How to make an ice bath cold: simple, effective & affordable methods

Making an ice bath cold enough to experience the real benefits of cold plunging doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive.

We have put together 4 of the most common methods for cooling an ice bath, without the need to buy an ice bath chiller, as this is quite a costly investment.

Ideally, you want to get your ice bath water in the 5-15°C range. You can do this with a few easy methods.

1. Bags of ice

how to make an ice bath cold with ice cubes

The most common method of getting the water in an ice bath cold is by using bags of ice from the supermarket. You'll need at least 1 bag of ice for every 50L of water to get it down to some of the colder temperatures.

If you use bags, we recommend getting the extra-large ice cubes as they take longer to melt, keeping the water cooler for longer.

2. Reusable ice cubes

lay z spa ice bath with reusable ice cubes

It isn't always convenient to plan ahead or have to buy multiple bags of ice ready for every time you want to use your ice bath. An alternative to this is using reusable ice cubes. These are soft plastic ice cubes with liquid inside.

Simply freeze them, use, rinse and put back in the freezer until next time.

3. Icepacks / frozen bottles of water

how to make an ice bath cold with ice packs and frozen bottle

This DIY approach is a favourite amongst seasoned cold water enthusiasts. It is cost-effective and produces great results. Simply freeze bottles of water (500ml up to 2 litres) or use ice packs for cool boxes and drop those into your ice bath.

4. Let the cold weather do it

If you plan on keeping your cold water plunges going throughout the winter months, you're unlikely to need to cool your water at all.

The average winter temperature in the UK is between 2 and 7°C, and a body of water such as an unheated outdoor pool during this time can be as low as 0-2°C*.

*In winter, be aware that anything below 10°C is only recommended for advanced and highly experienced users and should still be done under supervision.

How long will ice bath water take to cool?

Using the methods above (except for using the winter cold) produces different results depending on the time of year. Cooling an ice bath with standard ice cubes typically takes 15–40 minutes, depending on a few key factors:

Starting water temperature
- Warm tap water (20-25°C): Expect closer to 30 minutes to reach cold-plunge range.
- Cool tap water (10-15°C): Can be ready to use straight away. If cooling further, allow 10-15 minutes.
Amount of ice used - A small handful of ice cubes won’t make a noticeable difference.
Size of ice cubes
- Small household cubes melt fast, which means quicker initial cooling, but don’t hold temperature long.
- Large blocks or frozen bottles cool more slowly but keep the water cold far longer.
Environment
If your ice bath is kept in the shade, the water will cool faster, and it won't warm up as quickly.

Tips for cooling a Lay-Z-Spa ice bath

One of the benefits of Lay-Z-Spa ice baths is that they include a top cover with an insulating inflatable lid, which helps retain some of the cold. After adding ice, ice packs of frozen water bottles, put the lid and top cover back on and put the filter on. Having the filter circulate the water evenly distributes the new cold water (from the ice) and is a much more efficient way of cooling all the water, not just the surface.