How to choose a stove for a bath with a closed heater: TOP 7 models with a description of technical characteristics and distinctive features

It is impossible to imagine a real bathhouse without powerful Russian steam.

It can be produced by traditional stoves or units equipped with a closed heater.

The stones in a closed-type stove-heater work on the principle of a heat accumulator: they quickly absorb heat, and then release it into the sauna rooms.

Manufacturers offer a considerable selection of such units.

A detailed study of their advantages and features, principles of operation will help to better understand the topic of the article.

Criterias of choice

You can cleanse your body of impurities and toxins, cleanse yourself physically and spiritually, relax, and have fun only in a real Russian steam room. Experts say that there were no Finnish saunas nearby. To do this, it must meet the following criteria:

• provide sufficient power;
• create a unique atmosphere of a Russian bath - a certain combination of temperature in the steam room and humidity;
• ensure fast, uniform heating of the room;
• the firebox door should be made of heat-resistant glass, this will save time during maintenance;
• A sauna stove for a Russian bath is better when a closed heater is used
• quickly dial and maintain high temperature, which closes the list of necessary parameters.

A brick stove for a Russian bath is a traditional option, but not everyone can build it correctly. Laying a brick stove is a labor-intensive and expensive process.

Ready-made models made of steel and cast iron can compete with it, but it is advisable to install a protective screen made of brick. The rating of sauna stoves for Russian baths is given below.

Steam gun

The operation of a closed heater depends on how isolated it is from the walls of the unit and the state of the air in the steam room. The better these indicators are, the hotter the stones will be able to heat up. However, in this case there is a problem with how to supply water to the stones.

In order to obtain steam inside the heater, a system of tubes with holes is installed. A glass or funnel is attached to the outside and water is poured in. It flows down the tube down the unit. Such a device is called a heat gun. It got its name because the escaping steam makes loud sounds, reminiscent of a gunshot.

When using this device, it is recommended not to limit yourself to a single tube - it is better to make a branched version at the bottom, which will evenly distribute the liquid throughout the stove and bring it to the hottest zones.

Popular ready-made models

The table contains the best stoves for a Russian bath:

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

And which one to choose?

Russian bath stoves have their own unique characteristics. A proper stove in a Russian bath should not cause harm to health. When burning, metal stoves emit hard infrared radiation. Cast iron ones are too heavy. Cast iron grates are more durable. The choice of a stove for a Russian bath depends on the size of the room, tasks, and financial capabilities.

• From the point of view of the optimal combination of price and quality, for a small private bath we can recommend the Harvia Classic 280 TOP. This brand has long been recognized as one of the most reliable. Harvia is also distinguished by its affordable pricing policy.
• For gourmets – connoisseurs of truly Russian traditions – “Zhikharka” by V. Vasyukhin is suitable. For business - its “Cinderella”. These models allow you to fully reproduce the atmosphere of a Russian steam room and delight you with their appearance. Thick metal ensures durability. Metal stoves emit infrared radiation, but this does not happen here; the metal is used like a thermos, which allows you to warm up the room slowly and evenly.
• "Kuban" has 2 small heaters - open and closed. This is her main advantage. There is a drawback - the small thickness of the walls. The number of stones is not enough to create the optimal steam for which the Russian bath is famous. But only an expert who uses all the advantages of a real Russian bath can feel this. The average person is unlikely to notice the difference.
• The most budget solution will be “Laguna”, which will cost approximately 16,000 rubles. An open heater for our purposes is not a very good solution. This made such models less popular. The optimal temperature of the stones is at least +5000 C. When heated, they instantly transform the water that falls on them into light steam, which is impossible for an open heater. A proper sauna stove should have a closed heater. This will help avoid many problems.
• For those who like to surprise their friends, we can offer “Hephaestus 3K” to show off. The forged cast iron firebox will become the central element in the interior.

Open or closed - which is better?

The consumer himself decides which type of stove to choose for the bath.

The main difference between a closed heater is that the stones are located inside the unit . The elements are heated through the walls of the firebox and hot smoke. Cobblestones can heat up to a temperature of 400-700 degrees.

To create steam, you need to supply water through a special built-in door. This way the heat will flow evenly into all bath rooms, keeping them warm for a long time.

Open type heaters are a unit with a special upper container for stones . The disadvantage of this design is the poor heating of the cobblestones.

Usually the top layer remains cold, as if preventing heat from spreading from the lower cobblestones. Hot air enters the premises slowly and cools quickly.

Tips for use

Even the best sauna stove in a Russian bathhouse requires constant maintenance. Here are some simple tips:

• Combustion products must be removed after each use.
• The chimney should be cleaned at least twice a year.
• It is important to carefully insulate all structures to avoid heat loss.
• Only pour warm water onto the stones. A fairly sharp temperature change will reduce the service life of the stove, especially cast iron.
• It is better not to open the steam room again. Hot air flows should not mix with cold air - this disrupts the uniformity of heating.

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.