Wood-Fired Hot Tub: Pros and Cons for UK Buyers

Reviewed by the Palmako UK content team with insights from our garden building experts.

Hot tubs are more accessible to UK homeowners than ever before, with modern designs fitting naturally into backyards and compact garden spaces. Wood-burning tubs in particular are becoming more popular for their rustic charm and convenience.  If you’re considering one for relaxation and a more connected outdoor experience, this article will help you understand its pros and cons.

Quick Overview

Wood-fired hot tubs offer an off-grid experience with lower running costs and a more traditional experience than electric hot tubs. However, they do require manual heating, temperature control and regular maintenance. This makes them more suitable for people who enjoy creating an immersive experience than those who want quick hot tub sessions. 

Table of Contents

• What is a wood-burning hot tub?
• Main benefits of a wood-fired hot tub
• Main disadvantages of wood-fired tubs
• Who should buy a wood-burning hot tub?
• Conclusion
• FAQs

What is a wood-burning hot tub?

These hot tubs can be distinguished from electric or gas-powered hot tubs by their wood-burning stove. This stove can either be integrated or external to the hot tub. The heating process is initiated by stoking a crackling fire in the stove. The heating system then heats water to the desired temperature, after which smaller logs can be added to extend the hot tub session. 

Most modern wood-fired hot tubs include a burner, an aluminium or stainless steel chimney, a timber exterior and a fibreglass or acrylic inner shell. They may also come with an insulated thermal cover and thermometer.

Main benefits of a wood-fired hot tub

There are several benefits to owning a wood-fired outdoor hot tub, including lower running costs, no electricity use, faster heating, and the relaxation that comes with enjoying a hot tub experience. 

1. Lower running costs

One of the primary reasons people are drawn to a wood-fired tub is the low running costs. Energy bills are a top consideration in most UK homes, and a wood-burning tub lets you set and control how much you spend on running it. 

This type of tub also doesn’t require an expensive circulation system. Heat distribution in the tub can be easily achieved by stirring the water with a paddle and monitoring the temperature with a built-in thermostat. 

The day-to-day maintenance of the tub requires regular water changes and cleaning products, but these costs are minimal when spread over the tub's lifespan. 

Based on an average of 2-4 hot tub sessions a month, you can expect the following running costs. It should be noted that these costs can vary depending on tub size, insulation, and regional energy prices. 

Palmako hot tubs offer strong energy-efficiency benefits thanks to their insulated thermal covers. The thermal cover reduces evaporation and heat loss, decreasing water usage and the amount of wood needed to heat the tub. 

2. No need for an electrical connection

Electric tubs, powered by an electric heater and often equipped with a circulation and filtration system, can become expensive over time (especially if the tub is used regularly). 

A wooden tub uses logs or dried firewood as a fuel source, and the water is heated through a thermosiphon system. This is when heated water rises and is pushed out of the heating system, while cold water is drawn in. This natural process effectively heats the water, even in cold climates. 

In off-grid settings, the wood-fired hot tub is the ideal solution, as there is no mechanical heating method. The tub complements the natural ambiance, providing a rejuvenating soak within a few hours. 

3. Fast heating time

One of the arguments buyers use for purchasing an electric hot tub is that it heats up faster than a wood-fired hot tub. This is simply not the case. 

When heating from scratch, a wood-burning hot tub can reach a comfortable water temperature within 1.5-3 hours. The water temperature rises 7–10°C per hour, whereas an electric model can take up to 8 hours to reach the same temperature. 

The reason wood-burning tubs heat faster is the direct heat intensity. Wood burning generates an immense heat rapidly, and an internal stove uses convection to transfer this heat to the water, sometimes raising the temperature five times faster than an electric stove. 

4. Simpler usage

Electric hot tubs can be quite complex in their design. They contain pumps, heaters, electronic controls, jets, and sensors. This is good when you require convenience and a more modern experience, but these components intermittently require repair and even replacement. 

Wood-fired tubs are mechanically simpler and therefore require less service and maintenance, increasing reliability in off-grid locations or holiday homes. For many, this simplicity is a major drawcard. 

Main disadvantages of wood-fired tubs

While wood-fired tubs offer many benefits, they also have some disadvantages. The downsides revolve around precise temperature control, exposed metal elements, and achieving consistent temperature. Whether these disadvantages prevent you from buying a wood-fired hot tub is subjective, but know they can be mitigated. 

1. Less precise temperature control

One of the drawcards of electric hot tubs is that you can set exact temperature requirements via a control panel. Wood-burning tubs need manual temperature management. The temperature will depend on the type and amount of wood used, the outdoor climate, and the length of time the fire burns. 

This doesn’t mean you can’t control temperatures at all; rather, it means you'll need a thermometer and a commitment to the heating process. For many buyers, this is exactly the kind of natural experience they’re looking for. 

2. Achieving a consistent temperature

An important consideration here is whether temperature changes are rapid and noticeable enough to decrease the therapeutic benefits during a session, and the answer is no. Once a fire is cooled, temperatures decrease much more slowly than most people imagine. A thermal cover can also help to slow heat loss. 

Almost everyone who makes a BBQ fire has a ‘process’. This is also true for a hot tub. The process you use to heat the water will determine whether you can achieve a constant temperature. It is advisable to start the fire with larger logs and kindling, then gradually add wood until the desired temperature is reached. Most hot tub users figure out their own ritual for doing this. It's all part of the charm. 

3. Exposure to the metal components

One concern for buyers of wood-burning tubs is exposure to metal components. The stove, chimney and surrounding metal become very hot during the heating process. As a result, buyers worry that children, pets, and guests may hurt themselves if they are too close to these elements. 

While these concerns are understandable, they can be managed. Modern tubs often come with chimney guards, heater shields and safer stove positioning to reduce accidental contact. A clear walkway around the tub and supervision for children and pets can also help to mitigate the safety risk.   

Who should buy a wood-burning hot tub?

A wood-fired hot tub is not for everyone, but it does suit the needs of many buyers. It is better suited for people who:

• Enjoy outdoor living and desire an activity that slows down the pace of life.
  
  
• Prefer a more natural way of doing things over precise heating technology.
  
  
• Want lower running costs or the ability to control the costs of owning a hot tub.
  
  
• Own off-grid holiday homes, cabins, or glamping sites. 
  
  
• Like the idea of a rustic hot tub experience that requires hands-on fire management. 

If this is you, Palmako has a high-quality, well-designed range of hot tubs for every budget. Speak to a consultant who will help you choose the right size and design. 

Conclusion

A wood-burning tub offers a more traditional spa experience than an electric hot tub. Buyers like that it is less costly to run and has shorter heating times, while it can be placed in off-grid or remote locations without the worry of electrical components breaking. 

Discussions about the downsides of wood-fired tubs mostly focus on inconsistent temperature control, but this can be easily remedied by choosing your wood carefully and studying the size and quantity of wood needed to achieve the desired temperature. 

Rather than focusing purely on convenience, wood-fired hot tubs create a more immersive outdoor experience, one that many buyers find quieter, more atmospheric, and ultimately more relaxing. 

FAQs: Wood-fired hot tub pros and cons

1. What are the pros and cons of wood-fired tubs?

The biggest benefits of a wood-fired tub are lower running costs, shorter heating time, and no need for an electrical connection. This makes the tub ideal for off-grid properties and homeowners concerned with electrical bills. The main downside of this kind of tub is that it lacks precise temperature management. You will need a thermometer to monitor temperature, and you will need to estimate how much fuel this requires during heating. 

2. Where can a wood-fired hot tub be installed?

A wood-burning hot tub can be installed anywhere that you have adequate space in your garden. A major advantage over electric models is that you don’t need electrical installations to run the tub, which opens up more placement options. You will need a stable, level base for the tub and enough clearance in front of the stove and around the chimney. 

3. Do wood-burning tubs need chemicals to clean the water?

Wood-burning tubs don’t have a built-in filtration and cleaning system and rely on minimal chemical intervention to keep the water clean. A priority should always be to keep the water and inner shell of the tub clean. This process includes regular water changes and the use of sanitizers (essential), oxidisers, water balancers, and water treatment enzymes between water changes. 

4. How long does a wood-fired hot tub last?

A well-designed tub made from high-quality timber, fibreglass and metal can last between 10 and 20 years. Proper use and regular maintenance will increase the lifespan of your tub. Maintenance includes regular water changes, sanitation and cleaning, ash removal from the stove, seasonal cleaning of the inner shell and oiling of the outer wooden shell. Shielding your hot tub with a cover from hot sun, rain, snow and other harsh weather is also recommended.