Once you decide that you’d like an outdoor soaking tub in your life, you’ll soon be considering several aspects when researching what options are available.
For the average hot tub buyer there are a lot of factors, from size and heat source, to price and availability. For our potential customers, criteria like sustainability, safety, quality, attention to detail, and manufacturing location are equally important considerations.
We've gathered the answers to some of the questions you might be contemplating before you invest in an outdoor soaking tub.
Considered Design
What does this mean? We believe in meticulous design that considers every detail. It means reflecting on how an object will be used and the different situations and conditions users will face. At GOODLAND, we work to ensure that everything we produce is a genuine pleasure to use and leaves you feeling fulfilled and inspired.
When we use the adjectives “considered” or “thoughtful'' in describing the design of the GOODLAND Wood Burning Hot Tub, we mean responsible design in which every element has been carefully thought out to positively impact human behaviour and participation. For us, it’s also about creating memorable experiences, intuitive products, and a sense of comfort and pause.
Some of our goals in our Hot Tub design included:
- Design a modern wood burning hot tub
- Create an authentic outdoor bathing experience
- Provide a product that is intuitive, engaging, and rewarding to use
- Allow for a rich sensory experience
- Contribute to a sustainable lifestyle
- Encourage pause and connection, with oneself and nature
Wood heated hot tubs embrace the practices of slow living and mindfulness. They encompass concepts like doing less, focussing on the present moment, immersing yourself in nature, finding moments of pause, and appreciating simple pleasures. Wherever possible, we sought to enhance or highlight these aspects for the most genuine and rewarding experience.
Unique Size & Shape
Inspired by the Japanese ofuro soaking tub, the GOODLAND Hot Tub's rectangular shape and size is intentional.
The tub’s smaller footprint requires less water, making it much faster to fill and heat up than traditional round tubs. The smaller size also means it’s easier to move, quicker to fill, less expensive to ship, and fits in the back of an SUV (see our post on “How to Go Off-Grid” for proof) or pickup truck.
The shape allows for reclining seats, providing enough depth for a nice comfortable soak while ensuring the tub is effortless to get in and out of.
Safety First
Our founders had first-hand experience as owners of a wood heated hot tub and as parents of two young children when they initiated the design of the GOODLAND Hot Tub. They knew which safety features needed to be improved upon, especially to safeguard from little hands touching hot surfaces.
While some models of wood burning hot tubs have external heaters sticking out from the side, we sought a submersible stove box tucked away in one end of the hot tub. Not only is it less obtrusive and more aesthetically pleasing, it also heats the water more efficiently.
The stove box’s double-insulated lid and scald-proof wooden handle are designed to protect from burning, while the cedar backrest inside the tub acts as a barrier between bathers and the stove wall. The perforated chimney guard helps prevent burns by shielding the hot stove pipe. Lastly, the low profile makes the tub shallower for kids to play in, and safer to climb in and out of.
This video reviews the five important safety features.
Canadian Craftsmanship & Premium Materials
We’re a small ‘slow business’ focussed on creating a beautiful product meant to last a lifetime. It was incredibly important to build an enduring product that wouldn’t end up in the landfill. As a result, the GOODLAND Wood Burning Hot Tub consists of the highest quality and most durable materials possible: marine grade aluminum and western red cedar—both 100% recyclable.
Hailing from the West Coast of Canada – a temperate rainforest that sees its fair share of snow – we also needed a hot tub suited for all types of weather. To meet this challenge, we sourced the best materials from local suppliers. And while aluminum and wood are more expensive than man-made materials like fibreglass, their inherent properties make them all the more valuable.
Our goods are built with a combination of traditional craftsmanship and state-of-the-art equipment. GOODLAND’s products are conceptualized in our Vancouver, BC, design studio and built in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Building our products in Canada allows us to maintain a high-grade quality level, avoid supply chain interruptions, and provide superior end-to-end customer service, while adding value to our local economy. We pride ourselves on the people we employ and the community we’ve been able to build so far.
Simple to Assemble, Use & Maintain
We believe that no one should have to stress over something meant for relaxation. Since we’re also not fans of instruction manuals, we set out to simplify the functionality of the wood fired hot tub from start to finish with the following objectives:
- Streamline the number of components
- Make assembly quick and effortless for one person (no tools)
- Ensure the hot tub is uncomplicated to ship & receive
- Keep it low maintenance and easy to clean
Assembly
The GOODLAND Hot Tub arrives at your curb on a pallet not much bigger than the tub itself with four main components: the aluminum tub, stove box, chimney, two cedar reclining seats and base all packed inside.
The setup takes 10-15 minutes by one person, and at 125 pounds with all components removed, you’ll only need two people to move it.
It’s designed to be effortlessly set up anywhere, and assembled in five simple steps—including customizing elements such as drainage and chimney position to suit your site location.
Usage
Operating our Wood Burning Hot Tub is straightforward, and managing the fire in a submersible stove is easier and more efficient than an external one. Watch the video tutorial to see how simple the process is, and learn more about how our wood stove works.
Stirring the water with the upcycled wood paddle during heat up time is part of the process, helping the water to reach your desired temperature more efficiently.
Maintenance
The qualities of marine grade aluminum keeps the hot tub very low maintenance. It enables you to safely use the same untreated water for several soaks since there’s no mold growth, and minimal effort is needed to clean it. When it does need a wipe down, the sloped floor and oversized drain helps it empty in 15-20 minutes. All the components are easy to remove for cleaning or if you’d like to move the tub.
Watch this video tutorial for quick cleaning tips.
Sustainable
There is a lot to say about sustainability and our outdoor soaking tub. Our intent for the design from the very beginning is to reduce negative impacts on the environment while improving the well-being of people. We’ve consciously chosen to make a tub with a small footprint and from low-impact materials that are recyclable, renewable, non-toxic, and produce a high-quality product with longevity.
We delve more into this topic in our Journal if you’d like to learn about the eco-friendly, sustainable aspects of the GOODLAND Wood Burning Hot Tub. Please read "The Best Firewood to Burn" for tips on creating a no-smoke or low-smoke fire.
Why Did We Design This Tub?
We’re slow living and bathing enthusiasts with backgrounds in design and furniture making, as well as exacting quality standards . We’re proud to create a product that not only looks beautiful, but is intuitive to use and designed to last a lifetime. The soaking tub design will certainly continue to evolve, incorporating feedback from customers and bathing devotees.
If you have an outstanding question about the GOODLAND Wood Burning Hot Tub, please feel free to contact us—we’d love to hear from you.
Kendra Nickerson
Kendra is a writer, editor, and strategist who is driven by a love for finding better ways to do things. She covers the Resources articles for GOODLAND—the how-tos and whys. Kendra loves to garden, cook, and go on vacations that combine nature with bathing. In her past life, she worked in art and design.
