Design features and operating principle
Harvia stoves are based on the principle of long-term combustion of fuel. Heat is supplied to the main room through the convection channels of the heat exchanger. The temperature in adjacent rooms is increased using additional air ducts. There are models of Finnish sauna stoves Harvia with built-in containers for heating liquids.
The Finnish brand Harvia offers two options for sauna stoves: electric and wood-burning.
Electric ones are mainly used for arranging saunas. They are convenient because the modes are regulated by the control panel. Most models are equipped with automatic on and off.
The stoves are easy to operate, do not require special knowledge or skills, and are unpretentious in maintenance and repair. They maintain a high temperature in the room in combination with “dry” steam, while the humidity is about 15%.
The design of the electric furnace consists of a body, a heat-insulating layer and an electric heater - heating element. The electric furnace is heated according to the user-set mode.
Wood-burning models of Harvia stoves can differ significantly from each other in structural features and appearance. But in all of them a number of characteristic elements can be distinguished:
Firebox
Made of heat-resistant steel, up to 10 mm thick. This speeds up the heating of the room and stones.
Kamenka
Holds up to 100 kg of stones, mainly has an open design, which allows you to increase the amount of dry steam.
Smoke removal system
It also implements the heat exchange function and improves the indoor microclimate.
Remote firebox
Allows you to mount it in a separate niche. You can heat the steam room from an adjacent room or dressing room. The firebox door is often made with an element made of heat-resistant glass, which allows you to enjoy the burning flame while vaping.
Fuel combustion channels
A distinctive feature of wood stoves. The design contains two channels, which can significantly reduce the time required to warm up the room.
The operation of the stove is based on the design of a conventional heater.
The steam room is heated as follows:
- Firewood is placed in the combustion chamber at the bottom of the stove; a blower is placed directly below it to regulate the burning intensity.
- The heat released when burning wood through a special smoke removal system reaches the base where the stones are laid.
- The chimney runs through the heater. With this design, the stones are additionally heated.
- Some stoves have a hanging water tank. It can be placed on a stove or chimney.
Advantages and disadvantages
Among the main advantages of Harvia brand products are:
- high quality and nice design;
- heater capacity (depending on the model up to 200 kg), which improves the amount of steam;
- a wide range of models, including devices for very small private baths to large industrial baths;
- air flow distributors in the heater with high power;
- steel for chimneys of high temperature class;
- durability: the material is protected from corrosion by a layer of expensive fire-resistant paint, so even after a year of intensive use, Harvia products do not lose their original appearance.
Harvia stoves have some disadvantages:
- many users note excessively strong convection. But the problem can be easily eliminated by constructing a special brick screen.
- Many buyers also consider the high price of the units to be a disadvantage.
The lineup
The Harvia company's product range includes wood-burning and electric stoves of different model lines.
The following are most suitable for home use:
Delta are compact, weighing no more than 10 kg, triangular-shaped ovens for placement in a corner, which is very convenient for saving space in small rooms.
Sound – models of bold design. The range includes stoves with casings in three colors - black, platinum and steel. The line's ovens are medium-sized, their weight is about 15 kg.
Compact – the line consists of 2 models and is designed for small saunas and steam rooms.
Classic is one of the most popular lines. It is presented in two models of wall mounting, which are designed for steam rooms for 5-13 people. Devices with a maximally open design and a large heater volume.
Types of devices
The stoves from the manufacturer are stated to be both electric and wood-based. When choosing one of them, the user takes into account the features of each model.
Wood stoves
Customers prefer a wood unit with a steel mesh for laying stones . Large capacity provides better heating of the room, and independence from electricity gives the client more freedom.
Provided that the consumer installs a separate chimney with all fire regulations . The radiation in the grid is much less than in the closed type. But it is necessary to install a protective screen.
Advantages of wood stoves:
- no deformation;
- easy to clean;
- provide quick warm-up;
- large capacity of stones.
Electric models
They are easy to use, just fill the oven with stones and connect to the network . Some models have a built-in steam generator, which increases the amount of steam. However, it is worth remembering the power and amount of energy consumed.
For a small sauna that is visited several times a month, there is no point in purchasing a large unit. A small oven will suffice.
Include models:
- delta - have a triangular shape, thanks to which they are easily installed in the corner of the steam room and do not take up much space;
- glode - have a stylish ball-shaped design that can be mounted on a tripod or hung;
- combi - stoves with various functions - Finnish sauna, use of aromatic oils. increase in steam;
- forte - are installed in a room with good thermal insulation and consume less energy.
Most popular models
A wide range of Harvia stove models allows you to choose an option for steam rooms of any size. All models are of high quality and durability and are especially popular among customers.
Harvia M2
Wood-burning stove for saunas and small baths. The model ideally combines traditional Finnish quality and reasonable cost. Heating from the steam room.
The glass door makes it possible to observe the process of friction of the logs. The body of the wood-burning stove is made in black graphite color, which goes well with stainless steel inserts.
Harvia M3
Stylish wood stove for floor installation. It has a closed structure and a chimney. Power 16.5 kW, designed for a room of 13 cubic meters. The body is made of steel and includes an ash drawer.
Advantages of the model:
- economical fuel consumption;
- quick heating of the room;
- stylish design;
- Ease of Management;
- low price.
Flaws:
- not very good welding quality;
- inconvenient ash drawer.
IKI Original
A unique and unique model in structure. It is based on a cylindrical firebox, from which a spiral chimney emerges, surrounded by a stainless steel mesh heater.
When designing the model, the designers’ goal was not to create the highest possible temperatures, but so that in a reasonable time the oven could be brought into a state of readiness and a sufficient volume of steam could be obtained.
The oven copes with this task excellently. The temperature of the stones varies throughout the oven, so each user can adjust it to the steam that is interesting to him.
Pros of the model:
- high steam output;
- short warm-up time.
Minuses:
- high price;
- difficulty of installation.
Narvi Stony 18
Wood stove with long burning system. Equipped with an external stainless steel mesh. The door is a large glass hatch. It has a good draft control valve built into it.
The heating speed of the model is average, but the steam output is good. The temperature of the stones varies in different places in the oven.
Pros of the oven:
- steam production;
- stones included.
- The disadvantages include high fuel consumption to achieve the optimal temperature in the steam room .
Misa Kivinen 11220
Wood stove with long burning system. Made of quadrangular stainless steel mesh. A large glass hatch on the front provides good light to the steam room floor. The draft is regulated by blowing. The heating rate is high. The temperature of the stones varies in different places in the oven.
- Pros : uniform and high temperature in the room.
- Cons : Difficult to change stones.
Legend series - the best offer on the market of sauna stoves
A high-quality wood-burning stove for baths and saunas, which brought real fame to the Finnish manufacturer. The model is extremely attractive in appearance and economical, easy to use and environmentally friendly. A visit to a bathhouse equipped with such a unit leaves unforgettable memories.
Expert opinion
Lovkachev Boris Petrovich
Bath master who knows everything about steaming
The volumetric heater allows you to get a large amount of wet steam even at low temperatures.
The round design of the case looks great in the center of the steam room or can be built into the bottom shelf. A special feature of the line of devices is the ability to supply water (possibly with the addition of flavorings) both to the upper part of the body and to all external surfaces of the stones at any angle.
3 models in the series received most positive reviews:
Harvia Legend PO 11 – power 11 kW, designed for steam rooms with a volume of 9 to 20 cubic meters. The heater can hold up to 120 kg of stones.
Harvia Legend PO 165 – power 16.5 kW, optimal option for steam rooms with a volume of 16-35 cubic meters. Kamenka for 220 kg of stones.
Harvia Legend 240 – power 21 kW, steam room volume from 10 to 24 cubic meters, weight of stones – up to 200 kg.
Advantages of models in this series:
- memorable appearance;
- impressive volume of the heater;
- installation versatility;
- possibility of control from an adjacent room using a remote control);
- easy to install and undemanding to maintain;
- stones are laid out between the heating elements, repositioning is required at least once a year;
- heating the room in 1 hour;
- service life of at least 10 years.
Long history
The Finnish company Harvia was founded in the middle of the last century, and since then, for more than 60 years, it has been producing Harvia wood-burning sauna stoves , famous for their excellent quality, durability and stylish design.
Safe and convenient designs from Harvia allow you to create a real Finnish sauna wherever you wish. Recognizable style, excellent quality and reliability distinguish all products of the Finnish manufacturer. Harvia sauna stoves are a great way to appreciate the beneficial effects of a real Finnish sauna on the human body: it’s no secret that the soft heat of a sauna is very useful for the prevention of many diseases and general health.
Features of choice
The selection of the Harvia stove is based on the following parameters:
Power
This characteristic is selected depending on the area of the room. For 1 cubic meter of room, 1 kW of furnace power is required.
If you intend to additionally heat a room with uninsulated surfaces, uninsulated walls, windows, doors, it is worth increasing the power. Each non-insulated square adds 1.2 cubic meters to the total volume. In a bathhouse made of logs without lining, the result obtained is multiplied by 1.5.
Heater size
The weight of the stones affects the performance of the furnace. We recommend 5 – 7 kg per 1 cubic meter of space. Furnaces are purchased with a capacity that exceeds the calculated figure by 10-15%. This is explained by fluctuations in mains voltage and changes in outside air temperature in summer and winter.
Heater type
Among Harvia stoves you can find models with open and closed heaters. The mesh produces less radiation, but has a smaller load of stones. The closed type separates the stones from the chimney and fuel compartment. Experts recommend installing closed models in Russian baths.
Material of manufacture
The main material used for Harvia models is steel. The metal of this brand is quite durable. But when purchasing, you should carefully inspect the model from all sides so as not to miss a possible manufacturing defect.
Firebox location
It is more convenient if the door is located outside, providing a tunnel for storing firewood. This will provide quick access to firewood, and will not require firewood in the steam room. But Harvia ovens most often have a small door for filling at the bottom of the oven.
Availability of water tank
Wood stoves are equipped with a tank into which water is poured to produce steam from the stones. The humidity will be low, but the heating will be uniform. To increase heat, you need to throw water on the stones.
Installation method
The easiest option for installing a stove is floor-mounted. But it is worth providing a separate place for the unit. In a small room it is better to take a floor-standing stove.
Wood-burning sauna stoves “Harvia”
We have already paid tribute to this company by publishing a review of its electric heaters. This time we will talk about wood-burning sauna stoves “Harvia”, because wood, as you know, remains the leader among fuel types for sauna stoves .
But here it’s worth making a reservation in advance: the wood-burning stoves of this company are intended almost exclusively for saunas , and not for Russian baths.
In rare cases, such a stove will have a closed heater, and high convection is automatically built into all models. IMPORTANT! Lovers of Russian baths should look for other options.
Well, for those who initially set their sights on a sauna or sauna mode in their bathhouse, we suggest that you read our review of wood-burning heaters.
Website Harvia.fi (hereinafter, photos from the manufacturer’s website)
Operating rules
There are many options for lighting sauna stoves, and any of them depends on the design of the chimney, the ventilation scheme and other indicators.
In any case, you should not heat the unit to the maximum, as this will not improve the quality of the steam and will shorten its service life.
You need to find the optimal method specifically for your model and strictly follow the instructions.
General rules for lighting Harvia stoves:
- First of all, you need to light the stove with finely chopped wood. To do this, open the heater and chimney as much as possible.
- After the firebox has burned out, you need to fill it no more than 60% of the total volume.
- If you leave a little empty space above the stack of firewood, combustion will be quick and complete.
- The gap for placing raw materials in the firebox depends on its quality, size and humidity, as well as on the design. On average, the interval is about half an hour, but it is better to add firewood when the fire has gone out and only coals remain in the heater.
Why do the facing panels on the wall next to the heater quickly darken?
Check that all safety distance requirements are met. If yes, check the placement of stones in the heater. If the stones are packed too tightly, or have become compacted over time due to an irregular shape, there may be insufficient air circulation inside. This can cause the main elements to overheat, especially when using an electric heater.
When heating the heater, an unpleasant odor occurs. What is the reason and how to fix it?
If the heater is new, it may still have protective agents that were applied during the manufacturing process. Warm up the heater for the first time in a well-ventilated area. An overheated heater can intensify odors mixed in the air: paint, glue, finishing materials. They are not caused by the steam room or heater itself.
The heater warms up normally, but produces strange sounds, similar to blows. What is this connected with?
Intermittent impacts are usually caused by rocks breaking apart due to high temperatures. Thermal expansion of heater parts can cause similar sounds when it heats up.
There is no draft in the chimney; smoke enters the bathhouse. What is the reason and how to fix it?
There may be several reasons. 1. The ash pan is filled with soot, which makes it difficult for air to circulate inside the oven. Clean the ash pan. 2. There are leaks in the chimney pipe. Seal the pipe. 2. 3. The stove chimney channels are clogged with soot. Clean the chimneys through the furnace cleaning holes.
