Understanding Water Chemistry, Equipment Protection, and Warranty Coverage

Keeping your cold plunge water clean is essential — but it’s equally important to choose a method that won’t damage your equipment. Because different brands give different advice, we want to provide clear, science-based guidance to help you protect your investment.

This article explains why chlorine should not be used in any chiller that contains a stainless-steel heat exchanger, and what alternatives are both safe and effective.

❗ Why Chlorine Is Not Recommended

When chlorine dissolves in water, it creates chloride ions. These ions are highly corrosive to stainless steel, especially in the small internal channels of a plate-style heat exchanger (the type used in most high-performance chillers).

Over time, chlorine exposure can cause:

• Pitting corrosion (small cavities forming inside the heat exchanger)

• Stress-corrosion cracking

• Decreased cooling performance

• Complete heat-exchanger failure

These issues typically develop gradually, not immediately, which is why the risk is often underestimated.

This is not a Nordik-specific limitation — it applies to any stainless-steel plate heat exchanger, no matter the brand.

🔧 Why Most Chiller Warranties Don’t Cover Chlorine Damage

Most manufacturers (including Nordik) exclude damage caused by:

• Harsh sanitizers such as chlorine or bromine

• Incorrect water chemistry

• Corrosion or scale buildup

• High total dissolved solids (TDS)

• Improper maintenance

Even small chlorine spikes in a small-volume plunge (200–400 L) can cause irreversible stainless-steel corrosion over time.

Because of this, chlorine use can unintentionally void warranty protection.

To avoid this, we choose to take a clear, conservative, and transparent approach.

⭐ Our Recommended Safe Alternative: Nordik Guard

To keep your water clean and protect your internal components, we developed Nordik Guard, a chlorine-free maintenance system designed specifically for cold plunge chillers.

Nordik Guard provides:

• Non-corrosive sanitizers that won’t damage stainless steel

• Enzymes to break down oils and organic contaminants

• Regular filter replacements to maintain strong flow

• An automatic delivery of all the products you need in a 3 month period

• Full warranty protection when used as directed

Everything you need arrives in one simple package every quarter — no guesswork, no harsh chemicals, and no risk to your equipment.

💧 What If I Already Used Chlorine?

If you’ve used chlorine previously, don’t worry — you can correct the water chemistry going forward.

Here’s what we recommend:

1. Stop using chlorine immediately.

2. Drain and refill your plunge with fresh water.

3. Install a clean filter.

4. Begin using a chlorine-free sanitizer system (Nordik Guard or equivalent).

If you’d like us to review your setup or ensure nothing was affected, our support team is happy to help.

🛡️ Our Philosophy

We avoid chlorine not because of brand preference, but because of established chemistry and long-term reliability. Stainless-steel plate heat exchangers perform incredibly well — but only when paired with the right water-care routine.

Choosing the correct sanitizer ensures:

• Better cooling performance

• Longer equipment lifespan

• Fewer maintenance issues

• Full warranty protection

If you ever need personalized guidance, please reach out. We’re here to ensure your setup is safe, effective, and built to last.

You can find all our supplies at this link.

Attention: Properly storing your Nordik Recovery chiller and bath during winter is essential to avoid damage and keep your warranty valid. Follow these simple steps carefully. Each step is important!

Keep in mind that chillers without heating functionalities cannot be kept outside in below freezing temperatures as water can freeze in the pipes. It is recommended to store them right away to avoid any troubles as the nights get cool at this time of the year already.

Once you've stored your chiller for winter time or if you are using it indoors already, fill this warranty disclaimer form to ensure your protection remains active: Warranty form link

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Preparing for Winter: Store Your Chiller the Right Way

Step 1: Clean and Refresh

• Run a Chiller Cleanser: Before storing your chiller, it's a perfect time to use a chiller cleanser. This will clean out any dirt or buildup inside the chiller. Pour 3-4 caps of the product in the water and let the chiller fun for up to 24h. Then, empty the water and thoroughly clean the bath after using the chiller cleanser. Do not enter the bath in the meantime, as the product is corrosive and can cause harm if it touches skin.
• Change the Water in Your Bath: If you want to keep using your ice bath during winter without the chiller, change the water now to ensure it's fresh and clean.

Step 2: Unplug the Chiller

• Pull the plug out of the wall to turn off the chiller. Make sure it’s completely unplugged before you continue.

Step 3: Detach the Hoses

• Screw in the bath’s inlet / outlet caps. 
• Take off both hoses from where they connect to the bath and the chiller. This means you are removing both ends of each hose, so nothing is left attached.
• Rinse each hose with clean water to wash away any leftover dirt or water.
• Wipe the hoses dry with a clean cloth and then let them dry out completely in a warm room before storing them.

Step 4: Remove the Filter

• Unscrew the filter container on the side of the chiller and remove the filter.
• Empty the water from the filter container and leave it open. This helps the chiller dry out completely.

Step 5: Discard the 20 Micron Filter

• Throw away the filter; never reuse a filter that has been dried out after use.

Step 6: Empty All Water from the Chiller

• For the Standard Chiller: disconnect the bottom hose to drain water through the water inlet 
• For the Premium Chiller: pull the blue pin to open the drainage valve

• For the Premium Chiller 2.0: tilt the chiller to evacuate the water through the open drainage valve

• Tip the chiller back and forth and side to side to make sure every last drop of water comes out.

• Why this matters: Even a little bit of leftover water can cause mold to grow inside the chiller and damage it! 

Step 7: Clean the Chiller’s Exterior

• Use a soft cloth and a bit of mild soap to clean the outside of the chiller.
• This keeps it looking nice and helps prevent any dirt from sticking during storage.

Step 8: Let the Chiller and Hoses Dry Completely

• Put the chiller and the hoses in a warm, dry room to dry out completely.
• Make sure everything is completely dry before storing to prevent mold or moisture damage.

Step 9: Store Your Chiller in a Warm Room

• Put the chiller in a room where the temperature is above 15°C (around 20°C is ideal).
• DO NOT store it in a cold garage, shed, or anywhere it might freeze—this will damage the chiller and void your warranty.

Storing your Ice Bath

If you need to store the bath too, follow these steps:

Step 1: Empty the Bath

• Drain all water out of the bath. Make sure it’s completely empty.

Step 2: Clean the Bath

• Use a soft cloth and mild soap to wash both the inside and outside of the bath. This removes any dirt or buildup.

Step 3: Dry the Bath Completely

• Wipe it dry with a cloth and then let it air dry in a warm room.
• No moisture should be left behind—moisture can cause mold and damage your bath!

Step 4: Deflate and Store

• Deflate the bath for easier storage.
• Store it in a warm, dry place out of freezing temperatures. Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from moisture.

Important: Protect Your Warranty!

• Read This! If you don’t follow these instructions and store your chiller or bath in freezing conditions, your warranty will be voided. This means we can’t help with repairs or replacements if your equipment gets damaged.
• Keep It Warm: Make sure your chiller is stored above 0°C to avoid damage.
• Please fill this warranty disclaimer form to ensure your protection remains active: Warranty Form

By following this guide, you’ll ensure your Nordik Recovery equipment is safely stored and ready for use when the warmer months return. Thank you for choosing Nordik Recovery!

New Product Alert: The Nordik Water Heater

Introducing the Nordik Water Heater, the perfect solution for maintaining your ice bath experience even during the cold Canadian winters. This innovative heating element immerses directly in the water, warming it to your desired temperature while providing a reliable thermometer to monitor the heat. With this water heater, you can confidently leave your ice bath outside without the chiller, as it automatically activates to maintain the water temperature to the desired level when it drops below freezing. This ensures your bath remains functional and preventing the water from solidifying into a solid block of ice

Shop here: https://nordikrecovery.com/products/nordik-recovery-water-heater

Repeat buyers save 50$ with code 'NORDIKVIP'

We recommend emptying the water in your ice bath and wiping it down every 3 to 6 weeks depending on usage.

Our premium chiller comes with a 3 way filtering system and allows you to go longer in between water changes, as long as the 20micron filter is replaced frequently. 

*Also, please not that the bath cover should be clipped on when not in use to prevent dirt, leaves, pollen or other debris from falling in the bath, which will impact the water quality, filtering system and the chiller components. *

For more information on water maintenance, consult the article "How to maintain your water" with the Premium or the Standard chiller. 

Once the bath is filled with water and the chiller is switched on, it takes about 5 hours for the water temperature to reach 3°C with our Standard chiller, and about 4 hours with the Premium.

Time may vary according to environmental factors such as indoor or outdoor use, ambient temperature, etc.

Cooling capacity and power:
Both models can cool water down to 3°C and are equipped with a 1HP motor. They are plug-and-play and come with IPX4 water resistance certification. 

The Standard Chiller temperature ranges from 3°C and 20°C, while the Premium 2.0 Chiller offers a 3050W heating power, allowing it to heat water up to 40°C. 

Nordik Ice Baths are built to withstand outdoor temperatures of as low as -10° C. When the bath is kept below freezing temperature, you may need to break the ice on a daily basis to prevent it from becoming a solid block of ice.

We do not recommend leaving it out at temperatures colder than -10° C, since the water will turn into a solid block too rapidly.

Our chillers should not be left outside when temperatures are below 0° C as the cold temperature may damage the inner components of the chiller.

*Also, please not that the bath cover should be clipped on when not in use to prevent dirt, leaves, pollen or other debris from falling in the bath, which will impact the water quality, filtering system and the chiller components. *

To connect your garden hose, which typically has a 3/4-inch diameter, to your tub, you'll need a connector that bridges the gap between the hose and the tub's intake. The tub comes with a connector that screws onto the 1 1/2-inch diameter intake and converts it to a 1-inch plug. This essentially reduces the size of the intake to accommodate a smaller connection.

Now, to connect your garden hose to this setup, you'll require a specific connector. You'll need a female hose tip with a 3/4-inch diameter, and you'll attach this to the male bath connector, which has a 1-inch diameter after the conversion.

However, if your garden hose has a different diameter, such as 3/8 inch or 1/2 inch, you'll need a different connector to ensure a proper fit. Make sure to select a connector that matches the diameter of your hose to prevent any compatibility issues or leaks.

In simpler terms, the connector you need acts as an intermediary between your garden hose and the tub's intake. It ensures compatibility by adapting the sizes appropriately, allowing you to seamlessly connect your garden hose to your tub without any leaks or compatibility issues.