What to know about wood fired hot tub?
A wood fired hot tub is a soaking tub that uses a wood-burning stove rather than an electric heater to heat either fresh or saltwater. They typically have a circular or barrel shape, although they can also be rectangular, and are most often made from cedar wood.
Do wood fired hot tubs work well?
Overall, wood-fired hot tubs heat up quickly, require little maintenance, and last long. On average, wood-fired tubs heat up as much as six times faster than their electric counterpart!
Woodburning Hot Tub – Cons
A wood-burning hot tub can be more difficult to regulate temperature. An external stove means you'll need to get out of the hot tub to fuel it. They can be trickier to clean (soot and ashes). Need to cut and chop a supply of wood or buy local firewood.
How often do you need to empty a wood fired hot tub?
If you want to enjoy an utterly chemical-free bathing experience in your wood-fired hot tub, we recommend draining the water in 1-2 days after 1-2 uses and refilling. If your hot tub gets used by different people every time, you should change the water after each use.
How long does it take to heat a hot tub with a wood fire?
While initial heat time will vary depending on the temperature outside and that of the water you're filling your hot tub with, the simple answer is that it should take 2-4 hours.
How do wood fired hot tubs work in the winter?
Some owners with tubs at cabins where there is no water available during winter months leave their tubs full, but secure with a rope a large, partially inflated inner tube to the bottom of the tub. This allows the inner tube to take the stress of the expanding ice so that the tub is not damaged.
What is the best base for a wooden hot tub?
The best option for a wooden hot tub base pad is a concrete structure, pavement slabs, or gravel. Such a base will ensure proper stability and favorable conditions for its wooden parts, as they will not absorb moisture from the ground.
If you’re considering purchasing a wood fired hot tub for the first time, will first say they are way less expensive and easier to operate than electric ones.
When choosing a wood fired hot tub, they have couple of choices on where the wood fire heater can go.
Internal
With internal varieties, the stove is submerged in the water and you’ll add wood through a port in the top. For the sake of safety, it’s usually partially walled off from the rest of the unit, so you’ll lose a small portion of the seating space (usually one or two seats). However, because the heater is submerged, it’s a bit more efficient. It will heat the water quicker and can be managed from inside the tub.
External
With external heaters, the stove sits outside the unit, but it’s placed low enough that the heat transfers to the water and heats it via thermal siphoning. There is no seating space lost due to the heater, but it might take up to twice as long for your tub to heat.
Pricing between the two versions is comparable, so this is purely a personal decision: are you ok with slower heating or do you want faster heating at the expense of a seat?
Choosing a Wood
Fired Hot Tub
Not sure what to buy?
And have questions.
Here is just some
Q & A that just might
help out.
A barrel sauna is a cylindrical outdoor sauna that's shaped such as a barrel laying on its side, with all the same curves you'd expect a barrel to have. Like a true barrel, the interior is also cylindrical thanks to long planks of cedar that fit together around the circular ends.
Are barrel saunas good in the winter?
A barrel sauna can be used all year round, including winter. Even in a 20-degree frost, it will flawlessly cope with its function. Thin walls are not a hindrance in this case. They save the heat well, and there is no need to insulate the room
Should I put a roof on my barrel sauna?
In the winter months, a barrel sauna must be covered when not in use, or even be situated beneath a second roof, to prevent the need for continuous maintenance
Do barrel saunas need insulation?
Some sauna types, such as barrel sauna or thermally modified saunas are built for the outdoors and do not need insulation for ideal performance
How do you prepare the ground for a barrel sauna?
Preparing the Foundation
Dig out any soft loose soil until you have reached firm ground. Then fill the area in with small aggregate gravel & sand, and compact and level this foundation properly. A slight slope to drain water is desirable.
What are the cons of a barrel sauna?
The cons of a barrel sauna include the smell of wood and the potential for cold weather. This is a private retreat that can relax your mind, body, and soul. One of the major disadvantages of a barrel sauna is its limited size. It takes a long time to heat up and can be hard to install in remote areas.
Do barrel saunas leak in the rain?
Your barrel sauna will likely have some water seepage. This is a natural byproduct of the soft lumbers that we use to build the saunas. After a rainfall, if you see some wet spots in your sauna – don't panic! It will dry with time, but feel free to speed up the process by turning the heater on.
How do you maintain a barrel sauna?
Vacuum out your sauna periodically to remove any dust or debris. Use a mild solution of baking soda and water as a cleaning solution.
Do dry saunas get mold?
The problem with building a sauna for your home is that it can cause mould and other moisture issues if the proper precautions and building methods aren't followed. It must be properly sealed, waterproofed and ventilated.
How big of a wood stove do I need for a sauna?
What size wood stove do I need for a sauna? Choosing the right size of a wood sauna stove depends on the dimensions of the sauna. As a regular rule, a small wood stove would be for up to an 8′ x 8′ x 9′ room, the medium for up to 10′ x 10′ x 9′, and the large for bigger or commercial saunas.
barrel sauna