KOLKOL Woodfired Hot Tubs Instruction Manual
- June 13, 2024
- KOLKOL
Table of Contents
KOLKOL Woodfired Hot Tubs
How to: Heat the tub
WARNING: Do NOT start a fire before the wood-fired stove is submerged in water! Do NOT drain the tub with hot coals or fire in the wood-fired stove!
- Position the tub as level as possible to ensure that sufficient water surrounds the stove when the fire is burning.
- Fill the tub with water until it surrounds the chimney.
- Place the pool cover on the water surface. This will ensure a quicker heating time.
- Place a burning piece of fire starter at the bottom of the stove directly beneath the lid.
- Stack some dry, chopped wood on top of the fire starter and place your larger pieces of wood on top of this. Smaller pieces of wood will burn more readily at the start of the heating process.
- Dry blue gum, black wattle, Rooikrans, or even pinecones are good burning materials.
- Place the lid back on the stove, leaving open the air intake on the right-hand side of the stove at maximum.
- After about 5 minutes there should be a nice, big fire going with the heating process in full swing.
- Add some more chopped, dry wood and stoke the fire every 15-20 minutes.
- For better results, the water can be stirred after every stoking.
- Heating time is about an hour to an hour and 45 minutes (depending on the starting temperature of the water.)
- Please do not touch the chimney, the top part of the stove that is above the water level, or the top of the lid with your bare hands. Although they are double-layered and protected, they do still get hot.
- Remove the cover when the water is at a desired temperature and close the air intake to choke the fire. The temperature will keep rising if you keep the air intake open!
- Fill your glass and enjoy!
- Place the cover back during nighttime, to enjoy your wood-fired hot tub the next morning.
How to: Care for your tub and other precautions
WARNING: Do NOT start a fire before the wood-fired stove is submerged in water! Do NOT drain the tub with hot coals or fire in the wood-fired stove!
The tub is extremely durable, mainly due to the Marine-Grade Stainless steel and polyethylene used in the manufacturing of the product. Stainless steel is remarkable for its ability to resist corrosion and is an excellent heat conductor. The water that surrounds the stove keeps the Stainless steel from overheating. Your stove will last a lifetime if used with caution. You must not start a fire before water surrounds the stove, as it may become unstable and even buckle and require welding repair. Make sure your outlet tap is closed before starting the fire. For the same reason you should not drain the tub while a fire is still burning or while there are still hot coals inside the stove. Leave the water in the tub until the coals are completely burned out and cooled down or pour some water into the stove if you wish to speed up the cool-down process. If you do pour water into the stove, remember to remove your stove and clean it out as the combination of water and ash may cause corrosion.
Always keep the water levels high enough to at least surround the bottom part of the chimney. This will ensure that the flat surface around the chimney is not exposed to the air and the water will thus cool it down. Cleaning is recommended every time the tub is drained. You may use an ammoniac-based all- purpose cleaner and cold water to clean the polyethylene tub and the outside surface of the stove. To clean the inside, simply unscrew the stove. Lift it out and throw the ash out. The stove may be removed while there is water in the tub, but it is not recommended, as the stove will bounce out of the water as a result of its buoyancy and perhaps cause damage to the tub. For this reason, it will require two persons to remove the stove safely from the tub, one to hold down the stove while the other unscrews the knobs. The same procedure should be followed when replacing the stove while there is water in the tub.
However, you do not have to clean the stove after every use. Merely move the ash build-up away from the air- -intake to the other side of the stove. If required, you may use chlorine to keep the water in the tub clean and clear. We do not suggest that you use a floater as this may stain your tub. Rather dilute the chlorine in a bucket before pouring it into your tub. Be sure to check with your local pool shop regarding quantities and ensure you follow instructions properly to avoid discoloration of your tub. We also do not suggest using chlorine for extended periods of time. Remember that the stove and the chimney are extremely hot while the fire is burning inside. PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH IT. When traveling with your tub, remember to tighten it down very securely! Please note:
How to: Care for your tub
WARNING
Do NOT start a fire before the wood-fired stove is submerged in water! Do NOT
drain the tub with hot coals or fire in the wood-fired stove!
Stainless steel oven and flue
Whether using stainless steel outdoors or indoors you still need to clean periodically especially in aggressive coastal environments A good clean at least once a month is advised, where the best way to clean stainless steel is to wash it with soap (or mild detergent) and warm water, followed by a rinsing with cold water. Metal-based scouring pads, cleaning wool, or wire brushes must not be used on stainless steel. Apart from scratching the surface, these pads can leave carbon steel deposits on the stainless surface, which can subsequently develop into rust. Non-stainless steel wire brushes must not be used.
Wood on the Egg hot tub
The wood we use on our hot tubs does not need to be treated. It will naturally
change color to light grey/silver after about 7-9 months. Should you not want
the color to change, it can be treated in the same way you would treat any
timber wood (preferably with a good quality wood oil and not varnish). If not
treated the color will change to a light grey/silver color as in the picture
below.
- The wood is Extremely durable for any weather conditions and needs almost no maintenance.
- Wood borers and termites are safe.
- Wood is filled with an aqua-phobic substance, it reduces moisture absorption which slows down the rate of decay and fungal growth.
Removing the oven to clean
When removing the oven for cleaning make sure to put it back exactly the same
way with the openings towards the tub seating side. If you do not put it back
correctly, it may cause the tub to burn.
KolKol wood-fired hot tubs Tel: 021 905 5590
E-mail: info@kolkol.co.za
www.kolkol.co.za