External Wood-Fired Hot Tubs

It is a hot tub heated by a wood-burning stove that stands outside the tub itself and is connected to it by pipework. Because the stove is separate rather than built into the shell, the bathing area stays clear of firebox housings and you can see the fire while you soak.

A flat, level, well-drained surface that carries the weight of the tub, the water and the bathers. A reinforced concrete pad or another properly prepared foundation is the usual approach, and because the stove stands on the same base, plan for both footprints rather than the tub alone. Send us photos and rough dimensions and we will tell you what usually works.

Enough room to stand safely at the firebox door, load logs and keep the flue clear of fences, planting and anything combustible. Figures differ between models, so the installation guide is the one that counts; tell us your measurements and we will confirm what works for the tub you are considering.

It depends on the volume of water, the starting temperature, the wood you burn and the weather. Lighting the stove well before you want to get in, rather than twenty minutes before, is the habit that matters most. We will give you a realistic figure for the model you choose rather than a generic claim.

Neither is better in the abstract. An external stove keeps the tub itself simple and is easy to inspect, which suits a garden with room beside the tub. An integrated firebox pulls everything into one unit and needs less space around it. If the space beside the tub is tight, integrated wood-fired models are usually the better fit.

Yes, with a little planning. Keep the wood dry, allow more time to heat in cold weather, and either keep the water heated between uses or drain the tub before a hard frost. Winter use is one of the reasons people choose wood-fired in the first place.