What stones are best for a sauna stove? This is the question that should be asked to everyone who is planning to build a bathhouse. Why is such attention given to stones? The answer is simple: it is with them that water comes into contact, and steam is produced, i.e. The quality of the stones directly affects the quality of the steam itself.
Next we will talk about how to choose stones for a bath yourself: what to pay close attention to, how to check their quality?
What properties should stones for a bath have?
To correctly determine which bath stones are suitable for your steam room, you should first understand the basic characteristics of these stones. They must have the following properties:
- Density. The heavier the stone, the more suitable it is for a bath or sauna.
- Heat resistance - the ability to experience systematic heating to very high temperatures.
- Heat capacity is the ability of a stone to store heat and smoothly release it into the environment. The greater the heat capacity of the rock, the longer the bath will remain heated.
- Environmentally friendly : when heated, the stone should not emit harmful substances.
- Uniformity of structure . It is not recommended to use stones with inclusions and veins in baths. Otherwise, heating will occur unevenly, which will quickly lead to destruction.
It is best to use stones with a uniform structure
- No cracks. You can check the stones by knocking them against each other. If everything is in order, the sound will be clear and clear.
There are two opinions about the size of the stones. Some people think that they should be the same size. Then the heater will heat up evenly and release heat evenly.
Others say that it is better to choose stones of different sizes. Moreover, the largest ones should be placed down, medium ones above, and small ones at the top. This is necessary so that the large lower stones store heat and retain it for a long time, releasing it a little at a time and maintaining the temperature of the rest of the heater.
There is no clear answer to the question of which stones are better for a bath, the same or different in size: both methods have proven themselves well.
Now about smooth and chipped stones. The first ones serve for a very long time, do not crack or delaminate. The latter give off heat more intensely due to their large surface area, but require frequent replacement. Here the choice is yours.
Heat exchange in crushed stones is more intense than in smooth ones
Before laying, stones can be tested for heat resistance. To do this, they need to be heated over a fire, and then immediately lowered into a bucket of cold water. If no cracks appear, then the stone will last a long time.
Bath attendants' advice
Selecting a suitable filler is very important for bathhouse attendants, but in addition to this, stones must be able to be used correctly. It is recommended to wash and dry them before installation. For the lower layers, large fragments that retain heat for a long time are more suitable.
You can use basalt, peridotite or cast iron balls. On top are medium and small minerals with healing properties: jadeite, quartzite. The placement of stones does not require compaction, although it should be quite dense and have about 10% air gaps.
Expert opinion
Sumskikh Stas Viktorovich
Bath attendant with 10 years of experience
Honey, essential oils and other flavorings should not be added to the heater water. Otherwise, carbon deposits will begin to form on the minerals and they will smoke. To create aromatic steam, the mixture can be diluted in water, poured into a metal container and hung over the stove. Stones should be periodically inspected and cracked ones replaced.
What types of stones are suitable for a bath?
Now let's talk about which stones are suitable for use in a bath or sauna, depending on their breed. Traditionally, everyone tries to choose natural samples, the shape of which was created by nature itself.
You can also find synthetic bath stones on sale, but it is worth remembering that they do not have any healing properties.
Jadeite and its unique properties
Greenish colored stone. Of all those used for laying the heater, it is considered the most beautiful. It belongs to semi-precious rocks, so it is expensive.
Jadeite is a very beautiful stone
In addition to appearance, jadeite has other advantages:
- High heat capacity . The breed retains energy for an amazingly long time.
- Healing vapors when heated. The stone has a beneficial effect on the genitourinary and endocrine systems, and also accelerates the blood.
- Low moisture absorption. Therefore, high-quality steam is released.
Since it is too expensive to lay the entire heater with this type of stone, you can buy several copies and place them at the very top. A kilogram of jadeite will be quite enough for a medium-sized bathhouse.
Doctors say that jadeite is suitable for those with joint problems. It emits positive infrared radiation, ionizes the air and enriches water with metasilicic acid. Therefore, jadeite is suitable for those who are thinking about the question of which stones are best for a bath in a steam room for health.
The healing properties of jadeite have long been proven
The service life of this breed reaches seven years. But after five years it begins to gradually lose its effectiveness.
Crushed jadeite is more suitable for a Russian bath. Due to its large area, it produces a lot of steam. Polished stones are best used in a sauna.
Soapstone for baths and saunas
Soapstone is a beautiful and durable gray stone. It heats up quickly and accumulates heat well. A heater made of this type produces light and pleasant steam.
But for those who are thinking about which stones to choose for a bath and are considering soapstone, it is worth remembering that this is a very dusty rock. Although the problem can be solved: before laying, all stones must be thoroughly washed and dried in the sun.
The homeland of soapstone is Karelia and Finland. Therefore, it is considered a classic sauna stone.
Soapstone - a traditional stone for saunas
See also: Catalog of stone bath projects
Raspberry quartzite
When thinking about which stones are best for a sauna stove, you should pay attention to crimson quartzite. The breed has a bright brown-purple color. It stores and releases heat well and does not absorb moisture. It is considered the most crack-resistant stone. You can even pour ice water onto a hot stove lined with crimson quartzite.
Scientists know a lot about the healing properties of crimson quartzite:
- Normalizes blood pressure and strengthens the circulatory system.
- Pain relief for joints.
- Treats migraines and helps with problems associated with weather changes.
- Regulates the functioning of the reproductive system.
Crimson quartzite is a beautiful red-brown stone.
But the most important quality of raspberry quartzite or porphyry, as it is also called, for a bathhouse is that it can produce light steam for a long time, even after the stove is stopped. Therefore, washing in such a steam room is easy and pleasant.
What other stones are suitable for a bath?
When talking about which stones are best for a steam bath, you should pay attention to the following rocks:
- White quartz is a translucent stone. It looks very impressive in the heater, because when heated it creates a glow, which is why it got the name “hot ice”. However, white quartz is fragile and unstable to high temperatures, so it is better to use it in open-type heaters. Although it is an expensive stone, it will not last long.
White quartz is a beautiful but short-lived stone
- Gabbro-diabase is a durable stone that accumulates heat well. In many ways similar to soapstone. But there is a big difference in price. Gabbro-diabase is much cheaper, so it is found in many steam rooms.
Gabbro-diabase - a budget option for a bath or sauna
- Basalt is a black stone. It lasts for a very long time, most likely the heater will not have to be updated until the very end of the bath’s operation. This is due to its high density and strength, low water absorption and resistance to sudden and frequent temperature changes. In addition, it has a surprisingly high heat capacity.
Basalt is popular among all fans of the Russian bath
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in the construction of baths and related work
- Sea pebbles. Interested in those who are wondering which stones are suitable for a steam bath, but are willing to spend a small amount on the purchase. To lay the heater, you can only take samples that have not been in contact with sea or river water for a long time. The fact is that if the stone is not sufficiently dried, then when heated it will give off an unpleasant odor. The structure of “wet” stone is also more prone to cracking.
Sea pebbles are the most affordable stone for a bath.
The heater in the steam room can also be made of such rocks as:
- Neuritis
- Jasper
- Chromite
- Dunit
- Dolerite
- Granite
Basalt
The stone is formed from solidified lava of a volcano. It has a dense structure and retains heat perfectly. Basalt is the most durable of all bath stones of volcanic origin; it can withstand strong temperature changes. It heats up quickly, gives off heat for a long time and produces steam well.
Bath basalt has high antibacterial properties, it disinfects the skin, improves the functioning of the respiratory system, helps cure colds and relieves migraines.
Despite its high performance properties, basalt has a fairly low cost.
Is it worth collecting stones for a bath?
The question of whether it is possible to collect valuable and effective rocks worries many who wonder how to choose stones for a bath. After all, this is a real opportunity to save money and at the same time create a high-quality heater.
It is quite possible to collect stones for a bath with your own hands
Most often, a stone suitable for a bath can be found on the slopes of mountains, on the shores of seas or rivers. Moreover, everything found near fresh water bodies will be of higher quality than marine samples. Although both stones were subjected to long-term processing by nature, the influence of sea water has a detrimental effect on the strength of the rock.
But when collecting stones yourself, you need to remember that many rocks can only be mined industrially. For example, gabbro-diabase, quartzite and jadeite will not lie on the surface. Therefore, manual collection implies that you will have to use only those specimens that you can find.
At the same time, there are many specialized stores that sell any breed. Here you can decide which bath stones are best to buy with unlimited choice.
Often, balanced sets with certain properties are created from stones. In this case, it is quite possible to line 80% of the heater with pebbles collected by yourself, and the remaining 20% with purchased valuable rocks.
Specialized stores offer a large selection of bath stones
Important Features
As mentioned above, sauna stones must be environmentally friendly, homogeneous and solid. For uniform heating, you should choose rocks of the same size. There are a number of other points that are worth paying attention to:
- absence of white spots on the surface that can be scratched with a fingernail;
- absence of small fibers (asbestos);
- purity of the material.
It doesn't matter whether the stones were collected yourself or bought in a store. Before laying them out, they must be thoroughly rinsed with water, even if they seem clean.
Which stone is better for a bath: chipped or polished? It all depends on individual preferences. The former, according to experienced bathhouse attendants, have a larger area of contact with water, which means more steam is generated. The second option takes longer to warm up, but provides better circulation of warm air in the sauna.
Types of stones for baths (video)
The best stones for a bath in terms of durability
Different breeds differ in durability. Not every stone can withstand a large number of heating and cooling cycles. Since, being in a steam room, many people prefer to pour water on the hot stones for better steam release. Such exposure may have a negative impact on them.
Which bath stones are better in terms of durability:
- nephritis (up to 10 years);
- porcelain (up to 10 years);
- cast iron (up to 6 years);
- dunit (up to 6 years).
How to lay stones in a stove
The heating rate of the heater directly depends on the installation method. A conventional stove for a Russian bath requires gradual, uniform heating. The heating process is a long-term operation, and active steam formation will begin after all the fuel has burned out. Proper placement of stones can significantly reduce the time it takes to get the steam room into working condition.
Proper installation of the heater is the key to quick heating
The two most important characteristics of bath stones are heat capacity and thermal conductivity. It is better to place stones that are more thermally conductive, but have less heat capacity, closer to the fire. This way heat will be transferred faster from bottom to top. This rule is especially relevant when using different breeds.
It is advisable to place stones of different fractions in the heater: the smaller, the higher. After all, the larger the stone, the longer and more intensely it needs to be heated. Small stones are necessary in order to create a large heat transfer area.
Smaller stones should be placed on top
An interesting alternative: cast iron and porcelain
An interesting alternative to natural bath stones are cast iron and porcelain balls (porcelain balls). Of course, such steam does not have any healing effect on the body, but this choice has a number of advantages.
Cast iron cores
Fig 11. Cast iron cores for a bath
Previously, such cores were used in field conditions when it was necessary to obtain excellent steam. It was from those times that the phrase “vigorous steam” appeared.
The heat capacity and thermal conductivity of cast iron is several times higher than that of bath stones. This allows you to warm up the entire heater much faster and, accordingly, evenly warm up the steam room. At the same time, cast iron does not collapse during temperature fluctuations. It quickly gains heat and releases it just as quickly.
Using cast iron cores, the bathhouse attendant can “control” humidity and temperature. Thus, people with pathologies of the heart, blood vessels or respiratory organs will be able to feel comfortable.
We recommend using cast iron cores together with natural bath stones, since otherwise such steam will not have the healing properties and unforgettable aroma for which Russian baths are so famous.
Porcelain balls
Fig 12. Porcelain bath balls
Our parents and their parents may remember when porcelain insulators were placed in the heater. But first they had to be washed, burned, the metal cut and pierced, which can be very dangerous.
But now there are no such difficulties, since you can purchase ceramic balls that are made specifically for heaters from special porcelain.
Such porcelain is characterized by high hardness (of all minerals it is second only to diamond).
The high operating temperature and heat capacity ensure that the balls in the heater do not collapse even under the prolonged influence of constant temperature changes.
We recommend using porcelain balls, like cast iron balls, together with natural stones to ensure the healing properties of steam.
Proper care of bath stones
Even natural stone, a seemingly very strong and durable material, becomes unusable after some time of use in extreme bath conditions. Over the course of a year, the heat output of the furnace can decrease by 15-20%.
Due to the constant high temperature, bath stones quickly lose important properties
It is recommended to carry out a complete inspection of the entire heater at least once a year. Damage, chips, cracks are a signal. That the stone needs to be changed. After inspection, it is advisable to rinse everything with clean running water. Every two years it is worthwhile to completely replace all the stones, however, if the sauna is used relatively rarely, then the service life can reach five years.
Gabbro-diabase
This type of volcanic stone is similar in appearance to dark-colored marble, it is durable and has low water absorption. It is mined in Karelia, where the environmental situation is good. When heated, it expands evenly, takes a long time to heat up, but cools down quickly enough.
Gabrodiabase for baths is one of the most inexpensive types of stones. This is due to several factors:
- It takes a long time to heat up and cools down quickly.
- When overheated, it begins to emit a specific, rather unpleasant odor. As for essential oils, they are not used because carbon deposits immediately appear on the stones.
- Gabbro-diabase must be sorted out frequently and damaged specimens must be removed, which begin to release sand and clog the furnace grates.
Video description
Here is an interesting video on how to wash stones for a bath:
In order for the steam room to function normally, it is necessary to correctly calculate the mass of the stones. It is believed that there should be 5-6 kg of rock per square meter. Then the desired effect and maximum durability of the heater will be achieved.
Different types of stone differ in their service life
For stoves with a closed heater, a type that is more resistant to high temperatures is needed. In open stoves, the heating is less intense, so deciding which stones are better for the heater in the bathhouse is much easier.
Kinds
There are dozens of names of natural stones, the most commonly used of which are:
Pebbles
River or sea pebbles are small, rounded stones, rounded and polished pieces of rock with water. There are medium-sized pebbles - the so-called pebble. Affordable and cost-effective stone.
Requires careful sorting and washing - you cannot use pebbles with a limestone structure, usually from the bottom of the sea or river - they quickly turn into soft dust. Pebbles are most often used, in the “prefabricated version” as a bottom covering layer, combined with larger stones.
Jade
The name comes from the Spanish “piedro de jade” - kidney stone. Jadeite is used in crushed, tumbled or polished processing formats. This is a semi-precious mineral of igneous rock of light green, emerald color, very reminiscent of jade.
Among stones, it stands out for its increased strength (2-3 times more) and resistance to temperature changes. It has high heat capacity and low water absorption. Very durable - can serve its owners in its original form for decades. Creates a curtain of soft steam, ionizes and stabilizes the functioning of the human body. Recently it has been gaining popularity for use in saunas and baths.
Jasper
Wax is a cryptocrystalline mineral of a semi-precious rock. Known as a jewelry and semi-precious stone. It is distinguished by its diversity and variegated colors; there is a type of jasper with a “landscape pattern”.
In folk medicine it is known as the “universal healer”. Completely removes the accumulated negative energy charge of the body. Treats insomnia, stops bleeding, promotes wound healing. There has been a positive effect of jasper on normalizing heart function, purifying the blood, and curing psychiatric disorders - stress and depression.
Nephritis
Its external decorative appearance is reminiscent of jadeite; for a long time it was considered a single mineral. It has different colors, most often green with various shades (emerald, grassy, yellowish) and intricate patterns in the structure. According to the characteristics of heat capacity and low heat transfer, it is an indispensable bath stone.
It is not easy to cool the jade filling in the firebox - this mineral retains heat for a long time. Ultra-strong and durable - stronger than steel, a member of the rock family. Combines high viscosity and specific gravity. Heals “nephros” - kidneys, normalizes the functioning of the stomach and eliminates cardiovascular pathologies.
Briefly about the main thing
The main properties of stone for a bath are heat resistance, the ability to store heat and not absorb moisture, density and uniformity of structure.
- Jadeite is an expensive and rare stone that has a healing effect on the human body.
- Soapstone is a northern stone often used for saunas.
- Crimson quartzite is a beautiful brown stone that is resistant to high temperatures and produces high-quality steam.
To lay the heater, you can use gabbro-diabase, white quartz, sea pebbles, and basalt.
You can find some types of bath stones yourself. But you shouldn't do this on a railway embankment.
You need to place stones in the heater, placing them on the bottom. At the bottom there should be the most massive specimens and the most heat-resistant rocks.
It’s not enough to know how to choose stones for a bath; you also need to carefully care for them. Be sure to wash them and periodically replace damaged ones.
Ratings 0
White quartz
These white stones for a sauna heater are not very suitable.
They are environmentally friendly, translucent, and consist only of oxygen and silicon. But quartz is short-lived and can simply burst at high temperatures. Stones must be sorted out frequently and the unusable ones thrown away. On the other hand, white quartz looks good, and plus, when water gets on its hot surface, it releases ozone. The range of natural materials for steam rooms is very wide. When choosing quartz, jadeite, pebbles, porphyrite for a bath or another type of stone, you need to take into account their characteristics. Even inexpensive items can be durable.
Pebbles of river or sea origin
This is a very cheap option for arranging a furnace. These stones can be laid as the first layer, and a little soapstone on top of them. You just need to select the right pebbles, then the heater will turn out beautiful and durable.
It is recommended to take flattened sea stones, not oval or ovoid ones - in this case, more of them will fit in the oven. Thanks to this, accidental contact of water with metal will be practically excluded. You should look carefully at the stones - those with even slight red veins are not suitable for the stove, since these inclusions indicate the presence of iron, the evaporation of which in the steam room will not benefit health.
It is also not recommended to take soft stones for saunas and baths - limestone is harmful to health, especially in a steam room. In addition, it also quickly breaks down and turns into unpleasant dust, which is very difficult to get rid of.
If there is no sea or rivers nearby, then quite good pebbles can be found under high-voltage electrical lines - they were covered with it back in Soviet times. Some people even use porcelain cups, although their environmental friendliness is questionable. In addition, they crack, although the steam is good. The only problem is that the cups are difficult to place in the oven.
