How to Store Your Cold Plunge for Long-Term Use (Step-by-Step Guide)

Introduction: Why You Shouldn’t Just Unplug and Walk Away

Arizona summers don’t mess around—and neither should you when storing your cold plunge. I was heading out of town for six weeks and didn’t want my Desert Plunge Exclusive Tub running the whole time. That’s unnecessary wear on the motor and not exactly energy-efficient either.

This was my first time prepping it for long-term storage, and while I made a few mistakes (hello, towel bucket method), I also learned a ton. If you’ve got any cold plunge with a chiller setup—especially one you keep outdoors—this step-by-step guide will help you store it safely, cleanly, and stress-free.

🧰 What You’ll Need:

• The drain adapter that came with your plunge

• A garden hose to route water outside

• Absorbent towels (lots of them)

• A bowl (if you’re draining indoors)

• White vinegar + water for cleaning

Curious about the science or benefits behind cold plunging? Check out my [foundational guide to cold plunge basics]

🔧 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Power Everything Down

Start by holding the chiller’s power button until it beeps, then switch off any secondary power buttons on the unit or outlet.

2. Attach the Drain Setup

Screw on your drain adapter snugly (not overtight) and run a hose outside to a safe drainage area.

⚠️ Tip: Hand-tighten everything. Over-tightening could crack the adapter or ports.

3. Begin Draining

Once connected, let the pump push the water through the hose. It typically takes 20–30 minutes to drain completely.

• Check at the 20-minute mark

• Shut off the pump once the water gets low—don’t let it run dry or it could damage the motor.

4. (Optional) If Indoors: Towel Bucket Method

If you’re draining inside, the leftover water must be absorbed manually. Drop towels into the tub, soak up the water, and ring it out into a bowl. It’s slow but doable.

✅ What I should have done: Moved the tub outside earlier to finish the job the easy way.

it’s ok to flip this over gently but DO NOT place it down on the ground

5. Finish Draining Outside

Once most water is out, move the tub outside (if safe) and pull the plug to fully empty it. I flipped mine gently on its side to let every last drop drain.

Let the sun do its thing—10 minutes in Arizona heat and this thing was bone dry.

6. Clean the Interior

Mix a little white vinegar and water, then wipe down the tub to clear up:

• Calcium residue

• Water marks

• General grime

7. Dry + Drain the Chiller

This part’s new for me. You can flip the chiller upside down but DO NOT set it down on the IN and OUT ports—you’ll damage it. Instead, carefully tip it to let water drain from the in/out ports.

Give it a few minutes, gently wipe any accessible internal parts, and do not shake or force anything.

8. Final Touches

Bring the tub back inside and lay out:

• Hoses

• Fittings

• All accessories

Make sure everything is 100% dry before storing. Moisture = mold. Don’t rush this part.

✅ Key Takeaways

• Shut off the power before draining

• Monitor water levels to protect the pump

• Move the tub outside to make draining easier

• Use vinegar and water to clean

• Dry everything thoroughly before storage

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It holds up in desert heat, chills fast, and looks clean enough to sit in your backyard year-round.