The Best Wood Fired Hot Tubs (and How They Work)

When looking for the best wood-fired hot tubs, where do you start?

For example:

Do you want a wood-fired hot tub with an internal heater or an external stove?

Or

Do you want a still, heated water experience or do you want jets for hydrotherapy?

There are lots of possibilities thanks to modern advancements and designs so you can customise your at-home experience to suit you. Answering these questions helps inform your decision as you can understand your different options to make sure you’ve got the right hot tub for your needs and set up.

Another thing to think about is how you plan to use your hot tub (i.e. is it only going to be used by you or will you be hosting social gatherings), as this will help you choose the right size, design, and features so you can make the most out of your new purchase.

Wood-fired hot tubs are increasingly popular as they create a more natural and relaxing experience, thanks to the traditional fire.

Searches for “wood burning hot tubs” rose 90% last year, highlighting their popularity when it comes to creating your own at-home retreat.

What Are the Benefits of Wood Fired Hot Tubs?

Physical and mental restoration are the main benefits of a wood fired hot tub. Being able to bathe in warm water with the smell of burning wood and the sound of a crackling fire is great for the mind and body. It helps you reconnect with nature and take some time out of life’s daily hustle and bustle.

Other benefits of wood burning hot tubs are:

• No electricity needed – As you’re heating the hot tub by burning wood, there’s no need for an electricity supply. This means you feel truly off-grid, as the hot tub can be placed anywhere instead of worrying about being near a power supply.
• Lower running costs – If you have access to a supply of firewood, the running costs will be reduced as it’s a natural way of creating heat compared to using electricity.
• Simple to maintain – As there’s no pumps or jets (unless you choose our optional extra Hydro Massage pack), a wood fired hot tub is easier to keep clean.
• Traditional experience – Many people choose wood fired hot tubs for the authentic, rustic experience. The crackling fire, natural aromas and slower heating process encourage you to slow down and enjoy the experience rather than simply hopping in.
• More environmentally friendly – When sustainably sourced firewood is used, a wood fired hot tub can have a lower environmental impact than an electrically heated alternative.
• More placement options – As they’re essentially ‘off-grid’ you can choose where to place the hot tub. This is ideal for both homeowners but also people with holiday lets as the hot tub can be placed in the right location without having to consider power supply.

How Do Wood Burning Hot Tubs Work?

Wood burning hot tubs are heated by burning wood instead of using electricity. This is done using either an integrated stove inside the tub, which reduces seating space, or an external stove connected by two hoses that draw in cool water, heat it, and return it to the tub.

Because of this, wood burning hot tubs feel natural and rustic, as though they are truly rooted in nature. This supports the relaxing atmosphere they create, as you feel more reconnected with the outdoors.

The modern version of a wood fired hot tub that we know of today, is inspired by the Japanese ofuro. This is a compact square or rectangular soaking tub traditionally made from cedar or hinoki cypress and is purely designed for relaxation – not washing.

The process would be that you would wash before you got into the hot tub as this water was meant to be kept fresh and clean for true relaxation. Also unlike western bathtubs, the ofuro is deep so the warm would rise up to your neck allowing for full body immersion. This deepens the level of relaxation as it helps your body feel weightless and more buoyant.

The Best Wood Fired Hot Tubs

The Arbour Range by EmbaWood combines the traditional feel of a wood fired hot tub with modern materials and features for a more comfortable experience. The range has a variety of models to suit different gardens and styles, including the Arbour 200, Arbour 220 and Arbour Cube.

Each hot tub features a Thermowood exterior, which is heat-treated to improve resistance to changeable weather. This gives you the natural look of timber whilst still lasting longer than untreated wood. Inside, the smooth fibreglass and gelcoat shell provides a comfortable seating area that is easy to keep clean.

With an integrated wood-fired stove, the Arbour Range gives you the feeling of an off-grid bathing experience without relying on electricity.

Built by EmbaWood and available through Better Living Outdoors, the Arbour Range is ideal for anyone looking to create a relaxing outdoor retreat. We offer the 4 models below depending on your needs and space.

All Arbour wood fired hot tubs come with a thermal cover for extra protection. Furthermore, any of the Arbour models can be upgraded with an optional extra Hydro Massage Package which adds jets, a two-speaker music system, LED lighting, and an external digital thermometer. This package requires a 13-amp power supply to operate the electrical features.

Wood Fired Hot Tub From Better Living Outdoors

There are lots of reasons to choose a wood fired hot tub from Better Living Outdoors as we make the process simple, from choosing the right hot tub, to delivery and installation.

We also have over 10 years experience in the wellness market, so we know how to find and recommend the best hot tub for your garden and lifestyle. Our showrooms mean you can pop by any time and speak to a member of the better Living Outdoors team to ask questions about running costs, delivery, installation, or anything else in between.

The Best Wood Fired Hot Tubs (and How They Work)

Wood fired hot tubs are a great way to relax and reconnect with nature. Using wood to heat the water creates a real sense of calm that allows your mind and body to switch off.

Thanks to optional extras though, you can still create a hydrotherapy experience by upgrading your tub with jets, depending on the type of vibe you’re going for.

The Arbour series at Better Living Outdoors has these options as well as colour variations, thermal cladding to give the hot tub a rustic feel, and an insulated thermal cover for heat efficiency.

To see them for yourself, pop into our Durham or Shrewsbury Showroom and we’ll be more than happy to show you the range.