Stoves for the Varvara bathhouse have been produced at the DERO and K enterprise in Tver for 10 years, and during this time they have gained well-deserved popularity. Designers are constantly improving models. The manufacturer positions Varvara as a durable sauna stove with durable walls of the firebox and water heating tank, and reviews from the owners confirm this.
It is quite easy for a specific user to choose the right option; the thermal performance, dimensions and weight of the stove, the weight of the stones to be laid and other design features must be taken into account.
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Description of the furnace design
Products under the Varvara brand are represented by compact units with a closed steel firebox. A characteristic design feature of these units is reliable walls with a thickness of 6 mm.
The minimum basic set of furnaces includes:
- firebox;
- afterburner;
- ash pan and grates for collecting unburnt elements;
- smoke removal system;
- a casing that transfers heat from the firebox to the room;
- heater with heat exchanger.
Many models can be equipped with additional water tanks. The stainless steel circuit improves circulation and increases heat transfer, allowing the liquid in the tank to boil in an hour.
You can choose one of 2 tank options:
- Remote – made of corrosion-resistant steel. Capacity volume – 60, 80 or 120 l. A remote tank is installed on the second floor or used as a transition piece through the ceiling.
- Mounted tanks made of corrosion-resistant steel are produced with a volume of 50 liters.
A stove without a water tank is used when the installation is intended solely to create the required room temperature. Water is heated by other devices.
To admire the open fire in the steam room, you can order a firebox door with heat-resistant glass.
Manufacturers are constantly improving and finalizing their products. Since 2013, all models have been equipped with a chimney with a unified diameter of 114 mm. The number of furnace welds produced has been reduced. In two places they were replaced with bends, which significantly increased the reliability of the heat generators.
Advantages and disadvantages
One of the main advantages of Varvara stoves is their affordable price.
The advantages also include:
- Compact and light weight . The largest model weighs no more than 120 kg (without fuel, stones and water). The stove can be installed even in a small room, and the construction of a powerful foundation is not required. Sometimes just a good layer of insulation is enough.
- Possibility of additional equipment . The device can be equipped with a mirror casing, a glass door, a short firebox, a mounted or remote tank. The remote tank can be installed on the second floor or used as a passage through the ceiling. The location of the tank can be top, bottom or side. If an autonomous water heater is installed in the bathhouse, a tank is not required
- High efficiency due to the presence of an afterburning chamber.
- There is a hole for cleaning the chimney . The back wall is equipped with a window with a lid. Inside the firebox there is a metal sheet (“smoke tooth”). Soot settles on it. To maintain draft, it is recommended to clean the smoke tooth and afterburner chamber at least once every six months. With intensive use of the bath - once every 3 - 4 months.
- Uniform heating of zones . Air circulation in the furnace occurs due to the arched arch of the combustion chamber.
- All models can be equipped with a remote firebox for adding fuel from an adjacent room.
The main disadvantage of these units is their appearance, which does not matter when lining the stove with bricks. The exception is the decoratively attractive Fairy Tale model, lined with natural stone.
Varvara stoves have other disadvantages:
- Slow water heating . But the problem can be solved by installing an additional heat exchanger. Water at a temperature of 70 degrees will be obtained an hour after the start of the fire.
- Excessive formation of condensation . Operation in slow burning mode produces a low temperature at the chimney outlet. This causes condensation to form. Basically, this result is obtained when the instructions for assembling the chimney are violated. It is correct to install a pipe with a height of 1.7 m and carry it through the entire tank. The resulting condensate will not come into contact with the smoke and will flow down the pipe clean.
- Unreliability of the design . When the firebox overheats, there is a risk of seams coming apart. But the company is constantly improving its furnaces and such shortcomings occur much less frequently.
Negative characteristics of Varvara sauna stoves
Sometimes they receive unflattering reviews because the water in the tank takes longer to heat up than in the others. Yes, this is true, but there is a way out of this situation; you should install an additional heat exchanger on the chimney. And within an hour the temperature will reach 70 degrees.
The downside that causes dissatisfaction is the copious condensate flowing down the pipe, which in addition with stove smoke. If you install the stove following the recommendations and make the pipe half a meter longer, it won’t get rid of moisture, but it will be as clean as a tear.
The main drawback is that it doesn't look fashionable . Many people save the situation by covering the stove with a screen. To create a purely Russian bathhouse, “Varvara” is properly walled with brick.
The lineup
According to the manufacturer, Varvara sauna stoves began to be produced after a thorough analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of popular Russian sauna equipment. The line of these units takes into account the strengths and weaknesses of competitors.
Today, the company's products are represented by 6 lines, the price segment of the units is average.
Any starting package can be selected individually.
Panorama
Intended for heating baths with a total area of up to 24 cubic meters/m. Equipped with a hermetically sealed door made of fire-resistant transparent glass. This makes the view of the flame burning in the hearth as complete as possible.
For the manufacture of the model's case, high-quality steel marked ST 3 (thickness 6 millimeters) is used. The heater holds 60 kg of stones.
Woodpile and Classic
Models with similar parameters. Designed for steam rooms with a volume of up to 24 cubic meters. Warm up the room to 100 degrees in 60 minutes. The length of the firebox is 62 cm. Both models can be equipped with mounted water tanks with a capacity of 50 liters.
The built-in heat exchanger, made of high-quality steel, makes it possible to connect the stoves to heating to heat other rooms.
Fairy tale
One of the best models of Varvara stoves. Its main characteristic advantage is the lining with soapstone, which releases beneficial properties when heated. It has an ergonomic design and resistance to high temperatures. Designed for steam rooms with a volume of up to 24 cubic meters. The weight of the stove is 150 kg.
The door is equipped with a panoramic sealed door. The device is equipped with a deep heater with a lid. The design of the model's sauna stove helps create the mood characteristic of a traditional Russian steam room.
Terma - a fairy tale
Like the previous model, it is lined with soapstone. Door with heat-resistant glass. The weight of the stove is 105 kg, the size of the firebox is 66 cm. The model warms up a room with a volume of 25 cubic meters in 1.5 hours. The heater holds 90 kg of stones.
Kamenka
The manufacturer offers 2 modifications of this stove with a cast iron and steel door. Both types have combustion chambers of three lengths: 4 cm (short), 16 cm (standard), 30 cm (extended firebox).
The weight of the stove is 120 kg. Models are equipped with a flame intensity adjustment system. Furnace power – 11 kW.
Therma-heater
A reliable and durable model, distinguished by its design and functions. The combustion chamber and ash pan are oversized. One addition of fuel is enough to optimally warm up the room and maintain the desired temperature for a long time.
A special feature of the model is the presence of a mesh grid. A steel structure can be lined with stone or brick to retain heat and effectively warm up the room.
The model is economical, with a spacious (up to 250 kg) heater, durable. The disadvantages of the device are the lack of a glass door and its impressive dimensions.
Mini heater
Model for small rooms, up to 12 cubic meters. The stove stove is closed, holds up to 90 kg. The body is made of durable steel. Unit power – 9 kW. The weight of the structure itself is 85 kg.
Reference! To position the stove door in an adjacent room, the Woodpile, Skazka and Kamenka models are available with 3 extension sizes: short combustion chamber - 4 cm, standardized firebox - 16 cm, elongated firebox - 30 cm.
Bermuda right
Compact model weighing 77 kg for small steam rooms. It has convection-accumulating properties: two walls of the oven have a convection casing, the third is equipped with a mesh grid for stones. The grille absorbs heat and distributes it evenly throughout the room. The heater holds 80 kg.
Main selection criteria
The selection parameters for the Varvara stove are standard.
It is based on the characteristics of the room and the preferences of bathhouse visitors:
- Oven dimensions . This criterion directly depends on the room in which the unit will be installed. In terms of shape, preference should be given to rectangular models, in which heating occurs more evenly than in cylindrical ones.
- Availability of a water tank . The volume of the water tank is 60–120 l. Some developers recommend choosing stove models with medium-volume tanks of 70–80 liters. This way the liquid will heat up faster. If water consumption is high and frequent visits to the steam room are recommended, it is recommended to purchase a remote tank of maximum volume.
- Power and performance. These parameters must be optimal. The values are calculated based on the dimensions of the bath. Too powerful stoves lead to rapid wear of the equipment, and high productivity is characterized by rapid heating of the steam room with low heating of the stones. This leads to an imbalance when taking wellness procedures.
- Location of the combustion chamber . There are two types of combustion chamber: elongated and classic. It is better to choose an elongated firebox that can be fired from the dressing room. This is considered a more convenient and safer option and allows you to keep the steam room clean.
- Heater type. The units are equipped with closed or open heaters. The first option creates wet steam, while an open heater promotes the formation of light dry steam. Models with an open heater quickly warm up the room, and ash does not settle on the stones.
The downside of the stove is its rapid cooling, which increases fuel consumption. The space with a closed heater warms up within a couple of hours. The oven can retain heat for up to 11 hours.
Technical description of stoves for baths “Varvara”
- “Varvara” with a heating circuit and an upper position of the tank, its main purpose is to heat water in the bathhouse. The kit includes a 1.3 m chimney and a pipe system for water circulation. Width - 450 mm, height - 860 mm, length - 720 mm, weight - from 90 to 120 kilograms, power - 14 kW;
- “Varvara” with a side tank of 50 liters , the tank is removable, very easy to install, can be installed on the left or right to choose from. Suitable for steam rooms up to 24 cubic meters. Dimensions and power are the same as in the model with a tank on top;
- "Varvara" without a tank with and without a circuit . They are much cheaper since they do not have a tank, they are designed for baths in which water heating has already been thought out. The parameters are the same as the previous ones.
Tips for installation and operation
The Varvara sauna stoves are lightweight, so their installation is simple. Before this process, it is recommended to heat the equipment outside so that the smell from the substances and oils used in production disappears.
After firing in the open air, the stove is installed in the steam room:
- One side of the foundation is placed under the wall so that only the stove screen extends into the recreation room. It is covered with waterproofing material, cutting the wall begins with 2 crowns. As a result, the foundation is as close as possible to the wall. The brick screen is combined with the other side of the stove in the steam room.
- The first row of bricks is laid on the mortar. The stove is installed on the 2nd row of brickwork.
- In areas near the combustion chamber, refractory bricks are used. In other areas it is allowed to use lining. His sinuses are filled with sand.
- The brick screen is made from a fire-resistant clay mass that can withstand temperatures up to +1500 degrees.
- A piece suitable for the screen is cut out of a metal sheet, which can later be used to cover the area of the heater.
- Two small doors are installed at the bottom of the masonry, while large doors are installed on opposite sides of the stove structure. This is necessary to create air flow. Between the doors it will be possible to switch the flow of air under the stove in different modes: from the rest room or from the washing room.
It is better to use dry firewood to fire Varvara. Burning with wood briquettes is also allowed. It is necessary to ignite the fuel with the chimney open and the ash pan open by 5 cm. The combustion chamber door is kept closed when igniting. When the firewood is fully heated, the ash compartment is completely closed and the firebox is slightly covered.
During operation, the water tank is cleaned every 1 - 2 months.
Expert opinion
Lovkachev Boris Petrovich
Bath master who knows everything about steaming
Attention! Do not use resinous wood to fire a sauna stove. In this case, there will be excessive soot deposits on the walls of the chimney and will require more frequent cleaning. Sometimes, if there is excessive deposits, it is impossible to clean the chimney ducts and the stove must be disassembled.
Flaws
The disadvantages of Varvara stoves include perhaps not the most attractive appearance. If you plan to cover the stove with a screen (and this is the most reasonable solution), then the appearance should not bother you, and there are almost no complaints about the quality of these stoves. Although there is a “Fairy Tale” stove, which is lined with soapstone. This model cannot be called unattractive.
The stove for the Varvara Skazka bathhouse is lined with soapstone
FAQ
Is there a cleanout hole in the stove?
Yes. On the chimney side there is a bolted plate.
When the stove was lit and the door was opened, smoke began to come out. After 15 minutes of burning, I decided to open the door again and smoke came out again. During the second kindling, when the firewood was fully loaded, the smoke seemed to decrease. How to prevent smoke from escaping when the door is open?
To prevent smoke from escaping, close the vent completely before opening the firebox door. In some models, on the contrary, you need to open the blower completely. Check it out on yours. You cannot completely fill the firebox with wood. They should be laid at the rate of 1/3 of the firebox (maximum 2/3).
How long will the stove burn? Yesterday I drowned mine for the second time, there is still a strong smell.
To burn out the smell of paint, the stove needs to be heated 2-3 times, preferably in the open air or with the doors and windows completely open.
