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William Flair

Your wellness guide

The Chest Freezer Cold Plunge

Introduction: Picture this: a cost-effective cold plunge solution using a chest freezer. It’s an intriguing prospect for those on a budget, but as we peel back the layers, the convenience of this DIY approach may come at a considerable compromise. In this exploration, we’ll navigate the world of chest freezer cold plunges, examining both the advantages and drawbacks. At Aquavoss, where chilling solutions meet excellence, our testing has provided valuable insights into the limitations of repurposed chest freezers.

  1. Affordability at a Price: The primary allure of a chest freezer cold plunge is, undeniably, its affordability. In a world where dedicated cold plunges can be a substantial investment, repurposing a chest freezer seems like a savvy financial choice. However, let’s dissect this apparent advantage to understand the potential trade-offs that come with affordability.
  2. The Lid Dilemma: One of the prominent downsides of using a chest freezer as a cold plunge becomes apparent when dealing with its lid. Chest freezers are designed for frozen food storage, not frequent human entries. The top lid, an integral part of a chest freezer’s design, poses an ergonomic challenge when transformed into a cold plunge. The constant lifting and closing of the lid can be not only annoying but also less practical compared to dedicated cold plunges with more user-friendly entry points.
  3. Sealing Woes and DIY Challenges: Creating a watertight seal on a chest freezer converted into a cold plunge requires some do-it-yourself ingenuity. The challenge lies in ensuring a robust seal that prevents water leakage. Any oversight in this DIY process not only risks damage to the surrounding area but also underscores the importance of utilizing equipment purpose-built for the task – a task that chest freezers were not initially engineered to undertake.
  4. Taxing on Components: Chest freezers excel at freezing food, but converting them into cold plunges adds a substantial burden to their compressors and chilling systems. Unlike dedicated cold plunges equipped with water filtration and efficient cycling mechanisms, chest freezers lack these features. This absence compromises the overall efficiency and longevity of the chilling system. The direct cold contact of heat exchangers found in purpose-built cold plunges ensures optimal performance, a crucial aspect often sacrificed when using chest freezers.
  5. Aquavoss Testing Insights: At Aquavoss, our commitment to excellence involves rigorous testing of chilling solutions, including chest freezers repurposed as cold plunges. The results have been enlightening. Chest freezers, when subjected to the demands of cold therapy, do not withstand the test of time. The strain on compressors and chilling systems accelerates wear and tear, leading to frequent breakdowns and a diminished overall lifespan.

In conclusion, while the notion of a chest freezer cold plunge may seem economically appealing, the compromises in terms of convenience, efficiency, and durability cannot be understated. Investing in a designated cold plunge, purpose-built for the task, not only ensures a reliable and hassle-free experience but also aligns with the core values of Aquavoss in delivering excellence in chilling solutions. When it comes to cold therapy, sometimes the cost-effective route may come at a higher price in terms of long-term satisfaction.

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Maintenance Schedule & Routine

Cleaning & Maintenance

Maintaining pristine water quality is essential for the safety, comfort, and longevity of your cold plunge experience. Just as you invested in the design and construction of your cold plunge, it’s equally important that you invest in its chemical maintenance.

How to Install the Aquavoss Model 2 Chiller

How to Install the Aquavoss Model 2 Chiller

Most of the cold plunge system is installed prior to delivery (the piping, the circulation pump, the ozone, the drains, the filter, etc.) and ready to go upon delivery. The chiller, however, was disconnected from the system before it was shipped out to you. Here is the reasoning … the chiller has refrigerant inside of it. The chiller cannot be pre-installed as the refrigerant would spill and in turn cause long-term damage to the unit. Therefore, we securely packaged the chiller inside of the cold plunge tank so that the refrigerant does not spill during the shipping process. In this blog, we are going to walk you through how to connect the chiller back into the system so that your cold plunge side is operational (this does not require any particular expertise). Please refer to the video below as well as the following instructions for guidance on how to install the Aquavoss Model 2 chiller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BaMeJs13Nk&t=128s 1. Remove the chiller from the cold plunge tank The chiller was strapped securely inside of the cold plunge tank. As you were unboxing the product, you should have seen signage and warning labels indicating where the chiller is and that it must be removed prior to laying the Model 2 horizontally. Remove the chiller from the cold plunge tank – make sure that the chiller is always upside right as you want to ensure that refrigerant never spills. 2. Remove the access cabinet The technology for both the cold plunge and the hot tub are inside the “access cabinet”. The access cabinet can be identified in three ways: a. The access cabinet is on the same side as the thicker part of the acrylic shell. b. The access cabinet has the larger vent on it as well. c. There is a black handle in the middle of the side panel (not featured in image). Remove the two black corner pieces by gently pulling them away from the unit. Once you remove the black corner pieces, there will be four screws exposed on each corner of the cabinet as shown in the image below. Remove the screws using the Allen wrench that was provided to you in the welcome package. After you have removed the screws, then pull using the black handle at the base of the panel (not shown in image). The panel is also magnetic so give it a good tug to remove it. IMPORTANT: The panel was designed to be very easy to access. Once you remove the screws for the first time, you do not need to re-insert them when you close the panel. The panel and corner pieces are magnetic – screws are not needed to keep them in position (therefore making it very easy to access). Keep the screws in case you ever want them for the future. 3. Unbox the chiller (keep it right side up to avoid spilling the refrigerant!) 4. Place the chiller onto the stainless steel frame inside of the access cabinet 5. Use the Allen wrench and the provided hexagonal headless screws to secure the chiller to the Model 2 frame The hinge is already on the stainless steel frame. There are four hinges (one on each corner of the chiller). Secure the chiller to all four hinges using the Allen wrench and provided screws. 6. Connect the chiller to the cold plunge control panel The cold plunge control panel is already pre-installed to the side panel. The control panel has three cords hanging from it – there are also three cords grouped together that are connected to the chiller. These three connections need to be made as shown in the picture below. Ensure that these are all plugged in securely as anything that is loose could lead to a problem with the proper functionality of the chiller and the control panel. 7. Connect the chiller to the circulation pump Behind the chiller, there is a small black cylindrical circulation pump as shown in the image below. You will notice a free-hanging cord next to the circulation pump with a female connector. Plug this female connector into the corresponding male cord that is connected to the chiller. This connection powers the circulation pump, the device that will circulate water in and out of the cold plunge tank. 8. Connect the chiller to the Ozone cleaning system The Ozone can be found on the underside of the Acrylic shell. You will find there a box labeled “Ozone” with a female electrical cord hanging from it. Plug that electrical connection to the corresponding cord on the chiller. 9. Install the cold plunge filter Included in your welcome package are two filters: one for the hot tub side and one for the cold plunge side. The smaller filter is for the cold plunge. You will find the filter house behind the chiller (next to the circulation pump). Remove the filter house cap by twisting counter clockwise. Use the filter wrench (if needed) to assist in removing the filter house cap. Center the filter onto the filter house base. Place the filter house cap on top of the filter house base twist clockwise to reattach the entire filter house. 10. Feed the 110v male electrical plug from the chiller and out the side panel  Locate the cold plunge electrical access point and remove the cap from the hole. Run the male electrical cord (connected to the chiller) out through the hole. Place the cap back on top to cover the remainder of the hole. Note: Depending on the orientation of your house, it may make sense instead to run the extension cord into the cabinet. This is recommended for outdoor set-ups to prevent any rain damage to the electrical cords. Important: Do not plug in the electrical cord until the cold plunge tank has been filled with water. 11. Fill the cold plunge with water You’re almost there! Take your closest garden hose and start filling the cold plunge tank with water. It’s recommended to fill the

How To Move The Aquavoss Model 2 Hot Tub and Cold Plunge

How to Move the Aquavoss Model 2 Hot Tub and Cold Plunge

The Model 2 is an expensive purchase that demands careful preparation. We ship your order exclusively with our trusted carrier partners. The hot tub is very securely packaged in an enclosed wooden crate – this ensures that it is delivered to you safely. Our trusted freight carriers will deliver the Model 2 curbside (i.e. your driveway). From a liability perspective, they unfortunately are not able to place the unit in your backyard.