Choosing a bath stove with a water tank

Additional selection criteria

Power is the main criterion, but far from the only one. What are sauna stoves? In order for the result to fully meet our expectations, the following must be taken into account:

• product material;
• firebox design options;
• steam type;
• various designs;
• type of heater;
• operating time from one refueling;
• features of heating the bath;
• what fuel is used.

Only considering all this, it is possible to determine which stove in the bath is better.

Production material

The sauna stove can be made from:

• cast iron;
• become;
• bricks.

Which stove in the bath is better, if we take into account the material of manufacture? Comparing them to each other is not entirely correct. Each material better solves a particular problem and, according to connoisseurs, creates a special atmosphere.

With a modern range of furnace equipment, experts give the palm to special heat-resistant alloy steel with the addition of chromium. It is steel, today, is the most reliable and durable. The atmosphere in the bath does not suffer either. Such furnaces do not burn oxygen, because during combustion there is no oxidation process in them.

When choosing reliable sauna stoves, pechnoy.guru recommends paying attention to Finnish companies. They deservedly occupy a leading position in this market.

Their products have one drawback - a high price. Although, the same "Harvia" also produces quite budget models.

Sauna stove from Harvia

The production of cast iron stoves is not very popular today. The disadvantage of a cast-iron stove is a lot of weight and a shorter service life compared to the previous version. Heating is slower. This is worth considering when deciding which stove to choose for a bath.

Cast iron stoves are not very popular today

The choice of a brick oven is a tribute to tradition. Installing this is very difficult. There were not many good masters before. Now you can't find it at all. You can try to build a stove yourself, but is it necessary? This work is not easy - you need to properly build a foundation and a chimney, and the result will clearly be inferior to modern industrial designs. Brick requires more energy to warm up, so fuel consumption will increase.

At the same time, although such a stove will heat up longer, it will give off heat much longer.It all depends on your financial capabilities and personal preferences - sometimes, such a stove is a good choice.

The brick version is long, expensive, difficult.

Features of the location of the firebox

The firebox can be located in a closed steam room, but it is much more convenient when it is remote. This complicates the selection of a cast-iron, steel or brick oven. You can add fuel at any time without disturbing those who are in the steam room. This somewhat reduces the thermal insulation of the bath, but not critical. New thermal insulation of all joints and seams will solve this problem. But, the door to the steam room will open less frequently.

The new firebox door, made of heat-resistant glass, will allow you to monitor fuel consumption. The remote firebox itself must be made of thick heat-resistant steel with the addition of chromium. This design is an indicator of quality, it will not burn out for years and will withstand the highest temperature.

Steam source

First, let's figure out what kind of steam happens. Distinguish:

• Dry steam is the most beneficial for the body. The stones are heated up to +5000С. It is worth splashing warm water on them - it instantly turns into steam. Such steam evenly heats the entire bath and does not increase humidity.
• Wet steam - occurs as a result of boiling water directly in the bath. Hot water is also heated by the heater, which is equipped with a water tank. This method does not require hot water supply. For washing use water directly from the boiler. It is also a heat exchanger.

How to correctly and quickly choose a stove for a bath in this case? Fans of wet steam can organize a similar process in the sauna. For this, there is no need to put a boiler with water. It is enough to buy a special device that will produce steam.The principle is the same, only the steam generator works from electric energy.

Design requirements

When choosing a stove for a bath, you need to take into account the requirements for the design of the stove. She must:

• ensure gradual and uniform heating of the bath;
• heat the room up to +800C (under the ceiling) in 3 hours;
• ensure proper fire safety;
• exclude the possibility of smoke and soot in the bath;
• heat stones up to + 5000С;
• provide ease of use;
• have an aesthetic appearance.

These are the minimum requirements. Everything else depends on your desire and financial capabilities.

The difference between stoves for saunas according to the fuel used

We have looked at different materials, now let's move on to fuel. In this matter, the owners of baths usually proceed from the fact that it is more affordable and more economical for them. The stove in the bath can be on wood, gas or electricity - an overview of the options is described in this article.

Wood stoves

Wood-fired sauna heaters are the #1 choice in Russia. Accordingly, a wide range of proposals. Therefore, it will not be superfluous to read an article that will tell you about the preferences of different categories of vapers and name the criteria for the best stove from the point of view of each of them. In addition, the article contains a rating of wood-burning stoves, which is influenced by the votes of site visitors - check out the results or take part yourself.

And since the products of the Finnish company Harvia, which produces wood-burning and electric sauna heaters, are very popular in our country, we made reviews on both - separate, of course. Harvey stoves for wood-burning saunas are described here.

Coal sauna stoves

Coal is the rarest type of fuel for stoves.And the main reason is just its greater efficiency - it gives heat 1.5-2 times more than firewood. This means that the material of the stove will undergo a greater thermal load. If the wood and coal stoves have walls of equal thickness, then the second one will burn out much faster. Therefore, for coal, the walls need to be made thicker.

The second reason is less important: there is twice as much ash from coal as from firewood, so the volume of the ash pan should be different. Yes, and a larger grate is needed - the owner will often have to stir up the coals so that they fall into the ash pan.

You will also need a thicker chimney with a wall thickness of 4 mm.

In Russia, coal-fired stoves for saunas are manufactured by Dobrostal and Troika. True, the latter has a category for commercial baths.

Furnace for a bath on the coal Zhara-Malyutka

Gas heater for a bath

Those who have the opportunity to conduct gas to the bath can use one of the options: either buy a whole stove equipped with a gas burner and, of course, “sharpened” for the features of gas combustion (the height of the torch and firebox matters), or convert an existing wood-burning stove, putting in it a purchased burner. What else you should know about a gas heater for a bath is described in this article of ours.

Electric sauna stoves

The electric stove-heater is rightly associated with the sauna. The Finns did their best. Indeed, an open container with stones, inside of which there are instantly heated heating elements, is an ideal stove for a sauna. It has excellent convection, fast heating, can be fully automated, and is environmentally friendly. In general, everything is European.

For those who are in the mood to create their own sauna, we recommend reading one of our three reviews: the first is entirely devoted to the products of the Finnish company Harvia, the other considers models from companies such as Sawo, Helo, Tylo, Tulikivi. And the third one we devoted to the products of Russian manufacturers, and very competitive ones.

Pay attention to Russian models with tape heaters, which are better than tubular ones, and you can buy at the same price

Those who would like an electric heater in the bath, but love Russian steam, should not despair - there is a not too expensive option for purchasing an electric heater with a steam generator, which will automatically maintain the set temperature, and the steam generator will produce superheated fine steam (what necessary for the Russian steam room). Details in this article.

And there is another question that is relevant for many about electric heaters with a voltage of 380 volts. Read about them here.

How to choose a stove for a bath and sauna

1. Power. One of the main criteria when choosing is the power of the furnace. It is selected taking into account the volume of the steam room, the presence of windows and doors. It will not be difficult to make the calculation using the online calculator.
2. Energy source. Solid fuel (wood), natural gas, electricity can be used as an energy source. Most often, private baths and saunas use electricity and firewood. One of them requires a power network (380 V), while others need an efficient chimney.
3. efficiency. For rational use of firewood, you need to learn about the efficiency of the stove. If traditional models have an indicator of no more than 85%, then modern units reach a value of 91-95%.
4. Housing material. For the manufacture of stoves for baths and saunas, manufacturers usually use cast iron or stainless steel. Each material has its pros and cons.
5. Heater type. By type, all heaters can be divided into open and closed. In the first version, the air in the steam room is heated by the heat of the stones. The room heats up quickly, but it also cools down quickly. This type is suitable for individual use in the country. But closed stoves heat the steam room more evenly, the consumption of firewood will be more economical, but the bath will have to be heated 3-4 hours before the start of water procedures.
6. Some wood stoves have a glass window in the door that allows you to admire the flames of burning wood. They successfully combine the best properties of the stove and fireplace.
7. Appearance furnace often becomes a stumbling block when choosing a model. Some manufacturers use decoration, thanks to which the device can fit into any interior.

Our review includes 12 of the best stoves for baths and saunas. Only those models that were approved by experts and received good reviews from domestic users were included in the rating.

Device types

The material from which it is made

On the market there is a huge selection of stoves for a bath with a water tank of various models and shapes. The most versatile are rectangular and square options. But a round stove can easily decorate the interior of your bath. The material for the manufacture of such devices are metals, brick and stone.

Metal stoves for a bath with a water tank are made of cast iron or steel. Each of these metals has its own advantages and disadvantages.

The advantage of a cast iron stove for a bath is the ability of this material to quickly accumulate heat.Heat dissipation occurs slowly, which ensures long-term heating of the room. But due to the temperature difference, the cast iron material can be deformed, which is its main drawback. In addition, it is expensive, a steel device will be much more affordable.

The stainless steel furnace is distinguished by its heat resistance, compact size, ease of installation. In addition, steel, unlike cast iron, does not deform under sudden changes in temperature and will serve you for decades. But the iron furnace may not provide uniform heating, as it has a small heat capacity. In order to eliminate this, the furnace is screwed up with bricks.

Brick stoves for a wood-fired sauna with a water tank have a beautiful appearance. They have excellent performance characteristics: heat dissipation, strength, durability, ease of use. The main disadvantage is that you will not find ready-made brick ovens in the store. It is necessary to engage in the development of the layout and manufacture. Or use the services of a master. But the price of such a furnace is quite high due to the cost of consumables.

Furnace fuel type

The most common fuel is wood. They are highly efficient, easy to use, quickly ignite and give off heat. Preference should be given to firewood from deciduous or fruit species: oak, birch, alder, cherry, apple tree. They can be used for the purpose of aromatherapy.

Coniferous trees can also be liquefied, but it must be remembered that they release resin when burned. Its sticking to the chimney in the future will lead to clogging with soot.

Sometimes the owners of stoves resort to heating with coal. It burns longer than wood.Even a small stove with fuel in the form of a corner is able to heat a fairly large freak. But its combustion temperature is also much higher. Therefore, not every design for a bath is able to withstand the long-term use of this type of fuel.

Heating baths with briquettes and pellets is less common. This is due to the fact that they quickly burn out. A large amount of such fuel is required in order to maintain a high temperature in the bath for a long time.

Increasingly popular are devices that are heated not with fuel, but from the electrical network. An electric oven can be combined with a wood burning one. Thus, you can choose the desired heating method.

Classification of furnaces according to the design of the tank and furnace

1. Ovens with a built-in water tank were the first to hit the market. Their design is characterized by the placement of the tank inside the furnace. Taps are made to drain water. Water enters the tank through a special hole. The main disadvantage of this type is that the tank requires constant filling with water. It requires energy and water. Water evaporates and creates humid air, even when it is not needed.
2. The hinged tank for the furnace works on the same principle as the built-in one. Only it is placed on the side of the device using special hooks. The boiling of water in such a tank begins much earlier than the space of the bath warms up. During this process, cold vapor, which is uncomfortable for a person, is released.
3. A stove for a bath with an external water tank is the best option. It allows you to easily control the temperature of the water.The heating process occurs due to the energy of flue gases. Its installation is possible not only in the steam room, but also in the washing, shower, dressing room and in any other room. There are two types of designs with a tank and a pipe. The first are samovar-type tanks. These tanks are installed on the chimney 50-60 cm above the firebox. They significantly save space in the steam room and, due to heat exchange, heat up a large amount of water per hour - 60-100 liters. A remote tank for a bath stove can also be heated in a different way. A small tank with two pipes is attached to the chimney, which is connected to a large container of water.
4. There are also sauna stoves with a remote firebox and a water tank. With this option, the firebox and tank can be placed in separate rooms. They are able to satisfy even the most demanding customer.

Description of the best stoves: how to make a personal rating

The choice of design largely depends on the goals, purpose and characteristics of the premises. A bathhouse and a sauna are completely different areas with opposite temperature conditions, dry or humid air, and the absence or presence of steam.

The interior decoration of such premises is different and provides for a special approach in the choice of heating devices.

For a wooden bath

Wooden baths are characterized by increased fire hazard. Walls, ceiling - almost all elements of the steam room are made of wood. In wooden rooms, stoves are built mainly from bricks. Purchased in a distribution network, metal structures are lined with natural stones, bricks or artificial stone.

When choosing a heating device, the main attention is paid to structures with a remote firebox, which, for safety reasons, is brought to a room adjacent to the steam room.

Photo 1. Brick oven for a wooden bath with a remote firebox, you can lay firewood from the dressing room.

The choice of a furnace depends on the technology of its manufacture and is characterized by a volumetric furnace, as well as the availability of space for a certain number of stones above the heating structure.

When buying a structure, special attention is paid to the chimney, which is made of metal and, for safety reasons, must be isolated from the ceiling with non-combustible materials. Reference

The choice of a furnace largely depends on criteria that take into account the features and characteristics of the building, as well as the existing finish of the steam room

Reference. The choice of a furnace largely depends on criteria that take into account the features and characteristics of the building, as well as the existing finish of the steam room.

For a traditional Russian bath

The Russian banya is distinguished by a heavy, high-power stove that retains heat for a long time and produces moist steam. The requirements for choosing a design for a Russian bath are much higher and it can be difficult to choose a heating device to constantly maintain high air humidity.

In order to achieve 100% air humidity and a temperature of 50-70 degrees in the steam room, the stove should be checked for compliance with the requirements according to the instructions.

Photo 2. A brick oven with a closed heater and a boiler for heating water is great for a Russian bath.

The design for the Russian bath is made in such a way that the stones are located behind a permanently closed door inside the heater.Access to the stones is opened only when there is a need to throw water. This feature allows you to increase the heating of stones several times more than with their surface placement.

The choice of a stove for a Russian bath is also carried out according to a criterion that provides for the possibility of heating water in a boiler.

Important! Unlike a sauna, a person staying in a steam room of a Russian bath is constantly on the move, throwing water on the stones. Rest comes after leaving the steam room

This fact also influences the choice of a suitable heating device.

For sauna

Saunas are characterized by dry hot air, the temperature of which reaches 120 degrees, and the humidity does not exceed 25%.

In saunas, as well as in wooden baths, open loading of stones and periodic overturning of water on the stones are provided. But the process of obtaining steam in the sauna is not the main one and the steam effect quickly disappears due to good ventilation of the room.

Photo 3. A compact metal stove with an open heater will provide the sauna with heat and dry steam.

The choice of heaters for a sauna is stopped at structures that, according to the features and characteristics of the room, can provide dry hot air.

Important! When choosing a stove for a sauna, attention is paid to the low activity of a person relaxing in the steam room. Thanks to dry steam, perspiration is achieved naturally, after which the person calmly leaves the steam room

The choice can fall on any wood-burning stove with an open stone arrangement. The power of the structure is selected according to the size of the room.

Volcano - steam room in 40 minutes

The fireboxes of the Vulkan furnaces are made of carbon steel and without welded seams.Therefore, the equipment turns out to be reliable and economical not only for a bath, but also for a sauna.

Doors are made of glass of high heat resistance, capable of withstanding 760-degree temperatures.

Thanks to a special double casing, the body of the Volcano does not heat up much, and the furnace itself has a powerful draft. The chimney and firebox are surprisingly easy to clean.

The optimized fuel combustion scheme allows it to be economically consumed, but this does not prevent the equipment from heating the steam room in 40 minutes, which indicates the high efficiency of the furnaces.

Vulkan models are usually used for small and medium-sized "steam rooms".

Pricing policy 9-13 thousand.

The best stove for a bath: material properties

Sauna stoves use two materials: stone and metal. The stone can be natural and artificial, the latter category includes brick. The metal also varies in alloy composition - it is either steel or cast iron. Both can be alloyed with chromium and nickel to increase heat resistance and corrosion resistance.

Metal quickly conducts heat, which ensures rapid heating of the steam room

An important quality for those who do not like or cannot wait long. True, from time to time you will have to throw up firewood again or turn on a gas or electric stove, but this is the other side of rapid heating.

Stone and brick are opposite to metal - they heat up for a long time, accumulating heat in themselves, then give it away for a long time. Such a stove is heated for 4-5 hours, it cools down for at least a day, or even more.

If we talk about the durability of the material, then structural steel, which is most often used to create a firebox, should be considered the least durable. It rusts and burns out quickly.Thin steel is acceptable only with an alloy composition. Cast iron also has a special durability. If you do not splash water on it when it is hot and do not subject it to mechanical shocks.

A brick oven will last the longest, but only if it is properly laid and properly maintained.

Useful video

Here is an example of how metal burns out and tears on the Termofor Tunguska 16 furnace with a heat exchanger.

Types of ovens

If we consider what materials furnaces are made of, then, in most cases, they can be as follows:

• made of bricks;
• metal;

Each of them has its own important features. Sometimes they can be made of stone or both brick and metal parts.

The principle of operation of a metal furnace

brick models

If the owner decides to use a stove made of brick, then he should be aware of its advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of a brick oven:

1. Brick is able to stay warm for a long time.
2. Such a furnace is able to heat a large area compared to a metal one.
3. This material guarantees a high level of fire safety.
4. The use of a brick stove is traditional for creating a Russian bath.

Cons of a brick oven:

1. The installation of this device is technically more difficult compared to a metal furnace. The master who will do this must have the appropriate professional skills.
2. Big sizes. Such a structure will occupy a significant part of the steam room.
3. On average, the weight of a brick oven is 1200 kg. In order to put it up, it is necessary to ensure the presence of a reliable foundation.
4. Higher installation costs.
5. Warming up is slower than when using a metal structure.

Brick oven for a bath

To get steam, it is necessary to splash water on the heated stove from time to time. Usually, steam is produced using hot stones, but water can not be excluded from hot bricks. In the latter case, a specific smell cannot be avoided; for some people, it causes discomfort. A brick oven for a bath with a closed heater will make the heating more uniform, they can be successfully used in large spacious rooms.

Furnaces made of steel

Such ovens are the most common. Quality devices are made of chromium steel.

They have advantages:

1. Installation of such furnaces does not cause excessive difficulties.
2. Compared to brick structures, their weight is relatively small, so there is no need to install a separate foundation.
3. These ovens are compact.
4. They are easy to melt.
5. When using such stoves, the room warms up faster.

Steel Furnace Source

The disadvantages inherent in metal furnaces are as follows:

1. When using them, the room cools down quickly.
2. Since the metal has a low heat capacity, in order to maintain the temperature at the proper level, it is necessary to constantly heat the furnace.
3. When used, the fire must be maintained constantly.
4. The power of a metal furnace is less compared to a brick one. It may turn out that it is not enough to heat the entire required area.
5. Such devices do not provide a high level of fire safety.

Metal stoves for wood-fired saunas with high efficiency are easy to use, do not take up much space, are suitable for small rooms, 2 by 2, 3 by 2, 3 by 4 m in size.

Sauna stove

Cast iron structures

They are more popular than brick ovens, but inferior to steel ones. They have important advantages:

1. They have a high heat capacity, due to which they are able to retain heat for a considerable time.
2. These stoves have good heat dissipation, which allows them to heat the room well. This quality is enhanced if a sauna stove with a closed heater is used.
3. Cast iron stoves are highly durable. Their service life is 40 years or more.
4. Kindling firewood does not require special knowledge and skills.
5. They are able to provide a high level of fire safety when used.

The disadvantages of cast iron stoves include the following:

1. Big weight. To use them, you need to equip a special foundation.
2. Relatively high cost.
3. Cast iron is not strong enough in relation to mechanical influences. A crack may appear on the oven due to careless transportation or due to accidental impact.

Cast iron stoves can be used in medium-sized rooms with preliminary preparation of the base. Such designs may have a tank for hot water.

Stove with water tank Source

Finally

Hasty decisions made without a thorough study of the issue can adversely affect the choice of stove and the subsequent operation of the bath. When planning a purchase, one should not trust advertising information and the arguments of sellers, who are often poorly versed in their products. After studying all the details of the future bath, the possibilities of using various types of fuel, consulting specialists, you can begin to choose a stove. A reliable and durable stove does not have to be the best or the most expensive. The main rule is the compliance of the model with the operating conditions.

From manufacturers, you can advise the products of domestic companies Teplodar, Ermak, Termofor, Varvara, Feringer, as well as foreign stoves Harvia and Kastor.