Comments on: Keeping Warm in the Winter, Japan-Style

By: Michael .

Michael . — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 03:33:00 +0000

I was doing some research on solar heating projects and ran across a heater design that is popular in other countries but not well known in the US. The primary part of the heater is electric but it is designed for areas that charge varying rates for electricity at night. The heater is lined with ceramic fire bricks and has a temp and timer setting on it. You run it at night (or off peak) to heat the room and heat up the bricks. During peak charge time only the fan runs, blowing air across the hot bricks and using that heat to warm the room instead of using the heating elements! Neato!

By: Jo Somebody

Jo Somebody — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 16:08:00 +0000

And the most traditional of all, hot drinks and warming foods!

By: guyhey

guyhey — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 16:05:00 +0000

It’s true it would be cheaper to build one than to buy one. I bought one because I’m not handy, and having the built in safety features definitely helps. I think you can get them cheaper on jlist than where I got mine, but it’s a smaller kotatsu, and I wanted a full size coffee table version.

There are plenty of guides online on how to build your own.

By: Jo Somebody

Jo Somebody — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 16:01:00 +0000

Ah yes, but the removal of one arm and one leg = less body surface area to lose heat off!

By: Mirth

Mirth — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 20:01:00 +0000

I’m still waiting for a manufacturer to pick up kotatsu production in Canada. I bet those things would sell like hotcakes. (Pun… semi-intended.)

Up here we mostly use fireplaces, blankets, and lots and lots (and lots) of layers. Especially waterproofed ones when going outside, yech. Sometimes electric blankets or heating pads get thrown in the mix. My family also has a bunch of large, microwavable bean bags that we can nuke to heat up and then put in our beds.

By: guyhey

guyhey — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 18:22:00 +0000

You can make your own for fairly cheap. There are guides you can find online. However, the ones you import are incredibly safe. You can touch the heater with your bare hands, and it won’t even come close to burning you. In fact if it is really really cold I’ll touch my feet directly to the heater.

I haven’t built my own, but this guide seems to be fairly easy to follow:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-an-American-style-kotatsu/

I also noticed jlist has them for sale, and they seem cheaper than other import options. Sadly, you don’t get a very good selection. I wanted an extra wide kotatsu, and those cost way more than the regular ones. However, it’s worth it when I have more than 4 people wanting to sit around it.