroxide?
And should pour 32oz with a cup, or should I do something else?
Thanks
And after I pour it should I leave the door open? And how long should I wait before I go in?
You don’t have to leave the door open and you can get right in.
I use an ozone generator but you can use H2O2 instead. That’s fine.
I have a magic chef that has that tin foil look on the interior. It’s corroded and the water gets murky quickly. Do you think there is any danger from that? I am assuming that since my pours are closed, I am probably fine, but there is no information on what these interiors are made of…
Thanks, Dan
I don’t recommend using a chest freezer that has a metal interior unless you coat it with a liner.
I’d like to use H2O2 since Ozone is not preferable with my kids always getting into stuff. How frequently do I need to add it and how much?
Also, when you use salt, doesn’t that corrode your filter pump over time?
Thanks
Honestly, you just have to run the ozone 1 hour a day so you could set it up on a timer to run at 1am to ensure your kids don’t get into it. Although, if you have kids around, you really should have a chest freezer that has a lock on it. You don’t want them falling in and then the lid closes on them.
If you still want to go with H2O2, I recommend 32 oz every month. I’ve had my freezer going with over 8 lbs of salt in it an never had any corrosion.
Can I use a lot of salt as sanitization??
Yes, it’s possible though it’s not the ideal why to sanitize the water. Also, too much water may make you too buoyant.