Hunt'n Hot Tubs

Hunt'nFish · 02-02-2009, 02:19 PM

Anybody ever try this?

My Brother & I were doing a little dreaming & scheming.....redneck hot tubs style.
Please share some pics.

He was thinking of snagging an old hot-tub and working it over to run on propane.
I suggested circulating the water through a coil buried under the campfire.
Hunt'nFish

Bow Kill · 02-02-2009, 02:38 PM

Now that would be nice on a long cold day.

dckkllr · 02-02-2009, 02:41 PM

I know they make ones that run off of a wood stove type system. I used to see them advertised fairly frequently. Good luck. Sounds fun.

Eagleclaw · 02-02-2009, 02:46 PM

they sell those small portable ones that are like 300.00 just bring a generator and your set

Tulelicious · 02-02-2009, 02:50 PM

I helped build one that is wood fired. Works great, We used galvanized pipe to circulate thru an old wood stove. Used a 12 Volt RV pump to circulate the water thru the coils and back into the tub. It takes about 12 hrs to bring the tub to temperature. We thought about doing it propane but were too cheap. The only draw back to the wood is you gotta keep on the fire to keep it hot. Once hot it doesn't take much to keep the water at hot tub temp for several days as long as you have a cover for the tub.

I think the key is getting the coils the right length. Too short and the water passes thru without gaining much heat. Too long and the water gets too hot and steams towards the end. I can find out the length we used. I didn't engineer that part of the stove. I was the circulation guy.

I would say you can do the coils in a camp fire but the problem is you want it close to the tub and wind can make your tub get ash in it and smoke in your face. We put a tall stack on the stove to prevent this problem.

I will see if I can dig up some pictures of the setup.

FYI this is not a portable type of thing but set up at a cabin in the woods. If you wanted some more portable consider using a galvanized water trough for the tub.

Here are the Pics. Redneck Style

The Stove Doubles as a Cook Top if you want to be efficient

Bill Monroe · 02-02-2009, 04:03 PM

From The Oregonian...Fall 1997

By Bill Monroe

Technology has invaded the plaid-flannel tradition of Oregon's high country.
This time of year, Oregon's northeastern mountains pulse with the pioneer spirit: hunters eating what they shoot, climbing steep canyons before dawn and huddling over pine-pitch fires after dusk.

Tent cities fill with men and women who would rather wake up to snow than a morning commute.
They are tough and tenacious, passionate and unshaven.
Then along comes . . . three men in a tub.
A hot tub, to be precise, unlike anything you'll find at the local spa shop. A mobile contraption that's taped, wired and pieced together in an open camp trailer.
Just add water.
``You can't believe how good it feels on sore muscles to climb in here after a day on the mountain,'' said Jerry Gaylord of Portland, snuggling his hairy bare shoulders beneath the surface of four feet of piping hot water.
Aromatic smoke from a crackling campfire danced to the music of a mountain creek before curling upward with the steam into the Blue Mountain pines over his head.
Droplets of cold rain died quickly on the steamy surface of 500 gallons of water as Gaylord; his son, Mark; and his brother, Doug, traded camp memories and talked about the next day's chase.
``It's even better in the snow,'' Jerry Gaylord muttered peacefully beneath steam-fogged spectacles and half-closed eyes as he leaned his head back to soak.
The Oregon spririt has come a long way from covered wagons and roast rabbit.
Children trick-or-treat from tent to tent on Halloween, and hunters return from a hard day in the woods to hot showers, wall-to-wall carpet, propane ovens, electric lights and even satellite television.
The Gaylords' hot tub, however, is a new twist.
The first thing Doug, Jerry and Mark Gaylord do after a tough day in elk country is fire up Jerry's diesel-engine steam cleaner to heat the spa's water.
When the air temperature hovers around freezing, their haven can lose 10 degrees despite its insulated lid. The steam hose is the best way to warm it up in a hurry.
``I just stick the sump in one side and the hose in the other, and we're back up to 105 degrees in a couple of minutes,'' Jerry Gaylord said.
None of the Gaylords have hot tubs at home, but they have developed their elk-season mobile comforter through several years of trial and error.
The ``tub'' fits into a 4-foot by 4-foot by 8-foot trailer, lined with slabs of insulation and two layers of plastic sheeting. It sits atop a steel frame reinforced with four freshly sawed stumps at each corner.
A streamside gas generator powers a water pump that draws enough water from the 42-degree creek to nearly fill the 500-gallon trailer within an hour.
Then Jerry Gaylord, who works for the city of Portland and moonlights with an engine-cleaning business, flicks a couple of switches on his steamer, and the machine belches into action with a volcanic explosion.
Flame, smoke and steam billow into the air as water from the streamside pump is circulated through the furnace coils, heating it enough to melt grease.
``The DEQ probably won't want to see this!'' Gaylord shouted over the roar of the engine and through the smoke as he adjusted a stream of hot water spewing into the trailer.
Gloppita-gloppita-gloppita, the machine chugged. The curled hose jumped in sync with the machine's pump as steam bubbled into the pool.
A floating thermometer stained with diesel soot floated around the surface, recording the increasing warmth as the Gaylords eagerly awaited their first dip.
Jerry likes 110-degree water, but Mark and Doug, both contractors, usually talk him into leaving it at 105.
If it gets too hot, they either cool it off from the stream or jump out and gather loads of snow with their bare arms from the hoods of their pickups.
``Your body temperature is so warm you don't even feel the cold,'' Jerry Gaylord said.
Doug Gaylord sprinkled chlorine into the tub of crystal-clear manmade hot spring.
``Sometimes we have to use cow ponds, and it gets a bit of murk to it,'' he explained. ``We don't always know where we're going to get our water.''
One year they had to haul it in the pickup from a stagnant watering hole a mile away.
It took more than one load, and ``we had to drive real slow,'' Jerry Gaylord said.
After that, they took along 55-gallon drums, which is how they know it takes between 400 and 500 gallons to fill the trailer.
Another year, they misjudged in adding the chlorine, and ``everyone went home with white splotchy trunks,'' Doug Gaylord said.
They drain the water from the tub onto the ground when they leave.
The Gaylords are something of a backwoods curiosity to those they encounter. Other hunters stop to take pictures. U.S. Forest Service patrols are usually good for a double-take, but the Gaylords revel more in relieving sore muscles and setting up a good night's sleep than creating a stir.
Have they ever thought about charging other hunters for the privilege of taking a dip? ``No way!'' Doug Gaylord said emphatically. ``We'd have to get out.''

Tar Heel · 02-02-2009, 04:57 PM

Those underwater wood stove tubs once work real good. An ouftit in Seattle makes them, I think. A much easier and cheaper option is a riverside sauna-- you probably heard of or seen.
We made them with tarps a couple of times when we were rafting, and as long as you don't mind jumping in an ice cold river to clean the sweat off, they are pretty good too. Just build a tarp tent w/ a fire in it, get some boulders hot, and pour water over the rocks.

Turnerjo13 · 02-02-2009, 05:21 PM

my uncle built a portable hot tube that he could take camping. He made the tub shape out of a piece of vinyl or some sort of tuff water holding material. He the sowed a piece of foam around the top of the tub that would float the top when it was filled with water. He made some sort of aluminum contraption that he could build a fire in to heat the water.

Hunt'nFish · 02-02-2009, 05:39 PM

Brian, Those are some KILLER pics. Exactly the thing I was looking for!

Turner, hummm. Now that an interesting idea. Forget the coil, hoses & pump...
and put the fire box right IN the tub.
Humm, yer giving me an idea.
Hunt'nFish

PS: BTW, you guys have seen the You Tube Video: "Gomer's Redneck Hot Tub" right?
The ol fire under a cast iron tub would work....but not very big.

thefishslayer · 02-02-2009, 05:45 PM

come on, seriously, hot tubs while hunting!!

Usually a fire will warm me up, not sure about you guys though

Gun Rod Bow · 02-02-2009, 05:50 PM

Just the natural ones near Filmore Utah and Hart Mtn OR.

Tulelicious · 02-02-2009, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunt'nFish

put the fire box right IN the tub.

Be careful with this. Make sure you don't lean up against it when you in the tub.. Ive seen one like this and it worked pretty good. The only problem is it takes up precious tub room and you accidently touch it while in the tub you may be sorry. Diggin the liner, floating foam ring, portable concept. Defiantly made my brain fire up some.

DTSportsman · 02-02-2009, 07:04 PM

Mike,

I think this is the one you're looking for, simple to make, and it'll warm you up in a HURRY.

Orion · 02-02-2009, 07:20 PM

I hear banjo music in the background...

Bow Kill · 02-02-2009, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DTSportsman

Mike,

I think this is the one you're looking for, simple to make, and it'll warm you up in a HURRY.

Looks like they started filming broke back mtn part 2.

thefishslayer · 02-02-2009, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bow Kill

Looks like they started filming broke back mtn part 2.

hahaha!! i was thinking something like that also

Rank Amateur · 02-02-2009, 07:50 PM

No that is burnt back mountain! So is it too late when the water starts boiling????

Buck50 · 02-02-2009, 08:31 PM

Bill I remember that article. That was cool, they got it figured out!

Joes has a small inflatable, what is essintally a wading pool that would probably work. The wife wants one for the backyard. But in the woods, again you gotta figure out the heating.

We've never camped "light", we're old and the comfort something like that would bring would be priceless! Alaways dreaming....

Jim

TheRutt · 02-02-2009, 09:55 PM

My Dad lives up in Washington and told me that there is about 10 to 15 guy that hunt up by him every year they bring 1 hot tub, 1 pooltable,1 indust. size generator, 1 circus size tent, and anufe food to feed the amy for a month with 2 kegs of beer in a small freezer the place is huge.

OR Coast Range · 02-03-2009, 07:47 AM

Wow. A couple things going through my mind here:

1) Your closest friends sharing a tub out in the middle of the nowhere. The whole concept seems very - hmm, how to put this delicately.

2) After putting in a long day of hunting, I can work up a pretty good sweat. Unless the water is changed after each use, I'd guess that the "hunter's stew" would be pretty gross. Portable showers would be the answer I guess, but if you have warm showers then what's the point?

However, I understand the appeal. The engineering task itself sounds interesting. I don't know what I'd think if I saw a camp with one, but more power to you.

Legend21 · 02-03-2009, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tulelicious

I helped build one that is wood fired. Works great, We used galvanized pipe to circulate thru an old wood stove. Used a 12 Volt RV pump to circulate the water thru the coils and back into the tub. It takes about 12 hrs to bring the tub to temperature. We thought about doing it propane but were too cheap. The only draw back to the wood is you gotta keep on the fire to keep it hot. Once hot it doesn't take much to keep the water at hot tub temp for several days as long as you have a cover for the tub.

I think the key is getting the coils the right length. Too short and the water passes thru without gaining much heat. Too long and the water gets too hot and steams towards the end. I can find out the length we used. I didn't engineer that part of the stove. I was the circulation guy.

I would say you can do the coils in a camp fire but the problem is you want it close to the tub and wind can make your tub get ash in it and smoke in your face. We put a tall stack on the stove to prevent this problem.

I will see if I can dig up some pictures of the setup.

FYI this is not a portable type of thing but set up at a cabin in the woods. If you wanted some more portable consider using a galvanized water trough for the tub.

Here are the Pics. Redneck Style

The Stove Doubles as a Cook Top if you want to be efficient

Oh man...Jeff Foxworthy would be proud!

Hunt'nFish · 02-03-2009, 08:51 AM

Although I'm pretty serious about my hunt'n, I can still have a little fun. Some hunts are more serious than others. Obviously we aren't going to pack something like this in on the mules.
But, the inflatable pool idea.....now, I'm not ruling that one out.

But seriously, what I was thinking was an old tank of some sort.......a BIG tank. Cut the top off or hinge it for a lid. Weld in a 12" dia pipe crossways for a firebox. maybe weld a hoop of expanded metal around it for a spacer to prevent burns and increase surface area for heat transfer efficiency. Weld in some brackets for wooden bench seats or maybe weld in some benches to reduce the internal water volume needed to fill it....or maybe just make the benches the fire boxes.
Oh heck the possibilities are endless.

But the costs would dictate completion more than anything. Easy to dream, tougher to put into reality.
Old hot tubs are a dime a dozen. Tulelicious' example is by far more achievable.
Hunt'nFish

Raining_Kings · 02-03-2009, 09:37 AM

Think pond liner, truck bed, zodi water heater and beans for bubbles! Or maybe a T8, your choice.

Actually have heard of the liner and truck bed trick, but never seen it first person.

Found this on google, but didn't quite work out as planned
http://g2gsk8.blogspot.com/2007/11/redneck-hot-tub.html

Tulelicious · 02-03-2009, 09:57 AM

Old Hot Tub = Free
Old wood stove = Free
Pipe to plumb = $50
RV Pump = $20

Watching your buddy blast a squirrel while soaking his bones in the tub = Priceless.

Old Guys Rule · 02-03-2009, 01:11 PM

I saw some guys 10 years or so ago build a hot tub in the back of a pickup. Lined the bed with visqueen. Filled it with a bucket brigade from the creek. Run a steam clean power washer off a gas generator, intake hose is in the bed, power washer is inside the bed against an edge so the water circulates. In an hour, hot water jacuzzi. The only thing I would improve on is block the frame so the water weight does not pop any tires.

Pretty cool set up, wish I had a camera at the time.

Mikew · 02-03-2009, 08:39 PM

I watched some Boy Scouts build a tub by placing small logs stacked as in a log cabin (about 4 high x 6-8' long) lashed together, they lined it with black plastic, stapled it in place, placed a coiled copper pipe in a fire, used an rv water pump (12v) to pump the water from a creek through the fire into the hot tub. It worked great and was very hot.
Mike

Raining_Kings · 02-04-2009, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunt'nFish

Although I'm pretty serious about my hunt'n, I can still have a little fun. Some hunts are more serious than others. Obviously we aren't going to pack something like this in on the mules.
But, the inflatable pool idea.....now, I'm not ruling that one out.

But seriously, what I was thinking was an old tank of some sort.......a BIG tank. Cut the top off or hinge it for a lid. Weld in a 12" dia pipe crossways for a firebox. maybe weld a hoop of expanded metal around it for a spacer to prevent burns and increase surface area for heat transfer efficiency. Weld in some brackets for wooden bench seats or maybe weld in some benches to reduce the internal water volume needed to fill it....or maybe just make the benches the fire boxes.
Oh heck the possibilities are endless.

But the costs would dictate completion more than anything. Easy to dream, tougher to put into reality.
Old hot tubs are a dime a dozen. Tulelicious' example is by far more achievable.
Hunt'nFish

Found just what you need...

It even has wheels!

StevenB · 02-04-2009, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orion

I hear banjo music in the background...

Depends on who your hunting partners are. If the wrong toes happened to touch I think it might end the hunting buddy relationship right away.

I tried one of these projects but ended up with an airlock. Should have used a water pump. Made the tub out of plywood in an angle bar frame with a pond liner in it.(no fish)

Great thread.

StevenB

Hunt'nFish · 02-04-2009, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raining_Kings

Found just what you need...

It even has wheels!

OMG!!! I LOVE IT! ....Now someone was thinking!
Oh Heck Yeah...weld in a firebox and we're set!
Kinda gives new meaning to Dumpster Diving doesn't it?!?!

Hunt'nFish

Hunt'nFish · 12-31-2011, 12:42 PM

Well with very few ducks in the area to chase, I thought I'd dredge up this old thread.
I ran across something new....... the Snorkel Stove. Kinda interesting.
Supposedly you can drop it right into a water trough and it will heat the water right up.
Hunt'nFish

NeverGuess · 12-31-2011, 01:28 PM

I always thought one of these made from a big plastic water trough would be cool.

Amahnee · 12-31-2011, 02:34 PM

My buddy uses a 100 gallon galvanized stock tank on cinder blocks with a crab cooker underneath. Works slick...

TrailBlazer · 12-31-2011, 04:38 PM

Some threads should never die.....some cool ideas and a couple not so!
I miss Lemans hot springs myself!

Sunnygx · 12-31-2011, 04:51 PM

Here are my huntin hot tubs. It is all about location.
http://oregonhotsprings.immunenet.com/

Bait Bucket · 12-31-2011, 05:03 PM

Similar to the submersible burners we used in Vietnam. Works great with a disgarded 1000 gallon wingtank. Burned gasoline. Made great hot showers when you could get one. You can still find them in surplus stores. Look under field mess gear.

Hunt'nFish · 12-31-2011, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bait Bucket

Similar to the submersible burners we used in Vietnam. Works great with a disgarded 1000 gallon wingtank. Burned gasoline. Made great hot showers when you could get one. You can still find them in surplus stores. Look under field mess gear.

Is this what your talking about???
Hunt'nFish

Genuine Issue M67 Immersion Heater [M67]
Issue U.S. Army M67 Immersion Heater in new unissued surplus condition, however they may have minor surface rust from storage.

Designed to attach to the side of a 32 gallon metal trash can (or other metal barrel of the same size or larger) while being submersed inside. These will heat the entire can of water almost to a boil. The military used these primarily for cleaning mess kits/trays, utensils, canteens, and the water to take a bird bath. They come complete with manual and smoke pipes. Come in their original crates. These heaters can run off multiple fuel sources as stated in the manual. This item would be perfect for ice fishing, hunting, long camping trips, and many other purposes.

Fuel that can be used - Gas. Authorized alternatives: Kerosene, Diesel, Jet Fuel

Capacities:
Fuel Tank - 2.2 gallons (8.33 liters)
Heat Output - 35,000 BTU (British Thermal Units)
Cubage, crated - 5.6 cubic feet

Diameter:
Combustion Chamber - 14 inches (35.6 cm)
Pipe - 4 inches (10.2 cm)

Length:
Burner - 8 7/8 inches (22.5 cm)
Heater Only - 34 inches (86.4 cm)
Heater with Fuel Tank - 35 1/4 inches (89.5 cm)

Shipping Weight and Dimensions:
Crated - 64 pounds
38"x18"x17"

Bait Bucket · 12-31-2011, 07:09 PM

Yes but the ones we used were probably left over from the Korean War.

FireHead · 12-31-2011, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunt'nFish

Well with very few ducks in the area to chase, I thought I'd dredge up this old thread.
I ran across something new....... the Snorkel Stove. Kinda interesting.
Supposedly you can drop it right into a water trough and it will heat the water right up.
Hunt'nFish

One of my parents neighbors has one of those at their cabin on the WA peninsula. It works great and is far less work than having a real hot tub in the woods!