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Food & Drink Disasters at a Hot Tub Party

Hot tub parties are a part of owning a spa - at least the occasional small, intimate affair with a few close friends. Or even if you are just enjoying your spa with that special someone, you may want to enjoy some wine and cheese, or other appetizers in the tub.

Now, you should always limit your soaks in water above 100°F to no more than 20 minutes at a time, although after a 10 minute cool down, most people can take another session.

WORST DRINKS FOR A HOT TUB

The problem with certain drinks is that they contain sugars and starches, which is a tasty food for algae and bacteria. Alcohol is particularly troublesome for sanitation, and it also sports a very low pH. Soft drinks are also low in pH. And some drinks are thick with creamy dairy products or stuffed with fruit.

  • Soda
  • Smoothies
  • Cocktails
  • Beer
  • Wine
  • Energy drinks

WORST FOOD FOR A HOT TUB

You can imagine the kind of foods you wouldn't want around your hot tub. Don't serve anything crumbly, powdery, crunchy, or juicy. Food is not only messy in a hot tub, but also contains all sorts of junk that messes with your water balance, blocking sanitation while feeding the enemy (algae and bacteria).

  • Crackers
  • Chips
  • Fruit
  • Olives
  • Cheese
  • Hot Dogs or hamburgers
  • Pizza
  • Candy or cake

BEST FOOD & DRINK FOR A HOT TUB PARTY

If you noticed, my lists above leave very little party food to choose from! If you're having a large party, it may be best to have a "No Food or Drink" sign posted, and place your food table far away from the hot tub.

However, if you don't want your hot tub guests to become dehydrated, place a large pitcher of water with a stack of plastic cups within reach of the tub. And be sure to keep it full throughout the evening, to keep your hot tubbers happy and hydrated.

Avoid finger food, or food touched with hands. Avoid eating whole fruit, with the exception of grapes, which are one of my favorite spa foods to serve, or just eat myself. Frozen grapes are a special treat, just pop 'em in the freezer for about an hour. If you want to snack, try grapes, strawberries, or baby carrots - keep foods on a side table and not balanced on the edge of your spa!

WHAT TO DO WHEN FOOD OR DRINK SPILLS IN A HOT TUB

Drain the hot tub? Maybe, if enough food or drink got in. If it's just one drink, or a single potato chip, don't worry about it. But if it's the entire bowl of chips, or a plate full of rice and beans, you may want to drain the tub.

Alternatively, you could clean up any debris with a skimmer net, balance the pH, and then shock the spa. Chances are you'll need to shock the spa anyway, so just give it a little extra this time. If you suspect or find broken glass in the tub, definitely drain it, or vacuum it.

The best way to prevent a hot tub food or drink disaster is to stick to water, in plastic cups.

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Leslie’s makes every effort to provide accurate recommendations based upon current ANSI/APSP/ICC-5 2011 (R2022) standards, but codes and regulations change, and Leslie’s assumes no liability for any omissions or errors in this article or the outcome of any project. You must always exercise reasonable caution, carefully read the label on all products, follow all product directions, follow any current codes and regulations that may apply, and consult with a licensed professional if in doubt about any procedures. Leslie’s assumes no legal responsibility for your reliance or interpretation of the data contained herein, and makes no representations or warranties of any kind concerning the quality, safety, or suitability of the information, whether express or implied, including, without limitation, any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.