How to choose a stove for a bathhouse “Varvara”: TOP-8 models with a description of technical characteristics and customer reviews

Stoves for the Varvara bathhouse have been produced at the DERO and K enterprise in Tver for 10 years, and during this time they have gained well-deserved popularity. Designers are constantly improving models. The manufacturer positions Varvara as a durable sauna stove with durable walls of the firebox and water heating tank, and reviews from the owners confirm this.

It is quite easy for a specific user to choose the right option; the thermal performance, dimensions and weight of the stove, the weight of the stones to be laid and other design features must be taken into account.

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How to properly brick Varvara

Bathhouse attendants often jokingly call the “Barbara” design “as simple as a rake.”
After all, in essence, this is a good metal potbelly stove with a mesh for stones. But surprisingly, it is quite durable and effective in use. To create the climate of a real Russian bathhouse, “Varvara” needs to be covered with bricks. But that’s right. Here, for example, is one of the proven ways to make a strong and inexpensive foundation for “Varvara” in a bathhouse from logs, and properly cover it:

Step 1. There is no need to remove the timber and disturb the piping - only one side of the foundation should be placed under the wall. So that the stove screen goes into the rest room. It also needs to be covered with waterproofing and cutting of the wall should begin from the second crown. It all looks like this: the foundation is placed under the wall, the lower crown remains untouched and the screen is laid directly through the insulation. The masonry itself is tied with the rest of the stove lining in the steam room. This will make the structure especially strong.

Step 2. Now heat the oven well outside so that there is no longer an unpleasant smell and the paint is polymerized. We place the first row on the mortar - with an accurate horizontal check at the building level. Next, lay out the dry brick. The stove itself must ultimately be placed on two layers of bricks and one galvanized sheet.

Step 3. Next, the lining of the furnace itself begins: fireclay bricks will be good for the firebox, as in places in contact with fire and high temperatures, for the rest of the masonry - hollow facing bricks. The cavities need to be filled with sand - this can be done when the furnace is actually being lined and not being built

And finally, it is important to provide thermal gaps for bricks in advance. Step 4. The solution for laying the screen must be mixed based on fireclay clay

The mortar for laying the screen must be mixed using fireclay clay.

Step 4. The solution for laying the screen must be mixed based on fireclay clay

You can buy it at a regular hardware store - in 20-kilogram plastic bags, and simply dilute it with water. Even brick ovens are used with it, because it can withstand temperatures up to 1500˚C and well compensates for the expansion of masonry. You can also use basalt cardboard - it is very light, but at the same time it can withstand high temperatures in the firebox area.

Step 5. We line the pipe with half a brick, leaving two channels at the base. When lining the back of the furnace, one brick may not be placed - in order to create a convective flow. And an ordinary plastic sewer pipe makes a good exhaust hood.

Step 6. Cut out a sheet from the metal screen that will cover the heater. We put two small doors at the bottom of the lining and another large one on the sides of the oven - they will create an air flow. By the way, it will be possible to switch between the doors themselves the inflow under the stove in the “from the rest room” and “from the washing room” modes.

Here are detailed instructions on how to install a good quality stove in a bathhouse for relatively little money.

Tips for installation and operation

The Varvara sauna stoves are lightweight, so their installation is simple. Before this process, it is recommended to heat the equipment outside so that the smell from the substances and oils used in production disappears.

After firing in the open air, the stove is installed in the steam room:

1. One side of the foundation is placed under the wall so that only the stove screen extends into the recreation room. It is covered with waterproofing material, cutting the wall begins with 2 crowns. As a result, the foundation is as close as possible to the wall. The brick screen is combined with the other side of the stove in the steam room.
2. The first row of bricks is laid on the mortar. The stove is installed on the 2nd row of brickwork.

3. In areas near the combustion chamber, refractory bricks are used. In other areas it is allowed to use lining. His sinuses are filled with sand.
4. The brick screen is made from a fire-resistant clay mass that can withstand temperatures up to +1500 degrees.
5. A piece suitable for the screen is cut out of a metal sheet, which can later be used to cover the area of ​​the heater.
6. Two small doors are installed at the bottom of the masonry, while large doors are installed on opposite sides of the stove structure. This is necessary to create air flow. Between the doors it will be possible to switch the flow of air under the stove in different modes: from the rest room or from the washing room.

It is better to use dry firewood to fire Varvara. Burning with wood briquettes is also allowed. It is necessary to ignite the fuel with the chimney open and the ash pan open by 5 cm. The combustion chamber door is kept closed when igniting. When the firewood is fully heated, the ash compartment is completely closed and the firebox is slightly covered.

During operation, the water tank is cleaned every 1 - 2 months.

Expert opinion

Lovkachev Boris Petrovich

Bath master who knows everything about steaming

Attention! Do not use resinous wood to fire a sauna stove. In this case, there will be excessive soot deposits on the walls of the chimney and will require more frequent cleaning. Sometimes, if there is excessive deposits, it is impossible to clean the chimney ducts and the stove must be disassembled.

The range of these sauna stoves

As he himself states, they began to produce baths after a thorough analysis of the pros and cons of domestic models - and therefore all the pros and cons of competitors are taken into account.

Any “Barbara” model creates a comfortable temperature and good steam in the bathhouse. There are three main serial “Barbarians”:

An oven with a heating circuit and a tank, which is located at the top and has a capacity of 120 liters.

These stoves are intended for those baths where there is a water supply or a pumping station with water supplied to it. Here the tank is essentially a passage through the ceiling. The steam from such a stove is discharged to the street through a steam outlet. And the heating circuit itself is made of stainless steel 1.5 mm thick, where hot water circulates. Such a stove can even handle a steam room up to 30 m3. By the way, if such a large tank is not needed, it can be replaced with a standard 60 liter one.

Stove with a side-mounted tank - 50 liters.

This model is ideal for baths where it is not possible to connect or organize water supply. But such a stove can be installed record-breakingly quickly and easily, is easy to maintain and serves for a long time and without problems due to its simplicity.

A stove without a tank - with and without a circuit.

Illustrative examples in the interior

Heating structures from the Varvara brand can be used in any stylistic image. Let's look at some variations that are most popular at the moment.

Classic style

The interior of a bathhouse in a classic style involves the use of natural wood. Regardless of the size of the room, the design is characterized by basic elements.

• Current accessories: handmade bast shoes on the walls, amulets, a wooden bucket with a ladle, runners on the benches. The effect of antiquity is created precisely due to such elements.
• Shelves, which are made from solid wood, can be of different designs.

• A heater stove is the main attribute of a Russian bath. It is mainly made of brick, and the cladding is made using natural stone. The best option is to buy a ready-made stove made of steel and have the lining made of stone.
• Lighting. To create a warm atmosphere in the room, it is better to use spotlights or sconces with lampshades.
• Furniture set. In this case, massive wooden tables with benches are used.
• Fragrances. A real Russian bathhouse is characterized not only by its wooden structure, but also by its specific smells. To relax and calm the body, use aromatic oils from lavender, eucalyptus, and the aroma of steamed birch broom will have a calming effect on a person.

Modern style

Modern baths have large room sizes. Additionally, there are relaxation rooms, a shower room, a swimming pool, and a veranda. The lounge room is equipped with additional furniture (plasma TV, armchairs, sofa, table). The outdated brick stove is being replaced with a portable metal structure.

The walls of the steam room are lined with wooden clapboards, which must be located in a vertical position. Thanks to this, there is less accumulation of condensation in the cracks. The floor in a modern bathhouse can be not only wooden, but also tiled. The modern look suggests installing lighting fixtures anywhere, even at the edges of shelves.

To learn why you need to choose a stove for a “Varvara” bathhouse, see the following video.

Varvara with brickwork

Building a brick stove for a bathhouse is labor-intensive work, but it is worth it. The main thing is choosing quality material and following the instructions.

Tips for using the oven:

• Chopped and dry firewood is suitable for the stove. Wet logs take up energy to evaporate moisture, which means more fuel is wasted.
• Light wood in the stove only when the chimney is fully open and the ash pan is 5 cm wide.
• Clean the inside of the oven and water tank once a month.
• If the stove becomes red hot when adding wood, stop adding logs and pull out the extra ones. Open the stove chimney halfway.
• To heat water instantly, throw hot stones into it. Use metal tongs.

Using these recommendations, you can safely light a sauna.

Be first!

The advantages of this improved design will be:

• increased thermal capacity of the structure. The brick will accumulate the energy received and release it gradually as it cools;
• a special design that differs from analogues (especially if natural stone is used instead of brickwork);
• along with the appearance, another filling of the space with dry heat appears, characteristic only of the steam rooms of Russian baths.

The main disadvantage of this installation method is the large mass of bricks, which, superimposed on the weight of the stove, leads to the need to install a new stove foundation.

The second problem is finding a qualified stove master who will make high-quality masonry based on a composition suitable for high temperatures from a mixture of clay (preferably fireclay) and sand.

The reason for the wide popularity of the manufactured bath heating units was a detailed acquaintance with all the problems that arose during the operation of similar systems in the past. A detailed study of the demand for stoves and the possible market for their sales has led to a high level of use of their products by the population.

The resulting model range has many positive qualities that the consumer needs, and possible disadvantages are minimized.

The main disadvantage is the large weight of the brick combined with the weight of the stove itself

Models of stoves with brickwork have an attractive appearance. Advantages of the units:

• Increased heat capacity of equipment. Bricks accumulate the heat they receive and gradually release it as they cool.
• The space in which such equipment is installed is filled with dry heat; such characteristics are characteristic of steam rooms only in Russian baths.
• A design that differs from analogues, especially if decorative stone is used instead of ordinary brick.

Main selection criteria

The selection parameters for the Varvara stove are standard.

It is based on the characteristics of the room and the preferences of bathhouse visitors:

• Oven dimensions . This criterion directly depends on the room in which the unit will be installed. In terms of shape, preference should be given to rectangular models, in which heating occurs more evenly than in cylindrical ones.

• Availability of a water tank . The volume of the water tank is 60–120 l. Some developers recommend choosing stove models with medium-volume tanks of 70–80 liters. This way the liquid will heat up faster. If water consumption is high and frequent visits to the steam room are recommended, it is recommended to purchase a remote tank of maximum volume.

• Power and performance. These parameters must be optimal. The values ​​are calculated based on the dimensions of the bath. Too powerful stoves lead to rapid wear of the equipment, and high productivity is characterized by rapid heating of the steam room with low heating of the stones. This leads to an imbalance when taking wellness procedures.

• Location of the combustion chamber . There are two types of combustion chamber: elongated and classic. It is better to choose an elongated firebox that can be fired from the dressing room. This is considered a more convenient and safer option and allows you to keep the steam room clean.

• Heater type. The units are equipped with closed or open heaters. The first option creates wet steam, while an open heater promotes the formation of light dry steam. Models with an open heater quickly warm up the room, and ash does not settle on the stones.

  
  The downside of the stove is its rapid cooling, which increases fuel consumption. The space with a closed heater warms up within a couple of hours. The oven can retain heat for up to 11 hours.

General characteristics and design features

“Varvara” bathhouse stoves are characterized by their simplicity of design. This is one of the main qualities for which users love it.

All sauna stoves include the following components:

• a heating casing that transfers its own heat to the room;
• firebox for burning wood - heat is transferred from here to the main structure;
• chimney;
• the furnace chamber is located next to the firebox - this is where the final decay of the generated flue gases occurs;
• grate and ash pit.

Furnace structure using the example of the Varvara Classic model

There are 8 models of sauna stoves available. Despite this limited choice, the thoughtful design meets all buyer requirements:

• a stove equipped with a water tank mounted on its side;
• standard equipment, not equipped with a heat exchanger and tank;
• modification of a previous furnace with a water heating circuit.

Another feature of the product is the ability to use the stove as a boiler as part of a water heating system. In most cases, the side tank has a capacity of up to 60 liters.

The operation of such ovens is simple. Having laid the firewood, place some thin wood chips near the door for kindling. Now open the slide valve completely and open the ash pan slightly and light the wood. The firebox door must always be kept closed. After the firewood has ignited, the ash pan drawer is completely closed and the air damper is closed.

All that remains is to wait for the steam room to warm up and enjoy the fragrant steam. Do not use damp firewood; the humidity level is at least 20-30%.

You should not burn resinous fuel; in this case, the chimney will have to be cleaned more often than once a month. At the first symptoms of deterioration in draft, immediately repair the breakdown or clean the ventilation pipes.

There are currently 8 models of sauna stoves available.

A well-thought-out design allows us to limit ourselves to the production of a small number of models that can be configured to meet the specific requirements of the buyer:

1. Standard oven without tank and heat exchanger.
2. Modification of the same furnace with a water heating circuit.
3. A stove with a water tank mounted on its side.

The built-in water heating circuit allows you to equip the stove with a capacity of up to 120 liters. Most often, it is installed at the top, acting as a matching element, between the hot pipe and the ceiling. The user receives a double benefit - the pipe heats the liquid in the tank, which eliminates the need to use protective materials to isolate the pipe from the floor and ceiling materials.

The second feature of this model is the possibility of using the stove as a boiler as part of a water heating system using batteries (registers). The use of liquid heating or the presence of a tank with large dimensions is a consequence of the use of an external water supply for filling them.

All of the listed stove options are designed for a steam room volume of up to 24 cubic meters. meters. There are smaller versions - “Varvara-mini”, which, having its own weight of 82 kg, can heat a steam room up to 12 cubic meters. meters. These babies are designed for a spacious heater and are complemented by a side tank of 39 liters.

, which is located in Tver, began producing its stove products about 10 years ago, and this brand is still in great demand and has positive reviews from the owners.

Thanks to the complete designs, they can be installed in the smallest steam rooms. Various models of stoves allow you to create a unique image in the bathhouse.

have earned demand precisely because high-quality building materials are used to make the structure. And also manufacturers are based on the wishes of customers. All products are tested for compliance with European quality.

There is only one type of fuel used - firewood. The steam room warms up time is 1-1.5 hours. After the firewood has completely burned out, the room cools down quite quickly. But the manufacturer has produced models with two stoves that retain heat in the room much longer. This occurs due to the cladding of the structure with natural stones.

Distinctive features

He develops bath units and supplies them to Russian markets from Tver . The manufacturer has created a whole model range, which includes budget and high-performance models.

To better describe the product and identify its features, we should consider the simplest design.

The design of the stoves is quite typical and simple.

Consist of the following elements:

• combustion chamber for burning fuel;
• afterburning systems in which flue gases disintegrate;
• grate and ash scoop;
• chimney;
• a protective casing that ensures heat transfer from stones into the room.

The operating principle is as follows:

1. Cold air enters the convection channels (they are located between the stove and the casing) and is heated under the influence of draft. Then it rises and enters the steam room through the holes.
2. Hot air circulates in the internal convection channel. Due to this, rapid heating of the stones is observed.
3. Additionally, the combustion intensity is adjusted. All a person needs to do is open or close the ash scoop.

IMPORTANT!

The self-cleaning system is an important component of this brand of ovens.

It is a hole with a plug on the back of the unit . It is easy to clean with a regular brush.

The lineup

Models “Classic” and “Polenitsa”

The stoves have similar characteristics:

• Weight 90-120 kg;
• The maximum volume of the steam room is 24 m 3 ;
• Weight of stones – 50 kg;
• Fuel - firewood;
• Air heating from 20 o C to 100 o C in 60 minutes.

Drawing of the Varvara Classic stove.
Both can be equipped with a remote tank, which is connected to the existing water supply system (it is possible to fill the tank if there is a pump). This modification allows you to organize a shower - you will need to install a mixer. These models are also available with a water heating circuit made of 1.5 mm thick stainless steel. In this case, the stove can be connected to the heating system and used to heat rooms.

Models without water heater circuits are rational to use if water is heated in boilers. It is also possible to equip the stove with a hanging tank.

"Varvara Classic" with a hanging water tank

It is convenient to use a hanging tank in cases where water is not supplied to the bathhouse. The hinged tank can always be removed and washed, because it is no secret that plaque will form on the inner surface of the tank.

“Varvara Palenitsa” has slightly smaller dimensions than “Varvara Classic”.

Drawing of the Varvara Palenica stove

Externally, “Varvara Palenica” differs little from “Varvara Classic”.

Heater models

The two Varvara Kamenka models differ in the location and weight of stones and dimensions.

• Dimensions (HxWxD): 780x560x780 mm
• Weight: no more than 90-120 kg.
• Weight of laid stones: not less than 180 kg.
• Maximum volume of steam room: 24 m 3
• Heating time of the steam room from 20 0C to 100 0C (provided proper thermal insulation): 60 minutes.
• Combustion chamber offset: 140 mm
• Chimney diameter: 114 mm
• Power: 12 kW
• Heat-resistant glass (WxD): 305×290 mm
• Fuel: wood

“Varvara Kamenka” with glass and cast iron door

The smaller “Heater mini” is designed for rooms up to 16m3, the larger one can heat up to 24m3.

Sauna stove “Varvara Kamenka Mini”

Both ovens are equipped with a door with panoramic heat-resistant glass.

"Mini" and "Panorama"

The Varvara Mini stove has small dimensions of 735 x 390 x 670 mm and can be installed even in small baths. Can be equipped with a hanging tank (42 liters) or a stainless steel circuit for heating water.

"Varvara Mini" with hot water circuit

The Varvara Panorama sauna stove can heat a room up to 24 m 3 . It is equipped with a panoramic door made of fireproof glass, which allows you to enjoy the view of the flame.

Drawing of the Panorama stove

The furnace is made of ST-3 steel with a thickness of 6 mm.

Sauna stove “Varvara Panorama”

Varvara stoves are a good choice in terms of price/quality ratio. If you are interested in stoves made of metal 8-10 mm thick, check out the Zhara stoves.

Russia is associated with severe frosts and incredibly hot bathhouses.

Residents of the coldest regions of the country have their own baths, which contain traditional brick ovens.

But today people increasingly prefer ready-made units, such as the Varvara stove-heater.

Why it is special and which models are in high demand is discussed in this article.

Model range of stoves for baths “Varvara”

So that the stove can be selected for any type of installation, any model can be equipped with three types of firebox:

• Shortened (40mm for models Classic, Kamenka, Palenitsa, Skazka; 20 mm for models Varvara Mini, Skazka Mini, Kamenka Mini);
• Standard (160mm for the Classic, Kamenka, Palenitsa, Skazka models; 140mm for the Varvara Mini, Skazka Mini, Kamenka Mini models);
• Extended (300mm for models Classic, Kamenka, Palenitsa, Skazka; 280 mm for models Varvara Mini, Skazka Mini, Kamenka Mini);

The Varavara Kamenka stove is a sauna stove with a grid for stones around the body. Designed for medium-sized steam rooms - 12-24 m3. The mass of stones placed in the basket is 180 kg. Stones are recommended only of volcanic origin, because... they do not contain harmful impurities, are not afraid of fire and can withstand repeated temperature changes. The stove heats up within an hour and, thanks to the heated stones, retains heat in the bath for a long time. The outer body of the furnace is made of 6 mm steel sheet. The stove door can be of two types: cast iron, steel with panoramic glass.

Sauna stove “Varvara Kamenka”

“Varvara Kamenka Mini” is a smaller version of the previous model for small steam rooms up to 16m3. Up to 85 kg of stones are placed in the basket.

Sauna stove “Varvara Kamenka Mini”. Small size - big power

The Varvara Palenica stove has a number of modifications and can be equipped with:

• Stainless steel heat exchanger, 1 mm thick, volume 3 liters, ¾ inch pipes.
• A 55-liter hinged tank is installed in special pockets on the right or left walls.
• A tank on a pipe, the water in which is simultaneously heated from the heat exchanger installed in the furnace. The stainless steel tank also serves as a passage through the ceiling. This system requires water supply and a pump to operate. It is possible to divert steam from the tank to the street so that wet and “heavy” steam does not spoil the atmosphere in the bathhouse. This tank can be 60 or 120 liters.

The Palenitsa stove is designed for steam rooms from 12 m3 to 24 m3, dimensions 685 * 430 * 840 mm. It is very similar in appearance to this “Varvara Classic” model, but it does not have water tanks and is slightly taller and narrower (890*430*670mm).

Bath stove “Varvara Skazka” (reviews correspond to the name). The stove is lined with polished soapstone slabs, which gives it solidity. Stones can fit up to 95 kg, the steam room can heat a volume from 12 m3 to 24 m3.

The Varvara Skazka stove is lined with soapstone slabs

“Varvara Mini” is a small (735*390*620mm), but very effective stove that will heat a steam room of 12 m3 to 16 m3. It can be equipped with a hanging tank, a heat exchanger, and it is possible to install a panoramic door. Large panoramic glass makes it possible to control the combustion process. It is also very pleasant after the steam room, sitting comfortably opposite, enjoying the play of tongues of fire. A wonderful way to relax!

Review of characteristics and model range of Varvara stoves

The Varvara mini wood stove for a bath, like many other fireplaces, has a lot of advantages and features, which you can find out in more detail in this table:

Massive installations are the most functional, efficient, and are also capable of operating on a single fuel load for quite a long time.

One of the simplest and most budget-friendly Palenitsa stoves

Miniature elongated hearth Varvara Uyut-1

Fireplace equipped with a sealed steel flap door

Design features of the Varvara “Baby” stove

Model equipped with small panoramic fireproof transparent glass

Brand series and their brief description

Stoves are presented on the market in several lines:

1. "Fairy Tale" and "Thermal Fairy Tale" . They belong to the convection-storage type of ovens. A bathhouse with a volume of up to 24 m3 is heated to the maximum, maintaining heat for a long time. The body is made of soapstone. There is a reservoir for stones: the “Skazka” has an open heater, and the “Terma Skazka” has a closed stove with a lid. This group includes subspecies with the prefix “mini”. These models differ in that they heat rooms up to 12 m3.
2. "Kamenka" and "Therma Kamenka" . The first line has a closed heater, suitable for heating rooms of 12 m3 or 24 m3, depending on the modification. The second is stoves with open heaters, with similar characteristics.
3. “Mini” - “without contour”, “mounted”, “with contour”. They are small in size, but are equipped with a spacious water tank - 50 or 55 liters. Suitable for installation in small steam rooms with a volume of 18 m3.

Advantages and disadvantages

The Varvara sauna stove has its own advantages:

• It is possible to order a device for any consumer preference.
• Highly efficient heating. The convective design and the building material from which the stove mechanism is made make it possible to heat the room in 1-1.5 hours.
• Acceptable cost of the device, which completely depends on the configuration and dimensions of the oven.
• Easy to use. The stove does not require constant maintenance; maintenance work is sufficient 1-2 times a year. The stove is cleaned through a hole in the rear of the structure.

• The oven is wear-resistant. The stove is made of metal with a thickness of at least 6 mm, and the water tank is made of high quality steel.
• Attractive design appearance. There are models lined with natural stone or marble, and the front wall of the stove is made of heat-resistant glass.
• The weight of the mechanism does not exceed 100 kg.
• Long service life. The stove is made only from high-quality materials, as a result the structure does not burn out, and the appearance of the system does not lose its original appearance.
• Quick heating of the room.
• Safety.

Buyers also publish negative reviews about the Varvara stove:

• Slow heating of the liquid in the tank. To solve this problem, you need to install a heat exchanger on the chimney, which allows the water to heat up quickly. The main thing is that the liquid does not boil; you need to constantly monitor this.
• It is not recommended to fire the stove with birch wood, as this will subsequently lead to cracking of the body.

Date: September 25, 2022

Description of the furnace design

Products under the Varvara brand are represented by compact units with a closed steel firebox. A characteristic design feature of these units is reliable walls with a thickness of 6 mm.

The minimum basic set of furnaces includes:

• firebox;
• afterburner;
• ash pan and grates for collecting unburnt elements;

• smoke removal system;
• a casing that transfers heat from the firebox to the room;
• heater with heat exchanger.

Many models can be equipped with additional water tanks. The stainless steel circuit improves circulation and increases heat transfer, allowing the liquid in the tank to boil in an hour.

You can choose one of 2 tank options:

1. Remote – made of corrosion-resistant steel. Capacity volume – 60, 80 or 120 l. A remote tank is installed on the second floor or used as a transition piece through the ceiling.
2. Mounted tanks made of corrosion-resistant steel are produced with a volume of 50 liters.

A stove without a water tank is used when the installation is intended solely to create the required room temperature. Water is heated by other devices.

To admire the open fire in the steam room, you can order a firebox door with heat-resistant glass.

Manufacturers are constantly improving and finalizing their products. Since 2013, all models have been equipped with a chimney with a unified diameter of 114 mm. The number of furnace welds produced has been reduced. In two places they were replaced with bends, which significantly increased the reliability of the heat generators.