Wood-Fired Hot Tubs by Snorkel
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 11. 7.05
Snorkel makes hot tubs that are heated with wood fires. The stoves are actually submerged in the tub. Basically, you prepare a fire on the bottom of the stove with paper, kindling, and then small logs. When you slide the door over the firebox opening, the stove begins to heat the water. See their FAQ page for more information. The cost of a tub and stove is about $2200-$3000 — these can be purchased separately too.
The tubs are patterned after a centuries old design and are made from the kiln dried Western Red Cedar and Redwood. We previously featured SeaOtter Woodworks who make similar wooden hot tubs.
Their site contains images of a goodly number of elves or hobbit-like creatures taking baths. You have been warned.
:: Snorkel
How is something that encourages burning more trees
in any way treehugger-friendly?
Even better than those tubs, but also wood fired, are Dutch Tubs. They're much cooler looking: http://www.dutchtub.ch/
My family used to have one of these at our remote cabin in northern Manitoba. It was an amazing luxury at a place that didn't have electric power.
You had to watch the water temperature after you fired up the stove -- it would easily bring to water to 140 degrees in little time.