BASIC FRONTIER HOT TUB

I plan to enclose this hot tub with a SUBS bathhouse, so I am putting it on a SUBS panel to start with, which rests on four concrete pylons.  [See http://net-prophet.net/subs/ for further information of SUBS = Simple Universal Building System.]

Here it is!  A double-burner 40,000 BTU propane bar-b-que for a heater.  Water inlet hose.  Water drain hose with shutoff valve to water the cherry, plum or apple trees.  Silver tarp reduces evaporation for more efficient heating.  A heavy duty open mesh rubber mat on the inside of the tub keeps you from burning your butt on the hot spots, while allowing the heated water to circulate.  The tub skirting is 3/4" plyood on 4"x4" legs, finished with opaque stain.  A $7.00 tank of propane gives you several weeks of VERY leisurely bathing in winter.  In the summer I add cold water to cool it off, because this bar-b-que doesn't turn down low enough.

In extremely cold weather a plastic tarp is nice, but not necessary.  However, in high winds, it is essential, or the flame blows out.  In the summer I take the plastic off.  Moonlight hot-tubbing is WAY COOL . . . with or without the plastic!  The 6 mil plastic lasts a year or two before the sunlight makes it too brittle and the winter winds tear it to shreds.  If you put a little hydrogen peroxide in the tub, the water will stay fresh through several baths, and be very invigorating to bath in.  If you put in too much hydrogen peroxide, you become a bleach-blonde . . . like I did last year.  This is the fourth hot tub similar to this I have constructed and enjoyed, including one tricked-out fancy one in its own cabinet, which I air-freighted to a very rich lady in on the island of Martinique in the Caribbean.   There is nothing quite like soaking for hours, without getting cold!  If you are bathing indoors in one of those crappy little bathrooms, you are missing out in life!  Outdoor bathing is the BEST!   I REALLY LOVE MY HOT TUBS!