Inflatable Hot Tub Hacks - Immersion Heater and Insulated cover

[@Russellviews]

Great idea. As you have emphasized and I will again, please folks do not get in the tub with the immersion heater ever. That could end in a horrific manner.

[@danielweston9188]

and could short across the main unit - killing it......

[@jeffludwig1189]

I heat my inflatable hot tub with a camping water heater & a water pump. The pump sends the water from the tub and into the water heater. The water heater, via a propane tank, super heats the water (140 degrees) and discharges the hot water into the tub. Wayyyyyy faster than the hot tub heater.

[@q.t.expressenterprisesllc9581]

What’s the details of the unit you use?

[@Ronaldo-nj9pi]

@@q.t.expressenterprisesllc9581 I use a camplux 40K BTU. Find the highest flow one you can. The higher the flow the more efficient it will be (the more energy is absorbed) Mine is 1.73 GPM. I run it with the flame about halfway. I can heat the hot tub from 80 degrees to 104 in about 2 hours. but from 90 to 104 in less than an hour. I used the 1.73 GPM one for about 3 seasons now (I am in the North USA), it still works, but I am looking to get a 5 GPM with the same BTU or greater BTU. It will heat the water faster and more efficiently.

[@mgtowalfa508]

Dude this is actually GENIUS! Not only that but I didn’t even know they had portable water heaters. That solves multiple problems for me. THANK YOU

[@jeffludwig1189]

@@q.t.expressenterprisesllc9581 this is the camping water heater I use: Camplux 5L 1.32 GPM Outdoor Portable Propane Tankless Water Heater. I just removed the showerhead so the heated water could flow right back into the hot tub.

[@ruscala322]

Use a high wattage aquarium heater jnstead, much safer. I have one in my Amazon basket waiting as we speak

[@Heatherreseller]

So lame they don’t insulate the covers more. Super cheap quality and easy to puncture. I knew there had be some way to help insulate. Tfs

[@benniedonald]

I'm thinking 4 of these and a 5,000 kw generator. I love Tim the tool man Taylor. 😅😅😅😅

[@jahsunshine8891]

4x of these 1,500watts each = 6,000watts..that 5,000w generator you mentioned, will not be able to handle 4 of them. Barely 3 will work on 5kwatts.

[@brybythebay]

Great ideas. I was disappointed at how long it takes to heat up the tub, I was about to return mine until I came across your video. Thanks! ( Now, if I can just convince my wife that it's safe)

[@smitteninthemitten3777]

Thanks. It’s totally safe. Just don’t get in the tub with the immersion heater.

[@brybythebay]

Good advice. Hey, how well did the added insulation help keep the heat in, how much did the temp. drop over night?@@smitteninthemitten3777

[@gnlout]

i swear i got 2 degrees per hour in the winter. but then i've got the 85 or 90 inch tub- 4-5 person max. def will try an immersion heater

[@rockerdad2]

Cant you just add hot water from the kitchen??

[@theemeraldfox7779]

I did, worked perfectly

[@niltomega2978]

Another way folks is to keep a 5-gallon bucket of water beside your tub and just heat it up in like 10 minutes. When the tub cools off just pour it in

[@yoru6grad]

Fellow Michigander here , thank you for the advice !

[@hichrisperry]

Anyone put insulation board underneath? 👀

[@smitteninthemitten3777]

I did.

[@hichrisperry]

@@smitteninthemitten3777 just got ours set up yesterday and noticing it's not heating up... Time to attack it. Really appreciate the video. Gonna do the insulation under with what you showed here. Have a tankless water heater so may get a long ass hose to go from kitchen sink to it, too. 5 gallon bucket technique seems like a good immediate backup for when it cools while you're in it. Found anything else that helps some this video? Really appreciate it, bro.

[@robertm2663]

I put 2" sheet insulation down between my inflatable tub and the cement slab. I also have a second cover called and EnergySense cover, so my tub will heat about 4 ° an hour.

[@smitteninthemitten3777]

Nice!

[@ckeilah]

I’m gonna use a turkey fryer

[@MykMallett]

Is this more efficient? What are the electricity bills like for you in comparison to using the water heater?

[@hemetelectricalservices]

It's not degrees. It's actually Watts. I could be wrong unless you like really hot hot tubs.😅

[@alexandergauthier7824]

Thanks man, I was trying to figure out if it would melt the plastic :) Great call on the Lowe's insulation, smart!

[@smitteninthemitten3777]

Thanks!

[@josephhubbard5299]

I put the immersion heater in a crystal 1 gallon plastic water bottle that I opened the top up on, a few rocks in the water bottle to keep it on the bottom of the tub. The water boils out of the jug and into the tubs water heater/ circulation inlet. Works fast, good and won't cook the tub liner. NEVER trust a Chinese electrical product with your life. I wear rubber gloves and shoes even plugging it in and unplugging it. But it does really assist the system to bring the heat up faster.

[@jazzrat2000]

Very cool. I use one of these outside of the hot tub to heat water in order to put it back in the hot tub and keep the temperature up as we use it. As it says on the heater though it's very important to stress you cannot put your hand in the water when the thing is plugged in. That's a little too much trusting of fate.

[@Russellviews]

Nice idea since they do cool off rather fast. I've been running into the house to fill a large pot with hot water to reheat. ...Your idea is way better...lol

[@rustic35]

😂

[@Flexy_Lexie]

I’ve been hearing water in pots like a pioneer woman 😂

[@mikekenney1947]

1500 degrees? I don’t think so. 1500watts maybe.

[@jahsunshine8891]

Did you read the videos caption details?. He covered that there.

[@alexanderspear7332]

Smort

[@sueellenmcgoey6095]

Thank was wondering if i could use my old immersion heater with the tub! Used it 30 years to heat my horses oats in winter

[@Shop_Simplicity]

I bought from Costco and the app always you to set timers, plus the Costco one came with a additional winter cover

[@mikeyii]

Hey man - Same concerns here and my immersion heater is on the way. I have typically kept my pump running 24/7. Do you cycle yours on and off depending on use?

[@smitteninthemitten3777]

I only turn the tub and immersion heater on, on days I plan to use it. Together, I can get nearly 5 degrees an hour.

[@mikeyii]

Thanks for the reply! I’m thinking about letting ours keep running, and I’m considering supplementing it with the submersible for really nasty cold nights/days. Hopefully so that the pump heater doesn’t have to work so hard.

[@turbot-iv5zn]

Great vid, thanks. Do you experience any corrosion with it being in chlorinated water?

[@smitteninthemitten3777]

Nope

[@garygoldstein7815]

There must be an obvious answer to my question but I need help so here it is: Why can't you connect a hose to your shower or sink as use that hot water?

[@smitteninthemitten3777]

You can. I did. But, the tub holds way more than a typical water heater tank. I ran a hose to my laundry sink. Same threads.

[@loislane4583]

Ive tried using these for my inflatable pool(its a 250 gallon one) so its rather large as far as inflatable pools go, and mine other than turning the water BROWN, it didnt heat anything at all. The button was illuminated so it was working and I could see what appeared to be bubbles, but I stuck my hand in water(unplugged first ofc) and the water still felt the same. Matter fact, I have a thermometer, and it didnt even BUDGE the temp. Not sure if mine is a bad one, or these are all crap.

[@AuntLALA]

I put mine in a collapsible bucket and pour it in the tub. I actually bought a huge blow up kid pool with seats and heat resistant lol I'm out in the woods and made my own make shift hot tub

[@jimsmith4801]

Great idea's. Can you not leave the heater on 24/7 like a normal hot tub and it stay around 100 to use anytime or do you have to pre plan when you are going to use in. Indiana resident.

[@smitteninthemitten3777]

You certainly can and then wouldn’t need the extra heater, but these heaters use a LOT of electricity and I go days between uses of my tub.

[@HasterSireen]

As the immersion heater manufacturer i might now suggest to continous heating ,kindly unplug and let the wire cool down little bit after few hours heating .

[@buckJuddson]

I connected my propane camp shower to mine and I can get it up to 107 degrees in no time .

[@Kw-om9pu]

Do you mean 1500 w instead of temp?

[@smitteninthemitten3777]

Yes. I typed that in my description. I didn’t feel like reshooting.

[@Kw-om9pu]

@@smitteninthemitten3777 thanks!

[@MrBronze101]

I am going for a DIY hot tub, how long do you think it would take with just the immersion heater? and since you unplug when getting into the hot tub, how long do you think it would stay warm? i know you dont have the exact answer but what about a ballpark?

[@smitteninthemitten3777]

With just an immersion heater, I think it would take many, many hours to heat up.

[@hyppievanman]

Just get a camplux tankless water heater, they even have weatherproof ones… with that I bet you’d be able to heat it crazy quick, and keep it going while in the tub if you’d like

[@routtookc8064]

would the tub chemicals, chlorine content, cause problems?

[@hyppievanman]

@@routtookc8064 Good question, I wouldn’t think so but I’m not too familiar with pool chemicals. But chlorine I’d imagine is fine.

[@philr4700]

Did you get the green board at your Lowes store, or did you special order it? They don't have it at my local store and can't find it in their phones.

[@smitteninthemitten3777]

It was at my local Lowe’s in stock.

[@arielricciuti6059]

How many gallons is your hot tub?

[@late921]

Thanks!!

[@RedBarnArt]

Cool hacks. I just ordered an immersion heater for my tub.

[@smitteninthemitten3777]

Cool

[@cruzer2727]

How much is the cost of using the immersion heater?

[@smitteninthemitten3777]

No idea. I know the tub in general uses a lot of electricity and makes your bill skyrocket

[@HasterSireen]

says it is 1500w,which means it takes 1.5kWh per hour

[@RhesaPhillips]

Thanks 🎉

[@MRUSMC2036]

How big of a solar generator would you need to run this cost free

[@turbot-iv5zn]

About a 2.5 kw output from solar. You normally need to oversize your solar in order to get close to your desired output. As always...go big as much as you can...unless you get constant sunny days!

[@poorman68]

Do you leave the spa running 24/7? I have mine getting delivered in 24 hours.

[@smitteninthemitten3777]

No way. My electric bill got really high even with intermittent use

[@gnlout]

i do because its at a weekend house and yes, the electric bill is crazy

[@HasterSireen]

it is really great idea,winter is here,summer is not far then ,well if use the 2000w and with 2 HASTER Portable immersion water heater which can heats faster

[@christopherkrause7625]

Thanks soo much what a great idea. I've been heating my spa just with the sun and the temp has maxed out at 95. Can't wait to try your hack. Love my spa hate the cheapo heaters Eleko uses.

[@kylequintana]

now the question is how quick does the temp fall when your in it actually using it after it gets to 104

[@smitteninthemitten3777]

If I keep the bubbles off, it holds well. The bubbles drain the heat quickly since they pull outside cold air into the tub.

[@kylequintana]

@@smitteninthemitten3777 I finally got my answer that I was expecting. I ordered a saluspa grenada from Walmart for Black Friday. I’m actually loving it, we have been using it every night. It’s under my backyard patio so not exposed to the elements but it has gotten to 104 degrees after warming for 3 full 24 hour days. A long time yes, but now it stays there unless I get in it and open the top. It may drop a few degrees over a few hour period but that’s it

[@smitteninthemitten3777]

@@kylequintana, cool. Glad you’re enjoying it.

[@niltomega2978]

​@@kylequintana Yeah the bubbles will cool it off right now. Save the bubbles for when you get out to mix up the chemicals

[@gnlout]

@@smitteninthemitten3777 def true about the bubbles.. without the bubbles the temp only went down about two degrees in about 45 minutes with an outside temp of around 60 i believe last i used it. with bubbles it'd be around 10 degrees over that time.

[@Russellviews]

Max temp on mine and likely yours is 104 degrees. With your immersion heater have you seen it get even higher?

[@HasterSireen]

it can get higher but needs to check the water capacity

[@robertm2663]

I'm not sure I would want the water hotter than 104°.