How AlumiTubs Sources Sustainable Materials for Wood Fired Hot Tubs

AlumiTubs wood-fired hot tubs are engineered to last for generations. Built with the highest standards in manufacturing and rigorous design principles, the entire construction of the tub is thoughtfully made to protect the planet that future generations will inherit. Sustainability extends beyond the way AlumiTubs are manufactured and the materials used, to the way in which they're designed to perform in harmony with the natural environment. 

Sustainable Hot Tub Materials

Plastic, fibreglass and disposable materials are hard on the earth and will eventually sit in a landfill. By contrast, the AlumiTub is made from just 3 materials:

• Infinitely recyclable marine grade aluminum
• Sustianably sourced western red cedar
• Stainless steel

These 3 materials are chosen specifically for their durability, performance, and renewable nature. They not only outperform and outlast materials found in conventional hot tubs, but they enhance a property's natural landscape rather than competing with it.

One of the most important decisions we make is choosing sustainably harvested wood. This month, we’re sourcing Canadian Western Red Cedar from a neighbor, Robert - a dedicated steward of the land who happens to live just down the road in Gibsons, BC. Robert’s approach to harvesting is as mindful as it gets. He only mills trees that have already fallen or pose a fire hazard, using a small tractor and a logging arch to gently pull them from the forest. It’s slower, more labor-intensive work - but it ensures the ecosystem is preserved for years to come. 

His commitment to low-impact logging reminds us that the easy way isn’t always the right way. We’ve sourced wood three times now from a single 110-year-old cedar tree that came down on his property during last winter’s windstorm. Repurposing this majestic tree to build wood hot tubs that will stand the test of time is one small way we honor the forest and minimize waste. Every cedar board we use is milled on-site for lower emissions, zero waste, and total transparency -plus, every material in an AlumiTub is 100% recyclable. It’s all part of our promise to build a tub that’s beautiful, durable, and kind to the planet. 

Design Principles For Sustainable Use

In addition to how they’re made and where the materials come from is the design that’s highly considered for a lower output soak.

Unlike other wood fired hot tubs, AlumiTubs have an internally submerged firebox that heats the water directly for unmatched efficiency. With a 50% bigger firebox than other brands, we make it easy for people to use any wood they have access to - no special sized cuts required. The unique size and efficiency make for lower smoke output that’s next to nothing once the fire is established, and a much more enduring burn. Just add a few logs a day and the AlumiTub will stay hot indefinitely!

These qualities are highly unique to wood fired hot tubs and make for an enduring, sustainably manufactured hot tub that will be gentler on the earth for decades to come.

When choosing a hot tub, look for the following design principles:

• Materials that conserve water by preventing leaks
• A non-porous surface for better hygiene, fewer water changes, and reduce or eliminate the need for harsh chemical water treatments
• A fully insulated design that retains heat better, longer, and without wasting energy

Conserving Water

Water conservation and hygiene are essential to sustainable hot tub use, and both the wood fired hot tub and the AlumiTub Electric are rigourously designed to do just that - chemical free. Using natural cleaning products the water in the Wood Fired can last for about a month between water changes, while the Electric Hybrid, and Wood Fired + Filtration system keep the water clean automatically for 3-4 months at a time. 

Not only is the AlumiTub designed specifically to conserve water by keeping it clean longer, but no material is too precious from using water from the natural environment - like salt water from the ocean. Being portable, moveable and lightweight also means it can be easily positioned next to natural bodies of water like the lake or river, and because it doesn't require the use of chlorine, it can be used and emptied back into the same body of water safely without causing ecological harm.

The AlumiTub conserves water by:

• A clean, non-porous and naturally hygienic marine grade aluminum surface
• A leak-proof design
• A lightweight, moveable, portable design that can make use of natural bodies of water
• A marine grade aluminum foundation that's compatible with salt water from the ocean 
• Low voltage filtration options for long lasting clean water

Reducing Energy Consumption

We obsessed over the details of the Electric and Hybrid design for years before we began building them for customers. With the jet packed humming of conventional hot tubs being the antithesis of the AlumiTub, we were determined to find a better way. Unwilling to compromise on noise or energy efficiency, our electric models are uniquely made to connect with nature - quietly. So much so that the electrical noise is almost impossible to hear, working in the background to keep the tub clean and heat it efficiently without wasting energy along the way. Using timers and wifi enablement, it can be set to heat when it'll be in use, always keeping the water clean for changes that are few and far between - down to 3-4 times a year. 

AlumiTubs reduce energy consumption by:

• Building each tub with 360 degrees on insulation, top, and bottom insulation
• Using high quality materials like cedar, which is naturally insulating
• Providing 3 different heating systems - wood fire, electric, and 2-in-1 hybrid heating for every property and user to maximize efficiency, and to interchange those with flexible heat options and endless adaptability over time
• For the Wood Fired, AlumiTubs build the internal firebox 50% bigger than other manufacturers, providing the use of regular size logs, a more efficient burn only needing an armful of wood a day to maintain temperature, and producing less smoke
• For Electric and Hybrid tubs, frivolous functions like lights, music, and jet packs are not part of its design, reducing the dependency on power useage. The wifi function also enables smart heating with scheduled times of day/week, so that heat isn't wasted when it won't be in use.

And with all AlumiTubs, they're not imported from overseas and then re-shipped again. Each one is lovingly handbuilt with precision using locally sourced materials in British Columbia, Canada. They'll never sit in a landfill, and they can be endlessly used and loved by many, moved to a new property, and adapted to new heating methods as needs change over time, for decades to come. 

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Tips for a More Earth-Friendly Soak

Want to make your soaking experience even more sustainable? Here are a few of our favorite tips to help you enjoy your AlumiTub while keeping your environmental impact low:

1. Salvage What You Already Have

Use fallen branches, logs, or tree stumps from your own property to fuel your tub. It’s a great way to repurpose wood that would otherwise go to waste.

2. Use the Right Wood—and Dry It Well

High-quality wood like cedar burns hotter and more efficiently. Properly dried wood reduces heat-up time and keeps your tub warm for longer, meaning you’ll use less fuel overall.

3. Repurpose Timber

Look for log booms or 4 to 6-foot butts that have soaked in salt water and are no longer viable for lumber. These are often discarded as pulpwood - but they can be perfect for heating your hot tub.

4. Only Burn When You Soak, And Use Wifi Enabled Timers for Electric Hot Tubs

Wood-fired tubs only consume energy when in use. It may not be as convenient as pressing a button, but that’s part of the charm. Embrace the ritual—chop your wood, light the fire, stir the water, check the temperature, and take time to connect with nature. Not everything needs to be instant.

5. Trap the Heat

Use the insulation and fitted lids provided with your AlumiTub to retain heat between uses. With just an armful of chopped wood per day, you can maintain the perfect temperature all weekend long.

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Keep It Clean

Curious about how to keep your tub clean without chemicals or wasting water? Check out our earth-friendly hot tubbing tips on getting the most out of every fill. 

Want to see how we build our tubs or learn more about our eco-friendly practices? Shop our collection of cedar hot tubs to find the model that fits your lifestyle, and check out the Good Clean Living natural hot tub cleaner.

Looking for more information on wood fired hot tubs? Check out the Ultimate Guide to Wood Fired Hot Tubs.

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AlumiTubs are built by hand on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia using sustainable materials from our own community.