Wood fired hot tubs are a great way to enjoy a natural, eco-friendly hot tub experience. While the upfront cost of a wood-fired hot tub can be costly, the long-term savings and environmental benefits can be significant.
To heat a wood-fired hot tub, you’ll need to first install the stove and flue. Depending on the fuel you will use (wood, pellets, or firewood logs), you’ll need the correct stove and flue. Once the apparatus is in place, the hot tub can be filled with cold water.
Next, start the fire. A larger fire will create more heat faster, though care must be taken to ensure that the fire is not too large. Once the fire is burning, adjust the draft of the stove so that the smoke is drawn up the flue pipe.
You can also adjust the primary and secondary air controls to create hotter or cooler fires. As the fire burns, it will heat the water in the hot tub. When the water temperature is at your desired level, adjust the draft of the stove to a lower setting or add smaller logs to reduce the amount of heat.
Finally, remember to keep the fire burning by adding wood as needed.
How does a wood burning hot tub work?
A wood burning hot tub works by using a combination of heat sources: gravity, combustion, convection and conduction.
Gravity is used to draw heated water from the firebox at the bottom of the hot tub and fill the tub from the bottom up.
The combustion source is used to heat the water in the firebox. To do this, wood is burned and the hot flue gas produced passes through a heat exchanger located in the firebox. This exchanger captures the heat from the flue gases and transfers it to the water in the firebox.
Convection and conduction form the other two heat sources. The convection process is what pushes the heated water from the firebox to fill the tub. As the water is heated in the firebox it rises, forcing cool water up through the inlet pipes to replace it.
This creates a circulation process in the hot tub, which ensures that the entire tub is being heated.
The conduction process distributes heat evenly throughout the interior of the hot tub. As the heated water rises to the surface it comes into contact with the walls of the hot tub. The heated water then transfers its heat to the walls, which in turn radiates the heat into the residual water inside the tub.
This conduction process continues until the tub is heated throughout, ensuring you have a hot, relaxing and enjoyable experience.
Do you need chemicals for wood burning hot tub?
Yes, some hot tubs require chemicals, such as a sanitizer, in order to keep the water clean while wood burning hot tubs are in use as with other hot tubs. The most common hot tub chemical used for these types of tubs is chlorine or bromine, and many also opt for non-chlorine shock treatments.
Generally, the amount of chemicals needed for a wood burning hot tub will depend on a variety of factors, such as how much use it gets, pH balance of the water, and whether or not you have a good filtration system in place.
It is wise to test the water on a regular basis to determine how much chemical needs to go in and how often. Additionally, it is important to clean the filter regularly to ensure it is functioning properly.
It is also crucial to keep the pH balanced, which can be done by adding specific chemicals to the water as needed. Finally, it is important to shock the tub after heavy use as this will help keep the tub free of any bacteria or other contaminants.
How do you heat a hot tub with a wood stove?
Heating a hot tub with a wood stove is possible, but can be a tricky operation. First, make sure that you have the right kind of wood stove: it should be specifically designed to heat a hot tub. Additionally, make sure that the hot tub is located far enough away from the stove to prevent the hot tub from getting too hot, since the water in a hot tub takes much longer to heat than air.
Next, you will need to install a heat exchanger into the flow of water from the stove to the hot tub. This heat exchanger will be responsible for transferring the heat generated by the stove into the water that will eventually heat the tub.
Make sure to tightly secure the exchanger, and make sure that the high-efficiency water circulator connected to it is installed securely as well.
When ready, start burning wood in the stove, and set its temperature controller to the desired temperature. Depending on the initial temperature of the water, the stove will probably need to burn for at least 30 minutes before the exchanger is hot enough to warm the water.
Finally, monitor the temperature of the water using a reliable thermometer, and make sure to adjust the stove’s temperature by adding more or less wood as necessary. Doing so will ensure that the hot tub is properly heated and maintained at a safe and comfortable temperature.
How often do you change the water in a wood burning hot tub?
The frequency at which you should change the water in a wood burning hot tub depends on various factors, including how much you use the hot tub, how often you clean it, and the hardness of the water.
Generally speaking, it’s best to drain and refill the hot tub every two to four months if used regularly. If the water seems to be unclean or there’s an unpleasant odor, you may want to drain and refill it sooner.
Additionally, if the local water is especially hard, it’s a good idea to change it more often as the minerals in the water can cause damage to the tub and the heating elements. Ultimately, frequent draining and refilling can help to keep the water clean, your hot tub in good condition and extend its lifespan.
Are wood hot tubs worth it?
Yes, investing in a wood hot tub can be a great decision. Wood hot tubs provide a unique and luxurious bathing experience. Not only do they look great and can enhance any outdoor space, they are also remarkably efficient, insulated, and easy to maintain.
They also come in a variety of shapes and designs, so you can customize your hot tub to match your outdoor style. Not to mention, they are built to last and offer superior performance compared to their plastic counterparts.
All these factors make wood hot tubs a worthwhile purchase.
Can I use my hot tub without chemicals?
No, it is not recommended to use a hot tub without chemicals. While, theoretically, it is possible to use your hot tub without chemicals, over time this will create an unhealthy and potentially hazardous situation.
Hot tubs must be properly cleaned, sanitized, and maintained to ensure they remain healthy and safe. Without the proper chemicals, bacteria can rapidly form and/or build up in the hot tub water. This can lead to a range of health issues and skin irritations.
Further, water that is not regularly treated with chemicals can become cloudy and unpleasantly scented. Therefore, for the safety of yourself and your family, it is essential that your hot tub water is regularly treated with the appropriate chemicals.
What happens if you stay in a hot tub for 3 hours?
If you stay in a hot tub for three hours, you may experience dizziness, nausea, confusion, and an increased heart rate due to an unsafe rise in body temperature. Prolonged exposure to hot water can also lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and a decrease in blood pressure.
In extreme cases, it could lead to unconsciousness or death. To prevent these adverse effects, you should take breaks to cool down and drink plenty of fluids. Additionally, you should get out of the hot tub once you’ve reached your desired temperature, or earlier if you start to feel any signs of distress.
What should you not do in a hot tub?
It is important to take precautions and not do certain things in a hot tub. First and foremost, one should never enter the hot tub alone or leave their children unsupervised in or near the hot tub. Furthermore, it is important to limit alcohol consumption to avoid drowning or other accidents.
It is also important to not use electrical devices near a filled hot tub, including phones, radios, and stereos. Additionally, it is important to avoid swimming or submerging completely in the hot tub, as this can lead to dangerous entrapment from the suction of the drains.
Further, sharp objects such as jewelry, toys, or broken glass should never be brought near the hot tub, as this can puncture the liner and increase the risk of contamination. Finally, users should make sure to shower with soap and water before entering the hot tub and practice proper hygiene at all times, such as avoiding spitting and urinating in the hot tub.
Who should avoid hot tubs?
Hot tubs can offer a relaxing and enjoyable experience but there are certain people that should avoid using them. People who have certain medical conditions, are pregnant, are young children, have open wounds or rashes, or have certain skin conditions should avoid using hot tubs.
Those with heart or circulation problems, or other medical complications, should consult a medical professional before using a hot tub. Even if a medical professional has given approval, care should still be taken when using a hot tub and temperature, time, and medical history should be taken into consideration.
Those with Type 2 Diabetes should also avoid hot tubs and seek approval from a medical professional before using one. Additionally, people considered immunocompromised should not use a hot tub, as the bacteria and chemicals in it could make them more susceptible to infections and illnesses.
People taking certain medications should also seek approval from a doctor before using a hot tub. Pregnant women should not use hot tubs as the heat and potential water contaminants found in them can increase the risk of miscarriage and birth defects.
Finally, very young children, those under the age of 5, and those not yet potty trained, should be kept out of hot tubs due to their risk of drowning and the presence of bacteria and chemicals.
How long do wood fired hot tubs take to heat?
It depends on numerous factors, such as the size of the hot tub, the type and moisture content of the wood used for fuel, the efficiency of the hot tub heating system, the outside temperature and the size of the fire.
Generally, wood fired hot tubs take approximately one to two hours to heat from a cold start. If the outside temperature is below freezing, it can take longer to heat a hot tub. To maintain a desired temperature, it typically requires adding fuel every one to two hours.
Adding extra fuel will bring the temperature of a hot tub up more quickly.
What is the fastest way to heat a wood fired hot tub?
The fastest way to heat a wood fired hot tub depends heavily on the environment, the size of tub, and the desired temperature of the water. Generally, the best way to heat a wood fired hot tub quickly is to build a good fire directly beneath the hot tub.
This can be done by constructing a raised fire pit beside the hot tub, and adding some firewood. Ensure that the fire is of good quality and uniform, providing the best combustion (burning) rate.
Once the fire is built, use a heat-resistant stacker (a device which diverts some of the hot air from the fire up to the bottom of the hot tub) to capture the heat and direct it. The stacker should be positioned such that it can spread the hot air evenly and maximise the heating of the tub.
Also, make sure that the stacker is producing a constant flow of hot air to fully ignite the fire and heat the hot tub.
In order to maintain a consistent heat, keep some firewood burning in the fire at a low temperature, while adding more logs if and when needed. You may also want to consider adding fire-accelerant (such as fire bricks) to help accelerate the heat production and boost the temperature of the hot tub.
Finally, ensure that the water level in the hot tub is kept high, and keep an eye on the temperature of the water to ensure that it does not exceed your desired temperature.
Do you have to empty hot tub after every use?
No, you don’t need to empty your hot tub after every use. Hot tubs are designed to be used multiple times without needing to be drained. As long as you are properly maintaining and caring for your hot tub, you should only need to empty and refill it every 3-4 months.
Of course, this can vary depending on the size and type of hot tub you have, as well as factors like how often it is used and how many bathers are using it. To keep your hot tub clean and sanitized, you should be testing and adjusting the chemical levels regularly, as well as cleaning filters and skimming the surface of the water.
If your hot tub starts to develop an unpleasant odor or cloudiness, it’s likely time to empty and refill it.