Stones for electric heaters: how to lay them correctly, which stones are better

Electric sauna stoves are in great demand today - there are many who want to make a sauna in their home or even apartment.

Samples of heaters that have a capacity of up to 40 kg of stones can only be suitable for saunas, and up to 120 kg can be used in the “Russian bath” mode. But no matter what the capacity of the oven may be, the procedure for filling it itself is associated with some safety rules, which will be presented below.

Unique properties of jadeite stone

This greenish-colored stone is one of the most durable among those used for heaters; it is classified as a semi-precious rock and, accordingly, its price is one of the highest. Due to the fact that it has:

beautiful appearance;
high heat capacity;
low water absorption;
unique healing properties,

its use in a heater is completely justified. Moreover, in order to reduce costs, it is possible to purchase not a complete set, but only a few stones and lay them on top of the masonry.

The beneficial effects of jadeite stone, especially in a heated state, on the circulatory, endocrine, genitourinary, nervous and other systems of the body have long been known.

It also has a powerful healing effect for joint pain. Bioenergetics specialists consider it a unique stone for restoring the human energy field.

What are the best stones for a closed heater in a bathhouse?

Jade for sauna stove in packaging (bucket)

A closed heater is a metal chamber inside a stove, with a door and pipes, which, although not in direct contact with an open flame, is still in a zone of very strong heating, washed from the outside by fire and hot stove gases. This significantly affects the “life” of cobblestones in a closed heater. They are subject to destruction faster and more severely than their counterparts in an open heater.

It is logical that in such a situation the best ones will be those that are most tolerant of heat, that is, durable and refractory. Real jade will live the longest here - its structure is fibrous and tangled, like felt, so it does not crumble.

But you should understand that the stones will have to be changed often, so there are two options - either put cheap ones (or even free ones), which are not expensive to change, or immediately invest in expensive things - the same jade or stainless steel. As for jadeite, in this article we just mentioned a review about its stay in a closed heater - it was not without destruction.

Types of stones, their characteristics and effects on the human body

Scientists from the Moscow Scientific Center conducted a whole study in 1999 and determined which stones are best suited for steam baths. The main criteria that were emphasized:

Harmful additives and impurities are not allowed in the composition;
meet quality characteristics (tolerate high temperatures, keep warm, warm up quickly and evenly, etc.;
Suitable for use in wooden saunas.

Breed name	Characteristic	Average price in retail chains, rub./kg
Jade	It has a positive effect on the genitourinary system, normalizes the functioning of the heart muscle and nervous system. It has a dense round shape and good heat dissipation. Low moisture absorption coefficient, durable. In ancient times it was used to make weapon tips; in the Middle Ages it was used to build fortresses and castles. Semiprecious stone.	From 980
Soapstone chlorite	Helps improve immunity, lowers blood pressure, increases blood circulation, and cleanses the respiratory tract. It tolerates high temperatures of more than 1000 °C and can hold heat for more than 24 hours. Used to make heat-resistant cookware.	From 860
Gabbro or Diabase	Black colored stone. It has a positive effect on the respiratory system and is useful for asthmatics. It practically does not absorb water and heats up quickly. Used to make building material.	From 530
Raspberry quartzite	Can heat up to 2700 °C and holds heat well. Due to its unusual appearance and color, it is used not only for filling the heater, but also in declaring elements. It has a positive effect on male potency and improves blood circulation. The steam formed on the stones has healing infrared radiation. Due to its low cost and high quality characteristics, it is a real find for a bathhouse.	From 520
Quartz white	This is the most common type of bath stone, which is why it is popularly known as “bath stone”. It acquired its white color due to the high concentration of oxygen in it. When cooled, the breed releases ozone, which has a positive effect on the condition of the skin. White quartz is used to charge water in cosmetology. Holds heat well and warms up quickly. The only downside is that it doesn't last long.	From 120
Peridotite	This is a very beautiful stone. which can have a color range from light gray to rich black. But the stone has poor healing properties, so it is used for laying on the bottom of the heater. Heat accumulates quickly, but also cools down in 2-3 hours.	From 120
Basalt	It retains heat well and is used to make protective elements against fire. In baths, peridotite is used as a base for medicinal rocks.	From 70

We invite you to familiarize yourself with: Installing a stove in a bathhouse with an external firebox

The price of bath stones may vary depending on the region and volume of purchase. But you can save money and collect the material yourself.

Electric heater for a bath selection criteria

In the last century, bathhouses were built for washing. Nowadays, the bathhouse is more of a place for relaxation and healing of the body. If you decide to equip your house or build your own bathhouse on the property, then one of the first questions you will face is which stove to choose. The optimal solution is to buy an electric heater.

Why should you choose an electric heater?

If not electric, but any other energy is chosen for heating, then a number of factors will appear that will need to be taken into account during the design. You will need a separate place for storing fuel, a chimney system, etc. The heating of the bathhouse will take place with mandatory human control and safety. The exception is the use of natural gas and a special automation system. But this heating method is very expensive and is more suitable for commercial baths. In short, the use of non-electric energy to fire a bathhouse is associated with solving many problems. But why complicate your life? When using an electric heater, everything is much simpler. All you need is the availability of electricity and compliance with electrical safety rules.

Determining the required power of the electric heater

As a rule, the steam room in baths is small in size. But a modest area does not guarantee good heating from a low-power electric heater. To select the optimal power, it is necessary to take into account the size of the dressing room and possible heat losses.

The power of electric heaters starts from 2.5 kW. This power is sufficient for a small steam room of 2-2.5 cubic meters. m. In this case, it is worth considering the need for steam circulation. That is, the steam room must have an outlet for hot air. In addition, in the winter season, heating the bath takes longer than in other seasons. That is, the purchase of an electric heater with a power of up to 4 kW will be justified only for a bathhouse inside the house. For baths located on the site, heaters from 6 kW are required.

Installation method

Electric heaters can be installed on the floor or on the wall. When installing on a wall, it is worth considering that the weight of the heater with stones can reach up to 35 kg. Therefore, you need to choose a place for strong mounting on a load-bearing wall. When installed on the floor, it must be taken into account that the weight of the heater with filling can reach 100 kg. Therefore, the place for its installation must be reliable and durable.

The basic rules for installing and placing electric heaters are prescribed in the instructions. But let’s note the most important things to remember:

The space above the stove should be enough for free circulation of hot air inside the steam room.
Flammable materials located near the heater are unsafe.
It is necessary to ensure the safety of people, so the heater must be located at the required distance from the shelves.

In order to prevent burns, some manufacturers produce electric heaters with Fiber coating, which not only reduces the possibility of injury, but also increases the fire hazard. If such a covering is not available, a wooden fence can be installed.

Are stones important?

Proper placement of stones is very important to ensure sufficient heat. Large stones are placed at the bottom, smaller ones at the top. You should not fill the heater too tightly, as this will impede air circulation inside the heater. Optimal placement of stones ensures heat transfer even after the heater has already been unplugged

In addition, when laying it is important to be careful so as not to damage the heating elements and damage the stove.

Where to buy stones? They can be purchased at a specialty store. But the cost of filling the oven will not be very cheap. If it is possible to bring high-quality crushed stone, then this option will be no worse than buying stones.

Which electric heater to choose?

It all depends on what you want to get as a result. If you just need a steam room, then you can get by with a standard model without any frills. For lovers of unusual solutions, the market offers a large number of different options. But when choosing a fashionable stove, it is worth remembering that the price will be very high, and the practicality compared to a conventional model will be only 5 percent greater.

There are many manufacturers of electric heater stoves. But the most reliable are Finnish models. Reputable brands such as Helo, Sawo and Harvia can be found in any specialized retail outlet. We hope that our tips will help you choose a good stove. But despite all the pleasantness and benefits of the steam room, you should not abuse it. Remember that everything is good in moderation.

How to prepare stones for laying

If you have installed a new stove, before laying the stones you need to heat it well, completely filling the tank with water. The fire in the firebox is maintained for at least 2.5-3 hours, until the smell from burning paint and other materials used in the manufacture of the stove disappears.

Before placing stones in the sauna heater, they must be washed from dust and dirt. This procedure is necessary for any stones – both store-bought and independently collected. You can use a brush or dishwashing sponge with a hard abrasive layer.

How to lay stones in a sauna stove on a heater: rules for selecting and placing stones

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There are many difficulties and nuances in the construction and arrangement of a bathhouse. Some of them are related to the equipment of the furnace, which should not only heat the room well, but also provide it with the right steam. The heater, its design, volume, location and filling are responsible for this part of the work. And if you don’t know how to place stones in a sauna stove correctly, you cannot count on the quality of sauna procedures and the long operation of the stove. It’s these little things that many people simply don’t attach importance to that determine how “light” the steam will be in your sauna.

How often do stones need to be replaced?

The durability and heat resistance of each breed depends on its initial characteristics and on the mode of operation of the bath. Basalt has the longest service life - it can withstand up to a thousand heating and cooling cycles. There are breeds in which this figure is several times lower.

It is impossible to say exactly at what point the stone will become “dead” and lose its ability to retain heat. This becomes clear when changes occur in the operation of the steam room: it takes longer to heat up and cools down faster. In this case, the stones should be sorted and completely or partially replaced.

But it’s better not to wait until the last minute, but to regularly inspect the heater, unload stones, clean them of plaque and soot, remove broken and porous specimens - they are of little use.

Stones for electric heater

Gabbro-diabase for steam room in electric heater

An electric stove can be used with equal success in both Russian and Finnish baths

But here you should take into account this nuance:

IMPORTANT! The smaller the volume of the electric heater, the more this model is intended for a sauna. Models capable of operating in the “Russian bath” mode start with 60 kilograms of filler

Models capable of operating in the “Russian bath” mode start with 60 kilograms of filler

IMPORTANT! The smaller the volume of the electric heater, the more this model is intended for a sauna. Models capable of operating in the “Russian bath” mode start with 60 kilograms of filler

The electric heater is sensitive not so much to the types of stones as to their size. If you can put samples measuring 13 cm in a regular one, then no more than 7 cm are suitable for this one. As for their installation, we have a separate detailed article on this topic.

Briefly about the main thing

The main rule for laying stones in a bathhouse is that the largest elements should be placed closest to the heat source, leaving free passages between them for the movement of hot air. As it rises, it will heat up the next layers, composed of a smaller fraction. It is also advisable to take into account the thermal conductivity and heat resistance of stones, laying down the strongest rocks that easily give off heat. Ideally, you should choose the filling for the heater taking into account its design, so that one condition for proper installation does not contradict another.

Source

Video description

This short video explains how to determine the weight of a stone backfill:

Can different breeds be used?

There are no and cannot be any objections to mixing stones of different origins in one heater. On the contrary, this approach makes installation easier.

Allows you to optimize costs by using inexpensive materials for the lower layers.
Lay down the strongest and most heat-resistant rocks.
Create an aesthetically attractive composition from stones of different colors.

Which form to choose

Many questions are related not only to how to place stones in a sauna stove, but also to the choice of their shape and processing method. They are polished, tumbled and chipped.

Stone polished or polished by river water has a surface that is too smooth and does not hold water well.
Chip stones are more susceptible to destruction than others due to existing cracks and thin edges.
Galvanized and bunded elements are the most suitable, since during processing thin edges are cut off, and specimens with cracks are discarded.

In addition, stones with irregular, uneven edges have a larger heating surface; it is easier to lay them with the formation of air gaps between them. And a rough surface holds water better.

About the mass of laid stones

This characteristic for stoves is average because bath stones have different densities:

Type of stone for sauna stove	Density, g/cm³
Chromite	4,5-4,8
Jade	3,25-3,36
Gabbro-diabase	3,07
Quartzite	2,6
Jasper	2,65
Quartz	2,6-2,65
Dunit	3,28

Therefore, the weight of the heater can accommodate almost one and a half to two times more stones.

However, if the oven is made of heat-resistant stainless steel, then it should not be overloaded. Although stainless steel has decent heat resistance, it becomes plastic at high temperatures, which, combined with significant overload of the heater, can lead to deformation of the firebox. Such a case will not be covered under warranty, and the oven will be damaged.

From a structural and aesthetic point of view, the stove should be filled with a slight heap or level with the top of the stone basket.

Using screens, economizers and stone baskets on the chimney

In order not to dry out the air, minimize hard infrared radiation and additionally accumulate heat in the stone, sandwich meshes are often installed on the first meter of the chimney.

This solution has a positive effect on the microclimate in the steam room.

Again, you need to remember that the entire load from the stones in the mesh, the weight of the chimney and the water tank (if any), is borne by the stove.

When choosing a fraction (stone size) for the mesh, you need to take into account that the chimney pipe will pass through it, which takes up a significant amount of space, and large stones may not fit. Most nets contain fine stones; usually in bath stores they are called “for electric heaters.”

The sequence of laying the stones is as follows: first fill the oven, then the mesh. In the process of filling the oven, you should immediately put aside small stones, which will then be used to fill the mesh.

Another tip for laying in a grid: fill it evenly on all sides and slowly move up. If you pay more attention to one side, then, most likely, the mesh will be slightly skewed, and it will be almost impossible to push stones through on the other side.

What else to consider when filling the heater

To get the maximum benefit and pleasure from bath procedures, just knowing the rules for laying stones is not enough. It is also advisable to understand their impact on health, be able to determine the required loading volume, and clean and replace them in a timely manner.

How much stone do you need?

When buying a ready-made factory furnace, they focus on the characteristics declared by the manufacturer and select equipment of the required power. As a rule, the volume of the heater in such stoves is sufficient to warm up and maintain the temperature in the steam room, the size of which the stove is selected for.

When installing a homemade brick or metal heater, the required number of stones is calculated based on the volume of the room. It is believed that for every cubic meter there should be about 40-50 kg.

What rocks are recommended for laying in the heater?

For permanent use, it is recommended to use rocks with the most suitable properties

It is worth noting that these stones are presented in specialized stores of bath accessories

Conventionally, rocks suitable for laying in a stove can be divided into three classes - accessible and inexpensive, middle class, and top quality material. The differences are mainly related to the properties of the stones. The most expensive brands have high heat capacity and a long service life. The middle segment is represented by stones that combine both good appearance and the possibility of long-term use. The budget segment is usually represented by a group of stones that are the most common and available in the region. However, the budget segment of stones, with additional processing - giving a rounded shape, forming packaging with stones of different fractions, can significantly increase in price and compete with the middle, or even premium class.

The following types of stones are mostly presented on the market:

Basalt is the most popular type of budget material. It is durable, has high heat capacity, and retains its shape for a long time. Unlike granite and marble, it does not crumble into small fragments. It can be both in raw and polished form.
Gabbro-diabase is an excellent material for long-term use in a private bath. Its volcanic origin makes it resistant to temperature overloads. The mineral composition of this stone is very rich and therefore this stone is most popular as a healing agent in bath procedures.
Quartzite is a stone that is excellent for use in heaters for large steam rooms. It heats up well and retains heat for a long time, however, it cracks relatively quickly and is therefore recommended for use in conjunction with other types of stones.
Peridotite is a rock that can withstand not only high heating temperatures, but also significant temperature changes. It has, according to connoisseurs, a whole range of healing properties.
Soapstone is a mineral with one of the highest heating temperatures. Without changing its properties, it is able to withstand temperatures up to 16,000 degrees. Stone is considered one of the most valuable materials for filling a heater.
Jadeite is a natural stone that is considered a bath jewel. It not only has excellent physical properties, it is also distinguished by its interesting appearance. This breed is usually classified as a premium type of stone for a steam room.

As practice shows, in addition to the stones recommended for use in a sauna stove, it is also necessary to point out points that simply need to be treated with special attention. First of all, this is something that cannot be used for laying limestone and sandstone

These rocks have difficulty withstanding high humidity and temperature. They are unsuitable for a heater - they do not hold the temperature well, cool quickly and begin to crack when moisture gets on the surface.

The second point is that for the heater you cannot use stones with traces of cement or those that were used for paving roads or filling a railway embankment. Such specimens were repeatedly treated with chemicals, traces of which are unlikely to be removed even after several years. That is why it is recommended to purchase a certified product for bookmarking at a hardware store.

What properties of stone are taken into account when laying

The choice of stones for a bath is influenced by their cost, as well as a number of physical and chemical properties. First of all this:

safety - when water is heated and evaporated from it, the stone should not release substances hazardous to health;
strength directly dependent on heat resistance - the material should not be destroyed by exposure to high temperatures;
Heat capacity – the ability to accumulate a large amount of heat and retain it for a long time.

Not all rocks have a full set of these important characteristics, so it is impossible to fill the heater with boulders of unknown origin found on the banks of a river or in the mountains. It is better to buy them in specialized stores, having inquired in advance about the properties of the selected filler.

But the listed properties have little effect on how to properly place stones in a sauna stove in order to get the maximum return and benefit from them. It is more important to consider thermal conductivity and size. And if great importance is attached to the aesthetic component of the steam room interior, then so is the appearance.

How to choose stones for a bath or sauna?

Choosing stones for a bath is a simple and at the same time complex matter. The following physical parameters of the material should be taken into account:

density, that is, the greater the weight of the stone, the better;
heat resistance, the ability of a stone to undergo repeated heating/cooling processes without much loss (at least for quite a long time) of its qualities and properties;
heat capacity, the property of a stone to accumulate and retain heat, with the purpose of subsequent release into the environment. The higher the heat capacity of the material, the longer it retains the ability to maintain the required temperature after the furnace heating process has stopped.

There is a similar article on this topic - Long-burning wood stoves for the home.

Must be:

environmentally friendly;
homogeneous in structure. It is not recommended to use stones for a sauna stove with inclusions: this will cause uneven heating, which will lead to their delamination and destruction;
without cracks: to check this quality, you should knock the stones against each other or hit them with a hammer. A clear sound will indicate the absence of a defect;
approximately the same size and shape - this will ensure uniform heating, air and steam circulation. Before you find out which stones are best to use in the steam room based on their structure, preference should be given to specimens with a smooth surface, and based on their shape – oval or round.

In addition, using a hammer you can obtain information about the density of the sample. The following experiment will help you learn about the ability to withstand sudden temperature changes: after heating a stone to the highest possible temperature, it should be sharply lowered into a bucket of cold water. The absence of cracks is a guarantee that a particular specimen will last a long time.

Traditionally, natural stones found in nature are used for the heater; as a rule, they received their shape and size under the influence of the elements of water, sun and wind.

There are also artificial specimens in stores that are acceptable for use in the steam room. But they are not able to provide the main thing - a healing effect, thanks to which the use of natural materials is valuable.

Electric heaters are a version of a sauna stove. What stones are best to choose for an electric heater? All types of natural stones that have properties suitable for a bath can be suitable: heat capacity and thermal conductivity, thermal expansion and heat resistance. The best stones for an electric heater are those that combine acceptable values for all of the listed characteristics.

Plutonic rocks have particular heat resistance, the heat capacity and thermal conductivity of which are inversely dependent, but the heat capacity, which is also found in cheap rocks, is more important for the heater. Examples include: jadeite, dunite, peridotite.

Another class is also suitable, for example, soapstone - it is offered by stove manufacturers. You can also use crimson quartzite, gabbro-diabase, porphyrite. Expensive, but beautiful - jade.

Thermal expansion affects how tightly the installation is made. The higher the indicator, the more empty space you will need to leave.

There is only one condition specific to electric heaters regarding the size of the stones: they must be smaller than those used for other stoves.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iO1yuYXCu8

Where to get

River stones for a steam room
We already talked about this in the article about how to choose bath stones. However, we can repeat ourselves. There are two main sources: nature and the store. Those who have some experience in identifying unsuitable sedimentary rocks can collect the “harvest” in a field, forest or on the bank of a mountain river. Local residents can tell you where to find suitable stones for a sauna stove, and at the same time show you what they look like.

If you do not have such experience, and the locals themselves buy in the store, then all that remains is to follow their example. In order to prevent dishonest sellers from deceiving you, read the article we have already mentioned or (if you have already figured out what to choose) an article about a specific breed - we usually provide information on methods for checking quality and authenticity. Here are some rocks you can read about here:

Quartz and crimson quartzite
Jade
Porphyrite
Soapstone chlorite
Dunit
Gabbro-diabase
Nephritis

In addition, there is an article about which stones are better for baths and saunas.

Placing stones in the oven

How to properly place stones in a sauna stove? Almost every buyer asks this question. Along the way, questions arise:

What is the best way to heat the stone?
What volume of stone backfill should there be?
How to prepare the stone?
How to choose a stone?
How long should the stone be used?

Let's immediately decide on the volume. The volume of stone filling in the furnace must correspond to the requirement of maintaining the microclimate of the steam bath and the intensity of steaming. If the stove does not have a steam generator, the stone must provide high-quality steaming throughout the entire period, and then it turns out that there must be a lot of stone. But much is a relative concept, since a stone heated to 200*C will produce several times less steam from the same amount of stone heated to 400*C. And this concept suddenly begins to depend on the design of the stove, the selection of its power and the skill of the bath attendant.

Many passports provide a standard calculation of stones for a sauna stove, which is tied to the area of a steam room equal to 30 - 50 kg of stone per 1 square meter. However, this is such a primitive selection that it is more suitable for a black sauna. If anyone doesn’t know, the black bathhouse had a fireplace with at least 500 kg of stones, which were heated by an open fire until they glowed crimson. Of course, the stone took a very long time to heat up and it was an unsuccessful decision, but at that time it was practically the only one. A well-heated stone to a crimson glow, of course, had an excellent ability to vaporize. For this reason (the quality of the steam), the black sauna was declared a classic sauna.

And since stones at that time were the only source of steam. Then certain requirements are put forward to them:

The stones must be resistant to high temperatures.
The stones must have a good ability to accumulate heat.
The purity of stones from salts of heavy metals, radioactive elements and any organic and harmful impurities.
In addition to accumulating heat, the stone also needs to release it quickly.
Bath stone is also valued for its mechanical strength against sudden cooling after strong heating.
Since the stone is poured into the equipment, the requirement for the preservation of this equipment is minimal thermal expansion.
And, of course, the stone should please the eye - beautiful shape and color matter.

Stones are washed in running water before laying. They sort through - rejecting: with cracks, uncharacteristic veins, foreign odors. After this, the largest stone is placed in the heater first. In the gaps and on top, small stones are placed tightly to the surface of the stove and without voids in the heater - the quality of its heating depends on this. The stone should not be placed edge-on to the heated surface, only flat - this will speed up its heating. The stone for open and closed heaters is laid equally tightly.

The only difference can be for stones heated by direct fire and hot gases - these stones are laid loosely without small stones so that hot air or flame can move freely between the stones.

It must be remembered that it will take more time to heat the stone, wood and time in a closed heater than in an open, ventilated one. This is due to the fact that the stones in a closed stove are heated by the contact method of heat transfer from the walls of the firebox - inside the stone - to the walls of the stone - to the next stone, etc. In a ventilated heater, in addition to the contact method, hot air participates in heating (similar to how a stone placed in a closed heater of a firebox heated by hot gases is heated).

Another very important requirement is how much stone to put on the heater. For example, in a closed heater you cannot put more than the box can hold, but an open heater gives flexibility for the various desires of some to enlarge the heater

The logic of such actions is simple: we need steam - steam produces stone - which means we need more stone - and there will be a lot of steam. But no! The more stone we apply, the less steam we get. There is a steam with which you can steam. The top stone does not heat up and takes on the water, evaporating it gradually and worsening the microclimate of the bathhouse. In such baths it is damp and you can’t breathe. Under no circumstances should the stone be placed higher than the edge of the heater. Nothing will be gained from this. Big piles are arranged by managers in advertising companies. But this is a fake and nothing more.

Laying options

The choice of how to properly place stones in a sauna stove depends on their characteristics. In order for the temperature in the steam room to remain high for a long time even after the fire in the firebox has gone out, it is necessary to properly equip and fill the heater. The main task is to spend less time and fuel on heating the stones and ensure their slow cooling. This can be done in different ways.

Laying taking into account thermal conductivity

This installation method is used when stones of different types with different degrees of heat transfer are used as a filler for the heater. In order to heat the entire mass up to the very top as quickly as possible, it is necessary that the lower layers heat up easily and transfer heat to those located above. That is, the lower the stone lies, the higher its heat transfer coefficient should be.

This is interesting! In the royal baths, instead of stone, cast iron cores were placed on the bottom, the thermal conductivity of which was many times greater. They are still used in modern Sanduns.

We present the maximum thermal conductivity coefficient for the main rocks used in heaters:

crimson quartzite – 7.6;
soap chloride – 4.7;
jadeite – 3.6;
basalt – 3.5;
porphyrite – 3.37;
gabbro-diabase – 2.98.

Laying according to shape and size

If you use a stone of the same type, it is advisable to purchase it not of the same size, but of several different fractions from 5-6 to 12-15 cm on the long side. To understand how to correctly place stones in a heater in a sauna, you need to think logically: the larger the element, the greater the amount of heat required to warm it up. This means that it is better to place it closer to the heat source.

It follows from this that the installation must be done in layers, reducing the size of the cobblestones in the direction from the heat source outward. In this case, be sure to take into account the design of the stove and the heater itself, which can be open or closed.

However, small stones also have less surface area in contact with neighboring elements, which reduces heat transfer and heating rate. This problem can be solved by correctly positioning the stones in relation to each other and to the heat source, taking into account their shape.

Rules for choosing artificial stone

In all the variety of products offered from this artificial material, it is easy for an unprepared buyer to get confused. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to identify the main positions by which this material should be selected.

Criterias of choice

Base materials. They can be very diverse - granite, marble, sand chips, gypsum. The choice will depend on preferences and the style in which the stove or fireplace is lined.

Safety certificates. In the production of facing materials, many substances containing complex chemical compounds are used. Therefore, a hygienic certificate for the product is required. Type of substrate. Finishing the stove with flexible stone involves the presence of curved surfaces. Regular rectangular blocks are suitable for strict geometry with angles of 90 degrees. Date of production. Artificial elements must rest for at least a month before they can be worked with

You should pay attention to the production date of the batch on the packaging.

The best manufacturers

Is it possible to line a stove with artificial stone without buying expensive European materials? Below are comparative examples to help you navigate the prices and make your choice:

Artificial elements of the “Byzantium” series. Russian production from New Technologies Stone. Price per 1 sq. meter - 1130 rubles.
Artificial alpine slate. Available in several colors. Russian production. The cost is 540 rubles per 0.5 sq. m. meters.
Gypsum cement tiles "Chateau". Produced by Russian. Environmentally friendly inorganic materials are used as dyes. The price is 290 rubles per 0.5 sq. meters.
Artificial elements of the Milan series. Russian production from New Technologies Stone. Price per 1 sq. meter - 1064 rubles.
Artificial cream facing stone REDSTONE Old Peter SP-13/R. Russian production, price per 1 sq. meter will be 1250 rubles.
Facing elements White Hills Fjord Land, lilac color. Russian production, 45 pieces per package, price per 1 sq. meter will be 1160 rubles.
Facing elements “Ideal Stone”, Booth collection. Produced by Russian. The cost is 990 rubles per 1 sq. meter.
Artificial facing stone Ideal Stone, Jurassic marble collection. Produced by Russian. The cost is 1390 rubles per 1 sq. meter.
White Hills North Ridge siding, white. Russian production, 15 pieces in a package, price per 1 sq. meter will be 1450 rubles.
White Hills Rutland cladding elements, white. Russian production, 21 pieces in a package, price per 1 sq. meter will be 1320 rubles.

What should the stones be like?

First, you should find out what characteristics the stones for an electric heater should have.

First of all, the stones must not crack from high temperatures, which means that maximum density is required to ensure long-term and reliable service. If the stone has the same thermal expansion rate in any direction, it is definitely suitable, since heat and steam in this case will disperse evenly throughout the room.

The stone must also have a high heat capacity. You should also pay attention to the composition of the stones - it must be safe for human health when the stone is exposed to water and high temperatures. From this point of view, the rocks that are most popular among professional bath attendants can be considered optimal. They will be discussed later in the article.

Choosing stones for a bath

Before we begin choosing stones for a bath, let's first name the qualities that they should have. Nobody wants to go through the heater every month, which means they shouldn’t deteriorate quickly (the fact that sooner or later destruction awaits any rock is beyond doubt).

Destruction depends on the thermal stability of the sample, on its ability to withstand cycles of heating and cooling. What breeds are best suited to this? – Those that were formed at great depths, at high temperatures and pressures. This is fully applicable to the class of plutonic rocks (the deepest lying igneous rocks), to a lesser extent to volcanic rocks, because when they form, an amorphous structure often appears, that is, volcanic glass, which will be fragile.

Metamorphic rocks are sometimes stronger than their igneous counterparts - we know this from the example of quartzite and quartz. But sedimentary rocks are too weak to withstand heating, even if they are a product of the breakdown of igneous rocks.

The second important quality is heat capacity. In practice, a high heat capacity means that the stone will continue to give off heat for a long time after heating has ended.

Heat capacity depends on the structure of the substance, its density and mass. This means that the higher the density, the more heat accumulates.

The third quality is the heating rate, which is a consequence of the thermal conductivity of the material. The better the heat is conducted, the faster the material heats up. Although it should be taken into account that the best conductors cool faster.

So, first of all, let’s categorize the available breeds. Igneous ones include:

Basalt;
Gabbro-diabase;
Granite;
Dolerite;
Dunit;
Jade;
Peridotite;
Porphyrite;
Chromite.

White quartz is of both igneous and metamorphic origin. The list of metamorphic ones will be shorter:

Raspberry quartzite;
Nephritis;
Rodingitis;
Soapstone;
Jasper.

Now it’s worth looking at what values density, heat capacity and heat transfer take in each specific case. If a range is given, this means that stones from different deposits may vary within these limits.

Breed	Density g/cm³	Thermal conductivity coefficient W/(m*K)	Specific heat capacity kJ/(kg*K)
Basalt	2,6-3,25	0,4-3,5	0,5-2,1
White quartz	2,6—2,65	–	0,75
Gabbro-diabase	2,79-3,3	1,7-3,3	0,8-0,9
Granite	2,34-2,76	1,1-3,9	0,2-1,5
Dolerite	2,79 – 3,3	see basalt, gabbro-diabase	see basalt, gabbro-diabase
Dunit	3,28	1,1-1,9	0,6-0,8
Jade	3,25-3,35	2,3-3,6	0,88
Raspberry quartzite	2,68	2,6-7,6	0,7-1,3
Jade (amphibolite)	2,95-3,4	1,6-2,9	1,0-1,2
Peridotite	3,2-4,4	3,8-4,9	0,9-1,1
Porphyrite	2,67	0,7-3,5	1,6-1,7
Rodingitis	2,99	–	–
Soapstone chlorite	2,7-2,98	3,3	0,98
Chromite	4,5-5,0	–	–
Jasper	2,6	–	–

You may wonder: why is such heat-intensive basalt not used in heaters? The reason is simple: basalts (not dolerites) often contain volcanic glass, which makes them fragile. In addition, the spread is quite large: from 0.5 to 2.1.

But porphyrite is undoubtedly an excellent choice of stone for a heater. It is suitable for a bathhouse, and its heat capacity is high. It does not heat up too quickly, and its density is average, but it will give off heat the longest.

Unfortunately, there was no data on chromite, but judging by the reviews, it is quite good for a bathhouse. There are no indicators for jasper either, but its data should not differ much from quartzite.

We also have a sign indicating the “longevity” of the stones in the bathhouse. It should not be considered completely reliable - some figures may be exaggerated, others understated (for example, gabbro-diabase in reality can last more than 6 years, but here they say 2 years), but when choosing stones for a heater, you can approximately use it as a guide. In addition, the service life of artificial fillers is also given here. Yes, and the compilers assumed the frequency of using the bathhouse once a week.

Name	Term
Nephritis	10 years
Jade	4 years
Jasper	2 years
Chromite	5 years
Quartz	3 years
Soapstone chlorite	3.5 years
Dunit	6 years
Quartzite	4.5 years
Porphyrite	5 years
Gabbro-diabase	2 years
Cast iron	6 years
Porcelain	10 years

*** In conclusion, it remains to add that it is better to select stones for a bath together with a geologist, and it is most profitable to do this in a quarry. If this is not possible, then at least check the stones before purchasing - for sulfides, serpentinite, and also for strength. We can only wish you good luck!

Find out more in the section on bath stones:

About laying in the oven and separately about laying in the electric heater;

How to choose what to pay attention to;

Rating of the best stones according to readers, in the article about the best stones.

Learning to choose and care for stones

Before purchasing minerals for the stove, consider each one carefully. There should be no cracks on them, and the structure should be dense. To test for strength, you can take two elements and hit them against each other. They should not crumble, and the sound will be clear. A more effective method is to hit with a hammer, but this is prohibited in stores.

You can test already purchased elements by heating them to a high temperature and pouring them into a bowl of water. If no cracks appear, then the purchase can be used in a sauna stove, and the heat transfer from them will be uniform.

Do not forget that everything has its own service life, and the heater is constantly exposed to heat. Its contents quickly become unusable. The heat output from the heater drops by 20-30% after a year. It is necessary to take out all the material once a year, inspect and replace damaged material. Whole ones are washed under running water. If possible, it is better to generally change the contents of the heater once a year.

Shape matters

To reduce cracking, it is better to take smooth, rounded stones. In addition to strength, they will transfer heat better and air circulation in the steam rooms will occur faster. Uneven ones with potholes will begin to deteriorate and crack faster when heated.

The size of the heater matters when choosing stones. If you are using a small iron stove, it is better to use a smaller fraction. Massive and heavy specimens are suitable for brick wood stoves.

How to place stones in the oven

It is important not only to choose the size, but also to arrange them in the oven container. It all depends on how the heater is located

Usually the stove heats the heater from below. In this case, the largest fraction is placed at the bottom, a layer of the middle one is placed on top of it, and the smallest ones are placed on top. This way, the grate between the container and the chamber where the fuel burns will close minimally and the stove will warm up faster.

Structure - which is better?

Stones with a layered structure or sand layer cannot be used for baths. It will quickly crumble and clog the holes for air circulation, there will be less steam, and the smoke will be worse to escape.

You can hear the seller recommend using minerals of volcanic origin for the bath. This is a big mistake! They actually heat up faster and retain heat for a long time, but when water is supplied, the fraction splits, throwing small particles into the steam room. They can be harmful to health, so it is not safe to use volcanic stone for a bath! They can only be used with a protective net.

Natural or artificial material?

Specialized departments offer the buyer both artificial and natural materials. Natural is better, it is environmentally friendly and brings healing energy to the bathhouse.

Artificial ones are cheaper and warm up faster, but they do not hold the temperature for long, and their energy is dead. There will be little benefit from such steam.

It is better to buy stones in specialized stores, this is facilitated by a number of factors:

Not everyone has access to different types of stone and is able to distinguish one from another.
The optimal fraction for furnaces is selected for sale.
Before sale, the stones undergo special treatment and foreign microorganisms and viruses will not enter the steam room.

The correct stones for a sauna stove must not only have the required size, density and shape, but also the type. Let's look at the rocks of minerals that have proven themselves in the steam room only from the best side.

What types of sauna are there: Finnish, Russian, Turkish

The most common bath regimes in Russia today are the Russian and Finnish bath conditions. The Turkish one lags significantly behind in this regard, since it bears little resemblance to what most associate a bathhouse with.

As for the former, both, roughly speaking, are nearby on the same temperature-humidity diagram. In order not to complicate understanding, we will explain everything “on the fingers”.

A person in a steam room is simultaneously affected by heat and steam

In this case, the proportion of both is important. That’s why choosing a stove for a steam room is so important.

On a note! In order not to harm your health, you need to adhere to the rule: the more steam, the less heat there should be, and vice versa, the more heat, the less steam you let in.

Bath thermometer-hygrometer, measures air temperature and humidity

The bathhouse turned out to be akin to art precisely because the main role here is played by the skill of the steamer, a suitable stove and the ability to handle it. Because the heat can be different (soft and hard), and the steam can be different (heavy and light).

The conditions of a Russian bath are easy to remember - the temperature is about 55 degrees and the humidity is about 55 percent.

A Finnish bath (also known as a sauna) is a temperature of 90 degrees or higher, but with a humidity of 5-15 percent.

A Turkish bath (aka hammam) is a temperature of up to 40 degrees and almost 100% humidity.

As for steam, for a Russian bath you need light steam, which is formed when water is heated to a temperature above 100 degrees (this is only possible when the stones are heated strongly - up to 400 and above). In a hammam and even in a sauna, the steam can be ordinary, heavy - the same as you see in the kitchen when the kettle boils. This is acceptable, because there is too much of it in the hammam, and too little in the sauna, and the temperatures are such that it does no harm.

Accordingly, the stove you choose should be able to maintain the desired temperature and produce the right amount of steam of a certain quality. We analyze in detail the choice of electric ovens in another article. And here our task is to find the right use for the Harvia electric heater.

Harvia electric heaters: in which sauna is it better to install them?

Harvia Delta D23 oven. Harvia Photos

The ability of an electric stove to produce steam is very limited, but the reasons for this will be discussed below. At the same time, it has excellent capabilities for quickly heating the steam room to a given temperature and maintaining it using automatic means.

IMPORTANT! In other words, a regular Harvia electric heater, without additional accessories, is only suitable for a sauna. There is no point in using it for a hammam

And if you want to set up a Russian bathhouse with such a device, you will have to purchase a model with a steam generator.

What kind of water to pour on the stones in the bathhouse

The question, by the way, is not an idle one. Understanding when and how much to pour water comes with experience, but you need to know what it should be from the very beginning. The water must be heated.

IMPORTANT! The hotter the water, the smaller the temperature difference for the stones, which means there will be less wear and tear on them, and you won’t have to waste extra firewood. One big benefit! Fill up with hot water in advance and place it near the heater so it doesn’t get cold

Fill up some hot water in advance and place it near the heater so it doesn’t get cold.

You can also prepare the water with various additives, depending on your goal. For example, if you need to treat a cold, then add up to 10 drops of menthol or a teaspoon of dry mustard (per three liters of water) to the drinking water. For the same volume you can pour 50 ml of beer or kvass, or herbal infusion, a tablespoon of ground coffee, and a drop of aromatic oils.

There are many recipes. The main thing is that all these additives do not simply burn out on overheated stones. Therefore, a special place is usually allocated for such a donation. Or, as an option, they simply place a container with pleasant-smelling contents next to the heater.

Gabbro for steam baths

How to cover a stove with artificial stone with your own hands

Cladding a stove with stone with your own hands is a fairly simple matter. But it requires a certain set of tools, surface preparation for cladding, calculation of the required amount of material required, as well as jointing.

List of required tools

To carry out such work, you will need a few tools:

A grinder or angle grinder equipped with a disc for concrete.
Trowel for plastering work.
Construction level.
Measuring tool (tape measure or ruler).
Master OK.
Rubberized bucket for cement mortar.

Calculation of material quantity

Before purchasing the required amount of material, you should measure the surface to be covered and calculate the total area of work. Another 10-15% should be added to the resulting figure, since parts of the decorative elements will be cut off, and they may also be damaged during transportation.

The required amount should always be rounded up. If the material is sold in packages with a certain number of pieces in it, then you should take packages from one batch and with an estimated reserve. It should be remembered that the color of artificial stone in different batches of the same model may differ.

Surface preparation

Before starting the main process and covering the stove with decorative stone, you should carefully prepare and level the surfaces of the stove on which the installation will be carried out. To do this, you need to moisten the brickwork using a spray gun, and then apply a solution of plaster or sand-cement mixture. The work is carried out using a trowel.

Layers of plaster are laid with uniform movements from top to bottom, their thickness should be 5 - 8 millimeters. Additionally, it is recommended to reinforce this layer using a special mesh, or hemp or tow. Upon completion of plastering the surface, it should be carefully primed using solutions with high adhesive properties such as “Betonokontakta”.

Artificial stone laying technology

Cladding work should be carried out starting from the corners of the stove.
Using a trowel, a layer of mortar is applied to the decorative stone element, then it is applied to the primed surface and the mortar is leveled with light movements from side to side.
Excess mixture is removed using a trowel.
Upon completion of laying a number of elements, using a building level, their pressing into the solution is adjusted.

Rules for seaming

There are seamless and jointed options for laying artificial material on a stove or fireplace. The installation option with jointing is more reliable when exposed to high temperatures. After laying the main part of the artificial stone is completed, the joints are filled using a bag with a cut off edge, and excess mortar is also removed.

Which form is better?

We have already discussed this issue in the article devoted to the choice of stones. Let us remind you that the choice most often lies between chopped and tumbled varieties. Polished ones are less common and we would not recommend taking them, because they do not retain water on their surface at all. The stone should be at least slightly rough.

As for the advantages of the chipped version, they all lie in the larger surface area of the uneven stone. It has many more disadvantages - where it is thin, it will break off, chipped samples often have cracks (the strongest ones remain when tumbling), in general, the tumbling version is better, and its only drawback is its higher price.