Water Flow Restriction – Ice Barrel

Notification of Water Flow Restriction

If you receive a "Water Flow Restriction" alert on your Ice Barrel App or Chiller UI, it means that the system has detected a restriction in water flow, and the Chiller has entered Protect Mode to prevent any potential damage. Here’s how to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:

Ensure the Chiller is on a Flat Surface: Confirm that the Chiller is placed on a level surface, at the same height as the Ice Barrel. If the Chiller is placed above or on an elevated surface, the water pump may not function correctly due to gravity restrictions.
Check Water Level in the Ice Barrel: Ensure that the water level is below the top bulkhead. If the water is too high, air might get trapped inside the system, leading to restricted water flow. Drain some water if necessary to prevent this.
- If you intend to keep the water level above the top bulkhead, you may need to remove any trapped air from the system to avoid flow issues. For detailed steps on how to do this, click here to access the trapped air removal guide.
Verify Shut-Off Valves Are Fully Open: Make sure the top and bottom shut-off valves are fully open, with the valve lever aligned parallel to the hose. This allows for unrestricted water flow between the Chiller and Ice Barrel.
Check Hose Connections: Ensure the hoses are correctly connected:
- The top hose should connect to the top port on the Chiller.
- The bottom hose should connect to the bottom port on the Chiller.

Power Cycle the Chiller: Turn off the Chiller using the soft power button on the back, wait a few minutes, then turn it back on. You may need to repeat this step a few times to reset the system and check if water flow resumes. If the system continues to enter Protect Mode, proceed to the next steps.

Inspect Water Flow from the Ice Barrel: Observe the water coming out of the top bulkhead inside the Ice Barrel. The flow should be strong and steady. If water is only trickling out, there might be a blockage or restriction in the system that requires further attention.

Clean the Pre-Filter:
- Locate the pre-filter at the bottom bulkhead inside the Ice Barrel.
- Remove any visible debris using your fingers or a soft brush.
- For deeper cleaning, activate Maintenance Mode on the Chiller UI or App, and remove the pre-filter by hand.
Clean or Replace the Water Filter:
- Place a towel or container below the filter housing to catch spills.
- Unscrew the water filter housing using the provided wrench, and remove the filter.
- Rinse the filter with clean water or replace it if necessary.
- Note: A clogged water filter is a common cause of low water flow. Plan to clean the filter weekly, and replace it monthly with regular use.
Check for Blockages or Kinks in the Hoses:
- Disconnect the hoses and inspect for any debris or blockages inside.
- Straighten any kinks in the hoses that could be restricting water flow.

- Multiple Power Cycles: If the issue persists, try power cycling the Chiller again after performing the steps above. Ensure the system stays on for at least 30 seconds to allow water to begin flowing before the system goes back into Protect Mode.

If the problem persists after troubleshooting, it’s helpful to provide our support team with additional information to quickly diagnose the issue. When reaching out to the Ice Barrel Customer Experience Team via icebarrel.com.
Please include the following:
- Video of Your Setup: Record a short video showing your Chiller and Ice Barrel setup, including any issues you are observing (e.g., water flow, error messages on the Chiller UI).
- Explanation of the Issue: In the video, explain what you are experiencing, such as water flow problems, error alerts, or any other irregular behavior.
- Photo of the About Page: Take a clear picture of the About Page on the Chiller UI or in the Ice Barrel App. This page includes important information like your Chiller's serial number and current software version, which will assist the support team in identifying potential issues.