Cold Tub Winter Care Guide

FREEZING TEMPERATURES & YOUR COLD CREEK TUB

Our Cold Creek Tubs are designed for year-round use, indoors or outdoors. With a little care, your tub can handle the winter months with ease. Follow these guidelines to keep your system running smoothly and protect it from freeze damage.

⚠️ Important Note: It is your responsibility to protect your tub from freeze damage. Freezing damage is not covered under warranty. If you’re unsure whether your tub is adequately protected, the safest choice is to (1) drain your tub and store your chiller indoors.

1. General Winter Guidelines (Temperatures Above 20°F)

  • Always Keep It Plugged In: Continuous circulation is the best defense against freezing. Never unplug your tub in freezing temperatures.
  • Use the Lid: Keep your lid on whenever the tub isn’t in use to retain temperature and shield from snow or ice.
  • Clear Snow & Ice from Vents: Make sure airflow around the chiller is unobstructed.
  • Monitor Conditions: If temperatures drop below 20°F for extended periods, take the additional precautions outlined below.

2. Extreme Cold Guidelines (Prolonged Temperatures Below 20°F)

When it gets extremely cold with temperatures of 20°F or less for multiple days in a row, additional protective action is highly recommended. Here are your options:

Option A: Keep Using Your Tub Outdoors

If you'd like to continue using your cold tub outdoors in the winter and anticipate prolonged periods of temperatures of 20°F or less, we recommend removing the chiller unit and installing a bypass to allow the pump to circulate water through the filter. Below are instructions. 

Instructions for Installing a Bypass for Winter Use

1. Bring the Chiller Indoors - Remove the chiller and store it in a dry, climate-controlled space to prevent freezing damage.

2. Install the Bypass Coupling - Use the bypass coupling (linked here) to connect the pump directly to the filter. This allows the pump to circulate the water in the tub continuously and prevents the water from freezing. 📸 Watch video and instructions. 

Why This Works? 

Swapping the chiller for a bypass coupling: 1) Protects the chiller from freezing damage 2) Keeps water circulating and filtering so it stays clean and moving 3) Reduces the risk of plumbing freeze-ups. 

👉 In short: The bypass option lets you continue using your cold tub all winter, while keeping the chiller safely out of freezing conditions.

Option B: Move the Tub Indoors for Winter Use

If you’d prefer to plunge indoors during the cold months, you can bring your tub inside. The tub weighs about 170 lbs when empty, so 2–3 people can move it without special equipment.

Best way to move it:

    1. Fully drain the water.
    2. Remove the chiller before carrying — this keeps the weight to just the tub itself (170 lbs).

Option C: Pause Winter Use

If you’d like to protect your tub during the winter—or simply take a break from plunging in the coldest months—the safest approach is to drain the tub completely and bring the chiller indoors.

Steps:

    1. Drain all the water from the tub and plumbing.
    2. Disconnect the chiller and store inside.

3. Coming Soon: Winter-Ready Chiller Option

We’re excited to announce a new chiller with built-in heating will be available soon. This upgrade will add an extra layer of freeze protection for outdoor winter use. Stay tuned for the official launch before the winter season.

4. Restarting After Winterizing

When you’re ready to use your tub again, simply reinstall your chiller and set up your cold tub as usual.

Need a refresher? 👉 Watch our Setup Videos for a quick step-by-step walkthrough.

In Summary

Keep your Cold Creek Tub plugged in and covered for normal winter use.
If temperatures drop below 20°F for several days, or if you won’t be using the tub, protect your investment by draining the water and storing the chiller indoors.