You know, owning a hot tub is pretty sweet. Kicking back, relaxing. But then there’s the drink situation. Always the drink situation. Where do you put it? On the flimsy edge? Yeah, right. I’ve seen more drinks take a dive that way. And nobody wants a hot tub infused beer, trust me on that one.
My Fix for the Dreaded Drink Dive
So, I’m not about to balance my precious cold one on a prayer. Looked at some of those holders they sell. Some are okay, I guess, but many are just glorified plastic bits that cost way more than they should. Or they just don’t fit right, you know? Always something. I figured, I can probably rig something up that’s better. Or at least, made for my tub, my drinks.
I started thinking materials. Wood? Classy, sure, but a pain with waterproofing. Metal? Nah, too much work. Then it hit me – I had this big ol’ piece of dense foam. The kind that’s tough but easy to shape. Perfect. It’s waterproof by nature, and it’s got a bit of give.
Here’s the lowdown on how I tackled it. It’s not rocket science, but there are a few things to keep in mind:
- First, got that foam block. Then, measured the lip of my hot tub. Crucial step, this. You want it to sit on there like it was born there, not wobble around.
- Next, cup holder size. I went for a standard can size, but made one a bit bigger for my insulated tumbler. You gotta think ahead! Used a can to trace, then cut a smidge inside the line for a snug fit.
- I decided to make it a double-holder. Why not? More the merrier. And a little flat spot in between, maybe for a small snack bowl or, if you’re brave, your phone. Though I still say phones and water are a bad combo.
Cutting the foam was the main event. A sharp craft knife is your best friend here. Don’t rush the circles for the drinks; jagged edges are just sad. Took a few passes to get the depth right. You want the drink to sit in, not on, the holder. Stability, that’s the name of the game.
And here’s a little secret I found: if you make the part of the holder that grips the tub edge a bit like an upside-down ‘U’ that’s snug, it sort of wedges itself in place. Super stable. Doesn’t slide around even with a bit of splashing.
Popped it on the tub. Put in a couple of drinks. Gave it a test jiggle. Rock solid. Seriously satisfying. It just sits there, doing its job. No screws, no complicated attachments. The foam just grips.
So, there you have it. My own custom hot tub beverage caddy. Probably took an hour or two, tops. And it didn’t cost me a dime because I already had the foam. Way better than those flimsy things they try to sell you. Now, my hot tub time is truly stress-free, at least drink-wise. It’s these little DIY wins that make life better, eh?
