Our Area & Hot Tub: Hot Tub Instructions
Our log-fired, cedar-wood hot tub is located in the wood behind Manesty. It seats four people and can be booked by the day for exclusive use at a price of £20.
The tub is kept locked. On the day of your booking you will be provided with a key, a copy of these instructions, either rubber foam or newspapers or firelighters, some kindling and a wheelbarrow-full of logs (more than sufficient to heat the tub).
Please read and follow the instructions carefully and if you have any questions or problems, please ask. The whole heating process takes between one and half to three hours, so we suggest you start early! However, if you used the tub the day before the water will be quite warm and will only take less than 3/4 hour to reheat.
Happy hot tubbing!
SAFETY
1. Be sensible
Do not use the tub under the influence of alcohol. Do not overheat the water; use the cold water at the bottom of the tub to cool it. If it gets too hot and only be a last resort top it up with cold water from the hose BUT this takes a lot of water. Do not use the hot tub if you have had diarrhoea or vomiting in the past two weeks. TAKE CARE when lighting and feeding the fire. The chimney gets very hot DO NOT TOUCH it!
2. Supervise children
Children, fire and deep water do not mix. Closely supervise children AT ALL TIMES. If you leave the tub, replace and lock the lid so that other children cannot use it.
3. Consider others
Please do not use the tub after 11pm. At all times, keep noise, and to-ing and fro-ing to a minimum. Use the route for your cottage that avoids going in front of other cottages.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
1. Emptying the hot tub
The tub is kept full to prevent the cedar wood drying out and causing leaks. Take off the lid and pull the plug chain found near the brown inlet pipe. As the tub empties, brush down the inside, seats and base with the broom. Rinse it out with the hosepipe.
2. Filling the tub (BEFORE lighting the fire)
Clear the plughole of debris, replace the plug firmly so that it will not leak and fill it with fresh water. The blue lever tap is located at the foot of the shelter. Turn the lever slowly one quarter turn anti-clockwise. Fill the tub to at least the bottom of the ‘R’ of ‘Rustic’; this will ensure the fire-box is covered with water and stop it from over-heating. Remember to turn the tap off! The tub should fill in a few of minutes, the last 2 inches will be slow, (do not use the hose). Replace the lid to retain heat while heating up the water.
3. Lighting the fire (AFTER filling the tub)
Take the metal lid off the fire box and put in either paper or fire lighters or rubber. Add kindling. Light the fire and bank it up to the top of the firebox with small dry logs. The fire will burn hottest (which is what you want) when the metal lid is open about 2-4 inches. This will also keep out the rain or splashes of water!
4. Feeding the fire
40 minutes after lighting bank up the fire to the top of the box again. When this load has burnt it is time to get ready to use the tub! Now feed only a few logs at a time. When you leave the tub the fire should have burnt right down. Leaving the tub with a fire box of flames and embers results in a dangerously overheated tub and is a waste of wood.
5. Controlling the temperature
Visit the tub frequently and regularly and more often after 1 and 1/2 hours. Optimum temperature for hot tubbing is between 37C – 42C at the top; use the thermometer. The bottom will be cold. Before getting in ensure it is warm down to the seat and if it is too hot carefully dig down to the bottom with the paddle 1 to 3 times to lift up some cold water.
Close the firebox completely once you have the water temperature nearly hot enough, the fire will continue to burn slowly and still heat the water. If you have brought up too much cold water re-open the lid 2 – 4 inches.
If it gets too hot, top up with cold water from the hose but this is a last resort. It takes a lot of water to cool it down. Overheating the water is dangerous, disappointing AND a waste of wood.
6. Enjoying your tub
The tub will seat 4 adults (or a family of 5) at a time. If you have more people, the water will over-flow and then when you get out it will leave the fire box exposed, and it may overheat and melt. Keep the tub topped up whenever the fire is lit.
7. Leaving the tub
Leave the tub full to the bottom of the “R” of ‘rustic’ (top it up if necessary). Close the lid of the firebox completely and lock the lid of the tub. The next users will empty and refill it.
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