Cold-water immersion has quickly become one of Australia’s fastest-growing wellness and recovery trends. Whether you’re an athlete, weekend trainer, or someone exploring cold therapy for mental and physical resilience, choosing the right ice bath — and knowing whether you need a chiller — makes all the difference.
This comprehensive guide brings together all knowledge from the Crocpad FAQ page along with best-practice cold-therapy advice. If you're wondering which ice bath is right for me?, do I need a chiller?, or how do I use it safely?, this article covers it all.
What Is an Ice Bath — and Why Use One?
An ice bath (cold plunge) involves immersing your body in cold water to support recovery, reduce inflammation, ease muscle soreness, and promote mental focus. Many Australians now incorporate cold therapy into daily routines for benefits including:
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Faster muscle recovery
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Improved circulation
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Better sleep & stress resilience
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Reduced inflammation after training
For frequent or daily users, pairing a tub with a dedicated ice bath chiller dramatically improves consistency and convenience — no more buying bags of ice, and no more temperature fluctuations.
How to Choose the Right Ice Bath (Beginner to Athlete Level)
Choosing an ice bath comes down to your usage, your space, and whether you want to add a chiller.
1. How Long Should You Stay in an Ice Bath?
Crocpad recommends:
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Start at 2–3 minutes
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Gradually increase to 10–15 minutes maximum
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Listen to your body — tingling, numbness, dizziness, or shivering means get out
Beginners should start shorter and warmer. With time, your tolerance naturally improves.
2. Best Ice Bath Temperature for Recovery
The ideal temperature range is:
10°C to 15°C (50°F – 59°F)
This is the most researched and safest cold-immersion zone.
More advanced users sometimes go lower — but beginners should avoid extreme temperatures.
3. How Often Should You Use an Ice Bath?
Common use patterns:
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2–4 times per week → ideal for fitness & recovery
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Daily → possible for experienced users
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Occasionally → fine for general wellness
If you train seriously or maintain a high-performance lifestyle, a daily cold plunge becomes very beneficial.
Do You Need a Chiller — or Is Ice Enough?
This is the biggest question for new buyers.
If you only plunge occasionally:
A tub + added ice works fine.
If you plunge 3–7 days per week:
A chiller is absolutely worth it, because:
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No need to purchase or store ice
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Water stays at your exact chosen temperature (all day, every day)
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Better hygiene & filtration
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More consistent therapy results
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Far less maintenance
Crocpad’s chillers are designed specifically for Australian homes and climate, delivering strong cooling power even in warm weather.
Ice Bath Safety: What You Should Know
• Keep your head above water
Crocpad recommends not submerging your head unless medically cleared or highly experienced.
• Indoor or outdoor use is fine
Just ensure the ground can handle water spills (bathroom, laundry, balcony, garage, backyard).
• Cold-immersion is not recommended for:
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Young children
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Individuals with heart or blood-pressure conditions
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Anyone with medical risks (unless approved by a doctor)
• Do NOT add:
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Essential oils
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Epsom salts
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Fragrances
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Chemicals not designed for cold tubs
These may damage the tub or filtration system.
Keeping the Water Clean — Maintenance Guide
Without a chiller or filter:
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Change water every 1–2 weeks
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Clean tub with mild soap
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Rinse thoroughly
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Keep the lid on when not in use
With a chiller (especially Crocpad Boreon 1000 PRO)
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Built-in Ozone helps sanitise water
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Water stays clean longer
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Less frequent draining required
Chiller Buying Guide — Which One Is Right for You?
Crocpad offers two high-quality chillers designed for Australian homes and gyms.
1. Crocpad Boreon 300 PRO
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Cooling only
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Compact & energy-efficient
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Best for tubs up to ~300L
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Ideal for home users or small tubs
2. Crocpad Boreon 1000 PRO
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Cooling + heating
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Premium filtration with Ozone
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Digital touchscreen
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Best for tubs up to ~500L
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Ideal for heavy users, athletes, gyms, and wellness centres
How Cold Can a Chiller Go?
Crocpad chillers can cool water down to 3–4°C, depending on:
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Ambient temperature
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Tub insulation
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Water volume
Even in warm Australian summers, they can maintain consistent temperatures.
Cooling Time — How Long Does It Take?
Example from Crocpad FAQ:
A 1HP chiller cooling 400 litres from 23°C to 5°C (in 28°C weather) takes:
Under 6.5 hours
Less water = faster cooling.
Better insulation = faster cooling.
Which Chiller Capacity Do You Need?
| Water Volume | Recommended Chiller |
|---|---|
| Up to 300L | Boreon 300 PRO |
| Up to 500L | Boreon 1000 PRO |
| Over 500L | Contact Crocpad support |
Always match the chiller to the correct water volume — an underpowered unit will struggle to cool effectively.
Using an Ice Bath Indoors — Does It Work?
Yes. Crocpad tubs and chillers can be used indoors as long as:
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The floor is waterproof
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You avoid electrical splash hazards
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You're using a properly grounded outlet
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You leave enough airflow space around the chiller
Great indoor areas include: bathrooms, laundries, garages, home gyms and balconies.
Should You Choose a Portable Tub, Large Tub, or Inflatable Pod?
Portable Ice Pods
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Space-saving
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Fast to set up
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Great for beginners or renters
Large Ice Bath Tubs
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More comfortable full-body immersion
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Better for athletes, taller users, or heavy use
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Pairs beautifully with chillers
Inflatable Ice Baths (Drop-Stitch)
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Premium feel
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Strong insulation
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Rigid when inflated
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Gym-grade quality
If you need help choosing the right model, I can create a quick comparison chart tailored for your store.
Final Buying Checklist
Before purchasing your ice bath setup, ask yourself:
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How often do I plan to plunge?
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Do I want consistent temperatures without buying ice?
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How much space do I have?
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What water volume do I need?
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Do I want filtration/Ozone sanitisation?
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Will the bath be used indoors or outdoors?
If recovery, performance or convenience matters to you — a tub + chiller combo is the ultimate solution.
