12 best stoves for baths and saunas

To create the atmosphere of a Russian steam room, a stove of a special design is required: the stones must not only be heated, but heated. Only then will it be possible to get light steam. The second task is to make sure that while the stones are heating up, the air does not overheat. After all, for a Russian steam room the temperatures should be low: 50-75°C (but the humidity is 50-60%).

To do this, it is necessary to somehow neutralize the high heat transfer of the metal. This is best realized in brick kilns. In them, heat is accumulated in the mass of the brick. That's where the idea came from - to line metal stoves with bricks. It absorbs most of the radiation from the body. After it warms up, it begins to radiate heat, but this time it is soft and pleasant for us. It turns out to be something like a brick oven, which, with the right approach, allows you to get a bathhouse very similar to a Russian one.

By covering a cast iron stove with a brick screen, we get soft heat, like from a stone stove

But not everyone wants to put down the screen. And there is another method to reduce heat radiation - cladding with slabs of “bath” stones. These stones are soapstone and serpentine, marble and some others. They have a very high heat capacity, so they also absorb radiation quite well. At the same time, they are also beautiful. But roads.

Bath stoves "Vesuvius": review of models and advantages

The quality of Vesuvius stoves is in no way inferior to their foreign counterparts, but Russian models are also aimed at buyers with modest incomes - the stoves have a very affordable price. This is the first advantage of domestic products.

Stoves for baths "Vesuvius"

We’ll talk about other positive aspects of domestic models of stoves for saunas and Vesuvius baths below:

High quality products - Vesuvius stoves are made using innovative technologies and modern safe materials. If operating standards are observed, the oven can operate for a long time without breakdowns or accidents.
Stylish design – sauna stoves fit into the interior design of any modern bathhouse.
Reliability and safety - manufacturers guarantee long-term operation of the furnaces even in intensive use.
Ergonomics - stove models when operating in difficult conditions are characterized by low energy consumption.

A distinctive feature of Vesuvius stoves is the protective coating of the firebox walls with a special silicon-organic composition, so the stove is able to withstand significant temperature changes under operating conditions with high humidity, even if the changes are repeated many times during the day.

Heating of the bathhouse occurs due to the combustion of solid fuel (wood), a high-quality firebox ensures even distribution of heat throughout the entire bathhouse. The design of Vesuvius stoves provides a volumetric container filled with stones that can withstand temperatures up to 400 C.

The range of Vesuvius stoves is wide; manufacturers have developed dozens of models of wood-burning stoves for the most demanding customers. Here are some of them:

Vesuvius Rusich stoves are suitable for installation in a bathhouse or sauna; they can compete in quality with foreign analogues of wood-burning stoves. In total, the brand includes five unique models that will ensure the most optimal balance of humidity, temperature and steam in the steam room. A volumetric heater is capable of creating thick and light healing steam, which has a beneficial effect on the human body, curing a number of diseases.
Wood-burning stoves Vesuvius Legend - most of the models of this brand, in addition to high technical and economic indicators, have an amazing design - enclosing figured forged gratings.

Furnaces Vesuvius Rusich

Advantages of stoves

Cast iron structures are currently gaining more and more popularity and are considered the best. Let's see why this opinion exists. Here are the main characteristics of the stoves:

A unique cast iron heater, heating from six sides.
The design of the linings allows you to regulate air convection.
High efficiency due to the function of secondary combustion of gases.
Russian production of Svarozhich stoves.
Cast iron models combine all the advantages of their brick counterparts.
Long service life - more than ten years.
Maintainability and availability of spare parts.

“Vesuvius Russian Steam” - a stove for a Russian steam room

A reliable mesh heater is constructed around the stove. In addition to the reinforced external mesh, a special closed-type heater is provided in the upper part of the firebox. The designers have provided easy access when loading through a cast-iron door at the end (back) of the firebox. The parameters of dryness and lightness of steam are achieved by heating the stones selected for the closed heater - 400 °C.

Water is supplied through the cast-iron door into the closed heater - the required steam concentration is achieved. Experts in the Russian steam room claim that the true indicators of real steam are created when the temperature rises to 500 °C.

Operating principle of a stone-lined stove

The initial heating of the steam room is carried out by convection air flow. The stove is completely covered by the lining, with the exception of its lower part, where there is a small gap through which air enters. An outlet is provided in the upper compartment. In luxury series models this is the heater door, in the “Russian Steam” version - convection holes equipped with a plug. The air passing between the hot convection fins is dried and heated to maximum temperature, after which it rises and exits through the open door. The cooled steam falls to the floor and is sucked back into the oven. This mode of operation of the oven is called air convection.

The steam room warms up quickly thanks to the constant flow of dry and hot air. In constant convection mode, the humidity in the steam room will be zero, and the temperature will rise to 100-120 degrees. Thanks to this, you can achieve the conditions of a dry-air Finnish sauna. You can stop the convection of steam by closing special holes or doors to avoid overheating and excessive drying of the room. The closed heater heats up to maximum temperature and heats the stones, soft heat is radiated by the lining.

A “steam cake” under the ceiling with a temperature of 120-150 degrees is obtained by supplying water to a cast-iron firebox and hot stones. This comfortable mode corresponds to a Russian bath, which maintains a temperature of 60 degrees and comfortable humidity.

Care

In order for a cast-iron stove to properly serve its intended life, it does not require special care - it is enough to use it in the permitted operating mode.

Cast iron heaters are quite unpretentious; they are not afraid of high humidity and temperature fluctuations, but it is also undesirable to overload them. No stove will last as long as promised if you heat it for days on end and heat rooms whose cubic capacity exceeds its upper limit.

Reliable, versatile, efficient - cast iron stoves can be an excellent option for your bathhouse, the main thing is to choose a decent manufacturer and model according to your needs.

Why choose Svarozhich brand stoves

Cast iron stoves “Firebird” and “Slavyanka” operate in Russian bath mode and withstand critical temperature loads. The formation of finely dispersed steam without overheating the room is possible by heating the cast iron heater to 600oC. It is worth mentioning the durability of the products. The strength potential of cast iron sauna stoves “Svarozhich” is enormous due to the use of modern, reliable and environmentally friendly materials in production. Designs from the “Slavyanka” line are guaranteed for 3 years, and for the “Firebird” series - 5 years.

Hurricane series stoves for Russian baths.

The Hurricane series stoves are ordinary legends, on which they put a metal box, attached a door and made the mesh higher. This is where the difference from the Legend ends.

The series appeared due to the increased popularity of closed heaters. But the company did not bother designing a new stove, but decided to slightly modernize the proven line. Did they achieve what they wanted? Yes. Most dealers of this stove position it as an ideal option for a Russian bath, although it is not. For a classic Russian steam bath, the heating element must be insulated, that is, the firebox must be surrounded by stones and covered with at least a metal sheet. Thanks to this insulation, the stone in the heater reaches maximum temperatures, and the steam room will never dry out.

What happens in reality? It is most suitable for Russian high-temperature, but not for steam. The walls of the firebox are open, which means that all the heat emanating from the firebox will flow into the room. And the box on the same 16 holds only 30 kilograms. The pipe passing through the box eats up useful space in a small heater. Yes, I agree that the stone heats up well in this heater, But! there is not enough of it.

The heater itself is not conveniently designed. It’s trivial that you won’t open it without gloves. In the Russian steam (a metal stove, which we’ll talk about later), we used a ladle to open the door, but in the Hurricane it is placed at an angle, and such a life hack will not work.

The lineup

produces two lines of cast iron sauna stoves of the same name: for steam rooms with a volume of 8-18 cubic meters - “Slavyanka”, for sauna structures with a volume of 15-35 cubic meters - “Firebird”. Each series is offered in four versions:

Economy Only the central part of the stove - the firebox - is supplied. This option is ideal for those who prefer to lay out the structure themselves from brick or other materials.
Standard. The firebox, made of cast iron, is covered with a stainless steel casing. An option for sauna lovers, since the steam room is heated by infrared radiation from the metal.
Classic. For lining the cast iron firebox, natural stone 40 millimeters thick is used - coil, soapstone, or a combination of both. Infrared radiation is shielded by the cladding, which is pleasant both visually and tactilely. A model for those who prefer a dry air bath.
Luxury The internal part of the structure, consisting of cast iron, is lined with natural stone - coil, soapstone or a combination of both - 40 or 50 millimeters thick. Unlike the standard version, in the luxury version of the stoves (“Svarozhich”) the firebox is completely lined with natural material, forming a closed heater. Model for creating a classic Russian bathhouse.

Heating appliances and stoves

1. Vesuvius Triumph 180 S.

Wood-burning cast iron stoves are quite efficient. They can help out in winter, when the power goes out and there is no gas in the house. At the same time, Triumph models look aesthetically pleasing, so they can be placed in the middle of a large room and watch the fire through the transparent door. On top there is a “burner” for cooking or heating food - a useful addition for a country house.

Triumph-180 has ribbed side walls that accumulate heat well and are able to release it to the air in the room for a long time due to the increased surface area. The total power of the device is 7 kW, which allows you to heat a room up to 70 m2. But it is necessary to take safety precautions when installing the stove, since it is simply a large firebox heated to high temperatures.

2. Garden wood stoves Vesuvius Bumblebee 270.

In fact, these are ordinary potbelly stoves, which the manufacturer has refined inside and out. As a result, rustic stoves have turned into universal equipment where you can cook delicious dishes over the fire. The kit already includes a tall chimney, the design also includes a drawer for the ash pan, and the grates are traditionally cast from cast iron. Externally, wood stoves have also changed noticeably. The Bumblebee model now has side “wings”-stands, forged legs with an additional shelf, loops for hanging utensils and a large nest with a cauldron lid.

Vesuvius steel potbelly stoves are demanding in terms of operating conditions. To prevent the metal from being destroyed by external factors, to be easily cleaned of soot and to look aesthetically pleasing, it is coated with silicone enamel. The required strength is gained only after the first heating, so at this stage it is better to raise the temperature gradually. At the same time, the solvent is burned out of the paint, so a chemical smell may appear.

Stoves "Slavyanka Elite"

The model line of this type of Svarozhich stoves has designs with a width of no more than 500 millimeters, extended upward. Despite the fact that the combustion portal is cast from cast iron, the weight of such equipment is somewhat lower. Unlike the Firebird series, the thickness of the walls of the firebox is only 6 millimeters, and the container for stones is made of stainless steel, which makes it possible to reduce weight. Uniform heating of the fuel is carried out due to the lower part of the heater made of cast iron. The thickness of its walls is 3 millimeters, which is enough to withstand the mass of stones and thermal load.

Line of sauna stoves

The family of the line is quite large. One of them is “Vesuvius Vertical”, a heater with an unusual appearance. Each modification has standard dimensions: height 1 m 1 cm, width – 54 cm, and depth – 79 cm. It is noteworthy that these models differ in the combustion tunnel doors. They can be very different:

with glass: regular or panoramic;
without glass.

The purpose of the line is to heat steam rooms in baths with a volume of 8 to 18 m3. They do their job perfectly and will last for many years. The photo below shows what the Vesuvius vertical oven looks like with a transparent door.

The line of units “Vesuvius Skif” and “Russian Steam” are wood-burning stoves with an open heater. The assortment is more than large, you will have plenty to choose from: different sizes, types of doors and shapes. Since there are really a lot of products, you can easily choose the best option for your case and goals. “Russian Steam” has only 6 different modifications, which are designed for heating rooms with a volume of 18 to 28 m3.

Note! One of the modifications of the “Russian Steam” has an external lining made of a coil. But there are plenty of Vesuvius Scythian models - 26 options! These include different sizes, shapes, glass or iron doors. In general, everyone will be able to choose an option for themselves, suitable for any room with a different area

Below is shown the “Vesuvius Skif” stove modification SCh12 with an iron door

In general, everyone will be able to choose an option for themselves, suitable for any room with a different area. Below is shown the “Vesuvius Skif” stove modification SCh12 with an iron door

But there are plenty of Vesuvius Scythian models - 26 options! These include different sizes, shapes, glass or iron doors. In general, everyone will be able to choose an option for themselves, suitable for any room with a different area. Below is shown the Vesuvius Skif stove, modification SCh12, with an iron door.

Accent! There are models of Elite stoves that are lined with a coil, have a combustion tunnel and a glass door. There are not many of them, however, the units look original and interesting.

The Vesuvius Lava line model with a closed heater is very popular. A distinctive feature of the stoves are the forged elements used as decoration. They are located on top, bottom and in the middle of the body. There are also a lot of variations, about 24. They have different power, dimensions and appearance. From these, you can choose a stove capable of heating steam rooms with an area from 6 m3 to 26 m3. You can choose with a combustion tunnel or without.

In addition, there are several more lines - the Vesuvius Rusich and Legend stoves. They are not decorated with forging on the body, but this does not interfere with high-quality work. These stoves are made of cast iron, so they are heavy. For example, ordinary stoves weigh 60 or 100 kg, but these ones weigh 160 kg. The size of the heated area is 10–28 m3.

What does all this give you? It is known that with a large assortment of goods, it is much easier to choose. Such a number of units for heating a bath will allow you to choose the appropriate option. This applies to the purpose, area of the steam room, price, dimensions and appearance. Having made your choice, you can begin installing the equipment.

Features of operation

The service life of a cast iron sauna stove directly depends on proper care of it. Installation of equipment should only be carried out in a dry room at a large distance from sources of moisture to avoid corrosion.

The protective coating of the oven requires appropriate care. Damage that appears on the surface is immediately eliminated, otherwise the equipment ceases to function.

Pellets, firewood, and peat briquettes can be used as fuel for Svarozhich cast iron stoves. A model with a special combustion chamber is purchased in case of using the latest types of raw materials, which supports the operation of the product over a long period of time.

It is prohibited to place large logs into the combustion chamber: the door should close easily, and there should be free space between the fuel and the wall. The service life of the stove and the temperature in the steam room depend on compliance with these criteria.

The size of the logs is taken into account when developing the stove design. The combustion chamber should not be too small, otherwise it becomes necessary to prepare small firewood, which is very inconvenient.

TOP 8 best wood-burning stoves for baths and saunas

Hephaestus PB-04 MS

It is an excellent option for heating a small bathhouse with a volume of up to 15 m3. Each element of this furnace is solid, which increases the level of reliability and service life.

The model is equipped with a door with glass inserts that allows you to observe the burning of the flame in the firebox and a mesh basket for an open heater.

The walls of the furnace are made of high-quality cast iron, with a thickness of 1 to 6 centimeters, which prevents burnout and corrosion.

The surface can heat up to high temperatures, contributing to the formation of useful fine steam in the room.

power - 12 kW;
weight - 165 kg;
dimensions - 38*42*51.8 cm.

Advantages:

heats up quickly,
nice design with panoramic door,
durability.

Minuses:

complex assembly
unpleasant smell when first lighting.

Hephaestus PB-04

The unique design of the stove allows it to be considered one of the most reliable among its kind. The heater is made in the shape of a trapezoid. The use of unusual geometry allows you to quickly reach the desired temperature regime, warming the room and turning water into steam.

The length of the firebox tunnel can be adjusted based on need. The glass used for finishing doors is characterized by increased heat resistance.

A steel ash box is included with the stove.

The service life of the model is from 30 years and above.

power - 8 kW;
weight - 151 kg;
dimensions - 38*42*51.8 cm.

Advantages:

can be heated remotely,
modest dimensions.

Flaws:

long installation

Hephaestus PB-03 M

The alloy cast iron sauna stove has a unique design with two fireboxes, as well as a pyrolysis gas combustion system.

The material does not corrode and does not change shape under high temperatures. The air in the room where the stove is installed does not lose oxygen. The heat remains for several hours after the end of combustion.

The package includes a stainless steel ash box, as well as panoramic heat-resistant glass made in Germany.

power - 18 kW;
weight - 190 kg;
dimensions - 59*41.8*75 cm.

Advantages:

high quality metal,
rapid heating of the room,
design.

Flaws:

takes up a lot of space.

Hephaestus PB-02

A combustion unit with two chambers and enhanced convection allows you to quickly warm up the steam room and maintain the temperature level for a long time.

Heating temperature - up to 750 degrees.

It is possible to move the stove portal into a room adjacent to the steam room for safe combustion.

Requires brick lining.

The door is decorated with elements of artistic casting.

power - 25 kW;
weight - 300 kg;
dimensions - 64.5*45.8*85.5 cm.

Advantages:

possibility of remote combustion,
Keeps warm for a long time.

Flaws:

needs to be lined
requires the construction of a solid foundation.

Hephaestus PB-03 MS

The stove is equipped with a three-section closed heater, and specially shaped ribs inside the firebox, which promote rapid heating and the formation of useful steam of fine fractions.

The firebox is organized in such a way as to achieve the maximum level of efficiency.

The walls are able to withstand a significant weight of stones.

The door is made of cast iron and decorated with glass.

power - 12 kW;
weight - 210 kg;
dimensions - 50*70*85.5 cm.

Advantages:

very powerful
Heats up quickly and doesn't cool down for a long time.

Flaws:

It's better to put it on top of the foundation.

Vesuvius LEGEND STANDARD 16 (DT-4S)

The wood-burning cast iron stove is equipped with a sealed firebox made of three elements with bolted connections. Can heat a steam room with a volume from 8 to 18 m2.

The oven door is not airtight and is decorated with heat-resistant glass.

External heater, built-in chimney.

power - 16 kW;
weight - 116 kg;
dimensions - 56*70*69 cm.

Advantages:

affordable price,
nice design.

Flaws:

leaky.

Vesuvius LEGEND FORGING 16 (270)

The stove of this model is suitable for organizing heating of a steam room from an adjacent, adjacent room. It has a three-section firebox with high efficiency and fast heating.

The volume of the steam room can be up to 20m3.

The model has a classic appearance and bronze color.

power - 16 kW;
weight - 96.5 kg;
dimensions - 70*56*62 cm.

Advantages:

weighs little
you can heat from the utility room,
stylish look.

Flaws:

low quality metal.

Vesuvius HURRICANE STANDARD 16 (DT-4)

The sauna stove is made of high-quality cast iron and equipped with a spacious open-closed steel heater that helps produce abundant steam.

The type of fuel channel is remote, closed with a solid cast-iron door.

power - 16 kW;
weight - 110 kg;
dimensions - 80*55*88 cm.

Advantages:

heats up quickly

Flaws:

You need to constantly add firewood, otherwise the temperature in the steam room drops.

Nuances of furnace design

The Svarozhich, Firebird and Slavyanka stove models are equipped with two types of doors:

Standard cast iron. Inexpensive door with glass insert. It closes and is pressed against the portal with a bolt. Insufficient tightness of such a lock leads to the fact that air leaks continue even when the door is closed.
Door with large glass. The fireplace door provides tight temperature control. Large panoramic glass guarantees the necessary tightness.

The offered sauna stoves can be equipped with two doors. A special feature of the design is movable blinds that allow you to regulate convection and combustion intensity.

Main characteristics of Legend series furnaces.

Oven legend 22 cross-section

The Legend series sauna stoves are divided into four groups by volume:

Legend 12 - from 6 to 14 m3
Legend 16 - from 8 to 18 m3
Legend 22 - from 12 to 24 m3
Legend 28 - from 14 to 30 m3

All groups differ only in the dimensions of the furnaces. Not by a smoke damper system or any other design changes, but simply by size. The stove is created according to the complete classics. Three parts of the furnace are screwed together. Between the parts there is a ceramic cord and a heat-resistant sealant.

The oxygen supply system is regulated by the ash pan and, in some cases, by doors. Let’s say that on doors numbered 205 and 224 there are blower dampers, thanks to which a pseudo-system of clean glass and regulation of the oxygen supply are carried out.

Legend series standard

There is also a grid distinction. In the “legend forging” series, the series is made with forging elements, and also contains the most interesting doors. And in the cheaper series (standard) the doors are ordinary. So the company differentiated essentially the same stoves, without any special changes, into premium and economy.

Is this fair? I think no. In fact, if you want a large glass or a hermetically sealed door, you are required to overpay for a forged mesh painted with bronze paint.

As I wrote earlier, the smoke tooth system in “legend” sauna stoves is primitive. In fact, this is an ordinary curved plate, thanks to which unexhausted gases are slightly retained in the chamber before leaving the furnace. Simply put, we are not talking about the complex system that is installed on Feringer furnaces or the rather good systems of the Teplodar company. But the indisputable advantage of the simplicity of such a tooth is cleaning the chimney. You move this tooth to the side, or remove it altogether, and get direct access to the chimney.

Reviews

Consumers who have installed Slavyanka stoves from , in their reviews, talk about the rapid heating of a steam room of 15 cubic meters at an ambient temperature of +6 degrees. When the top of the screen is open, the room is too hot. A comfortable 60 degrees is achieved with half covered or stones placed. The only drawback noted in the reviews is that the door does not fit tightly, which maintains traction even when the dampers are closed. It is impossible to eliminate this nuance by adjusting the damper on the chimney, since the smoke penetrates into the room.

How to light a stove?

For complete kindling you need a “seed”. The stove is heated with the help of 4 narrow small logs, shavings/chips and paper (preferably newspaper - it flares up better). Kindling algorithm:

Place a couple of logs parallel to each other on the grate; the distance between them is 10-15 cm;
place crumpled paper between the firewood and sprinkle it with shavings or wood chips;
Place two more logs diagonally on the bottom logs;
Set the paper on fire on one or more sides.

It is not always possible to light wood the first time. This requires a certain skill. Liquid fuel must not be used as an aid. In extreme cases, dry alcohol can be used. But if the firewood is dry, then problems with kindling are minimal.

As soon as the flame flares up, you need to close the firebox door and then partially close the ash damper. After this, you can be guided by the sound - if there is a characteristic hum from the firebox, everything has been done correctly. If the sound is weak or absent, you will have to melt it again.

This is just the beginning - a wood stove needs regular refilling of logs. This also needs to be done wisely.

We suggest you familiarize yourself with: Chimney size for a brick stove

Stove with cast iron firebox Sudarushka

These stoves are also produced by the Inzhkomtsentr VVD enterprise and, like Kalita, have a good reputation.

These stoves were designed for small steam rooms. Since there is little space in them, they tried to make the models elongated upward. The result is the following structure: a massive cast-iron firebox sits underneath. On it is a heater made of steel (heat-resistant, corrosion-resistant or heat-resistant). To ensure high-quality heating of the stones, a double gas circulation was made, and to strengthen the structure, a corner was welded to the bottom, which also acts as a flame divider (it does not allow the fire to jump into the chimney).

The structure of stoves with cast iron fireboxes Sudarushka

The issue of steam release is also resolved in an unusual way - it comes out from the side. Here, when purchasing, specify which direction is more convenient for you (better - against the wall, and not towards the door or on the steamers).

If it is necessary to heat water from above, a water tank is also placed on the heater. The oven gets even higher. Some models (Sudarushka family RK and Sudarushka family combustion unit) can be equipped with a heat gun. This is a device with which water falls on the hottest stones that are located at the bottom of the heater.

If there is no water tank on top, the top of the heater remains open. This is bad for obtaining light steam: the stones are constantly exposed to air currents, which is why their temperature will be insufficient. To ensure that the heater is closed, there are cast iron doors (optional) that are mounted on top.

These are different options for stoves for Sudarushka baths

Assortment and technical characteristics

There are seven modifications of the Sudarushka stove today. There is a combustion unit for a brick screen, and different cladding options. The technical characteristics of stoves with cast iron fireboxes are summarized in the table.

Technical characteristics of Sudarushka sauna stoves with a cast iron firebox (to increase the size of the table, right-click on the picture)

Separately, it is necessary to explain the design of the Sudarushka Rusa stove. This is a mesh oven, but its design is non-standard. There are two heaters - internal and external. You are unlikely to achieve very light steam, but something similar in terms of conditions may be possible: the firebox array can add additional temperature and you will get a certain amount of steam.

The Sudarushka MK and Rusa models have open and closed heaters

If you look at the parameters, the most suitable modification for the Russian steam room is the Sudarushka Family and Sudarushka MK combustion unit. In the rest, the laying of stones is too small. But everything depends more on whether the heater is closed with a lid.

Reviews of the stove with cast iron firebox Sudarushka

I have Sudarushka in stone. It's a bit harsh for a Russian steam room. We need to bring it to mind (screen it). There is another problem when supplying steam. To avoid getting burned, I cover myself with a broom. I get burned differently. But it works well, although it heats up harshly for me.

Stepan, Vologda

I struggled with the choice for a long time, then I bought myself a Sudarushka M and did not regret it. Cast iron is cast iron. And he took the heater not from black, but from stainless steel. So I think it will last a long time. I like the steam, but I removed the heat with a screen.

Leonid, Moscow

I covered the basic Sudarushka with a brick screen, and instead of the tank I installed a second heater (it is heated by the pipe and the lower heater). I built a steam cannon into the top heater and covered it all with stone. Now it takes longer to heat, so when guests come in they say it’s cold, but after a few servings the steam flies out screaming into the snow. This way it suits me, but as it was, it’s not a Russian bathhouse. But this is my opinion. The unit itself is excellent, but improvements are needed.

Semenych, Peter

Typhoon Series

Under this name, 9 units are produced, adapted for heating rooms from 6 to 30 m3. The design of the Typhoon's fuel chamber and gas duct system does not shine with originality and almost completely replicates the Skif model. The difference lies in the shape of the heater, which has turned from cylindrical to rectangular. The heater is ventilated and also open on all sides.

The manufacturer declares that some elements of the stove that are most exposed to fire are made of 12 mm thick carbon structural steel. True, he does not indicate what these elements are. Otherwise, the metal remained the same - 4 mm on the side walls, 8 mm on the back and top. All stoves have a firebox with an external channel. The extension size is standard, 25 cm.

If we talk about options, the Vesuvius “Typhoon” stove boasts 2 types of viewing glasses:

heat-resistant, built into a standard fuel door.
panoramic, with dimensions 41 x 41 cm.

In modifications with sight glasses, it is possible to regulate the air supply to the firebox using a special damper. There is also an option to install a hanging tank for heating water.

Bath stoves Kalita

These stoves are positioned as bath stoves: for Russian steam rooms. They are produced by the Russian enterprise Inzhkomtsentr VVD. They are made of gray heat-resistant cast iron. They have been on the market for many years and have a fairly strong reputation - they are reliable and quite economical (as for cast iron).

There are many models. Almost everything is covered with a brick screen, there is soap chloride and a coil. In any case, with normal thermal insulation of steam rooms and correctly selected power, in summer the steam room warms up in 1.5-2 hours, in winter - 2.5-3 hours. Only for normal convection, the screen (sarcophagus) needs two holes at the bottom and at the top (with doors) for more efficient heating.

Range of stoves with closed heater Kalita

There are many options, so we will briefly list the main characteristics and features of all.

Technical characteristics of cast iron stoves for Kalita baths (to increase the size of the table, right-click on the picture)

Now about the features of these stoves. The furnace depth is indicated for modifications without an external combustion tunnel. If you are going to heat the stove from another room, then you need to take it out. Then the oven depth increases by 200 mm. The stem in some models is made of stainless steel, resistant to scale formation (can be used up to 900°C). In others, the remote firebox is also made of cast iron. So please check when ordering.

The structure of cast iron stoves for Kalita baths

Most of the container for stones is made of stainless steel: the bottom is cast iron, 10 mm thick, the walls are made of 3 mm alloy steel. In general, some stove models have open top stoves. This is not very good for a Russian bath. But if you wish, you can order a thermal casing-steam accumulator, which completely covers the heater and, as a result, the stones heat up faster and to higher temperatures. Water for steam is poured into a special glass, from which it is distributed throughout the entire stack.

What distinguishes all these models is the absence of small nuts in the design. This way the door fits tightly, the glass on the door does not turn black, and the system for regulating the air supply to the firebox works effectively.

Reviews of Kalita stoves

I have Kalita TM for 3 tiers. I loaded a lot of stones into it. Now that's it. Although it takes a long time to heat (two or three hours), then the even heat lasts for a very long time. Even the next day it is still very warm. So everything dries out perfectly after the bath. No problems with dampness or fungi.

Boris, Volgograd

I gave myself a gift for the New Year - Prince bought a Kalita. The cladding was captivating. Beautiful. The quality of workmanship and pairing were excellent. We drown for a long time, but then it’s such a thrill! Steam for me never gives me a headache, and after the bath my body feels so good and light. Expensive, of course, but I don’t regret it. The oven is excellent.

Vitaly, Moscow

I bought Kalita President in soap chloride. During the first heating, smoke poured into the steam room. It turned out that there were large gaps and the cast iron did not fit tightly. I had to seal everything with sealant. I bought this headache for 129 thousand.

Nikolay, Tula

We bought an arched one with a cast iron tunnel. Many thanks to the employees of Inzhkomcenter VVD. We asked a lot of questions, the answers were always accurate and complete. We advised on the choice of stove and power. Very useful recommendations on installation and chimney. As a result, we are very pleased. The service is excellent, the oven is beyond praise. The steam is wonderful. Our bathhouse is now top class.

Ivan Semenovich, Moscow

Advantages

The safe operation of furnaces is achieved by reliable bolted or welded connections of elements and assemblies. The technological joints of the fireboxes are sealed with a ceramic seam (the products can withstand temperatures of 1200 °C without breaking the seal). Universal stove options are recommended for use in Russian or Finnish baths. The main advantages of Vesuvius stoves are described:

ergonomic design;
stylish design;
increased efficiency - efficiency factor;
specialized self-cleaning system;
durable heat-resistant glass on the doors;
increased fire safety.

The manufacturer launched 8 bath models on the market:

"Rusich";
"Scythian";
"Vertical";
"Lava";
"Optimum";
"Premium";
"Russian steam";
"Legend".

Limited selection: cast iron sauna stoves with a closed heater

Today you can often hear that the best sauna stoves are cast iron.
Why is there such an opinion, is it not a myth and what really is their advantage? We hope this article will help you understand everything. The most popular option for a cast-iron sauna stove today is a wood-burning stove. After all, neither gas nor electricity can replace the soft warmth of a real fire and the pleasant smell of burning wood. For example, wood-burning cast iron sauna stoves heat up more slowly than metal ones, but they retain heat longer.

So, cast iron as a material for a sauna stove is considered better than steel not at all because it is thick - their characteristics can only be objectively compared if you take both cast iron 1 cm thick and steel. After all, steel is rarely thicker than 6 mm, but rather 3-4 mm. That’s why it corrodes, burns out, and sometimes “drives” it.

Traditional ovens are heated by stones that are placed over the roasting pan. The fire in the brazier heats these stones, and they, in turn, increase the temperature in the bathhouse. Given the high efficiency of such stoves, it is necessary to constantly maintain the fire - as soon as the stones stop heating, the temperature in the room immediately drops.

The stones are sandwiched between two cast iron sheets, allowing them to heat up quickly while losing heat slowly. The temperature in the steam room is gradually released.
Flue gases that would simply escape in a traditional stove flow through the heater, providing additional heat.
The space in the room is heated more evenly, without unnecessary differences, which cannot be said about other types of stoves. The steam room is filled with the brighter aromas of natural wood.
The maximum heating of the stones is 600 degrees. This temperature allows you to maintain heat in the steam room for a long time and enjoy all the delights of the bath without extra costs.

Don't forget about health. Uniform temperature distribution puts less strain on the heart vessels. Therefore, a bathhouse with such a stove is not contraindicated for patients with heart problems and lung diseases.

If your steam room is small, then the Sudarushka stove, produced by the well-established Inzhkomcenter VVD company, is perfect. Such cast-iron wood-burning sauna stoves are well suited for small rooms, as they have an elongated design: a cast-iron firebox below, and a heat-resistant steel heater located above.

The problem of releasing steam was solved in an unusual way - the steam comes out from the side. When purchasing, do not forget to specify the side on which the steam comes out, so that later it will be easier to install the stove. It is better when the steam from the stove is directed at the wall, and not at the door or, especially, at people.

If you want to always have hot water at hand in your sauna, you can install a water tank on the heater. A good addition, but it will make the oven even taller. There are models, such as the “Sudarushka Family”, equipped with a heat gun, which periodically sprays water onto the hot stones, thereby increasing the temperature in the steam room. However, you can do this yourself.

The stove is equipped with cast iron doors, which are installed on top of the stones. Doors are required when a water tank is not installed.

Stones are an integral part of the stove; the temperature in the steam room depends on their heating. Most often, they must be purchased separately from the heating device. Don't forget that the main thing about stones is their roundness - no sharp edges. Round stones heat up better and retain heat. When choosing stones for a cast iron stove, you should not forget about the following details:

The stones should be varied in size - from small to large.
The stones must be intact and undamaged.
Stones should not be light. The heavier it is, the better it retains heat.
You cannot use artificial stones, only natural ones.

You need to arrange the stones like this: from largest to smallest. That is, we put the big ones at the bottom, and the smallest ones should be on the surface. Do not forget that the total weight of the stones depends on their type and the area of the steam room. But on average it turns out like this: for every 10 square meters you need about 100 kg of stones.

Even stones cannot withstand constant use at high temperatures, so they need to be replaced every 2–3 years. You should not immediately water the stones; you must wait until they reach a temperature of at least 300 degrees and only then pour water on them. If you do this earlier, the steam will be too wet, and it will be harder for people to stay in the steam room.

steam room volume - from 45 to 65 cubic meters;
wall material: cast iron SCh20-25 ChH10;
material thickness - from 10 to 60 mm.

maximum steam room volume - 35 cubic meters;
wall material: gray cast iron SCh-15;
wall thickness from 6 to 15 mm.

Svarozhich produces stoves in two versions - “Kalita” and “Sudarushka”. The latest model is produced in several configurations, but each of them is equipped with a cast-iron firebox and a heater made of stainless steel.

steam room volume - from 18 to 40 cubic meters;
wall material: cast iron GJL200;
wall thickness - 10 mm.

Izhkomtsentr VVD produces cast iron stoves in two versions: Kalita and Sudarushka. The Kalita body, like the ax part, is made of cast iron; the outside is lined with stone. “Sudarushka” is a combined model: the firebox is made of cast iron, and the heater can be made of stainless steel or ferrous metal.

the maximum volume of the steam room is 20 cubic meters;
material: gray cast iron;
material thickness from 10 to 20 mm.

Unfortunately, the market for cast iron stoves with a closed heater is not so large - few people even produce stoves made of this metal, and not all of them are equipped with the required type of stove. On the other hand, the pain of choice is significantly reduced. Well, we will try to provide all the most essential information about what you can find on the market.

When someone is looking for a specific unit, one can assume that he is well aware of exactly where such stoves come in handy and why they are so highly valued. In fact, it may turn out that a person is simply guided by the opinion of a neighbor or friend, so we decided that a small preface would not hurt.

Russian bath conditions

Firstly, you need to understand that closed heaters are needed only in a Russian bath. Others are satisfied with open ones or they do without stones at all (hammam, for example). Why is this so important?

There is a concept of the conditions of a particular national bath. Typically it is a relationship between temperature and humidity. And also the quality of the steam.

So, the requirements of a Russian bath are simple: the room must not be too hot - no more than 60 degrees, and the humidity should be about 50 percent.

Perhaps you already feel a contradiction: how to ensure that the stones overheat, but the steam room does not? The solution to this problem was brick ovens with closed heaters. The brick does not allow the air to overheat, accumulating heat from the firewood in itself, and the stones in the closed box are at this time washed by the flame, which raises their temperature to 450 degrees or more. It is enough to open the door and splash water so that it evaporates instantly, reaching a temperature of more than 100 degrees.

Russian sauna stove with closed heater

But a brick stove is a troublesome task, there are few craftsmen, and there has always been a lot of metal in our country. This is how a worthy competitor to the brick stove appeared - a cast iron stove lined with brick.

Requirements for stoves for Russian baths

So we have come to the point that there are several interrelated requirements that bath units must meet. There are only three requirements, but if at least one of them is not met, then it will be difficult, if not impossible, to meet the conditions.

closed heater:
a brick or stone sarcophagus with vents (a stove completely covered with brick);
doors or dampers on the vents, with the help of which convection is regulated.

In practice, this will mean this: the casing protects the steam room from overheating while the stones inside the stove heat up to the desired temperature.

If you need to quickly catch up, the vents open. If you need to create a “steam cake” under the ceiling, the vents are closed.

In a closed heater box, the stones have no contact with air, which means they do not give off heat to it, retaining it within themselves. In an open heater, you will not be able to heat the top stones to a temperature above 200 degrees.

Pros and cons of cast iron and closed heater

In “stove construction” only three materials are used: steel, cast iron and brick. It’s not for nothing that we placed cast iron in the middle between steel and artificial stone. Compared to steel, it has a greater heat capacity, that is, it is able to retain heat for some time, like stone. If we compare cast iron with brick, then its heat capacity will be much lower than that of the latter.

What's good and bad about heat capacity? The higher it is, the more time it takes to heat up a material with such properties, but it will also take much longer to cool down than a material with a low heat capacity.

Therefore, to quickly heat a bathhouse, you need steel; to obtain soft, moderate heat, you need brick. Cast iron will only slightly soften the radiation - in this sense it was and remains a metal. Whether this is an advantage or a disadvantage depends on the needs of the bathhouse owner.

Closed heater on the Vesuvius stove

Well, we must not forget that cast iron is cast in the form of separate parts, which are easily and simply connected during assembly. This is good because if one of them fails, then only it will need to be replaced, and not the entire stove.

Yes, and we almost forgot the most important thing: cast iron products are highly durable. Such a stove is bought to last for decades. Karelian manufacturers claim that their stove will last 30 years!

Cast iron stoves

Wood-burning cast iron stove Vesuvius “Hurricane”

An inexpensive, high-quality cast iron stove “Vesuvius” Hurricane will make your stay in the bathhouse truly pleasant and unforgettable. With its help you can easily get wet steam from a Russian bath or dry steam for Finnish sauna lovers. A cast iron convection oven is designed for installation in a steam room with a combustion tunnel exiting to the adjacent room.

The special 12-mm cast iron alloy from which the Hurricane firebox is made can withstand even very high temperatures. Stones heated in a closed firebox also reach incredible temperatures, allowing you to get a special fine vapor during the vaping process.

The Vesuvius Hurricane cast iron stove can be used in steam rooms with a volume of 8 to 30 cubic meters. The warranty on the stove is 30 years. Depending on your preferences, you can choose a Vesuvius Hurricane cast iron stove with a solid sealed cast iron door without glass or with heat-resistant fireplace glass.

Cast iron stove Vesuvius “Legend”

Wood-burning cast iron stove Vesuvius with an efficiency of about 80%, quickly heats up the steam room, is resistant to high temperatures, maintaining its marketable appearance for many years. The mesh across the entire width of the firebox holds 160 kg of stones + the impressive weight of the stove itself (160 kg) helps preserve heat for a long time in a room from 10 to 28 cubic meters. When planning the installation of a Vesuvius Legend wood-burning stove, you should take care of a solid foundation or strengthen the logs in the place where you want to install it.

A sauna in the midst of the noisy life of a metropolis is not a luxury, but simply a necessity! A person should relax and rest from time to time. Vesuvius stoves will help you accomplish this task, giving you gentle steam and especially soft, comfortable warmth for your body, in the literal sense of the word “bath.”

Video review of Vesuvius wood stoves

“Stove Vesuvius Skif 12, bought 4 years ago. It hasn't let me down yet, it works properly. The stove heats up quickly and evenly, creating a quite decent sauna atmosphere. The price-quality ratio suits me quite well. I don’t see the point in purchasing more expensive models; if you have a small steam room, this stove will be enough.”

“Vesuvius Rusich stove. Fast heating of the sauna, robust body. In principle, all the functionality declared by the manufacturer justified itself. But my opinion is that without additional lining of the stove with bricks, all your efforts will literally go down the drain. Or increase the volume of stones and put them in the oven itself, so that the heating process goes more or less quickly and without hassle.”

“Vesuvius Furnace Legend forging 16 (270). We replaced our old Termofor. A cast iron stove was chosen so that the stove would not burn out. I've been happy with the stove for several years now, the steam is very soft, the heat in the sauna is stored for a long time and the water in the tank is still hot the next day. The glass, however, did not want to clean itself, so it had to be cleaned. Maybe we are doing something wrong - I can’t say for sure. Otherwise we are satisfied. I hope the stove will serve us for another ten years.”

“Stove-fireplace Skif 22 with panoramic glass. The quality of the oven is excellent. The price is not the lowest, but the stove is worth it. In terms of reliability, I don’t see any equal. Moreover, it is subjected to almost daily use. I don’t believe the negative reviews, because... I myself am the owner of this unit. I recommend!"

Cleaning the oven

Cleaning of cast-iron bathhouse stoves is carried out using special equipment, which allows you to restore the structure from the inside to its proper form and remove ash. Proper care ensures the service life of the stove is extended. If large amounts of dirt and debris accumulate, equipment failure may occur.

When choosing a stove for a bath, it is advisable to turn to specialists for help in selection and installation. Professionals help you choose a model, installation location and provide complete information about the features of operation and care nuances. provides relevant services to its clients.

Features of Svarozhich stoves

Let's pay attention to the practical aspects of the products:

Ease of transportation and installation of Svarozhich stoves thanks to the prefabricated structure.
A special tunnel allows you to heat the stove from the dressing room or steam room.
The window for loading stones can be installed both on the left and on the right when installing the heater.
The cast iron firebox has a wall thickness of 9 millimeters.
The furnace lining is made from several types of materials: natural stone, fireclay brick and polished stainless steel.
The heater is made of sheet metal 4 millimeters thick or stainless steel 3 millimeters thick. Innovative production technologies make it possible to perform complex bends of such material without welding seams. The laser cutting complex guarantees tightness and high quality of connections.
The container for stones in Svarozhich stoves is located under a cast-iron firebox, which maintains the temperature for a long time. The filament material is placed on the upper platform of the furnace.

All stoves offered are equipped with a remote firebox, so they can be installed in adjacent rooms. Firewood up to 40 centimeters long is loaded into the combustion chamber. The weight of the stove without raw materials for fuel, stones and lining is 270 kilograms. In view of this, its installation requires the construction of a separate foundation.

Svarozhich Lux stoves are equipped with a wide door, which maintains the temperature after the end of the fire, but slows down the heating of the steam room.

Production

Casting of cast iron parts for Svarozhich furnaces is carried out at a large enterprise in the Republic of Belarus, equipped with modern German equipment. In foundry production, only gray cast iron of the SCh15-25 grade is used. The multi-stage quality control system implemented at the plant ensures careful selection and testing of materials. Before being sent to the consumer, the products undergo quality inspection.

The lining of the Svarozhich bathhouse stoves is made from natural materials - coils, soapstone quartzite, soapstone magnesite, soapstone chlorite and serpentinite - on special stone-cutting machines according to the manufacturer’s own patent. Extraction of stone for cladding is carried out in quarries in Karelia and the Urals. The high heat capacity of the structures is achieved due to a coating thickness of 40-50 millimeters.

Representatives of the company assist clients in choosing a stove for the Svarozhich bathhouse in accordance with the parameters of the room. The list of services includes the design and installation of a safe and reliable chimney, installation of thermal protective and finishing materials in a steam room.

Since the start of its activities, it has sold over 4 thousand stoves and 2.5 thousand chimney sets.

How to choose a cast iron stove for a bath - manufacturers and prices

One of the traditional Russian pastimes is spending time in the bathhouse. Nothing soothes and relaxes like high-quality, hot steam floating in the air. And even though the modern steam room has undergone many changes, steel, stone or cast iron sauna stoves remain its main components.

Each of the listed types of stoves has its own advantages. Let's look at what makes a model made of cast iron good to use and what features to look for when choosing.

It is necessary to understand that even two cast iron sauna stoves that are identical at first glance can have a significant difference - the quality of the material used in the manufacturing process. Each manufacturer adheres to its own alloy composition, adding certain components.

Among foreign brands, Keddy from Sweden is popular among consumers. She makes the fireboxes for her units cast, the chambers are completely sealed, the doors fit perfectly and do not require seals.

Catalog of average prices for Hephaestus cast iron stoves for baths

Prices for cast iron sauna stoves from other manufacturers

Furnaces from the Finnish company KastorOY, which has been one of the market leaders for more than a century, are widespread. Engineers covered the combustion chambers of modern models with a casing on both sides, thanks to which they managed to achieve an increase in efficiency of up to 80%.

There are domestic models on the market, among which “Kaleda” and “Kalita Marochnaya” are popular; good options are produced under the Hephaestus brand. However, it is difficult for them to properly compete with imported options, since experienced stove makers do not trust the quality of cast iron.

Prices largely depend on the class of the cast iron heater and its capabilities. The average cost of a classic model with a glass door ranges from 25-40 thousand rubles. Premium-class installations can reach prices of 100-150 thousand rubles.

The manufacturer reserves the right to unilaterally, without prior notice, make design changes to improve the quality or appearance of the product.

What is a good sauna stove in the minds of the majority of society? Of course, the real heated heart of the sauna is a powerful unit capable of producing excellent heat and thick, rich and enveloping steam. Power and fire, like a real volcano, is what prompted the domestic manufacturer to create a stove for the Vesuvius bathhouse, similar to a natural phenomenon, whose name speaks for itself.

The stove was developed by domestic engineers and enjoys considerable success both in Finnish saunas and in classic Russian baths. The Vesuvius stove is an all-welded convection type structure, durable and practical. The firebox is made of high-strength steel and is 8 mm thick. At the bottom there is a high-quality cast iron grate. And it is placed in the Vesuvius bathhouse so that it can be heated from the room adjacent to the steam room.

Here are the main advantages of these ovens with a great name:

Balanced efficiency of heating stones and air;
The heater has a sufficiently large capacity;
Minimum load of stones on the collector;
Stylish ergonomic design;
Complete absence of sharp corners;
Self-cooling door with huge heat-resistant glass, and even with a self-cleaning system.

These sauna stoves are also praised for the fact that they are very convenient to use the convection control dampers, the stove casing does not “foul” at all, as the sauna attendants like to say, and the heat in the steam room reaches 80˚C in just an hour and a half and lasts quite a long time.

One more thing worth noting: of course, stoves with stones in a grid look quite impressive - but this is not always the best choice. Thus, experienced bathhouse attendants always assure that the steam from such stones, if used incorrectly, can be damp and heavy, because open stones in the mesh around the firebox will never get as hot as in a closed heater.

Experienced builders recommend making the fire wall and additional furnace fencing from Rockwool basalt wool and protecting it with Minerit slabs. And the slab itself can be covered with “Serpentine” stone tiles - “apothecary stone”, which relieves headaches and heals fractures.

By the way, some bath attendants also subject Vesuvius to additional modernization: they cut off a little more than half of the wire frame and fold the sarcophagus into half a brick, often installing two cast-iron doors: at the bottom and at the top. But experienced bath attendants only place stones on top.

You can also hear a complaint that when lining the stove with bricks, the upper half of the screen masonry gets very hot. And nothing can be done about it yet.

When developing the Rusich model range, engineers relied on the experience of foreign and domestic manufacturers, choosing what works and what is effective. And here is the result: a volumetric ventilated heater that heats stones from four sides at once in record time. And the process is helped by an external convector casing, which forms a fairly powerful convection flow in the steam room. In fact, “Rusich” is the fastest stove for heating a bath.

In the Skif model range, they decided to combine the advantages of metal and brick stoves: to make a super-capacity convection-ventilated casing for a huge number of stones that will heat up to 350˚C. And they accumulate valuable heat for a long time. And the stones in these models are placed in a casing on all sides of the firebox, protecting it at the same time from hard infrared radiation, which is difficult to get rid of in conventional metal stoves. A simple and at the same time unique solution.

Lava models differ from others in their special structural steel and ventilated casing with spectacular forging elements. Such stoves heat up the steam room almost as quickly as “Rusich”.

The “Vertical” model range has also become popular recently - it contains 100% advanced technologies: a combustion chamber with afterburning of exhaust gases, double circulation of the flame and, as a result, a greatly increased efficiency of the furnace. In fact, this is generally the only stove in Russia that has double circulation of flame and afterburning of gases - it is not without reason that it is chosen primarily by those who really understand sauna stoves and their functioning, and not just determine something by the external design alone.

But for true connoisseurs of the spirit of the Russian bath, the “Vesuvius” “Premium” model range was specially created. Convection-ventilated lining made of pure mountain coils is the secret of such stoves. They warm up quickly, and retain heat and a stable temperature for a really long time. Plus, the stylish appearance of the stone and the healing properties of the coil itself.

But for a real Russian bath with its special humid microclimate, the “Russian Steam” model is most suitable - its name speaks for itself. At the top of the stove there is a heater designed for 60 kg of stones - and they will heat up to 400˚C. The resulting steam is fine, dispersed and very light. Here we can safely say to the owners of such stoves - with light steam!