Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
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Yes, Octagram tubs are designed for four seasons of use.
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Aluminum tubs can be left empty without causing damage or leaks. Cedar tubs must stay wet to avoid leaking or cracking, but Octagram aluminum tubs can sit empty anytime in any season. If you don’t plan to use your tub for a while, simply drain it. It will be waiting in the same condition when you’re ready to soak again.
Aluminum tubs are suitable for both fresh and salt water use. Unlike wooden tubs, which cannot tolerate corrosive environments, our marine-grade aluminum tubs are durable enough to hold sea water, allowing you the choice of a fresh or salt water soak.
Aluminum is more durable than wood and infinitely recyclable. By following some common sense guidelines, you can expect a lifetime of use from your Octagram tub while feeling good that it’s an environmentally responsible product.
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Cost and Quality. Octagram tubs are built to be higher quality and less expensive than others in the market. They’re the only aluminum wood fired hot tubs made in the USA, which eliminates heavy import customs and tariffs.
Strength and Durability. Octagram tubs are fully welded (without a single rivet) from marine-grade aluminum sheet, providing a smooth surface, superior strength, and integrity over time.
Comfort and Design. Our tub is more comfortable than traditional round tubs, which force the shoulders to rest against a concave surface, making it difficult to fully open your chest and breathe deeply. Our unique, octagonal shape is naturally ergonomic, providing a flat surface to ease your back and comfortably interact with others. Trust us—your shoulders will thank you.
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All Octagram Tubs are 100% manufactured in the USA and custom built in our family-owned metal fabrication shop in Maine.
We’re real people whose passion for being outdoors and reducing stress first inspired us to design and build Octagram tubs, and we’re excited to share our joy for soaking with you!
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Yes, we have designed our stove to be safe for use. A cedar divider separates the submersible stove from the soaking area to reduce the risk of accidental contact.
It is important to remember, however, that all wood burning hot tubs require common sense to prevent injury. Exposed areas of the stove and stove pipe can cause burns if touched, so it is imperative that you avoid contact with the metal stove, lid, stove pipe, or any part connecting them. You should also avoid reaching hands or feet under or around the partition while soaking, which could result in contact with the stove.
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Of course! Octagram tubs can easily be used for a cold plunge—just fill it with cold water and don’t light a fire in the stove!
If you’re looking for a tub without a stove that can be hooked up to a filter and chiller, please reach out to us about building a custom tub.
Try an Octagram Cold Plunge at Moki Sauna in Boston. Be sure to book the Somerville location for access.
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Yes. In addition to making custom cold plunges, we have worked with customers to design unique sizes, shapes, and one of a kind details to fit their specific needs. Use the contact form to inquire about a custom tub.
Shipping & Delivery
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Yes! Picking up your tub is the preferred and most economical way to get soaking. When placing an order, choose the free Pick Up option.
When your tub is ready, we will arrange a time for you to pick up at our shop in West Bath, Maine. Finished dimensions are 5’x5’x3’, which allows tubs to fit in most truck beds and trailers.
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We are pleased to offer local curbside delivery within about a 3 hour drive of our shop in West Bath, Maine.
If you wish to go this route, the price of delivery is broken down into these general tiers and will be generated based on your zip code at check out:
1 hour range: $600
2 hour range: $800
3 hour range: $1000
If your zip code is outside of this range (or you’re looking for island delivery serviced by a ferry), please contact us prior to ordering to discuss options and a quote.
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Absolutely! Please reach out to us through the contact form for more information and an accurate quote on shipping costs.
Installation & Set Up
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No, the tub comes fully assembled. Just install the stove pipe, give it an initial clean and rinse, and you’re ready to soak!
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The tub needs to sit on a level surface with room for the 5’x5’ tub, space for the drain pipe to run underneath, and an area to drain water.
Suitable materials for a platform include sand, gravel, dirt, flagstone, and cinderblocks. Patios and decks built to handle the weight of a filled tub are also great locations.
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Absolutely! We encourage using natural water sources, like lakes, ponds, or the ocean, to fill your tub as long as the water is deemed clean and safe for swimming. Always use common sense!
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Filling the tub is easy! Simply find a clean natural water source or turn on the garden hose.
When drawing from a low-capacity well, you may opt to fill the tub in two or three sessions to allow the well to recover.
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From a garden hose, it takes about 1 hour to fill the tub.
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Yes, the tub does not require electricity, but if you do not have access to a home well or water system, you will need to find a suitable water source.
Many off-grid energy sources, such as gravity, solar, gas, or batteries, can aid in moving water. Water delivery options may also be available in certain areas.
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The Octagram is a 5’x5’ octagonal tub that holds up to 300 gallons of water.
Please remember, however, that water naturally evaporates and displaces with use. Be sure to check the water level regularly, add more water as needed, and NEVER fire the wood stove if the water level falls below the fill line. The aluminum stove must remain completely submerged or it will sustain damage.
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With 2-4 people and some fore-thought, it’s pretty easy.
The Octagram tub weighs about 200 pounds empty and comes clad in cedar with the benches and stove bolted to the structure.
Our favorite way to move an Octagram Tub is to ratchet strap it on a steel utility cart (remove the sides so it’s a flat platform) and steer it into place.
Another great way to easily transport it is to place it on a large “H" frame built out of 2'‘x4'‘ boards and move it like a litter.
If the entire tub is too heavy to move into place, the benches and stove can be removed to reduce the carrying weight.
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The empty tub weighs 200 pounds and can be filled with up to 300 gallons of water, which weigh approximately 2,500 pounds, making the total filled weight approximately 2,700 pounds. This does not account for the weight of people or anything else on the platform.
Heating & Maintenance
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Make sure the water reaches the fill line. The aluminum stove will melt if it is not fully submerged.
Start a fire with kindling.
Add small pieces of firewood in a vertical orientation until the fire is well established. Add only one level of firewood beyond the coals to avoid damaging or warping the aluminum stove.
Stir the water in the tub often to circulate the heat.
Add wood to the fire every 20 to 30 minutes to increase the temperature more quickly.
When the water reaches about 90°F, add wood as needed. From this point, it takes approximately 15 minutes for the water to reach temperatures between 102°F to 105°F depending on ambient temperature.
If the water is too hot, cool it by adding water and make sure lid is closed.
If water is not hot enough, add more wood and make sure the lid is open.
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Any seasoned, regular-length firewood will work. Smaller, soft wood makes the hottest and quickest fires. Choose firewood between 1” and 4” in diameter. Larger-sized firewood and hardwoods work best to slowly heat the tub over a few hours.
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Not at all! To best control the tub’s temperature, stir the water frequently. This action evenly distributes the coldest water at the bottom and provides the most accurate reading of the overall temperature.
Over time, you will establish a relationship with the wood stove, learning how to account for weather, firewood, and other elements when trying to manage the water temperature.
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If the water is too cold:
Open the stove lid to allow increased air flow
Add more wood to the fire
If the water is too hot:
Fully close and damp down the lid
Add more water or snow
And always remember to stir the water to ensure an even temperature throughout.
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The initial heating will take about 90 to 120 minutes depending on ambient and water temperatures.
With regular use, expect to return the tub to your preferred soaking temperature within 20 to 40 minutes.
Even in the winter, the water will remain at approximately 90°F the morning following a soak.
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At the preferred temperature, the tub will stay hot for the length of a typical soaking session. To keep the tub hot for prolonged soaking sessions, simply add a few small logs to the fire and leave the stove lid wide open until the tub reheats to your preferred temperature. Once the tub reaches your preferred temperature, damp down the stove to prevent overheating. Add cold water or snow if it gets too hot.
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With regular use and no water treatment, the water should remain fresh for one and two weeks between refills. Of course, the longevity of the water will depend on unique factors such as usage, pre-soaking hygiene practices, ambient temperature, and personal preferences.
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No—that’s the beauty of a chemical-free hot tub! Unlike traditional hot tubs that stay warm, Octagram tubs return to ambient temperature when not in use, which naturally reduces the presence of the harmful bacteria that thrive in warm environments.
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There are some chemical-free ways to extend the clarity and purity of your water between fills, such as showering before soaking and keeping the tub covered when not in use. Submersible pool and hot tub filters can be used to clarify the water by removing sediment and particles, and gentle additives like hydrogen peroxide or bromine, will also help to extend water purity for up to two weeks.
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Chemical-free tub water can be emptied back to the earth or used to water gardens and lawns.
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You can easily clean the aluminum tub and benches with a gentle cleanser, like dish soap, and a scrub brush. Just rinse and refill when you’re ready to start your next soak!
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Make sure the lid to the stove is fully shut to avoid water getting in the stove.
Keep the cedar cover on the tub to keep heat in and debris out.
Never drain the tub if there is a fire in the stove. The stove is aluminum and requires the water to conduct the heat. If the stove is hot and out of the water it could melt or sustain damage.
Winter Use & Care
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Yes. In fact, winter is our favorite season to use the tub! There’s nothing like frosty hair and snow angels between soaks.
Always use common sense where ice and snow have formed.
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To winterize the tub, we recommend plugging the tub drain to limit standing water from freezing in the drainage pipe and preventing the tub from draining.
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To avoid damage to the stove, we do not recommend letting ice form in the tub.
During a cold winter, ice typically does not develop until a few days after the tub’s last use, and anecdotally we have found the structure of the aluminum tub and stove to be sturdy enough to tolerate a few inches of ice between firings with no damage, but care should be taken when you see ice developing.
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There are several options to prevent water from freezing in the tub:
Light a small fire every few days between soaks
Consider filling the tub with salt water, as it does not freeze as quickly as fresh water
Use a stock water tank heater or agitator
Leave the tub empty when you anticipate longer stretches between soaks
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Avoid placing the tub in areas of significant wind exposure, as the water will take longer to heat.
To insulate the tub, consider placing it on ridge foam or lining the water surface directly under the cedar lid with ridge foam.
When draining and cleaning the tub in sub-freezing temperatures, a little planning goes a long way. Try to drain the tub when the water is warm to naturally melt ice that may have developed in the draining pipes.
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