TOP 10 best stoves for wood-burning saunas: 2022 rating and which model to choose with an external firebox

The problems of choosing sauna stoves are associated with the variety of priorities put forward by future users, as well as with the fact that information about the real performance of certain stoves, if it exists, is in fragmentary form. There are attempts to compare models of some manufacturers with models of others, but everything again comes down to criteria, to the fact that there is no universal stove that would suit everyone without exception.

Rating of the TOP 10 best stoves for wood-burning saunas in 2022

Ratings

And since you, dear reader, have most likely already decided which group you belong to, let’s form a general opinion by speaking in our surveys about which stove you consider the best, based on your own experience (if your stove is not on the list — write the name in the comment, we will add it):

Best steel

From a pro's point of view

From a hobbyist's point of view

From the point of view of undemanding vapers:

The best cast iron

From a pro's point of view

From a hobbyist's point of view

From the point of view of undemanding vapers:

***

We hope that we were able to not only say the banality that a universally “best” oven simply does not exist in nature, but also suggested a method for independently calculating the one that will be optimal specifically for you. However, you can also focus on the results of surveys in each group.

How to choose a wood-burning stove for a sauna?

For true steam room connoisseurs, not only the temperature inside the room matters, but also the properties of the steam. From this point of view, the right choice of a wood-burning stove for a bathhouse is half the success.

There are a number of points that need to be taken into account:

• features of the heating device;
• thermal power;
• material used;
• operating principle;
• contents of delivery.

When choosing a wood-burning stove for a Russian bath from among those presented in this rating, you should remember the additional characteristics. We are talking, first of all, about the weight and size indicators of the heating device.

Design

Which wood-burning sauna stove should you choose, based on the features of the device?

Various designs are possible:

• with open or double heater;
• conventional and with ventilation-convection casing;
• with a central or offset chimney location.

When deciding which wood-burning stoves are the best for a sauna, you need to take into account the requirements for use. To ensure intensive heating of the room, a design with an additional casing is recommended, which also significantly reduces hard thermal radiation.

Power

The thermal performance of a particular stove depends on the shape and volume of the firebox, the flow area of ​​the chimney and some other factors. The rated power of the heating device is usually indicated in the technical description or passport. When choosing the model you need, you should proceed from the ratio of 1 kW per 1 cubic meter. m of room volume.

The best wood-burning sauna stoves of 2022, presented in our rating, have in their descriptions an indication of the minimum and maximum dimensions of the steam room. This greatly simplifies the process of selecting a product for specific requirements. Significantly exceeding the required characteristics leads to unjustified financial costs, and if there is insufficient thermal power in the steam room, it will not be possible to achieve the desired temperature.

Material

The best wood-burning stoves for a Russian bath are made of structural or stainless steel, as well as heat-resistant cast iron. When choosing a specific model, you should pay attention to the thickness and grade of the material. Highly alloyed alloys have excellent strength characteristics, which are also resistant to corrosion.

To protect steel and cast iron parts of furnaces from adverse environmental factors, paint and varnish coatings are applied to external surfaces, preferably powder compositions. You will find information about the materials used in the technical documentation of the model you have chosen or from sales consultants.

Principle of operation

To answer the question of which stove is best for a Russian bath, you need to understand the features of its functioning. The proposed rating considers only wood-burning models, but there are also gas and electric ones.

In the first and second variants, heat generation occurs as a result of fuel combustion. In electric furnaces, heating is carried out through the use of heating elements.

Wood stoves, in addition to heating the room, create a special microclimate, filling the atmosphere with the aroma of burning wood. This makes the process of receiving health procedures especially pleasant and brings it as close as possible to something that can only be obtained in a traditional Russian bathhouse.

Equipment

Heating appliances are supplied to the consumer with a full set of elements. How to choose a wood-burning stove for a sauna, and which configuration is considered the best? It all depends on the financial capabilities of the consumer.

The mentioned top of the best stoves for Russian baths in 2022 contains models with metal doors that can be replaced with heat-resistant glass. The relatively small surcharge is worth the opportunity to watch the flames dance in the firebox. When purchasing a heating device in a store, you can also order a filler for the heater.

additional characteristics

What are the best wood-burning stoves in a bathhouse? This is one of the most common questions asked to experts.

To answer this, in addition to such key factors as thermal power and strength indicators, a number of additional characteristics should be taken into account:

• efficiency;
• fuel consumption;
• firewood sizes.

The significance of these parameters should not be exaggerated, but also cannot be completely ignored. The low efficiency of the stove will not allow you to achieve the required temperature and humidity conditions, as a result, the very meaning of visiting the steam room is lost.

Steam source

Yes, no matter how strange it may sound, but stoves have different sources of steam, so stoves are divided into two types: conventional and with a separate steam generator. A steam generator is used when the oven does not produce enough dry steam, which is considered traditional bath steam, or you want to obtain finely dispersed steam.

Features of room heating

Your sauna stove can be cold or hot. It is generally accepted that cold ones are those whose walls do not heat up above 45°C, and hot ones are ovens with a wall heating temperature above 100°C. This is an important parameter, because the heat of your bathhouse is transferred through the walls.

Regardless of the type of fuel or material of your stove, all stoves are divided into two main classes - “cold” and “hot”. Let's find out the advantages and disadvantages of "cold" and "hot" ovens.

Let's start with "hot" ovens. Stoves of this type are installed in bath buildings that do not have any other heating option. In a hot stove, the outer surface heats up to 100o C. The main disadvantage is the risk of overheating the room. You can quickly change the temperature in the steam room only with the help of ventilation.

In a “cold” stove, the outer lining does not heat up to significant temperatures, so in winter such a design cannot sufficiently warm up the steam room. This is a model for baths that are heated in some other way.

The outer surfaces of a “cold” furnace are heated to a temperature of 40 - 50 C, which is the lower limit for producing steam. Any “cold” stove warms up the room for a very long time; the air is heated due to the fact that the stove “takes” cold air from the floor of the room, passes it through itself and comes out already warm.

Mistakes you shouldn't make.

• Haste, as you know, is good only for catching fleas. But when choosing a sauna stove, there is no need to rush. Select several models, and from them already one.
• It often happens that consultants do not talk about the stove, but advertise it. It may be that a criterion that the seller did not mention is important to you.
• Do not neglect consulting a specialist.
• If you require specialist advice, please contact us by phone... or in any of our stores. Our specialists will answer all your questions.
• It is necessary to decide on the type of fuel used. This is important because it is the type of fuel that determines the power of the stove, and stoves with different types of fuel require different conditions and additional design elements.

Customer Reviews

Evgeny A.

Harvia M2

Advantages: connects without problems, has all the documents from the manufacturer, including a 3-year warranty Disadvantages: none Comment: I liked the stove from the very beginning with its design and stated power. The design is really simple, but I personally can’t stomach the bells and whistles, so it fits perfectly into our mini-sauna. There were no problems with connection either. Works like a clock. Acceleration takes about 10-15 minutes. There is no need to wait at all. It’s tiny, but it produces such power that even my father got chills, and in all the bathhouses he always turned up his nose that it wasn’t hot enough

Victoria Litvinenko

Vesuvius Sensation Aqua 22 (DT-4)

Advantages: Laconic and Scandinavian design Inexpensive Interesting ratio of dimensions Top loading of stones Generates fine steam Thermostats are comfortable Disadvantages: none Comment: Our steam room is quite large, 12 square meters. We thought we wouldn’t find something inexpensive to heat it and warm it up properly. This model was chosen because of its power, interesting design and built-in thermostat (we don’t like external ones at all, we like to tweak them as we go along). It has been working flawlessly for three weeks now (turned on four times). Heats the air very quickly. Happy with everything)

Ippolit Zyulev

Harvia M3 SL

Advantages: Compact, not expensive. Disadvantages: Design Comment: I bought this sauna stove on the advice of a friend. I can say that the stove is excellent both in quality and in its properties. The stove is hanging, quite compact, but it’s enough for me. Powerful and also not expensive. I took it for 17 thousand. For such a price it completely justifies itself. Works well, heats up quickly. I hung it up without any problems. Everything is thought out. It doesn't get very hot on its own. If you choose from inexpensive but powerful stoves, then feel free to take this one. The only thing was that the design didn’t suit us very much, but we took it anyway. Still, the characteristics came first.

Snezhana Kondratyuk

Vesuvius LEGEND FORGING 16 (205)

Advantages: Yes, it is small, but it works and warms up the sauna as if it had the power of some large stove. Well, the price speaks for itself - also a plus. Disadvantages: No, it seems to me, but we didn’t really have time to try it, we only turned it on a couple of times until we discovered the shortcomings. I’m not surprised that this stove has become the choice of buyers, because the price is delicious, The build quality is good, it floats unusually for its size, but in size it is also something, it doesn’t eat up extra space. The casing has not deteriorated in a month, there are no signs of corrosion. Using stones and electricity, you can save money by turning off the oven ahead of time. I see only advantages in this little girl and rejoice at her impeccable work. I recommend it for purchase.

Dashka F.

Vesuvius Legend Retro 24 (DT-4)

Advantages: Yes, it is small, but it works and warms up the sauna as if it had the power of some large stove. Well, the price speaks for itself - also a plus Disadvantages: No, it seems to me, we didn’t really have time to try it out, we only turned it on a couple of times until we identified the shortcomings Comment: The stove covers the specified heating area well, well, it doesn’t have time for that you don’t need that much, up to 70 degrees, and the temperature rises in about half an hour

Leonid Gerasimov

Ermak 20 Standard mesh (cast iron)

Advantages: 1. Hangs firmly on the wall. 2. Excellent assembly of all elements, including thermostats. 3. Powerful. 4. Hot. 5. Cheap. Disadvantages: a little too angular in appearance) Comment: The stove showed itself to be excellent in use, I didn’t even expect that for 17 thousand you could work so quickly and normally. The installation was in the “brought - hung - connected” style, without any stress or problems at all. They were specially hung at a medium height so as not to reach the thermostats under the hot body. On the plus side, it really doesn’t heat up at all. The adjustment knobs are slightly warm, nothing melts. The power is sufficient for an average steam room, 3 by 4 in size, for example (we have one). The comfortable value is not even on the last division, but on the penultimate one. If anyone wants something hotter, there is a “corridor” for this. I like everything, but the design could use some more work)

Anna V.

Harvia 20SL Boiler

Advantages: Price, characteristics Disadvantages: None Comment: We took this stove for a large home bath of 12 cubic meters. The stove copes with this volume without difficulty, works well and with virtually no unnecessary noise. It is compact and does not interfere with anyone during rest. Well, it’s very easy to operate, but I’m generally silent about its unpretentiousness in care and maintenance. Strong, well assembled, made of stainless steel, galvanized, steel body. Consumes energy moderately. I also liked that the stove is relatively small, and the regulator is removable and can be moved from one side to the other. I was pleased with the stove, that's for sure.

Nina Apraksina

TMF Geyser Micra 2022 Carbon

Advantages: I hope to continue to see only advantages in this stove - its good performance and a modest design that is pleasing to the eye. I didn’t pay a lot of money for it, the price is fair, and it works wonderfully. Although, maybe I don’t understand much about stoves, but it soars great! Disadvantages: None, at least not yet. Comment: I ordered this stove for my bathhouse on the advice of friends of avid bathhouse attendants, they said that the company is good, so we’ll see - so far only a week has passed since the installation and the first test of the stove, the flight is normal.

Liliya Shevikova

Teplodar Rus 12 L

Advantages: Cost-effective purchase. It’s already inexpensive, but I also got it at a discount, it’s absolutely lovely. Savings are in this regard, and it also consumes very little electricity, and if you turn it off a little earlier than you’ve finished steaming, it’s actually quite economical, all thanks to the stones - they retain the heat. Comment: In general, it’s a good purchase, and it works great! I’ve never understood lovers of wood-burning stoves - electric heaters are much more convenient, but at least this stove.

Sonya Lova

Ermak 12 Classic

Advantages: Price Uninterrupted operation Saving space in the bathhouse due to its small size Metal does not rust even in aggressive conditions of the bathhouse The control panel does not heat up even at very high temperatures How to set the mode is clear from the regulators They have provided a great guarantee Disadvantages: None Comment: The oven is excellent, for yourself The Savo website came out by accident, this model was chosen first out of purely visual preferences, then based on the parameters. Works for 5 points.

Savely Fokin

Harvia 20SL Boiler

Advantages: -Familiar ruler with a removable regulator. — Easy to install and connect to existing networks. — There are all documents from the manufacturer itself. Disadvantages: none Comment: This seems to belong to the stoves of the economy segment, but the results are as if you bought something more expensive and higher. The quality of the “procedures” taken in the sauna is remarkable. You can set any heating level. The kids liked the low ones, my wife and I usually put them higher. Even without adding water, it produces such fine steam into the room, it may be enough if you don’t want to spend money on a steam generator, but the standard method of splashing water on the stones is also suitable. Everything in it is provided for a great holiday) We like it very much))

Nora Shevikova

TMF Geyser Micra 2022 Carbon

Advantages: Functionality Price Reliability Compliance with the stated characteristics Convenient use Clear controls No special care Does not rust due to humidity Few stones required Easy installation Plenty of steam Heats the air well Disadvantages: None Comment: We bought this stove after our parents, so far we like everything, steamed using different heat levels, the stove heats the air well, and then quickly distributes it throughout the bathhouse, taking up very little space. Delicious price. I recommend!

The location of the stove or design features of the steam room

Pay special attention to one point: where the stove will be fired from. And it can be heated either from the steam room itself, or from the dressing room, washing room, locker room, rest room, etc. Such stoves are called “remote” or with a remote fuel channel.

Where to heat from is a matter of your taste. If you want to heat the stove without leaving the steam room, then choose a stove model without an external firebox. But if you don’t want to, and if the design of the bathhouse allows you to heat the stove from the adjacent room, then choose a stove with a remote firebox.

As you consider what is best for you, be sure to consider the following. “Takeaway” stoves retain oxygen in the steam room, as they take it for combustion from another room. But at the same time, you will have to run out of the steam room from time to time to check the condition of the firebox and the amount of firewood. And, of course, while you open and close the door, the heat will leave the steam room.

Let us also note the difficulty of installing a stove with a remote firebox compared to stoves without a remote firebox. But this cannot be called a serious disadvantage. If you have the hands and expert advice, then anything is possible. As the authors of the article, we recommend that you contact our specialists and order not only a suitable stove, but also an installation service.

By the way, we do not recommend placing the firebox outside! Call us and we’ll explain why: 8 (812) 605-85-05.

Fig 1. Oven Vesuvius Legend “without removal” (left and center) and Vesuvius Legend “with removal” (right)

What it is

A metal furnace is a separate group of heating devices made from various types of metal. Unlike stationary brick ovens, metal structures are compact and do not take away volume from the room.

They have high performance qualities, thanks to which the demand for metal furnaces is consistently high and constantly increasing. The main reason for this is the ability to heat the room to the desired temperature very quickly.

The metal has high thermal conductivity, and the surface of the furnace is capable of actively releasing thermal energy.

For a small private bathhouse, metal stoves are considered the best choice, much superior to the usual properties of brick stoves.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of metal sauna stoves include:

• rapid heating of rooms;
• low fuel consumption;
• metal stoves are purchased (or manufactured) ready-made and only require a chimney connection;
• no need to build your own foundation;
• compact size;
• most models can be installed anywhere in the room;
• There are stoves for floor, wall, corner, island and wall installation;
• There is a huge selection of metal stoves on sale, made in Russia, Europe, the USA and China.

Flaws:

• after finishing the kindling, metal stoves cool down quickly;
• small volume of heated room;
• Do not pour water onto the hot body of a metal stove (especially cast iron).

Despite some disadvantages, the demand for metal stoves is constantly growing. The reason for this is its compactness, efficiency and speed - you can heat a room with a metal stove much faster than by kindling a brick structure.

In addition, the small size and weight of such stoves make it possible to avoid building your own foundation, which makes setting up a bathhouse a cheaper procedure.