Picture yourself sinking into a hot tub, warmed by the crackling embers of a wood fire. This soothing experience can be yours, but to achieve it, there’s an art to preparing and maintaining a fire heated hot tub. Not only does this process require specific tools and methods, but it also involves timing and attention to detail to ensure a truly relaxing soak. So whether you’re new to wood-fired hot tubs or just looking for some pro tips, we’re here to guide you through each step of the process. From choosing the right wood, lighting the fire efficiently, maintaining the perfect bath temperature, to safely winding down post-bathing, we’ve got you covered.
Choosing the Ideal Wood
To ensure a successful wood fire for your hot tub, it’s crucial to start with the right type of wood. Amongst various options, dry birch wood, approximately 30 cm in size, comes out on top. This choice guarantees efficient heating. Of course, other types of wood can be used, but to derive maximum heat from your stove, dry birch wood is recommended.
Lighting Up the Fire
To ignite a fire quickly and effectively, begin by carving smaller sticks. These can be set alight easily with paper or lighter fluid. At the initial stage of lighting the fire, be cautious not to overload the stove with wood as this may smother the fire, necessitating a fresh start.
Once the fire catches on, remember to monitor it closely. It’s better to check in one extra time than let it burn out. As the stove gets hotter, feel free to fill it with more wood. A useful tip is to set an alarm every 20 minutes as a reminder to restock the firewood. Neglecting to replenish the wood could extend the time taken to heat up your bath.
Timing Your Heating Process
Plan your heating process strategically. If you’re planning a soak in the evening, start heating your hot tub earlier in the day. This way, by the time you’re ready for your bath, the hot tub would have reached the perfect temperature.
Regulating the Stove’s Draft
The stove lid can be used as a damper to control the stove’s draft, especially if you have an internal stove. During the initial stage of the fire, keep the lid off until the fire is well-established. Once the fire is burning steadily, position the lid slantwise over the stove opening to regulate the oxygen supply, thus maintaining maximum power. If the lid remains off throughout, you risk losing heat up the flue, which may prolong the heating process.
If your stove is external, you can regulate the draft by leaving the stove door slightly ajar.
Achieving Optimal Bath Temperature
The ideal bathing temperature for most people ranges between 37 to 40 degrees Celsius. A common mistake is to continue burning the fire even after reaching the desired temperature, which may cause the water to become too hot as the stove continues to generate heat long after the fire has been extinguished.
As the water temperature nears 30-35 degrees, burn the fire more gently and periodically add a stick of wood to maintain the temperature throughout your bath. Be aware that the water heats unevenly – it’s hotter at the surface. Therefore, stirring the water occasionally ensures even distribution of heat.
Post-bathing Precautions
After your bath, ensure the fire is fully extinguished and the stove is cold before draining the hot tub. Draining the water while the stove is still hot may cause damage to the stove and your hot tub. With these pointers, you’re set to fully enjoy your fire-heated hot tub experience.