The Money Mustache Community
Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: Dsteadma on October 21, 2015, 10:13:04 PM
-
I don't read Japanese and know very little about kotasu. I like the idea of them, and think it might cut down my energy bill if it works. What do you guys think of this one? 120x80 for two people.
http://item.rakuten.co.jp/auc-qualial/bburine019/
-
I've thought about making my own, but I'm afraid I'd set fire to something.
http://deco-ventures.blogspot.com/2014/01/diy-kotatsu-tutorial-from-ikea-coffee.html
-
Had one when I lived in Japan. I loved it. I used it here when I moved, but not that often. I would rather use an electric blanket now (because I can carry it anywhere) than the kotatsu.
-
I have one. My father-in-law is from Japan and my MIL lived there for about a decade. They have one at home and a few years ago got us one as a gift. We love it. If you move a lot, it might be tough. Regarding 120x80 for two, that should be comfortable. I think it allows us to keep our heat a little lower.
-
Pretty much same as IllusionNW above. Used one for 15 years in Japan, loved it. They also have special legless chairs you can use with them, for better back support.
Japanese winters get cold, and no central heat in most older homes, so very cozy. I would certainly say give it a try.
-
There are kotatsu on Amazon, too. You might give that a try so as to be able to read the details.
It's more typical to have a square kotatsu table, and the one in the ad has a mica heater (whatever that is) instead of a normal kotatsu heater underneath. It shuts off automatically after 5 hours, which seems good. It seems a little on the fancy side at about $400 with tax. I don't think the comforter is included; you'd have to get it separately. Also, the ad gives prices for shipping to various regions of Japan but doesn't mention international shipping.
-
Here are some things that extend that concept to more than just a table:
http://richsoil.com/electric-heat.jsp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGWpqRvjYYo
Could you just put a space heater under a table that you already own?
-
Could you just put a space heater under a table that you already own?
Sticking a regular space heater under a table and blanket seems like it would be just asking for your house to burn down. Maybe if you had a small electric blanket on your lap while sitting at a table that would approximate the effect without being a fire hazard. Even just a regular lap quilt makes sitting at a desk cozier in the winter.