"Svarozhich": sauna stoves, models, application features and reviews

Even novice lovers of strong steam know that only wood-burning heaters with a low-ash firebox should be used in the steam room. Cast iron wood-burning stoves for a bathhouse are far from a fad or a tribute to fashion; they are the only possible option to create an indescribable atmosphere inside the steam room, saturated with the smells of hot metal and the aroma of a real fire. It is clear that in the list of possible options, wood-burning sauna stoves based on cast iron are in particular demand, but there is no need to idealize the metal. Using a cast-iron wood-burning stove makes it possible to significantly simplify and speed up the heating of the steam room, but at the same time, the risks associated with its operation increase, which obviously did not exist with brick fireboxes and heaters.

The view of burning firewood through the glass adds warmth to the atmosphere of the bathhouse

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.

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.

Mini sauna stove

If you choose for a small sauna with a steam room less than 8 m3, then the optimal solution would be a Swedish or Finnish cast iron heater. From the list of models above, the Enchantress M or the Finnish HELO will work perfectly in small steam rooms. Among inexpensive mini-fireboxes, Castor stoves have an excellent reputation, according to reviews.

The main problem with mini-steam rooms is related to their high productivity; the steam is explosive and moist, like from a kettle. Therefore, it is best to choose cast iron fireboxes. They heat up slowly, but produce exceptionally dry and finely dispersed steam, even with weak wood.

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.

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.

Hearth stove for a bath

In this case, the firewood burns not on a cast-iron grate, but on a brick-lined or solid metal plate. A hearth oven is usually a cast iron firebox lined with brick. The most massive logs are laid out on the bottom, and the remains of firewood and wood chips on top. The combustion is quite economical, but of low intensity, so this scheme is unlikely to be suitable for a steam room, but for heating bathhouse premises, especially in a private house, it is ideal.

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.

Models of cast iron stoves “Firebird”

Each individual model has its own distinctive characteristics that you should pay attention to when choosing a purchase:

Economy Model for self-construction of a brick screen.
Stone. The furnace is equipped with a special mesh filled with heating material.
Luxury An oven with a closed top heater and adjustable convection.
Classic. The heater is open at the top, convection is unregulated.
Russian steam. The heater is closed at the top, the convection is adjustable.

Consumers leave the largest number of reviews for Svarozhich stoves of the Russian Steam, Lux and Combi modifications. Let's look at them in detail:

"Russian Steam". The heater is cast iron, closed on top with a box made of stainless heat-resistant steel, with sheets 2 millimeters thick. This part has only two holes, so the stones are not cooled by convection. The degree of heating of the heater does not affect the movement of air inside the stove. As an additional option, a steam gun is available for supplying steam.

Luxury The top of the stove is sloping back due to the higher front front wall, while this part is also the lid of the heater. It opens upward, which provides convenient access and makes it easier to fill with water. The heater is cast iron, heated from five sides, which promotes uniform heating.
Combi. It differs only in the cladding, made from two types of natural bath stone.

Wood-burning sauna stoves: pros and cons

The first and most significant risk factor is associated with the purchase of a cast iron firebox - a heater. A stone stove for a wood-burning sauna is built by craftsmen, as they say, in fact, right in the sauna room. And it takes a long time for the stove-maker to adjust and adjust until the wood-burning firebox works as expected.

With finished cast iron stoves the situation is different:

A cast iron firebox is purchased for a bathhouse as a finished product; you just need to bring it and install it;
There is always a risk of buying a stove with a defect that will only appear after a few visits to the bathhouse;
A good cast iron stove is expensive due to the high requirements for casting quality.

Only two factors can guarantee a successful choice of a cast iron heater – brand fame and authority and practical reviews of the operation of a particular model. For example, very expensive and ultra-reliable Swedish wood-burning sauna stoves are popular due to the highest quality of cast iron.

Important! The same metal is produced by Finnish and Norwegian companies. But it was precisely many years of experience working with wood-burning sauna stoves, a simple design and taking into account numerous reviews that made the Swedish models the most practical.

Steel and cast iron stoves differ in design and quality of heating the sauna room

The main benefits and bonuses of using cast iron wood stoves

The choice in favor of wood heating is most often determined by the availability and cheapness of the most popular type of fuel. Firewood does not require special storage conditions, and most importantly, it burns easily in a cast iron firebox.

The most important advantages of cast iron stoves for heating baths are:

Almost zero level of corrosion of the walls of the firebox, metal parts of the fittings and chimney due to the low sulfur content in the firewood;
The relatively low combustion temperature guarantees a lifespan of several decades for a cast iron stove, even in difficult bathhouse conditions;
Cast iron fireboxes are easily repaired; individual sections, grates, doors and even walls can be replaced.

In addition, cast iron has a higher thermal conductivity than steel and especially brick, which means it transfers heat to the bathhouse faster. As a result, the wood in the stove burns much faster than in a brick firebox, which means that visitors to the bathhouse are spared from smoke and combustion products drawn into the room by reverse draft.

Important! A cast iron stove for average quality firewood will cost much less than a brick heater with the same thermal performance. Even if you try to build a brick stove with your own hands.

At the same time, it is not a fact that the brick version will turn out at an acceptable level of quality; this requires experience and extensive practice of the stove maker. Whereas installing a cast iron stove in a bathhouse will not be a particular problem even for beginners.

Models of cast iron stoves "Slavyanka"

A number of “Slavyanka” models have various designs for both self-lining with building materials and finished products.

Economy For DIY brick lining of the stove.
Stone. Covered with a mesh for filling the filament material.
Luxury Model with a closed top heater and adjustable convection.
Classic. The heater is open at the top, without the possibility of adjusting the convection.
Russian steam. The heater is closed at the top, convection is adjustable.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Source

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.

Cast iron stoves for the bathhouse: Kalita, Svarozhich, Sudarushka

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.

4 Kalita sauna stoves

4.1 Range of stoves with closed heater Kalita

4.2 Reviews of Kalita stoves

5 Stove with cast iron firebox Sudarushka

5.1 Range and technical characteristics

5.2 Reviews of the stove with cast iron firebox Sudarushka

Features of cast iron stoves
In this article we will tell you about the manufacturers of cast iron stoves with a closed heater, which can be installed in bathhouses to achieve Russian steam room conditions. Since cast iron stoves are made with thicker walls, the heat capacity of the units is greater. And if the design of the stove is well thought out and a lot of stones are placed, then the atmosphere in the steam room is very, very soft and pleasant.

There are only a few nuances when using these units. Sauna stoves made of cast iron have a considerable mass - at least 200 kg without all the “makeweights”. Since you can’t just put a stove in a Russian bathhouse, but you will need a lining (about 200-250 kg) or a brick screen (at least 600-800 kg), you can’t do without a foundation for the stove.

A cast iron stove with a brick screen or cladding requires a foundation

Second point. Cast iron does not tolerate sudden temperature changes. And to get steam you have to pour water. Even if it is boiling water, the difference with the surface of the oven is very large. If this “cold” water gets on a hot surface, it can burst. That’s why manufacturers make special glasses into which this water needs to be poured. And some also make containers for stones from steel (Sudarushka and Svarozhich Elite) - this way there is less chance of getting a crack.

The nice thing is that cast iron stoves consist of individual elements that are connected to each other using locks. That is, if something bursts, then it is not the entire oven that needs to be replaced, but only some part of it. But still, be careful when using it.

Read more about the features of cast iron stoves in the article “Sauna stoves made of stainless steel or cast iron? What's better?"

Manufacturers of cast iron stoves for Russian baths

There are a lot of metal stoves on the market. But stoves with a closed heater are hardly a dozen brands. There are even fewer cast iron stoves with a closed heater:

Kalita
Sudarushka
Svarozhich
Hephaestus

That's probably all. In any case, these are the brands that are used in Russian steam rooms. Moreover, the Kalita and Sudarushka brands are produced by one enterprise, Inzhkomtsentr VVD.

There are not many manufacturers in Russia

Stoves for baths Svarozhich

This company produces cast iron sauna stoves, with a closed heater. They are cast using German equipment from gray heat-resistant cast iron SCh15-30. Wall thickness 10-20 mm.

There are two lines: Firebird and Slavyanka Premium. Both models can be supplied with cladding or under a self-clad brick screen. Since the stoves are made of cast iron, they come from the factory disassembled and you assemble them yourself according to the instructions that come with the kit.

Cast iron sauna stove Firebird

In this stove, the heater, although closed, is ventilated. This is not the best option for creating Russian bath modes, but you can still use it. The main thing is to choose the right fire mode and not overheat the steam room.

The structure of the Fire Bird stove from Svarozhich

At the moment there are four modifications: Economy, Standard, Classic, Luxury. All stoves have a remote firebox: the stove can be heated from an adjacent room. The dimensions of the firebox allow the use of firewood up to 50 cm long. Since its weight is significant (without stones, lining and firewood from 270 kg), the stove must be installed on a separate foundation.

This is what the cast iron stoves Svarozhich Zhar Ptitsa look like in different versions

All of these stoves are designed for steam stoves of 12-30 m3, the chimney diameter of the first three modifications is 115 mm, and for “Elite” - 130 mm. To make it more convenient to select and navigate the technical parameters of the Firebird stove, they were compiled into a table.

Technical characteristics of Svarozhich Zhar Ptitsa stoves (to increase the size of the table, right-click on the picture)

Svarozhich stoves are distinguished by a very wide door. In the photo below, the firebox is shielded from the inside with fireclay bricks. This slows down the heating of the steam room, but the temperature remains longer after heating. You see, the door is so wide that all the “insides” are clearly visible.

Shielding the firebox with fireclay bricks

Sauna stove Svarozhich Slavyanka Elite

This line is extended even further upward. Its width, even when faced with stone slabs, does not exceed 500 mm. The weight of this line is also slightly less. And this despite the fact that the combustion portal is cast from cast iron. The weight reduction occurred due to a decrease in the thickness of the firebox walls (6 mm instead of 10 for the “Fire Bird”) and also due to the fact that the container for stones is welded from stainless steel. The thickness of the walls of the heater is 3 mm, which is more than enough to withstand thermal loads and the weight of stones.

The structure of the Slavyanka stove from Svarozhich

The Svarozhich-Slavyanka stove has two heaters - a closed one with stones placed on the side and a small open one. The mass of stones in the closed heater is 40 kg, in the upper one - 20 kg. The chimney diameter for all modifications is 115 mm. The modifications are the same:

Economy - under brick lining;
Standard - in a stainless steel casing (for use in Russian steam room mode, a brick screen is still required);
Classic - lined with soapstone;
Luxury - in a lining with a system for regulating convective flows.
This is what cast iron stoves Svarozhich Slavyanka look like in different versions

The technical characteristics of these furnaces are presented in the table (see photo).

Technical characteristics of Svarozhich Slavyanka stoves (to increase the size of the table, right-click on the picture)

Reviews of Svarozhich stoves

I have Slavyanka Elite. I took it under a brick screen. I’m happy with everything, it heats up my 15 cubic meter steam room in an hour and a half, but this is at +6-7° outside. At first I didn't put the top of the screen down, but it was hot. That’s why I blocked half of it, and on the other I have a grid with stones for decoration. Now, at 60°C in the steam room, the stones heat up very well and I can get as much steam as I want. The only annoying thing is that the doors don't fit snugly. Therefore, even with the dampers closed, there is traction. I tried to adjust the damper on the chimney, but smoke poured into the room. Then he adapted to drown her. But something needs to be done about the doors.

Mikhail, Astrakhan

I have Svarozhich-Lux. The oven is excellent, if not for one flaw. There were many cracks in the door, which made it almost impossible to regulate the combustion. I glued thin strips of asbestos around the perimeter where the doors fit. I placed them on heat-resistant sealant until they dried, pressed them down with the door and trimmed off the excess. It turned out very accurately. Now, with the door closed, the draft is adjusted as necessary: using the blinds on the door.

Stepan, St. Petersburg

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

Stove with cast iron firebox Sudarushka

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

The structure of stoves with cast iron fireboxes Sudarushka

These are different options for stoves for Sudarushka baths

Assortment and technical characteristics

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

The Sudarushka MK and Rusa models have open and closed heaters

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

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.

Soapstone stoves

Cladding with coil or soapstone tiles is considered justified only for stoves made of thin alloy steel with a high chromium content. Even with wood, the firebox becomes white hot and greatly burns the air in the steam room.

Sometimes the manufacturer uses soapstone to protect against thermal shock. It happens that an accidentally overturned ladle of boiling water past the heater onto a hot cast iron body causes cracks or punctures in the cast iron.

In other cases, the use of soapstone is dictated more by design than by technical operating conditions.

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.

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.

How to choose a stove for a wood-burning sauna

To correctly evaluate and make a choice, experts recommend proceeding in the following order:

The first thing you need to pay attention to is the material used for the walls, heaters, and most importantly, the furnace firebox. If the description states special cast iron, then its use is confirmed by references to certificates, GOST standards and the manufacturer of the cast iron sheet. All this can be checked online;
The second condition is the quality of workmanship. A cast-iron wood-burning stove should not have gaps or loose fits at the joints of the plates, otherwise carbon monoxide may accumulate in the bathhouse or steam room;
The third parameter is to check the passport for the possibility of operating a cast iron stove at different power levels, using raw and large wood. In winter, the bathhouse will have to be heated with not the driest logs, and in addition, maximum heat output is needed so that the preparation of the steam room does not take 5-6 hours. In summer, the process is reversed; a cast iron stove must heat effectively even with a small amount of firewood, otherwise the steam room, especially in mini-saunas, can easily overheat.

If all of the above points are met, then pay attention to the layout of the furnace and its thermal power. The required amount of heat for a bath is calculated using a special method and another 15-20% of the reserve is added. Knowing its value, you can compare the required power with that declared in the stove’s passport. At the same time, you can check the heating capacity of a cast-iron wood-burning stove by dividing the volume of the firebox in liters by a factor of 2. You will get the value in kW/h.

Classic version of the heater with a cast iron portal and firebox

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.