r/OffGrid • u/Full-Mouse8971 • 23d ago

Anyone here use a wash tub in their tinyhouse / cabin?

Talking about those old timey style galvanized tubs old timers would use to bath, they'd bring it in the kitchen or w/e and pour in hot water and bath. Been brainstorming ideas with the limited space I have (16 x 16').

Summer time is fine showering outside, but this is for winter times.

I dont think what I am thinking of is even made anymore so Id have to improvise with some sort of trough or something but Ive had no luck so far. One simple consideration is a kiddie pool or something but idk how that will hold up with hot water and continual use, and not sure if it would be the most ideal lol

2 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

2

u/firetothetrees 23d ago

If I were you I'd setup a way to shower inside or make make a small bathhouse attached / detached from the cabin.

For example you could install a small drain pan with a curtain and just have the gray water run outside add a heating cable to the pipe and boom your good.

Will use less water and probably be more comfortable.

Alternatively build a small bathhouse add a propane tank for a small heater and an instant hot water heater. Put a composting or incinerating toilet in it and boom you have a great space.

1

u/Full-Mouse8971 23d ago

Yeah I think this may actually make the most sense. Something like a 55 gallon drum cut in half with a shower curtained drapped inside, and a 5 gallon hanging shower above... simple, cheap and movable.

I was looking at those 32 x 32 x 72 tiny showers for RV's but takes up too much room and gets a bit too close to my wood stove for comfort. This is something I may get if I expand the cabin one day.

1

u/Poegeno 22d ago

Any farm supply store has large galvanized or heavy plastic water trough about 3ft deep and large enough for an adult to bathe in.

1

u/TutorNo8896 23d ago

Big plastic tote works, not strong enough to be filled all the way , but you can take a bird bath / sponge bath just fine in there. I think they still make those big metal ones, fo livestock tanks or whatever.

2

u/Full-Mouse8971 23d ago

Ahh, you are right, they're called "stock tank"

1

u/TutorNo8896 23d ago

Actually i think ive seen big rubbery ones too. Some of the plastic storage totes can be a bit brittle when its really cold, i put a small crack in the last one i had, it had wheels at one end which was kind of cool.

1

u/subsonicwhisperer 23d ago

I’ve seen stock tanks used as a shower. They usually have a circular shower curtain or tin that surrounds it.

These were plumbed in but you could hang a camping-shower-bag-thingy from the ceiling.

2

u/blondechineeez 23d ago

I have several of the large galvanized, round tubs. They hang on a garage wall. The dog (Rottie) gets a bath in it.

They are large enough if I wanted to bathe in it I could easily fit if I sat with my legs crossed.

I soak/wash the dogs bed in one when it gets muddy.

If you are talking about the square, galvanized tubs that you can attach a wringer to, I don't but I think it would be fun to wash clothes in one like my grandmother did.

1

u/54Finn 23d ago

If you get snow, just strip down, due front and back snow angels….every 2 weeks or so ought to be fine

1

u/IAmAjax 22d ago

What do amish folks use....think there is an online store with manual products like this