Experienced experts advise choosing a stove for a bath carefully and leisurely. And it is right. Various solutions of heating devices have a whole range of features. This is not only the type of fuel and type of combustion: some stoves are suitable for a Russian bath, others are ideal for a sauna. Models with a steam generator will ensure safety, and the electric heater is ideal for placement in a room without a chimney. By analyzing and studying the types of sauna stoves on the market, paying attention to their key features, you can make the ideal purchase for a comfortable stay.
How to choose a stove for a bath
- Thermal power. The main selection criterion. It should be sufficient to heat the steam room and adjacent rooms in half an hour in the summer, and in 2 hours in winter when it’s cold. For a stove with moderate capabilities, the average figure is close to 10 kW.
- Heat storage capacity. The steam should not be transparent. For normal operation, 100 g of water per 1 m3 is sufficient. The temperature should not fall below 100˚C, otherwise the steam will come out heavy and damp.
- Material. Chromium steel is the best option. There is no risk of burning oxygen. There are also models made of cast iron and ordinary steel.
- Duration of work. The oven should operate for at least 3-4 hours and retain heat for a long time. Models that cool quickly will have to be re-ignited each time.
Important parameters:
- Type of fuel. Firewood, gas and electricity. The wood-burning copy is traditional. It guarantees fast, uniform heating and a favorable microclimate. Comes with or without chimney. In its absence, the fumes escape through the vent.
Electric is the modern way. Features precise temperature control. For normal operation, a stable supply of electricity is required.
The gas model implies complete independence. It lends itself to automation. Suitable for those who have low gas tariffs in the region.
- Type of heater. When the system is open, the air is heated by hot stones. This stove quickly heats the steam room and is suitable for frequently visited baths. Closed increases the time it takes to warm up the room.
- Availability of a heat exchanger. Allows you to save firewood and maintain a high temperature in the bathhouse.
- Design. The stove can be of any size, shade and shape.
- Price. The cost for a moderately powerful model does not exceed 20,000 rubles.
Secondary parameters:
No. 6. Steam source
Sauna stoves can be conventional or with a steam generator . What is the last one for? And in order to provide the room with a sufficient amount of steam when the stove itself cannot cope. The first sign of a real Russian bath is dry and light steam. Not all modern ovens are capable of producing it in sufficient quantities.
Light steam is obtained at a temperature in the steam room of 850C. In this case, finely dispersed steam is obtained when water hits stones heated to 5000C. With such heating, the air temperature certainly rises, to incredible limits, and as a result, you can get a burn. To prevent this from happening, they created ovens with a steam generator . It warms up much faster than the stones and saturates the steam room with the necessary steam, while the air temperature in it remains optimal.
The best sauna stove with a water tank
Termofor Kalina Carbon is easy to use, compact and not inferior to premium options in terms of capabilities and build quality.
It has a logical and convenient arrangement of controls, all parts fit tightly together, the body is black with a matte texture made of structural steel - a material resistant to corrosion and scratches.
Panoramic glass for relaxation, internal loading of stones up to 95 kg using a pull-out compartment for long-term heat retention.
A chimney labyrinth to increase the efficiency of the stove and a built-in heat exchanger for heating water in the tank.
Characteristics:
- Volume – 30 m3.
- Power – 15 kW.
- Weight – 96 kg.
Pros:
- High power. Heats a large sauna area.
- Built-in heat exchanger. To improve microclimate indicators.
Minuses:
- Restrictions. Not suitable for a small bath, only for a large one due to its dimensions.
- Economical material. Loses to models made of steel and chrome.
Types of construction
Nowadays you can see a variety of portable heating elements in hardware stores, but people mostly prefer a traditional brick stove.
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If you decide to install it, then before starting its construction, measure the room, because the traditional type of heating element may simply not fit there. Most often, their width exceeds 100 cm, and their height varies from 160 to 220 cm.
For all its massiveness, such a unit has a number of significant advantages:
- fireproof;
- retains heat well;
- warms large rooms.
However, if you do not have enough money for materials or the space does not allow you to build a full-fledged stove, then you should give your preference to the compact metal version.
The best stove for a bath with a heat exchanger
Ermak 12 belongs to the economy class line, but this does not indicate poor quality. Material – stainless steel with chromium content. It is resistant to corrosion. The oven has standard dimensions for its class: 425×520×690 mm. Weight – 52 kg.
The weight of the laid stones is 40 kg. This indicator requires longer heating of the raw materials. A remote tank and heat exchanger are included in the package.
Characteristics:
- Power – 12 kW.
- Working area – 14 m3.
- Zone for stones - 40 kg.
- Firewood length – up to 450 mm.
Pros:
- Rich equipment.
- Moderate microclimate. The water in the stove is hot, but does not boil.
- Price. Low price.
Minuses:
- The stones heat up slowly.
Briefly about the main thing
Choosing the right stove for a sauna is not difficult if you know the power to heat the room. Power calculations are made based on parameters such as the amount of heat loss, thermal insulation coefficient, volume and area of the steam room.
Rating of the most popular and high-quality models of sauna stoves:
- Harvia M3.
- TMF Geyser 2014.
- Hephaestus PB-04.
- Varvara Terma Kamenka.
- Harvia Legend 240 Duo.
The stoves are sold with a water container, have a beautiful finish, and can be used for aromatherapy.
Ratings 0
The best stove for a cast iron bath
The relevance of Hephaestus PB-01 is explained by its high power. It is capable of heating a large room with a volume of up to 45 m3. The thick walls of the structure quickly transfer heat.
The highest efficiency (87%) among sauna stoves is a key feature. The stove can withstand high heat loads – up to 750 °C. Turbulent fins make it possible to reduce heat transfer in the chimney to 300˚C.
Characteristics:
- Power – 18 kW.
- Weight of stones – 70 kg.
- Firewood length – up to 400 mm.
- Dimensions – 71.1×5×88.7 cm.
- Weight – 350 kg.
Pros:
- Reliability.
- Large working area. Suitable for a large project.
- Efficiency. Heats rooms quickly and retains heat for a long time.
Minuses:
- High price. Doesn't differ in availability.
- Heavy weight. The floor must be strong in the bathhouse.
- Mandatory brick lining. A measure against heating the walls and fire.
Decorative finishing
A stove in a bathhouse is not only a source of heat, steam, and increased danger, it can also be a decoration for the room.
If you only care about the safety of the stove, then it is enough to paint it with modern paint to protect the metal from corrosion. The use of heat-resistant enamel based on silicone paints is no different from conventional enamels, but protects metal at temperatures up to +800 degrees. The metal is degreased and then paint is applied. After the first layer has dried, the next layer is applied. It is recommended to paint those metal elements that will be covered with brick and insulation.
The decoration of the stove in the bathhouse can perform a purely decorative function in the form of forged decorations and additional decorative elements of the stove itself. You can use heat-resistant paints of various colors with an antique effect. Decoration can also be used to eliminate the increased danger of a sauna stove.
The stove can be lined with red brick masonry (we have already considered this method), but the masonry on the sides can be decorative, in the form of a grid. On the firebox side, the stove can be covered with a screen made of forged elements or simply with a beautiful mesh fixed in the frame.
It can be covered with a beautiful casing, also covered with heat-resistant paint, in the color you like.
A stove lined with heat-resistant stone will look impressive; this will not only give a noble look to your product, but will also improve the quality of the stove itself.
The decorative decoration of your bathhouse stove depends only on your desire, taste and wallet size.
The best stove for a sauna at the dacha (heater)
Typically, garden and country baths are focused on quick heating. Varvara Mini has small dimensions and weight. It is compact and efficient.
Creates the desired microclimate in the room after switching on in half an hour. Fast heating occurs due to double convection. It warms up not only the volume of the bathhouse, but also its walls, floor, and ceiling. The weight of the laid stones is 40 kg. The maximum length of firewood is 30 cm.
Features include the ability to be equipped with a remote/mounted tank. Both systems are made of stainless steel. The remote one is suitable for installation on the second floor or as a pass-through part through the ceiling. The water boils in it within an hour.
Characteristics:
- Power – 8 kW.
- Working area – 8 m3.
- Weight – 85 kg.
Pros:
- Weight. Suitable for a small bath.
- Window on the back for easy maintenance.
- Equipment.
Minuses:
- Regular design. May appear unattractive.
- Restrictions. Suitable for country baths.
Principle of operation
Depends on the type of equipment selected. In gas models, fuel (most often propane), with a controlled supply, is mixed with air in the required proportions and releases heat during combustion. Thanks to this, the stone base quickly accumulates, and water poured onto it turns into steam.
In electric ones, heating elements located in the inner casing heat up the stones (with which they are lined). The latter, in turn, give energy to the air entering and exiting through special ventilation ducts. As a result, the room temperature gradually increases.
In wood-burning stoves, the fuel burns and gives off the generated heat to the heater or mesh casing. Due to this interaction, particularly soft vaporization is observed.
Design requirements
All sauna stoves have two compartments in their structure: a firebox (bottom) and a heater (top). On the outside, the unit has either a metal casing (if it is not made of brick) or a stone cladding.
For modern and simply better sauna stoves they are as follows:
- manufactured from materials that can stably withstand heavy loads;
- general safety of the device, reducing the likelihood of fire, poisoning and other risks;
- balance between heating speed, cooling speed and humidity provision;
- efficiency in terms of fuel consumption;
- convenient sizes for use.
The best stove for a sauna with a closed heater
Vesuvius Skif is made of gray steel with a matte surface. The door has many forged decorated elements in a golden hue. The built-in heater, heating up to 400˚C, allows you to get “light” steam.
To “plug” the convection part, the oven is equipped with a grate.
The element holds stones along the entire perimeter of the body. Proper air circulation allows you to heat the room in 1 hour. Characteristics:
- Power – 15 kW.
- Volume – 24 m3.
- Weight – 91 kg.
Pros:
- Large heated area.
- "Light" steam. It will be comfortable in the bathhouse.
- Safety.
Minuses:
- Large mass. Quite a heavy model.
Vaping method: selection according to parameters
Start with the simplest thing - think about who will take a steam bath and how often, or maybe even just wash. For professional use (when providing paid services) you will need one heating equipment, for constant relaxation among amateurs - another, for simple family gatherings on occasion - a third, for undemanding beginners - a fourth.
It’s also worth deciding what type of steam room to make. If it is Russian, then she needs a closed heater, made of brick or metal, but with a stone lining, and so that its vents are closed. Then it will be possible to easily control convection, that is, regulate heated air flows. If it is a Finnish sauna, then, as a rule, it is a steel stove with convection casings for heating the steam room as quickly as possible. Moreover, to soften hard radiation, such furnaces are lined with stone or a mesh casing.
Temperature/humidity ratio
In other words, microclimate. One piece of equipment can create real heat in a matter of minutes, but at the same time dry out the air. Another is to provide a soft and even gentle atmosphere, but not warm the room properly.
A stove for a Russian bath should produce up to 60°C at 55-60% humidity, a Finnish sauna requires 90°C and 15%, and a Turkish hammam requires up to 45°C and up to 100%, respectively.
Based on this, the area of infrared radiation when heating a material becomes especially important: the larger it is, the drier the air, and vice versa.
The best electric stove for a sauna
Harvia Sound M45 is made of steel. Powered by network. Power supply type – 3-phase. The Finnish-made wall-mounted model comes with a built-in remote control with a thermostat and timer.
The stove can be equipped with loudspeakers for music. The safe installation distance from the wall is 3.5 cm, to the ceiling – 110 cm, to the floor – 15 cm.
Characteristics:
- The size of the steam room is up to 6 m3.
- Power – 4.5 kW.
- Electric heater time – up to 4 hours.
- The weight of the stones is 25 kg.
- Weight – 16 kg.
Pros:
- Compactness. Doesn't take up much space.
- Delayed start function. After the specified parameters, it turns on independently after a few hours.
- Modern technologies. There is an opportunity to listen to music.
Minuses:
- Small work area. Designed for several people.
Safety precautions
To avoid getting burns from hot surfaces and to reduce the risk of fire, you must follow the safety rules:
- There must be a fire extinguisher in bathhouses.
- Regularly clean furnace equipment from soot and ash.
- Install the stove at a distance of at least 80 cm from the walls, cover them with heat-resistant material with reflective screens.
- Perform a test firing of a homemade stove to check the tightness of the connections.
To protect visitors from possible burns, you can make a protective fence made of wood. Before this, the slats are impregnated with a fire-resistant compound.
After building a bathhouse, a person must choose the appropriate stove equipment. If you don’t have enough money, you can make a stove yourself. To do this, you need to select the material from which the heating unit will be made and prepare the base. After the foundation has hardened, the manufacture of the furnace can begin.
The best gas stove for a sauna
Teplodar KomPAR 50 is a rare type of heat generator for a bath - gas stoves are expensive, and they are purchased for commercial purposes. Installation requires permission and drawing up an individual design plan.
Features of the product: the steam room heats up in less than half an hour, automatic temperature adjustment, and no need to clean the tank.
There is no need to constantly load fuel - add firewood. A tray for stones is installed on top of the structure, and there is also a removal device for combustion products.
Characteristics:
- Heated volume – 70 m3.
- The thickness of the firebox walls is 0.6 cm.
- Fuel - firewood.
- Weight – 130 kg.
Pros:
- Compactness. Doesn't take up much space in the steam room.
- Easy to use. Does not require careful care.
Minuses:
- High price. It's very expensive.
- Complicated installation. You will need to go to authorities to fill out the paperwork to get permission for installation.
The best wood-burning stove for a sauna
Kastor KO-20 has a modern design - matte surface, no frills, convenient opening systems. It is practical and elegant in appearance.
The main idea is the presence of enhanced live fire due to the glass door. It occupies almost the entire front panel.
The container for stones is designed for 60 kg. The double casing is another advantage. It is needed to reduce the safe distance for accelerating air exchange.
Characteristics:
- Power – 18 kW.
- Volume – 20 m3.
- The maximum weight of stones is 60 kg.
- Weight – 99 kg.
Pros:
- Design. Fits into a modern bathhouse.
- Light steam. Creates comfort in the room.
- Relaxation. View of a burning fire.
Minuses:
- Restrictions. For kindling, use wood chips and splinters, then firewood. Do not use birch. After this you will have to clean the firebox window.
The best stove for a long-burning sauna
Tulinka NVU-150 has a non-standard design - in the form of an iron barrel on legs. It is capable of heating air with a volume of 150 m3. Works on wood, cardboard. Coal will not work.
The firebox is the inner cylinder, the outer one is used as a convector casing. Cold air is sucked in by two holes at the bottom. It comes out hot through the top ten holes.
The temperature is regulated by two dampers. One of them is intended for supplying air to the firebox, the other for chimneys. Smoldering wood contributes to 8-hour heating of the bathhouse with the dampers closed.
When they are open, the wood burns, that is, the room quickly warms up (10-15 minutes).
Characteristics:
- Manufacturer – Russia.
- Material – steel.
- Power – 8.4 kW.
- Weight – 48 kg.
- Service life – 20 years.
Pros:
- Quick heating of the room.
- Large working area.
- Versatility. Suitable for country houses, cities.
Minuses:
- Design. Simplicity and rough lines of the body.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of wood stoves include:
- the presence of a “live” fire creates a specific atmosphere and gives bathing procedures a special charm;
- high heating rate and ease of adjustment of the combustion mode;
- the ability to use different types of fuel, traditional firewood or their modern modifications (coal, briquettes, pallets, etc.);
- the ability to operate autonomously without connecting to electricity;
- ecological purity of fuel;
- relatively low cost;
The disadvantages of wood stoves are considered to be:
- the combustion process causes the formation of carbon monoxide, which is dangerous to human health and even life;
- the need to assemble a high-quality chimney of the correct size, without cracks or holes;
- wood stoves are fire hazardous and require compliance with the rules of use;
- the efficiency of the stove depends on the quality and condition of the fuel - it is not easy to heat a room with raw wood;
- if a stationary brick kiln is being built, the entire range of work will have to be completed, starting with the foundation.
The pros and cons of wood stoves are well known to all users, so they are usually considered as design features.
The best metal stove for a bath
Termofor Geyser is a classic option in design and functionality. Made of heat-resistant black alloy steel - this is a reliable material. Wall-mounted, belongs to the closed type. Combined fuel. The oven is designed to produce steam and heat water.
Standard features include an ash drawer and flame level adjustment. The walls of the firebox are 0.3 cm thick. It is divided by the heater into two parts - open and closed.
In the first, steam is formed, in the second it is dried. A dosing valve built into the funnel to prevent large amounts of water from entering.
Characteristics:
- Heating volume – 18 m3.
- Firebox volume – 40 l.
- The length of the firewood is 50 cm.
- Dimensions – 41.5×90×83 cm.
- All – 59 kg.
Pros:
- Easy to use. It is connected to the chimney at the top, there is protection against water getting inside.
- Reliable case. Made of heat-resistant steel.
- Laconic style. Will fit into any bathhouse idea.
- Small mass. You can easily move it when arranging the territory.
Minuses:
- Noise. Noise when wood is actively burning.
- Working area. For a small bath.
What should the power be?
If the power is too high, it will lead to too much heating of the air and not enough heating of the stones. Using an insufficiently efficient stove will lead to the need to heat the steam room for a long time.
Before purchasing, you need to calculate the required power for the bath. For this purpose, you can use the following technique.
- The initial value for calculation is the volume of the steam room.
To obtain it, you need to measure the length, width and height of the room. For example, if a room is 3 m long, 2 m wide and 2.2 m high, then to calculate the volume, you need to multiply these three numbers. It is equal to 3 * 2 * 2.2 = 13.2 cubic meters. m.
When choosing, the power should be sufficient to warm the room Source stroyka.ru
- You need to take into account how much heat will escape through the windows and doors.
To do this, you need to calculate their area and multiply by 1.2.
For example, if the height of the door is 2 m, the width is 0.9 m, then the area will be: 2 * 0.9 = 1.8 square meters. m.
If the window is 0.5 m wide and 0.8 m high, then its area will be 0.5 * 0.8 = 0.4 sq. m.
The correction value for the volume of the room will be (1.8 + 0.4) * 1.2 = 2.2 * 1.2 = 2.64 cubic meters. m.
This figure must be added to the previously calculated volume of the room. Summing these figures, we get 13.2 + 2.64 = 15.84 cubic meters. m.
The required power is calculated based on the volume of the room and heat loss Source foundmaster.ru
- It is necessary to take into account the amendment determined by the material used for the construction of the bathhouse.
If it is made of logs, and there is no thermal insulation, then a coefficient of 1.6 is used. When using insulation inside it, you can take 0.6. In the example under consideration, the bathhouse does not have thermal insulation. Therefore, you need to use a coefficient of 1.6. The result will be 15.84 * 1.6 = 25.34 cubic meters. m. Thus, it is enough to purchase a stove that can provide 26 kW.
When purchasing, you need to take into account that usually the minimum and maximum power levels differ by 10 times.
When using, the heating strength can be adjusted according to your taste. The heat level depends on the amount of fuel or electricity supplied. This is convenient if gas or electricity are used; it is enough to set the parameters to the desired value.
Electric sauna stove Source www.kredit-kartu.ru
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in baths, heating, water supply and sewerage
In wood stoves this can be done in the following ways:
- You can limit the volume of combustion air supplied. This method is convenient to use to regulate the intensity of firewood combustion.
- You can also open the door or window slightly to reduce the degree of heating.
Which sauna stove is better to buy?
Using the example of 10 stoves for a bath, we can summarize that the appropriate option when choosing is the one that quickly heats a large volume of the room. Safety is another important factor.
Many solutions require brick lining - and this is an expensive undertaking. Others are made of structural steel, a more economical material.
It is better when the firebox walls are made of steel and chrome. Such raw materials have increased resistance to corrosion and melting.
From the list we should highlight Tulinka NVU-150, Vesuvius Skif and Hephaestus PB-01. Models can heat air with a volume of 25 m3 and are suitable for both small and large baths.
They can withstand high thermal loads - up to 450˚C.
Easy to use, they quickly heat rooms in half an hour and retain heat for a long time. Advertising from sponsors: // // //
Frequently asked questions
Users choosing a wood-burning stove for a sauna often have the same questions. These can be answered in advance so that people don’t have to waste time thinking:
What is better, a stove with or without a water tank?
It is always recommended to prefer stoves with a water tank - they do not increase the cost too much and have virtually no effect on fuel consumption, but they provide a lot of additional options.
Do you need extra power for a wood stove?
Necessary and even necessary. The efficiency of a wood-burning stove is not infinite; in winter frosts, without a power reserve, you will have to warm up the bathhouse for too long, which means high fuel consumption. It is much easier to slightly reduce the supply of firewood, but be able to increase heat transfer.
Which model is better to choose, domestic or imported?
Most imported stoves are much more expensive than domestic ones. However, price should not be the main determining factor. First of all, we need to consider the technical characteristics, especially the firebox material.
What size water tank is best?
A large tank will require a long time to warm up the water. Therefore, it is customary to be guided by the following criteria - for one person you need to install a capacity of 50 liters, and for a company of several people - twice as much.
Which furnaces require a separate foundation?
According to SNiP, a separate foundation is required for stoves weighing over 700 kg. If the base for the bathhouse is a monolithic slab, a separate foundation for the stove is not required. It is necessary to take into account that for structures whose weight approaches the maximum, it is better to immediately build a separate support system.
When choosing a wood-burning stove, you need to take into account the size of the bathhouse, the size of the interior, the type of foundation and other features. There are domestic and imported models on sale. They differ little in performance indicators, except for the price - foreign analogues are more expensive.
In addition to the main qualities, you should consider the presence of additional functions (for example, a water tank), take into account the size of the heater and other features. This will help you choose the most successful model. If brick structures are preferred, you will have to allocate time to build and shrink the stove. At the same time, its ability to heat the room will be significantly higher than that of metal ready-made models.
