Are you dirty enough for a $700 bath tub?

Hot showers, like electric showers, are luxury items that are easy to take for granted. This all changes after a few nights camping at a music festival, a tough week at homework, or just going through the summer in relative obscurity. An itchy head and the vague smell of warm clams suddenly make the idea of ​​spending hundreds on a portable shower seem absurd.

I have been trying Go to Hottap Go from Australia-based Joolca for showering after swimming and washing up after cooking. It has an integrated 12L water tank which is an improvement over other portable showers that require an external container and a long, heavy duty hose that is easy to route. The Hottap Go also turns the water until it reaches the temperature you choose. This slows things down a bit, compared to “instant” portable showersbut it does not waste water because it will not produce cold water that is usually poured on the ground.

The $554 Hottap Go requires an external 12V power supply, but in the US Joolca sells 12V / 5A. $165 power bank which attaches the magnet to the case. In Europe I had to roll myself and €85 (about $100) power bank available on Amazon. The result is a true, self-contained hot water solution that can be taken anywhere.

To clear up any confusion right away: Hottap Go requires electricity to power the integrated water pump and display but heats water with propane gas. It works with 1lb propane cans out of the box, and larger tanks with the hose and regulator you need to supply.

One thing I like about the Hottap Go is that the faucet, battery, shower head, and gas can can all be stored inside the water tank when not in use for convenience and storage. I also love that the adjustable shower head comes with a magnetic holder. Based on its method of reheating the water by recirculating it, it’s clear that Joolca’s product manufacturers have learned from the mistakes of propane showers.

To take a shower, you first connect the quick outlet pipes for the gas and shower, then plug the shower into a 12V power source (power bank, power outlet, or cigarette plug in your car), set the temperature you want and wait. The device will start heating and circulating the water until several beeps indicate that the desired temperature is being reached. I brought the tap water up to 47C / 117F hot (on display) in exactly four minutes, which was enough time to gather everything I needed to shower outside my van and keep my modesty.

One day in a storm on the beach, I saw that Hottap Go had to stay in control, even though it was going out. It failed many times until I saw the E3 error message on the display. Also placing the shower out of the wind will cause the flame to ignite. The handle on the top makes it easy to move, and the seal around the cover ensures that water does not fall on the floor or your power bank. Otherwise, Hottap Go always turns on and remains flawless in my testing.

Joolca says the Hottap Go is good for two “big showers” or one “long, high-end.” I was able to take two laborious but satisfying showers from its 12L (3.2 gal) water tank, using the convenient on/off switch on the shower head to save water and dry.

Drainage is good, even at high altitudes. It’s strong enough to go through long, thick hair when you wash it but it’s not as good as my mountain bike, for example. The magnetic handle is strong and the shower feels good in the hand with a nice on/off switch. Adjusting the speed dial is a two-handed operation, but I mostly just left it at max.

If you only use it once or twice a year, then waste it $554 for the Hottap Go portable shower It doesn’t make sense, especially if tankless showers are preferred BougeRV costs half of that. I really like the Hottap Go water tank for its repeatability, functionality, and overall convenience, though I wish I did $165 magnetic power bank was included in that price. However, for vanlifers like me or anyone who always spends days away from the taps, $719 can be easily justified which would be nice to carry a hot water shower available.

Photos by Thomas Ricker/The Verge