Cold Weather Testing with AlumiTubs: Using a Wood Fired Hot Tub in Winter

Canadian winters aren’t for the faint of heart. We may not live in igloos, but we do know a thing or two about cold weather. If there’s one thing we do well, it’s making the most of very cold days. We love the après ski life so much that Winter is literally our daughter’s middle name.

Wood fired hot tubs have long been associated with shoulder seasons, but for many of our customers, winter is when they are used the most. Snow falling, steam rising, quiet nights under the stars. It’s hard to imagine a better way to warm up.

A note on winter use and materials

When people ask about using a wood fired hot tub in winter, they are often thinking of traditional cedar tubs. Cold weather, moisture, and freezing can be hard on wood over time, and those concerns are valid.

AlumiTubs are built differently. Our tubs are aluminium-lined, fully insulated, and designed to be used and cared for in real winter conditions. Everything we share below reflects how AlumiTubs behave in cold climates, based on years of use across Canada and the northern US.

Can You Use an AlumiTub in Winter?

Yes. An AlumiTub can be used all winter long, even in extreme cold.

We are often asked whether our wood fired hot tubs will work in places like Calgary, Winnipeg, Northern British Columbia, or the northeastern United States. The answer is always the same. No matter how cold it is where you live, an AlumiTub will reach 104 degrees, or whatever your perfect soaking temperature happens to be, just like an electric hot tub would.

Unlike electric hot tubs, there’s no button to set it and forget it. Heating a wood fired hot tub is an active process, and winter simply asks you to be a little more intentional. For many people, that’s part of the appeal.

How AlumiTubs Perform in Extreme Cold

Cold temperatures do affect how long it takes to heat a tub, but they do not prevent winter use.

AlumiTubs are designed with three layers of insulation and a fully submerged firebox. This combination allows the tub to not only heat efficiently, but to hold its heat for days at a time with surprisingly little wood.

There are three main variables that influence winter performance.

The first is the temperature of the water you are filling the tub with. Colder source water takes longer to heat. If your property allows for warmer fill water, this can significantly reduce heat up time. For off grid properties, cold water heating is completely manageable, it just takes a little longer.

The second is the outside temperature. In very cold weather, insulation becomes even more important. Insulating beneath the tub, around the foundation, and keeping rigid insulation beneath the cedar lid while heating and between uses can dramatically improve heat retention and reduce the amount of wood needed to keep the water hot.

The third is the quality of the wood you are burning. Dry, well seasoned wood is essential, especially in winter. It burns hotter, produces less smoke, and transfers heat more efficiently. Many customers prepare their winter wood supply in advance so their tub performs at its best when temperatures drop.

We regularly see AlumiTubs used in temperatures as low as minus forty degrees, with consistent results.

What Actually Causes Freezing and Damage

There are only two things that can damage an AlumiTub in winter, and both are entirely preventable.

The first is lighting the fire without water in the tub. This is something everyone at your property should understand, as it can cause damage to the tub and pose a safety risk.

The second is allowing the tub or its plumbing to freeze while full of standing water.

Freezing is not about winter itself. It’s about water being left where it shouldn’t be. As long as water is either being kept above freezing through use, or fully drained when not in use, freeze damage is easy to avoid.

Using Your AlumiTub Through Winter vs Shutting It Down

The right winter approach depends on how often you plan to use your tub.

If you are soaking regularly throughout the winter, it usually makes sense to keep the tub in use. Regular heating keeps the water above freezing and reduces the need for draining or additional freeze protection. With proper insulation and a well fitting lid, many people use their tub all winter without issue.

If your property is on the grid and there is no risk of power loss, some owners choose to use a water de-icer or trough heater for added peace of mind during particularly cold stretches.

If the tub will sit unused for extended periods, especially at properties that are not visited often, a winter shutdown may be the better option. This simply means draining the tub completely and ensuring no standing water remains.

Both approaches are valid. The important thing is choosing one and being consistent.

How to Winterise an AlumiTub (If You’re Not Using It)

Winterising is only necessary if the tub will not be used during freezing conditions.

Because AlumiTubs are aluminium lined, winterisation is straightforward. Once drained, the tub can be wiped dry and covered completely. Some owners remove the chimney and use the firebox plate and cedar lid to keep all components protected.

If your AlumiTub uses a drain kit, opening the drain valve ensures no standing water remains in the PVC. If your tub uses a snap drain, there is no risk of freezing in the plumbing.

This ability to fully drain and dry the tub is one of the key differences between aluminium lined tubs and traditional cedar designs.

Why Aluminium Behaves Differently Than Traditional Cedar in Winter

Traditional cedar hot tubs rely on wood to both hold water and provide structure. Over time, moisture absorbed into the wood can freeze and expand, leading to leaks, rot, and a shorter lifespan.

AlumiTubs use a marine grade aluminium interior that does not absorb water. This allows the tub to be fully dried when needed and prevents freeze expansion issues. It also improves heat retention, speeds up heating, and reduces long term maintenance concerns in cold climates.

For many owners, this difference is what makes year round use realistic rather than stressful.

Customer experiences in winter

Check out our customer Kevin MacLean's video below to see how he uses his AlumiTub wood burning hot tub in extreme winter conditions:

 "I ordered a tub from you five years ago with the idea of turning this feed shed into a hot tub shack. 8track player, velvet paintings, movies n darts. It worked out better than I thought. I live in northern BC and wanted to use it year around. And do!. Even works at -40° 😀"

"I bought our hot tub from Alumi-Tubs about 5 years ago for the guest house I rent out on airbnb. It has worked great. It’s easy to clean for new guests, and I can also leave it empty in winter without damaging it like a wooden hot tub. I leave a little booklet in the house that explains how it works and sometimes I show them. They love it!" - Leo Downey, Rocky Mountain Buffalo Ranch & Cabins