Ofuro Japanese Soaking Tubs
What is an Ofuro tub? An Ofuro tub is traditionally a smaller (1 to 2 person) deep soaking tub that originated from Japan.
The Ofuro is normally made of wood and comes in round, oval or even square designs.
Ofuro tubs have gained popularity in North America and other parts of the world as a means of alternative relaxation.
The Ofuro tub is normally deeper than a regular bath tub and the water rises up to ones chin.
For this reason there is normally no over flow drain found in a bath tub.
Because of this an Ofuro tub should be placed where there is a floor drain or outside on a deck or garden.
How is the water heated? Water in an Ofuro is heated from a variety of ways including your existing hot water tank.
Although the larger volume of an Ofuro may mean you need to completely drain your tank.
If you are filling an Ofuro tub this way then you should have at least an 80 gallon water tank.
Other methods such as electric inline heaters, or even wood fired and propane heaters can be used.
How do I keep the water clean in an Ofuro? Traditionally an Ofuro was not meant as a bathing tub.
One pre- bathes or showers before entering the tub.
In this way the Ofuro tub could be reused without draining the water.
Soaps and shampoos are not normally used in an Ofuro however mineral salts and essential fragrance oils are used to heighten the experience.
Building an Ofuro- the construction of an Ofuro is a very complex art and requires the choice selective woods.
Cypress and Cedar as well as Hinoki are very popular woods.
The wood selected must have two important properties.
First it must be resilient to decay.
Cedar's natural oils make it a top choice in this category.
2nd the wood must have a large expansion ratio from its dry state to a wet state.
This property is what causes it to seal and not leak.
Hard woods such as oak and teak are not very good as they tend to split as they expand.
What is the water temperature of an Ofuro? Traditionally the Japanese liked their Ofuros hot! Unlike a regular hot tub set at a max temperature of 104 degrees, water in an Ofuro often exceeds 110 degrees.
This hot soak it thought to be therapeutically, however caution is needed to ensure that your health can withstand hot temperatures.
Ofuro Hot Tubs - New Ofuros are a blend of the traditional Ofuro with the features of modern Hot Tub.
Hybrid Ofuro Hot Tubs often contain filter systems and even jets.
Adding a filter to an Ofuro greatly extends the water clarity and lengthens the period needed before draining.
Jets can provide the added benefits of Hydro Therapy.
The Ofuro is normally made of wood and comes in round, oval or even square designs.
Ofuro tubs have gained popularity in North America and other parts of the world as a means of alternative relaxation.
The Ofuro tub is normally deeper than a regular bath tub and the water rises up to ones chin.
For this reason there is normally no over flow drain found in a bath tub.
Because of this an Ofuro tub should be placed where there is a floor drain or outside on a deck or garden.
How is the water heated? Water in an Ofuro is heated from a variety of ways including your existing hot water tank.
Although the larger volume of an Ofuro may mean you need to completely drain your tank.
If you are filling an Ofuro tub this way then you should have at least an 80 gallon water tank.
Other methods such as electric inline heaters, or even wood fired and propane heaters can be used.
How do I keep the water clean in an Ofuro? Traditionally an Ofuro was not meant as a bathing tub.
One pre- bathes or showers before entering the tub.
In this way the Ofuro tub could be reused without draining the water.
Soaps and shampoos are not normally used in an Ofuro however mineral salts and essential fragrance oils are used to heighten the experience.
Building an Ofuro- the construction of an Ofuro is a very complex art and requires the choice selective woods.
Cypress and Cedar as well as Hinoki are very popular woods.
The wood selected must have two important properties.
First it must be resilient to decay.
Cedar's natural oils make it a top choice in this category.
2nd the wood must have a large expansion ratio from its dry state to a wet state.
This property is what causes it to seal and not leak.
Hard woods such as oak and teak are not very good as they tend to split as they expand.
What is the water temperature of an Ofuro? Traditionally the Japanese liked their Ofuros hot! Unlike a regular hot tub set at a max temperature of 104 degrees, water in an Ofuro often exceeds 110 degrees.
This hot soak it thought to be therapeutically, however caution is needed to ensure that your health can withstand hot temperatures.
Ofuro Hot Tubs - New Ofuros are a blend of the traditional Ofuro with the features of modern Hot Tub.
Hybrid Ofuro Hot Tubs often contain filter systems and even jets.
Adding a filter to an Ofuro greatly extends the water clarity and lengthens the period needed before draining.
Jets can provide the added benefits of Hydro Therapy.
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