10 best stoves for Russian baths in 2021

Bath traditions exist in many world cultures, and Russians and Finns even created a kind of cult around this action. There is still a clear division of the bathhouse into Russian and Finnish. The key difference is temperature and humidity. The Russian bathhouse does not have a high indoor temperature. As a rule, at head level there is no more than 60-70⁰. But there is very high humidity here. There should be a lot of steam in a Russian bath, and the easiest way to achieve its formation is with the help of a heater stove, where natural boulders act both as heat accumulators and as steam generators.

The design of the heater is extremely simple: a heat source heats the stones placed around the combustion chamber. If desired, water splashes on these stones and the same steam is formed. There are two types of heaters: open, where the stones are visible, and closed.

Closed heaters retain heat better and heat up faster, but open designs are the most popular. The aesthetic component occupies not the last place here. Although it is much more difficult to heat a cluster of uninsulated stones, and they cool faster. The choice between an open and a closed heater should be based on these considerations.

You also need to look at the type of fuel the stove uses. Traditionally, this is firewood, which today is increasingly being replaced with pressed briquettes. They are more economical, cheaper, and the combustion effect is the same. There are also gas and electric versions. You won’t get the aesthetics of burning an open flame here, but in terms of maintenance, such designs are much simpler.

As for the choice of stove design, everything is individual. They can be wall-mounted, floor-mounted and even wall-mounted. It all depends on the configuration of your bathhouse and personal convenience. There are double stoves that can heat both the steam room and the dressing room. The main and, in fact, the only parameter is the thermal power, on which the area heated by the stove depends. Thermal power is calculated based on the standards of a Russian bathhouse, that is, the temperature in the room should not exceed 70 degrees.

Accordingly, the only parameter we are interested in is the heated area. Everything else affects solely the durability and convenience of the design. For example, it is better to take your own cast iron stove. It's heavy, but it won't burn out. In addition, cast iron retains heat much better, therefore, the stove takes longer to cool down. But it will also take longer to warm up. In today's market, steel stoves are more common. They are cheaper and easier to produce. True, low-quality models quickly burn out, and so that you do not end up with such a product, we have selected for you the best heaters for a Russian bath in three categories, differing in the type of fuel used.

The best gas heaters for a Russian bath

Gas is the fastest and most economical way to heat the heater to the required temperature. Supplied under high pressure, it almost instantly brings the heater to operating mode. In addition, gas furnaces are easier to adjust. There is always a valve on the nozzle that allows you to set exactly the temperature you want. You won’t be able to pull off this trick with firewood. But gas stoves also have a significant drawback - they quickly burn out oxygen in the room. Baths with such equipment must be equipped with hoods, and ideally, if the heating chamber is not in the steam room itself, but in the dressing room. All models in this category are made in Russia.

Sauna stove Diana reviews

Product description

The Diana stove is intended for installation in a bathhouse in order to create the necessary temperature and humidity conditions.
High-quality materials and modern technologies for cutting and welding metal used in the manufacture of the Diana stove increase its service life and make the product pleasant to use.

The sauna stove very quickly creates the desired temperature in your steam room, and the convection casing will provide the most effective heating of the steam room.

The stove can be installed in a steam room up to 16 cubic meters.

Features and advantages of the Diana sauna stove:

• The furnace is made from steel 09G2S.
• The thickness of the firebox arch is 10mm .
• The thickness of the side walls of the firebox in the active combustion zone has been increased to 8 mm.
• Taking into account the uneven heating of the walls and roof of the firebox, the roof of the firebox and the gas cutter are made of the thickest possible steel. (12mm and 8mm)
• The classic cast iron grate provides the required amount of air for stable combustion of firewood.
• The active lining on the rear wall not only performs a protective function, but also provides additional air supply to the firebox, thereby creating a “secondary combustion chamber” and increasing efficiency.
• The heater of the Diana stove is ventilated, making it impossible to fill it; excess water will flow to the foot of the stove.
• The heater can hold up to 40 kg of stones, which, when heated, emit soft heat, and if you pour water over them, they will provide fine steam.
• The firebox and heater of the stove have a complex curved shape with a minimum number of welds.
• Central chimney outlet.
• New removable portal frame.
• Completely redesigned convection hood.
• Implemented magnetic closing of the door.

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Similar models

The “Cuba” stove is intended for installation in a bathhouse in order to create the necessary temperature and humidity conditions.

Anyutka

The first of a range of sauna stoves. “Anyutka” is the best, inexpensive solution for gardeners who like to take a steam bath in a bathhouse after working in the garden.

Sinara

The Sinara stove is intended for installation in a bathhouse in order to create the necessary temperature and humidity conditions.

The oven, which can work miracles, was not named Fairy for nothing. Judge for yourself - a wonderful price, metal up to 12mm thick!

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Very often, potential buyers ask: which sauna stove is the best?

Since I sell stoves, read specialized forums, go to exhibitions and love to turn the screws of stoves, I decided to make my own rating*.

Top 3. Zharstal Sinara Meteorite

Rating (2021): 4.63

Large mass of loaded stones The container holds 55 kilograms of natural stones, which is 15% more than similar models from other manufacturers.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 28,200 rub.

• Heated volume (cub.m): 18
• Dimensions (D/W/H): 75/52/77 cm
• Design: wall
• Weight (kg): 80

The best Russian bathhouse is the one with a lot of steam, and to achieve it, you need a lot of stones. This heater will fill a room with a volume of up to 20 cubic meters with soft steam, and all thanks to its large capacity. It fits as much as 55 kilograms of stones. The design is closed, that is, the heat exchange is very high, and after complete heating, the stones cool down very slowly. True, it takes a long time to heat the stove, but thanks to the installation of almost any type of gas burners, this issue is easily resolved. The oven itself is entirely steel. The thickness of the walls of the firebox is 6 millimeters, that is, you don’t have to worry about burnout, as well as thermal deformation. And a water tank is easily mounted on top.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Large stone capacity
• Possibility of installing an expansion tank
• Heats a large volume

• Heavy weight
• Difficult to clean off carbon deposits

Zharstal Fairy - stove for medium steam rooms

To heat steam rooms from 8 to 14 cubic meters, or small ones with poor insulation, a more powerful stove is required. This is the Fairy line. Having not much larger dimensions than Anyutka, this unit shows more power. To ensure that the stove lasts a long time, the upper part of the firebox is made of thick 12 mm metal.

One of the features of this model is a ventilated heater (Anyutka does not have this). Thanks to a special device, excess water splashed onto the stones flows down; such a heater cannot be flooded.

Technical characteristics of the Fairy Zharstal line

This model can be equipped with a remote combustion telescopic duct, or it can have an all-metal stem (all Kome Mini models). It can be equipped with a door with wide-format glass (Fairy Porta). For those who plan to use a metal stove to create Russian bath conditions in the steam room (relatively low temperature and high humidity) and want to cover the stove with brick, there is a special option - Fairy under the lining. It comes without a convection casing, which is absolutely useless in this case.

There is also a Fairy with a net for stones around the body. These are two modifications: Fairy Rock and Fairy Rock Mini. They differ in that the Mini modification does not have an outlet and is heated from the steam room. Otherwise there are no differences.

Fairy color options

If we talk about color variations, there are also three options: anthracite and graphite with stainless steel or terracotta with graphite door trim.

Top 2. Termofor Convektika Kolibri 9U

Rating (2021): 4.71

Best price The cheapest closed heater, costing about 30% less than its closest competitor with similar parameters.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 16,700 rub.

• Heated volume (cub.m): 9
• Dimensions (D/W/H): 59/40/48 cm
• Construction: floor
• Weight (kg): 29

If you have a small Russian bathhouse and there is simply no room to place a large stove, be sure to take a closer look at this product. This is not only the most compact heater, but also the best in terms of price. It costs less than 20 thousand rubles, which is already a rarity in the modern market. This is due to its small size and average performance. At the same time, its efficiency is quite high. It is provided by a complex system of heat removal channels. The stove is completely iron. Cast iron is not used in the design, so you should not overheat it beyond measure. However, with gas burners, burning through the walls is a rather rare phenomenon.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Low price
• Very compact dimensions
• High performance
• Easy to use

• Low visual appeal
• Thin steel firebox walls

For reputable steam rooms - Zharstal Sinara

Larger steam rooms require more thermal power, and the Sinara line can provide it. It already has 8 layout options. Almost all of them are designed for steam rooms from 12 to 18 cubic meters; there is one even more powerful option - Sinara Cuba, which can heat up to 24 cubic meters of space.

Technical characteristics of Zharstal Sinara furnaces

Features of stoves in this line:

• The Mini model does not have an external portal and is heated from a steam room, equipped with a metal door.
• In the modification of Sinara Porta there is an external channel with wide-format glass (fireplace effect).
• The Terma model has a built-in heat exchanger, which allows you to heat water in a remote tank (it can be hung in the washing compartment). There is also a Sinara Porta Terma model - with a wide-format door and a heat exchanger.
• Sinara Cuba - for large steam rooms.

  
  Appearance of some models

• A model with a telescopic fuel channel allows it to be adjusted to any wall thickness (from 100 mm to 220 mm).
• Sinara under the lining is a furnace without a casing, around which it is planned to build a brick screen.
• Model with a closed heater - to obtain a larger amount of “light” superheated steam (metal door), all-metal remote fuel channel. In a closed heater, the temperature of the stones is higher, the steam from them is hotter, containing droplets so small that they are not visible. This type of steam is considered the best, as it gives a feeling of lightness and vigor after the procedure.
• Sinara Meteorite is a model of a sauna stove with a gas burner.

  
  Stove-grid for sauna Sinara Skala in three varieties

There are three more models with a mesh - Sinara Scala and two of its modifications - Porta and Mini. In the basic version, the stove has an all-metal stem and a metal door. The Port modification has a door with fire-resistant glass, while the Mini does not have a remote control. It is intended for heating from a steam room.

Top 1. TMF Urengoy

Rating (2021): 4.75

The most popular heater A product from a well-known Russian manufacturer, for which there are many detailed reviews and recommendations for use online.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 23,900 rub.

• Heated volume (cub.m): 12
• Dimensions (D/W/H): 70/45/67 cm
• Design: wall
• Weight (kg): 43

TMF is a popular Russian brand whose catalog contains a lot of interesting products. The Urengoy model can easily be called one of the most popular. It appeared on store shelves in 2012 and has since been in high demand among customers. It's all about the high reliability of the design and its visual appeal. The steel firebox provides quick heating of 42 kilograms of stones. The manufacturer deliberately did not use cast iron, but replaced it with steel 10 millimeters thick. The walls are very thick and do not burn out even after prolonged intensive use. The stove itself is very small and is designed to heat a small room of 12 cubic meters. If desired, you can install a water tank on the chimney.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Fast heating
• Compact dimensions
• Thick firebox walls
• Lots of detailed reviews online

• Small heated volume

See also:

• 10 best gas stoves for baths

to the beginning of the rating

Zharstal Anyutka - an economical option for small steam rooms

This economy class model is suitable for small steam rooms with a volume of 6 to 14 cubic meters. The firebox of this stove is made of heat-resistant steel 3 mm thick. Small dimensions allow you to conveniently place it even in the smallest room, for example, in a bathhouse in the country.

The convection casing (hung on the body) speeds up the heating of the steam room, and the removable ash drawer makes operating the stove easier. In general - nothing superfluous, a reliable sauna stove for small steam rooms.

Technical characteristics of Zharstal Anyutka furnaces

If we talk about the differences between the stoves in this line, the “mini” is more compact in size (with the same power), these two modifications are equipped with metal doors, and are heated from a steam room (without an external fuel channel). Anyutka XXL is not only designed to heat a larger volume, it also has a remote firebox, although the doors are still metal.

Color options for the Anyutka stove

All stoves in this line are available in three color variations:

• graphite body, anthracite door;
• terracotta/anthracite;
• terracotta/graphite.

There are two ways to heat water in the Anyutka Zharstal model - by installing the samovar tank on a pipe or hanging it on the back wall.

The best wood-burning heaters for a Russian bath

No modern heat source can replace burning wood in terms of aesthetics. It is not only efficient in terms of heating, but also beautiful. Modern wood-burning stoves are often made with glass doors on the firebox so you can admire the flames consuming the wood. Of course, if you use pressed briquettes, this will not be as attractive, but it is economically beneficial. The briquette burns longer, costs less, and produces virtually no ash, which means you won’t have to clean the stove for many years.

Top 4. Varvara Kamenka

Rating (2021): 4.66

• Characteristics

  Average price: 29,200 rub.

  Read also:  Ermak sauna stoves: main advantages and review of the best models
• Country Russia
• Heated volume (cub.m): 24
• Dimensions (D/W/H): 78/56/78 cm
• Construction: floor
• Weight (kg): 85

In most cases, a heater stove is designed for a small sauna room, but if your steam room volume reaches 24 cubic meters, then you will need something larger. And now we have just such a stove in front of us. It has the largest volume of heated space. At the same time, the dimensions cannot be said to be large. But there is a very roomy firebox with panoramic glass. It is convenient to place logs in it, even large ones. The iron grate around the boiler is intended for laying stones, that is, the stove is open, but due to the high temperature in the firebox, heating occurs quickly, and it all takes quite a long time to cool down. This is the best model for a steam room with a larger than average volume.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Holds a lot of stones
• Large firebox
• Designed for large heated volume

• Not the best quality paintwork
• Rarely found in stores

Zharstal Kuba - increased power for forced heating

This model is for maintaining the steam temperature in large steam rooms. The high power of the stove allows you to quickly “accelerate” the sauna, while it is not necessary to heat the stove at full power - there should be no hot walls, but the gentle mode is enough to quickly increase the temperature.

Technical characteristics of Zharstal Cuba sauna stoves

There are only three models in the Cube line:

• Cuba - with a remote all-metal channel, equipped with a metal door.
• Cuba Porta - extension + door with panoramic glass, with anti-smoking function.
• Cuba Porta Scala - the previous model was equipped with a mesh with stones.

  
  Line of metal sauna stoves Cuba

Top 3. Grill'D Aurora 160 Short

Rating (2021): 4.73

Original design Stove-heater of an unusual shape with high efficiency.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 20,700 rub.

• Country Russia
• Heated volume (cub.m): 16
• Dimensions (D/W/H): 78/46/61 cm
• Construction: floor
• Weight (kg): 40

A Russian bathhouse can be both classic and completely modern. If the latter is closer to you, then you need to select the appropriate oven. Before us is the most unusual model from a Russian manufacturer. Semicircular design with a figured box for stones. It seems to be the same heater, but it looks very unusual. There is also something to look at in terms of characteristics. The heated volume is 16 cubic meters, which is quite a lot considering the small size of the stove. The box holds approximately 20 kilograms of stones, but thanks to a complex system of channels, heating occurs very quickly. True, it won’t take long for it to cool down, but there’s nothing you can do about it.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Unusual shape
• Compact size

• Small firebox
• Fast cooling

Top 2. Vesuvius LEGEND

Rating (2021): 4.79

The most reliable stove A completely cast iron heater that is not afraid of the highest temperatures. The most reliable and durable design.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 43,500 rub.

• Country Russia
• Heated volume (cub.m): 18
• Dimensions (D/W/H): 70/56/69 cm
• Construction: floor
• Weight (kg): 90

Cast iron is a derivative of iron. The material is durable and has good thermal conductivity. It retains the accumulated heat for a long time, so it is ideal for the production of stoves. But it has disadvantages, such as high cost, heavy weight and low aesthetic appeal. It is because of these shortcomings that cast iron is increasingly being replaced by ordinary metal and steel. But there are stoves that are still produced using old technologies. One of them is now in front of us. A real work of art by blacksmiths. The vat is made of cast iron, so it will never burn out or be warped by high temperatures. True, and the price is appropriate. But such a stove is unlikely to have to be changed even after ten years.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Cast iron boiler
• Openwork forged firebox
• High strength

• Small ash box
• High price

Top 1. Harvia M2

Rating (2021): 4.87

Best value for money High-quality closed-type heater with a long service life and easy operation.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 24,800 rub.

• Country: Finland
• Heated volume (cub.m): 13
• Dimensions (D/W/H): 71/39/43 cm
• Construction: floor
• Weight (kg): 54

In the modern world, everything is possible. Even a Russian sauna with a Finnish heater. Harvia M2 is the best stove in terms of price-quality ratio. It is very reliable and will last for many years, which more than compensates for its not-so-low price tag. The design is thought out to the smallest detail, although some users have problems with the ash pan. However, this is a matter of habit and does not affect the technical parameters in any way. Otherwise, an excellent iron stove with a wall thickness of up to 8 millimeters. The firebox is equipped with a panoramic door, so you can also enjoy the beauty of an open flame. And the rear exit of the chimney will not interfere with the supply of steam, spraying the stones.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Robust design
• Thoughtful form factor
• Laconic but stylish design
• Rear chimney outlet

• Not the most convenient ash drawer
• Relatively high price

See also:

• 12 best brands of sauna stoves

to the beginning of the rating

Design Features

Zharstal sauna stoves are made from St3SP steel. In the most loaded places, the metal thickness can be up to 12 mm (in the upper part of the firebox of some models). The firebox has a complex shape, but most of the bends are formed using stamping. Seams are minimal, which increases the reliability of the stove. The housing has a cleaning hole covered with a lid. It’s a simple thing, but it makes caring for the stove much easier. It is recommended to crush soot twice a year - before the season of active use - in the spring, and after it - in the winter. Then there will be no problems with traction.

Internal structure of Zharstal sauna stoves

The rear wall of the firebox (the most vulnerable part of the structure) is covered with an additional screen (active lining), which prevents the metal from burning out. The same screen performs a second function - it transfers the air coming from under the grate to the upper part of the firebox (it passes between the firebox wall and the screen). This air is necessary for more complete combustion of gases.

There are two types of remote combustion channel in Zharstal sauna stoves:

• fixed length;
• telescopic, the length of which can be changed depending on the thickness of the walls (Fey and Sinara models with a telescopic fuel channel).

Another feature of Zharstal sauna stoves is the chimney outlet shifted to the front wall (diameter - 115 mm). This is not very convenient during installation - you have to protect the adjacent wall from overheating, but this solution increases the efficiency of the stove, since the smoke path in this case is much longer, as a result it transfers more heat to the walls of the housing.

Some of the Zharstal models

Optionally, the Fairy and Anyutka stove models can be equipped with a hanging tank for heating water. It is hung on the back wall of the oven. In two models - Anyutka and Sinara - the heater is of medium volume, open type. In mesh stoves with the “Skala” attachment, the stove body is covered with a welded mesh, the space between the body and the mesh is filled with bath stones. This option makes the atmosphere in the steam room more pleasant (hard radiation from the metal walls of the firebox is shielded), but requires longer heating of the steam room.

The best universal heaters for a Russian bath

Universal stoves can run on both natural gas and wood. All you need to do to change the fuel type is to install or remove the injector. This is done in a matter of minutes. In fact, this is the most convenient option to use. If you just need to wash in the bathhouse, without sitting there over long conversations and drinking tea, just install a gas nozzle - and in a couple of tens of minutes the bathhouse is ready. But if you are planning a get-together, and the issue of aesthetics comes first, remove the burner and heat the stove with wood. Now you can admire the open flame and the indescribable smell of firewood. In this category you will find heater stoves exclusively from Russian manufacturers.

Top 3. TMF Skoroparka 2012 Inox Lumina

Rating (2021): 4.55

Convenient maintenance The design of the oven allows easy access to all its internal parts, so there will be no problems with cleaning and maintenance.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 24,500 rub.

• Heated volume (cub.m): 18
• Dimensions (D/W/H): 92/51/71 cm
• Construction: floor
• Weight (kg): 76

Any heater, especially one powered by wood, will sooner or later require maintenance. It is necessary to clean and maintain the device in order for it to work for a long time. This is often not easy to do, but not in this case. Here the manufacturer took care of convenience, making the design such that you can easily access all internal parts. This is a heater, but a closed type. However, it can be used without the top cover. The body is collapsible, divided into three parts. The firebox is removed separately, and a spacious box is used to receive ash.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Easy maintenance
• Spacious ash drawer
• Can be used as a closed heater
• Very large firebox window

• Not the highest performance for its size
• Difficult manipulations when changing the burner

Top 2. Ermak Uralochka-20

Rating (2021): 4.59

The most technologically advanced furnace The furnace design uses unique developments from the manufacturer, increasing its efficiency and overall service life.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 24,000 rub.

• Heated volume (cub.m): 20
• Dimensions (D/W/H): 75/50/70 cm
• Design: wall
• Weight (kg): 70

The stove-heater is a simple design, and it would seem that there is nothing more to add to it. But the Ermak company has seriously improved this equipment, which allowed them to maintain small dimensions, but at the same time increase their usefulness and increase their service life. A complex system of gas exhaust channels is used here. They don’t just fly out the chimney, but also work to warm up the room. As a result, the heated area was 20 cubic meters, which is a very good result for such dimensions. However, there are not many stones here. They are placed only on top of the boiler, but this is enough for you to have a real Russian bathhouse, and you can heat it with both wood and gas.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Improved design
• Very large firebox
• Uses waste gases

• Difficult to change fuel type