TOP 10 best cast iron stoves for baths: rating of 2022 models with wood and with a closed heater

A high-quality stove is one of the most important components of indoor comfort in a bathhouse.

To do this, a certain temperature and humidity must be maintained in the steam room.

The stone wood-burning firebox has been replaced by stoves made of reliable cast iron, which are rapidly gaining popularity.

If there is a need to quickly prepare a bathhouse with good steam, a cast iron stove may be the best choice.

The same statement is true for the sauna.

Rating of the TOP 10 best cast iron stoves for baths 2020-2021

How to choose and what to pay attention to?

When choosing a model, you should think about it at the construction stage, then there will be no difficulties when installing some options. However, installation can be carried out after the completion of capital construction.

Experts recommend paying attention to the following characteristics when purchasing::

• Design – with a remote firebox, there will be a need for a window between the steam room and the dressing room.
• Power - the most optimal calculation is 1 kW per 1 cubic meter. steam rooms
• Convection – forced convection speeds up the distribution of heat.
• The type of heater - it determines how the steam will be, wet or dry.
• The volume and mesh of the heater directly affects the power and speed of heating, as well as the size of the stones used.

Optimal conditions inside a steam room for a Russian-style steam room

A metal or cast iron stove with a closed heater is mainly used in classic Russian steam rooms, where the air temperature should not exceed 70-80 degrees Celsius, while the air humidity should be quite high - at least 65%, and better yet, more. Unlike a Finnish sauna with dry air, in a Russian bath humidity plays a decisive role - it is she who “guides” the bath procedures and has a positive effect on the human body. Steam saturated with moisture helps the pores open, promotes the release of sweat, while “smoothing out” the heat, allowing you to perceive it with comfort.

The humidity and temperature parameters described above are achieved precisely thanks to the closed design of the stove heater. So, the entire volume of stones in it heats up quite strongly, to a temperature level of about 300-750 C⁰. At the same time, excessive heat should not enter the steam room, so as not to overheat it. To “retain” the heat inside the furnace, a casing was invented - made of brick, cast iron, iron and other materials. The stones located inside the casing have direct or indirect (depending on the internal structure of the furnace elements) contact with the fire - they heat up, as expected, but the heat from them is retained by the casing and the amount of heat that is needed directly enters the steam room itself - without excess .

The best cast iron stoves for a wood-burning sauna

Vesuvius LEGEND FORGING 16 (205)

A small cast iron stove with a 120 kg volumetric heater provides high-quality heating of the steam room thanks to free air convection between the stones.

A closed combustion chamber with an afterburning function and thick ones are the key to safety and economical fuel consumption.

The thickness of the walls also ensures good heat transfer on one firebox without the need to constantly add fuel.

The standard top connection to the chimney is suitable for most types of baths.

The spacious combustion tunnel allows the use of firewood up to 25 cm long.

The glass door and spacious ash pit allow you to clean the stove from ash and soot less often, even when using resinous wood species.

Specifications:

• Heated room volume: 18 cubic meters;
• Power: 16 kW;
• Type: closed;
• Connection: top, 12 cm;
• Combustion tunnel: 250 mm.

pros

• structural strength;
• fast heat transfer;
• thick walls
• ease of care;
• large heater;
• economical fuel consumption.

Minuses

• weight.

Vesuvius LEGEND FORGING 16 (217)

A small stove from a Russian manufacturer, made of high-quality cast iron.

The power of the device is enough for fairly large steam rooms with a volume of up to 18 cubic meters.

Small dimensions and top chimney connection make the model optimal for use in most bathhouses.

A spacious heater, allowing you to place up to 120 kg of stones, and elaborate walls improve convection and heat distribution throughout the room, speeding up heating.

The ash box is spacious and does not require frequent emptying.

The firebox accommodates fuel up to 25 cm long, and the soot-resistant glass allows you to use tarry and wet firewood without the risk of smoking.

Specifications:

• Heated room volume: 18 cubic meters;
• Power: 16 kW;
• Type: closed;
• Connection: top, 12 cm;
• Combustion tunnel: 250 mm.

pros

• structural strength;
• good convection;
• ease of care;
• volumetric heater;
• economical fuel consumption.

Minuses

• weight;
• On some models the coating burns out quickly.

Vesuvius Legend Standard 16 (DT-4)

The stove of a famous Russian brand is popular due to its high-quality assembly and materials, spacious firebox, relatively small size and acceptable power..

The secondary combustion function ensures long-term combustion of one firebox and reduces emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere.

The heater can hold up to 120 kg of stones.

The spacious podzolnik is easy to clean and does not require cleaning every time after firing the stove, and the glass self-cleaning system will not allow it to become sooted with combustion products of even resinous wood.

The standard top connection allows you to place the stove in almost any bathhouse.

Specifications:

• Heated room volume: 8 cubic meters;
• Power: 16 kW;
• Type: closed;
• Connection: top, 12 cm;
• Combustion tunnel: 250 mm.

pros

• spacious heater;
• fast heat transfer;
• ease of care;
• stylish design;
• fuel efficiency.

Minuses

• requires the application of a protective coating.

NMK Sibir-18

A floor-standing stove with a remote firebox and a volumetric heater allows you to quickly heat steam rooms with a volume of up to 18 cubic meters.

The heater holds an almost record 180 kg of stones in small dimensions.

The dimensions and design allow the stove to be placed even in small bath buildings, however, the firebox requires a separate room, which creates installation difficulties and is not always convenient from an operational point of view.

The ash pan is small and requires emptying if possible after each fire. The combustion tunnel accommodates firewood up to 20 cm long, which may also not always be convenient.

The door does not have glass, so you need to monitor fuel burnout by opening it.

Specifications:

• Heated room volume: 18 cubic meters;
• Power: 16 kW;
• Type: closed;
• Connection: top, 10.5 cm;
• Combustion tunnel: 200 mm.

pros

• very large heater;
• high warm-up speed;
• low price.

Minuses

• remote firebox;
• there is no glass in the door.

Vesuvius LEGEND FORGING 22 (270)

One of the most powerful models in the manufacturer’s line, capable of heating large steam rooms with a volume of up to 24 cubic meters.

High power is ensured by thick walls, a volumetric heater that can hold up to 180 kg of stones, and high-quality material that maintains a high level of heat transfer.

A remote firebox requires a separate exit to the dressing room, which can create difficulties in installation and operation.

The voluminous ash pan does not require frequent emptying, and the glass in the door is protected from the formation of soot, which makes cleaning the stove easier.

The combustion tunnel accommodates fairly long firewood up to 25 cm, which increases their combustion time and reduces the need for regular heating.

Specifications:

• Heated room volume: 24 cubic meters;
• Power: 20 kW;
• Type: closed;
• Connection: top, 12 cm;
• Combustion tunnel: 250 mm.

pros

• volumetric heater;
• spacious firebox;
• easy to clean;
• power;
• heated volume.

Minuses

• remote firebox;
• weight.

Vesuvius HURRICANE STANDARD 16 (DT-4S)

The compact model with a high heater is optimal for small steam rooms . Kamenka

holds up to 120 kg of stones, which ensures the fastest heating of the room due to rapid convection, and the thick walls of the firebox maintain the required temperature for a long time.

An overhead chimney with a standard diameter is suitable for most types of buildings.

A long combustion tunnel and a spacious ash drawer make it easier to fire and maintain the stove..

The firebox is remote and requires access to a separate room, which is not always convenient from a design and installation point of view.

The door glass is protected from soot, which allows the use of resinous and wet firewood.

Specifications:

• Heated room volume: 18 cubic meters;
• Power: 18 kW;
• Type: closed;
• Connection: top, 12 cm;
• Combustion tunnel: 250 mm.

pros

• durable glass;
• ease of care;
• spacious heater;
• convection power and speed.

Minuses

• installation difficulties.

Vesuvius RUSICH ANTHRACITE 22 (DT-4) 2016

Stylish and high-quality model, manufactured taking into account all safety systems and European quality standards.

A closed furnace with secondary combustion ensures efficient combustion of fuel, and well-designed walls ensure proper and rapid heat transfer.

Small dimensions allow the stove to be placed in any bathhouse, however, the design features include a firebox from the adjacent room, which creates difficulties during installation and is not always convenient from a technical point of view.

A spacious ash tray and self-cleaning glass make cleaning the stove easy. The heater, however, is not the largest; it holds only 40 kg of stones.

Specifications:

• Heated room volume: 14 cubic meters;
• Power: 16 kW;
• Type: closed;
• Connection: top, 11.5 cm;
• Combustion tunnel: 200 mm.

pros

• structural strength;
• fast heat transfer;
• ease of care;
• original appearance;
• efficiency.

Minuses

• small heater;
• installation difficulties.

Ermak 20 Standard mesh

A floor-standing stove equipped with an upper chimney, with good power and a high heater, allows you to quickly heat steam rooms with a volume of up to 20 cubic meters.

The model has a minimalist modern design, but there is no glass in the door, which makes it impossible to monitor the amount of burned fuel without opening it.

The ash pan is somewhat small for the combustion tunnel, so it requires regular cleaning.

The heater mesh has large gaps and requires stones of a certain caliber. The firebox is remote, which is also not always convenient to use and install.

Specifications:

• Heated room volume: 20 cubic meters;
• Power: 22 kW;
• Type: closed;
• Connection: top, 11.5 cm;
• Combustion tunnel: 200 mm.

pros

• minimalistic design;
• high heater;
• safety;
• secondary afterburning;
• economical fuel consumption.

Minuses

• no glass in the door;
• remote firebox;
• small podzolnik.

TMF Tunguska Cast Vitra

Budget model with stable demand in the market . Despite the modest capabilities,

optimal for small steam rooms.

A remote firebox with panoramic glass will allow you to carefully control the process of burning fuel, which can be used as firewood or coal briquettes.

The heater holds up to 55 kg of stones, convection is only top, despite the convection casing, which somewhat reduces the power and heating speed and increases the cooling speed.

The combustion chamber is very spacious - it can hold up to 60 liters of fuel. The small ash pan is located deep, making it difficult to clean.

Specifications:

• Heated room volume: 18 cubic meters;
• Power: 16 kW;
• Type: closed;
• Connection: top, 11.5 cm;
• Combustion tunnel: 200 mm.

pros

• spacious firebox;
• low price;
• convector casing;
• panoramic glass firebox.

Minuses

• The ash pan is located deep;
• cools down quickly.

KASTOR Karhu-16 JK

Finnish-made furnace made of high-strength alloy cast iron, which ensures the durability of the equipment.

It warms up the room quickly and efficiently and maintains a high temperature on one firebox for a long time.

It features a modern stylish minimalist design and small size.

High performance is ensured by materials and wall thicknesses that support the required level of heat transfer.

The podzolnik is spacious and does not require cleaning after each fire.

The heater is small and can hold up to 40 kg of stones, but this is compensated by its design features, materials and wall thickness.

Specifications:

• Heated room volume: 16 cubic meters;
• Power: 15 kW;
• Type: closed;
• Connection: top, 10.4 cm;
• Combustion tunnel: 200 mm.

pros

• reliability of design;
• quality materials;
• power;
• design;
• easy to clean.

Minuses

• small heater;
• high price.

What is the difference between open and closed stoves?

The closed type design has its own characteristics, in which the stones are located inside the furnace, the elements are heated from the firebox, and the heat passes through the walls of the device.

The cobblestones are folded inside the device; heating them will take a little longer, but safety in use is at a high level, because the components do not come into contact with the air in the room, making it possible to organize long bath procedures.

If we consider an open type model, the difference can be noticed immediately; the elements heat up to 400-700 degrees. Heating speed and ease of operation are the main trump cards of this type of heater.

But the steam produced is more harsh; in some situations it can lead to burning of the respiratory tract; this nuance must be taken into account. The components are located in close proximity to the fire; as soon as the firebox goes out, they cool down very quickly because they come into contact with air.

Types of cast iron stoves for baths

Experts identify several classifications of cast iron stoves:

• By type of fuel used - wood, coal, combined.
• By design - with a remote firebox, with a built-in firebox.
• By type of heater - with an open or closed heater. Opening the heater produces dry steam, closed heaters produce wet steam.
• According to the presence of a water tank - with or without a tank. Stoves with a tank are very practical; there are both mounted or mounted, as well as built-in options.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:

• High level of heat resistance, which can be achieved by adding chromium to the alloy.
• High heat capacity and with reduced thermal conductivity properties. The presence of these qualities allows cast iron stoves to quickly heat the room and slowly release the accumulated temperature.
• Cast iron heating equipment has fairly thick walls. They can easily transmit heat without being damaged when exposed to elevated temperatures.
• If a cast iron stove was installed according to all the rules, it will never cause a fire.
• Uninterrupted operation of the device can be maintained with a small amount of fuel.
• Cast iron is an environmentally friendly and safe material for humans, and the steam produced is good for health.

Flaws:

• When installing a cast-iron wood-burning stove in a bathhouse, the possibility of constructing a chimney should be provided, while installing an electric boiler does not impose such obligations.
• Despite its external solidity, cast iron is quite fragile and requires careful handling during use.
• Compared to similar steel structures, cast iron ones are quite expensive.
• If you suddenly cool the surface of a heated oven, cracks may appear on it.
• Compared to a brick stove, a structure made of cast iron is not able to retain heat in a room for a long time.