Portable Shower Unit
Product: Hotman II
Description: A portable hot-water heater and shower unit with a 3-gallon polyethylene tank, a hot-water spigot, durable copper heating coil, 24-inch shower attachment with flow-control head, storage bag and instruction manual. The complete unit weighs just under 4 pounds.
Pro: No more running out of hot water - a common occurrence when using the traditional 2-gallon solar showers. Heats water to a pleasant 105 degrees in around 25 minutes with hot coals.
No need for sun to power the heater as it works on either a fire or large-burner camping stove.
With adapters, the unit works with either the standard Hotman 3-gallon tank or with solar showers or collapsible plastic jugs.
It is durably constructed with no moving parts to jam up or break.
If the adjustable-flow shower head is left in the fully open position, it is possible to enjoy about a seven-minute shower - turning the water on and off to soap and rinse off - and the shower can easily accommodate two to three people per three gallons.
Con: If you are using stove fuel, and not utilizing a fire, the Hotman II will consume about one full non-refillable camp stove propane bottle for every three tanks of water, or about nine gallons of hot water per bottle of fuel - not expensive, but worth noting as you will need to carry twice the fuel for a daily shower and cooking routine.
The copper tubing is very fragile. Withe shower sitting in the back of my truck, I tossed several duffels into the load and one relatively heavy duffel easily bent the tubing when it landed on the Fire Coil. While I was able to quickly restore the coil to its original shape, the exercise pointed out the fragility of the unit if it is not cared for properly.
Comments: A highly recommended accessory is the wooden foot deck for $6.95.
It will allow you to stand on any surface and get clean without having to put up with wiggling your toes in a muddy puddle.
Zodi also manufactures the Hotman heating coil in RV and boat configurations.
The Ultimate Portable Outdoor Water Heater is a re-engineered high-energy coil designed for gas stoves and sells for $29.95.
Suggested retail: $59.95
Company: Zodi Outback Gear, P.O. Box 22741, Salt Lake City, Utah 84122; 801 359-5301, or fax (801) 328-1199
MEMO: Michael Hodgson welcomes comment by e-mail at mjhodgson@aol.com.