Cedar Hot Tub Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
As a past customer or someone interested in the hot tub lifestyle, you might have some questions that need answering at some point. So we've put together a list of some of the most common to help serve as a guide to your new lifestyle!
Important Safety Information
When it comes to your wood-fired tub, it's important to remember that fire and hot water can potentially cause serious injuries. Because of this, you shouldn't leave your children without supervision near your tub. You should also avoid using any inebriating substances while in or around your tub, and extinguish the heater after you're finished using it.
Cedar Wood Burning & Electric Hot Tub Care & Cleaning
While owning a hot tub can be an excellent way to add some excitement to your life, there are a few things you'll need to know about maintenance to help extend its life so it can keep on providing you with a wonderful experience every time you use it.
How Do I Clean My Cedar Tub?
For both your health and the health of your tub, it's important to clean it regularly. You should use a non-caustic soap with a soft-bristle brush or a high-pressure hose.
Should I Do Anything to Protect the Exterior?
While you might think that coating the outside of your top with a sealer or protective paint will help extend the lifetime of your tub, think again. When it comes to wooden hot tubs, it's actually better to leave the exterior uncovered; this lets the wood breathe and evaporate and helps prevent structural damage due to warping.
Is There Any Way to Make It Look Better?
If you're interested in giving the exterior of your tub a nice bright sheen, you might try adding boiled linseed oil. You'll want to get yourself a good brush or roller and use this to apply the oil on the exterior. Before firing your tub, let the linseed oil soak into the wood and dry completely, as the oil is highly combustible. Also, remove any tools and the container from the area.
My Tub is Leaking! What Do I Do?
Firstly, you should probably calm down. For new owners of a wooden cedar hot tub, it can be scary to see your new investment leaking, but this is absolutely normal. When it first starts taking on water, it'll still be in the process of sealing. After it's been full for a week, your hot tub should be completely sealed, and your anxiety can be left behind.
How Do I Clean Out the Oven?
Cleaning the oven is a fairly simple process that can be accomplished by using a shovel. Depending on how frequent your use is, you'll either have to do this every week or a monthly basis.
How Do You Drain the Tub?
Draining the tub is a straightforward process; near the lower side of the tub is a drain valve that can be connected to a hose. Then, simply pull the lever and watch it drain!
Can I Leave It Empty?
While leaving it drained for a few days is okay, if it's empty for a long time, you'll end up with a warped tub, which can damage the seal.
I Left It Empty, and the Tension Straps Fell! What Do I Do?
If the straps fall, you're going to have to place some screws below the straps; make sure the screws you use are shorter than the tub is wide; otherwise, you could end up piercing the inside of your tub. Once the screws are in, you'll need to go through the same process you went through before your first use to get your tub ready again.
Should I Cover It if it's Empty?
If you're leaving your tub empty for any period of time, you should leave it uncovered. This is because, without fresh airflow, the rate at which molds grow is highly increased.
What Else Should I Know about the Oven?
When starting your oven, it's important to use dry wood. And controlling the temperature is a breeze; although you do have the ability to change the size of the draft coming into the oven, you should instead focus on the size of the fire itself. Depending on how much you limit the draft, you can end up with a buildup of creosote, and if you've ever seen a chimney catch fire, creosote is why.
General Questions
If you've just gotten into hot-tubbing, or have been a customer for a long time, this should cover just about all of your questions.
How Big Are Your Tubs?
Our tubs come in a variety of different sizes, so it'll depend on the model you decide to go with. You can purchase a tub for two, or a larger one designed to accommodate up to 8 people, it's completely up to you!
How Many Gallons of Water Do Your Tubs Hold?
Again, this depends on the model you decide to purchase. But our smallest model holds around 350 gallons of water, and our largest holds about 900 gallons. For more accurate information, check the product page.
What's the Total Weight of the Kit?
Although it depends on the model you've decided to purchase, our kits weigh around 600-700 lbs. Therefore, when you're trying to move the kit, it's important that you first remove the stove and any benches that might be included from the box and have some friends around to help.
Where Should I Put It?
When selecting a location for your tub, it's paramount that the area is flat and stable. So it's recommended not to put it directly onto a grassy area or the dirt itself. A gravel or concrete base works best for this purpose, but a well-made deck can suffice.
Is It Portable?
Depending on the size of your tub, it sure is! As our tubs are free-standing, you can simply empty them and roll them to its following location.
How Long Do Wooden Hot Tubs Last?
A wood hot tub generally lasts anywhere from 15 to 20 years.
Can I Use It Every Season?
Absolutely! Your hot tub can provide you with a wonderful experience year-round. And it doesn't just have to be a hot tub, either! On a hot day, you can use it as a mini-pool for a quick cooldown.
How Long Should I Wait Before It's Hot?
For most people, 105° F is the most comfortable temperature. This means you'll need to wait about 3 hours after lighting the wood-burning stove. Of course, this will depend on your model, and tubs with an external stove will take a little longer.
What are Your Tubs Made of?
All our tubs are made from pure red cedar sourced from Canada. With cedar's strong resilience against moisture or rot, it's the perfect wood for a great tub. And that's not to mention its stunning appearance that will leave your visitors in awe!
Do Your Tubs Come Fully Assembled?
While they don't come assembled (except for the deluxe units), every kit we send out is designed for customers with a can-do attitude. As long as you have even a little experience with woodworking, you'll be able to put it together in no time at all. If you're familiar with wood joints at all, you'll be able to recognize the wood's tongue-and-groove joints alongside each board instantly. They're all pre-cut and ready to go!
What Kind of Tools Do I Need?
All you'll need to get everything up to snuff is a few simple tools that should be in everyone's garage. You'll need a level to ensure everything is properly in place, a Phillips-headed screwdriver, an adjustable wrench or two wrenches in sizes 7/16th and 9/16th, a pair of vise grips, a rubber mallet, and a socket wrench for a few bolts. You'll also have to assemble it in less than a week; otherwise, the wood could become warped and make assembly difficult or even impossible.
How Do I Set It Up for Its First Use?
For your first use, you will have to allow the tub to become accustomed to the water. So it would be best if you only filled it up about 4 inches daily until it's full. This allows the wood to soak up the water and seal consistently. After that, you're good to go!
Can I Add Aromatics or Oils?
If you want to add something special to your hot tub experience, you might be interested in adding an aromatic or essential oil. If your product is biodegradable, this is absolutely fine. Otherwise, anything added that doesn't break down naturally can actually promote bacteria growth in your tub, so you should avoid that.