Contents
Definition
A wood-fired hot tub is a large outdoor tub, round or square, filled with water heated to between 37 and 40 °C, traditionally by a wood-burning stove. Several people bathe in it together, seated, in the open air and in every season.
Origins
The wood-fired hot tub comes from Scandinavian traditions, where an open-air hot soak often goes hand in hand with the sauna and the cold plunge. The idea has spread across Europe under different names: Nordic bath, Norwegian or Swedish hot tub, Finnish hot tub, or simply wood-fired hot tub.
How does it work?
- You fill the tub with water, from around 1,000 to more than 3,000 litres depending on size.
- You light the stove, internal (submerged) or external (beside the tub).
- The heated water rises and the cold water sinks towards the stove: this is the thermosiphon, with no pump.
- In roughly 1.5 to 3 hours, the water reaches 37–40 °C.
- A lid holds the heat between soaks.
There are also electric and hybrid models, and models with hydromassage jets.
The parts of a wood-fired hot tub
- The tub: solid timber, or a fibreglass or acrylic liner clad in timber. Compare tub types.
- The stove and its flue: the heart of the system. Choosing the right one.
- Built-in benches, steps and a lid.
- Optional: filtration, jets, lighting, electric heater.
Wood-fired hot tub, jacuzzi and sauna: what are the differences?
| Wood-fired hot tub | Jacuzzi | Sauna | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principle | Hot water | Hot, bubbling water | Hot, dry air (or steam) |
| Heating | Usually wood | Electric | Wood or electric |
| Temperature | 37–40 °C | Comparable | Much higher (air) |
Before buying, weigh it up honestly: our guide to the pros and cons of a wood-fired hot tub covers comfort, upkeep, cost and constraints.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a difference between a wood-fired, Scandinavian, Nordic and Norwegian hot tub?
No fundamental difference: they are different names for the same kind of heated outdoor tub, often fired with wood. In the UK, “hot tub” on its own usually means an electric spa, which is why “wood-fired hot tub” or “hot tub with wood burner” is used for the Nordic kind.
Can you use a wood-fired hot tub in winter?
Yes, winter is when it is most enjoyed: the contrast between the cold air and the hot water is part of the experience. Simply allow more heating time and use a lid.