FAQs

Tub maintenance

Tub longevity like anything ultimately depends on the frequency of use, type of water used and maintenance done to the tub. Do your best to wash rinse and wipe the tub out after use, and use minimal chlorine if you need to use it. Salt water or chlorine should not sit in the tub for extended periods of time if you want to get the most life out of your tub. These type of tubs last longest by draining rinsing and wiping it after using for a weekend or for a few days. Couple few days in a row is probably fine but weeks to months and years on end is a different situation.

How long does it take to fill?

With just one person and one bucket, you can fill the tub in 15 minutes or less. The closer proximity you are to a water source and if you have another person with you, the quicker the process becomes of course.

Tip: you don't need to fill the tub all the way to the rim. Just ensure the top hot water outlet tube is below the water level by at least 5cm, and submerged at all times.

At home with a hose quite depends on your water pressure. With a small tub anywhere between 10-15 minutes, and the large tub 15-30minues.

How do I fill the tub?

There are multiple ways to fill your tub, each offering a different level of convenience.

The simplest way with the least amount of gear and my personal favourite is using the bucket that’s provided. Depending on your proximity to a water source, a single person can fill the tub in 10-15 minutes or less. The bucket can double as storage for any gear you want to bring on your adventure.

Tip: to clean you feet before entering the tub leave the bucket beside your tub with some water in it. Dip your feet in the bucket water to clean them before entering back into the tub.

If you prefer an alternative to carrying a bucket, an electric pump is an option you can consider.

Another option is to draw water directly from a nearby river without the need for a pump. To do this, position one end of a hose at a higher point in the river than the tub and place the other end in the tub. Gravity will naturally guide the water down the hose and into the tub.

Which tub will I fit in?

If you’re under 6 feet, the 4 foot tub is great. And if you’re looking for a date night hot tub, its the perfect size.

If you or others are over 6 feet tall and or want some more leg room in general, the 6 footer is the way to go.

Keep in mind that the tub length only needs to accommodate for you leg length, not total body height.

how does the water circulate, do I need a pump?

YOU DON’T NEED A PUMP!! Our set up uses a process known as thermo-suction, enabling self-circulation without the use of a pump, wires, gas, or any other equipment. Meaning you can set up basically anywhere you can have a fire. Sasquatch Hot Tubs operate without the need for electricity or any other equipment, making them environmentally friendly. All you need to do is place it on a flat surface, fill with water, and start a fire to kickstart your most unique hot tub experience.

Cold water flows through the lower pipe into the coils surrounding the fire. As the water heats up, it is pushed up and out of the top tube through a phenomenon called thermosyphoning. This is the ingenious mechanism by which Sasquatch Hot Tubs function, eliminating the need for a pump, which, in turn, reduces the gear you have to carry outdoors and maintain.

how do I control the water temperature?

After you've reached your desired temperature (recommended 104F), stop adding wood to the fire, allowing the hot coals to maintain the heat. Any adjustments to the temperature will happen gradually, usually taking 10-15 minutes, depending on the ambient temperature. This provides plenty of time to react if the water starts to become too hot or too cold. With some experience, you'll learn how much firewood to add to sustain the temperature, which may vary depending on the ambient conditions. Typically, once your hot tub reaches the desired temperature, it requires minimal wood to sustain the heat. Make sure you do not block either of the water tube outlets at any time.

Is it possible to use bbq gas for heating?

Yes. You can opt for a propane forge burner as a substitute for a wood fire to heat the tub. This is a great choice for an economical and environmentally friendly backyard hot tub, especially in areas where wood fires are not permitted. It offers a chemical-free and electricity-free alternative.

How heavy is it?

Our lightest 4 foot model tub is just 45.4lbs, and our 6 foot tub is 63.5lbs. Normal hot tubs start out at a whopping 500lbs, which is why these are legit portable!

Can I Use this on my deck?

Yes, but also no. As long as your deck is capable of holding a large amount of water, then yes.

But also no, because this is a partly contained open fire where small embers fall to the ground. Simply put the coils on the ground and run the hoses to the tub on your deck. We will be offering deck friendly buckets soon, so if you’re interested please let us know!

Fireproof stove mats for wood decks are also a great option if this interests you, lots are sold on Amazon just check the quality is adequate.

Can I use this on my lawn?

Yes. Using a layer of insulation under the tub such as wood (pallet, 2x4s) is probably a good idea to help prevent the ground from sucking your waters heat away.

Find the best place to put your coils, dig a shallow hole about 4-6” wider than the coils (18-20”) lay down gravel, and then sand on top. This will prevent grass from burning and give a nice place as well as look for small embers to land. Keep in mind leaving a tub or anything on a lawn for an extended period of time may change the grass - so choose your location carefully first!

Like mentioned above, a fireproof stove mat is a safe idea if you’re unsure of what spot exactly to put your tub more permanently.

Is the metal strong enough to hold my wife sitting or leaning on the tub?

Absolutely! Our tubs are crafted from galvanized 21-gauge steel and easily supports my girlfriend who often splits the back of her pants open. With proper care, such as a rinse and wipe after use, they can endure for years. Because our tubs are constructed from steel with a smooth folded lip edge, they can support your weight, whether you're leaning on them while sitting inside the tub or taking a break sitting on the edge with your legs in the water. That being said, don’t have all your friends leaning on the same side of the tub and risk flipping it.

How can I maintain the hot water in cold weather?

There are various straightforward techniques to keep your tub warm in freezing conditions. Each tub comes with a tub cover, an important tool for conserving heat while warming up the tub. This reduces the total time it takes to warm up the tub (as well as keeping derbies like pine needles out). Keep the tub cover on overnight and you will notice that the water is quite warm the next day. Therefore, the second days use the water heats up much faster!

Placing a blanket, short 2x4s, or cardboard under the tub can act as an insulating layer to shield against ground temperature from sapping your tub's valuable warmth. Another simple method is to wrap a blanket around the tub's exterior. The choice of which method to use largely depends on the severity of the ambient temperature at your setup location (some temperatures do not need any insulation at all), so make the adjustments based on your own judgment and experience.

And as for the coils, place either bricks, rocks in the area, or my current favourite solar heating panels around the coils to create an oven like effect. I’ve heated up the small tub in an hour and a half in cold weather.

how do I set it up?

We will be adding a 60 second set up video here shortly for a step by step guide on how to set up your tub in the wild.

A breakdown: 1. Find flat ground or rake/scrape a flat patch in dirt - avoid rocks roots humps, ground should be level. 2. 2x4s can be used to level out the tub and provide a layer of insulation from the cold ground. 3. Position coils slightly lower than the tub. Do not place coils higher than the hot tub. 4. Install tubes and jubilee clips if needed. 5. Use small amount of chlorine granules if needed and wait an hour. 6. Fill with water and stir occasionally. 7. Start a fire. 8. Enjoy!

can I use lake water for my tub?

Moving glacier/mountain river water is the cleanest choice, but using lake water is doable as well, especially if the lake is larger. However it's best to avoid small, stagnant skuzzy green ponds. To ensure water safety, add a very small amount of chlorine granules (powder) during the filling process and wait for an hour before using the water (Tip: I use a very small supplement scooper). It's the responsibility of tub users to maintain water quality standards in different lakes in their area. Once done, drain rinse and dry your tub as soon as possible to prolong rust-free metal.

If you're planning a brief weekend getaway and intend on draining the tub afterward, there's no need to test water hardness etc. Testing water hardness only becomes necessary if you plan to leave the water in the tub for an extended period, such as several months in a backyard tub. Which these tubs are great for, but it’s probably still healthier to drain the water after, although the choice ultimately depends on you and your frequency of use.

Personally I like to have fresh water each time I use the tub, and since these aren’t that big it really doesn’t take that long to fill anyway. Who doesn’t love clean water!

Can I use salt water?

Galvanized steel exhibits resistance to saltwater, but extended exposure to this environment can lead to corrosion, with any metal. If you plan to use your tub near the ocean, just make sure that you rinse and dry it properly with your garden hose/towel when you return home. The same principle applies to chlorine granules – make it a routine to rinse the tub and coils before stowing them away dry upon your return. Do not leave chlorine or salt water sitting in your tub for extended periods of time. When you’re done, drain and rinse. It's a simple and effective practice to maintain the longevity of your tub and equipment. See “how do I avoid rust” for more relative info.

How do I avoid rust?

To prevent rust in a stock tank hot tub regular basic maintenance and proactive measures are important, and up to you.

If you need to use small amounts of chlorine or salt water, wash and wipe your tub dry and put a hose to the top end of the coils as soon as you get home and store it dry inside or under a tub cover, or even easier upside down as the cheapest most simple option. Chlorine use should be minimal and not left for long periods of time. I.e. do not leave chlorine, tabs for example, sitting in the tub for days weeks or months on end.

If you fill up your backyard hot tub for a weekend and drain it afterwards, you probably don’t need to add chlorine as the water should have already been treated by your city.

Rust is inevitable over time - to reduce it and/or prolong your rust free time - use minimal amounts of chemicals. Wash-rinse-dry the tub thoroughly after each use including your coils. Eg. garden hose rinse and wipe dry with the towel you brought with you camping or outside before throwing it in the wash.

If you have your heart set on prolonged salt water or chlorine use we would recommend using rust preventative paint such as POR 15, Pond Armour or an exterior acrylic paint. You can find these at most paint stores and there’s lots of ‘how to’ videos on YouTube if this is something you’re interested in.

Again, if you’re not planning on using your tub in this environment for long periods and going to rinse and dry it, you’re probably fine without this coating.

Additionally, use your tub cover (even if the tub is upside down) to shield the stock tank from rain and moisture when it's not in use if it cant be left indoors. Periodically inspect for any signs of rust and address them promptly with a basic touch up with touch up paint or rust inhibitors like POR 15 for example. By following these steps you can enjoy a rust-free and long-lasting Sasquatch Hot Tub.

What are the tub features?

Features:

  • Deep sidewall corrugation for strength

  • Heavy-duty zinc G90 coating withstands harsh weather conditions

  • 1-1/8" top rim is permanently rolled for strong reinforcement

  • 1" tube inside rim of tank for additional strength

  • 2 1” outlets for wood fire coil tubes

  • Unmatched quality and consistency in construction

  • All gallons listed are approximate

  • 1" drain plug located on sides, 1 inch from bottom