How to choose an electric stove for a sauna and bathhouse: TOP 10 models with descriptions of technical characteristics and customer reviews

The sauna stove is the “heart” of the sauna.

The choice of such devices is varied.

Many people cannot imagine being in a steam room without the aroma of burning wood.

But for comfort and functionality, you should choose a stove that runs on electricity.

It does not create smoke.

Does not require constant cleaning, is lightweight and takes up little space.

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Wood-burning or electric stove for a bath: what to take?

Well, if we are not talking about a stove that will be in an apartment or house, then the choice is really relevant. A wood-burning or electric sauna stove has its advantages, as well as disadvantages, and by weighing them, you can come to a thoughtful decision.

Electric heaters are easier to maintain , wood-burning ones will require the skills of a stoker, and also guarantee constant concern about the condition of the ash pan, chimney, replenishment of firewood and other chores.

But electricity is much more expensive than firewood , and installing a sauna stove requires inviting a professional electrician , who can tell you that your wiring is unsuitable and needs to be replaced. (Of course, this does not always happen.)

By the way, to find out which of the stoves - 220 volts or 380 - is suitable in your case, we recommend reading this article.

Arrangement of a sauna also requires the creation of a grounding loop , and some of the work must be carried out at the construction stage - laying a mesh on the waterproofing, edging the perimeter with a steel strip to which the mesh is welded, and then connecting the structure to the zero on the panel.

A wood stove will require, at a minimum, the construction of a foundation , and at a maximum, a separate foundation. In addition, the correct installation of a chimney is also not an easy task . In the case of a remote firebox, you will also have to build a fire-resistant wall .

Thus, in no case will it be completely without difficulties , but we agree to some things easier, so the decision about which stove will be in your steam room is yours. We only advise you to read our article, which provides more food for thought about different types of sauna stoves.

And for those who are strongly inclined to purchase an electric stove for a bath , we advise you to read the article about the intricacies of its choice and this short review of electric stoves.

Model differences

The main criterion when choosing a particular design will be the type of fuel on which the device operates.

There are several classifications of heating devices: electric or wood-burning sauna, there is the option of using gas. Anyone who spends most of their free time outside the city can choose the best option for themselves and enjoy relaxing in the steam room.

People with limited free time do not like to spend it on preparing firewood or filling a gas cylinder, so the electric stove is one of the most common at the moment.

Is an electric stove suitable for a Russian bath?

We have already said that the traditions of the Russian bath are not yet forgotten in our country, so it is quite reasonable to ask whether it is possible to take a normal steam bath with an electric sauna heater?

Traditionalists , as a matter of course, will say that no, this is impossible . In fact, electric stoves were invented for saunas. And what they do best is to maintain the Finnish bath mode, that is, to dry the air and heat it to very high temperatures using high convection.

In a real Russian bath, the temperature should be lower and the humidity should be higher, and the humidity should come from good, light steam obtained from overheated stones. And those stones that lie in the open heater of the sauna stove cannot heat up to the required temperatures . If the stove is also electric, then it must be protected from excess water, which can damage the heating elements - heating elements located between the stones.

The photo shows heating elements for electric heaters, red-hot.

The problem of steam generation in a sauna with an electric heater is usually solved with the help of a steam generator - built-in or separate. We recommend that you read the article that examines this issue in detail. Here we will say that there are different types of steam generators - some produce heavy white steam, which has nothing in common with what is needed in a Russian steam room, others cope well with the task of creating finely dispersed steam - you need to find out about this at the purchase stage.

CONCLUSION! So, using an electric oven to create the conditions of a Russian bathhouse to the fullest extent is impossible, but with a good steam generator it will still be possible to steam, the main thing is to keep the temperature around 65 degrees and give more steam.

It remains to be seen which models of electric stoves for Russian baths are best suited for the task.

Help with measurements

Today, there are programs for calculating the area of ​​a room and identifying the required power of the device. You can use them or ask for help from specialists in this field. Don’t forget about windows; if they are in the room, they will definitely affect the heat exchange.

As a result of heating, much more heat will be needed than with solid walls, since the air will circulate faster. These characteristics are among the most important for achieving positive results and comfortable rest, so they should not be neglected.

Electric heater for a Russian bath: what is on the market?

Finnish steam generators are mainly designed to produce heavy steam. But Russian ones, on the contrary, are specially made for those who are looking for a compromise between the speed of preparation for procedures and the Russian steam room. Therefore, we recommend that you pay attention to domestic products if we are talking about a more or less budget option , or buy expensive Finnish models with closed heaters, which will be discussed in the next subheading.

Here are examples of Russian electric sauna heaters with steam generators:

"Teplodar"

• SteamCartridge (separate)
• SteamCity (separate)

"Polytech"

• "Christina" with ENU evaporator (from 12I to 18I)

Electric stove for a Russian bath with a closed heater - the optimal solution, limited choice

Many people know that proper steam can only be obtained in a closed heater, but this is only true for wood-burning stoves . And here's why: heating stones to high temperatures (over 400 degrees) is impossible if the stones are lying openly, with access to air.

In this case, they will heat up to 200-250 degrees from above. This means that you add water once and they will cool down, and the steam will not be of the best quality. Only stones superheated in a closed volume will produce finely dispersed steam, which is what is needed in a Russian bath.

A closed heater is placed in the firebox, closer to the fire that washes it. There is nothing like this in an electric stove - it is a bowl with heaters that convert electricity into thermal energy. Heat is transferred from the heaters to the stones.

If the heater is open, then what is said about the temperature of the upper stones applies to it. But there are also closed electric heaters. And the task that is primarily assigned to the lid in such an oven is to stop convection.

Electric heater-thermos

The fact is that the heating rate of the steam room directly depends on how quickly the stove can transfer heat to the air. If there is a constant flow through it, the process goes quickly. But in a Russian steam room, it is customary to stop convection (heat flow) in order to create a “steam cake” under the ceiling. A lid on an electric stove is a way to stop convection.

But whether it is possible to get good steam from a closed electric heater is a question of the number of stones and the power of the stove. The more powerful the furnace, the more it heats the stones. The more stones there are, the less likely it is to damage the heaters by flooding them with water.

However, a powerful stove is only suitable for a sufficiently large steam room. Therefore, the creators of electric stoves took a different route - they used electricity to convert water into steam separately from stones.

ADVICE! For those who have a small steam room, it is better to buy stoves with steam generators (combi or separate).

The best option today among electric stoves for a Russian bath with a closed heater would be the so-called “thermos” stoves, similar to the following models:

• Harvia Forte;
• Harvia Symphony;
• Helo 18 UKKOTONTTU

Warning! “Thermoses” are expensive, more than 100 thousand. However, these electric stoves are quite suitable for a Russian bath, because they allow you to get high-quality steam from the stones.

Power to area ratio

The parameters of some manufacturers may differ in quality and heating strength; these aspects should not be left to chance. It is necessary to take into account the existing room or adjust it to the selected stove.

You need to calculate the dimensions of the room in advance and build on them; the power will depend on the existing insulation of the walls and the height of the ceilings. It is not necessary to give preference to the exact number, but the approximate parameters should be equal.

Mandatory and optional components of an electric sauna stove

After the article mentioned heating elements more than once, it’s time to clarify what they are, which ones are better, and what else is included with electric stoves.

Heating elements for electric heaters

A heating element is a tubular electric heater ; it is found not only in heaters, but also in washing machines and kettles. This is a spiral in a durable shell - a tube, usually made of stainless metal.

Heating elements are relatively cheap , but at the same time they are very fragile , especially when they are in the open state, as in heaters. When laying stones, they can be damaged. Filling them with water can ruin them. And yet most manufacturers still include them in their products.

However they have an alternative:

Electric heaters with band heaters

Tape heaters have two advantages: they are stronger and more economical than their predecessors. Cost-effectiveness is expressed in the fact that, with equal power to heating elements, tape heaters heat 1.5 times more volume , and strength lies in the fact that it is much more difficult to damage them, because the heaters are located inside the ceramic tape.

Electric heater with tape heaters. Photo source

The cost of electric heaters with tape heaters may be higher, but they are still somewhere in the middle price category ; there are heaters with heating elements that are much more expensive.

Electric heater control panel

Models with two modifications are often found on sale: built-in and remote control panel . In the first case, all buttons and knobs will be located on the body, in the second - on a separate remote control.

Electric heater control panel

Standard features include temperature control, the ability to delay start up to 9 hours, and the ability to automatically turn off after a set period of time . If the heater has a steam generator , then there is humidity .

More remote controls for electric heaters

Electric sauna stove with water tank

Sometimes Internet users search online for an electric furnace with a water tank. Here we will disappoint them. When it comes to a water tank in a bathhouse , it usually means that there is no connection to a hot water supply, so you have to heat the water yourself for the needs of the washing room (we have detailed information about such stoves). However, this does not work for electric sauna stoves: yes, they also come with water tanks, but we are talking about models with steam generators that need this water to create steam. We simply didn’t find any other options!

Top 3. Sawo SCANDIA SCA-80NB-Z

Rating (2021): 4.74

Universal design A stove with the possibility of wall and floor installation and a replaceable control unit that can be moved to the other side.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 29,500 rub.

• Country: Finland
• Heated volume (cub.m): 13
• Power consumption (kW): 8
• Construction: wall/floor
• Dimensions (W/D/H): 52/51/29 cm
• Weight (kg): 27

As a rule, an electric stove is a standard design that needs to be selected for your room. But now we have the most convenient device that will fit into any bathhouse or sauna, regardless of its configuration. The device can be placed on the floor or hung on the wall. The control unit is located on the side, but if necessary, it can be easily moved to the other side. An excellent solution for universal use. There is also something to look at in terms of characteristics. The oven has a built-in steam generator and several programmed operating modes. You can splash water on the stones, but in small quantities, since the heaters are very close to the surface.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Universal design
• Replaceable control unit
• Powerful steam generator

• Heaters close to the surface
• It is necessary to protect the walls before installation

Manufacturers of electric furnaces for baths

In order not to lump everything into a heap, we have divided the manufacturers of electric stoves for baths into domestic and foreign ones. In cases where entire articles are devoted to groups or individual manufacturers, brief information is provided here.

Domestic electric heaters for baths

Among them, it is worth mentioning the company "Polytech", which produces various stoves under the general name "Christina", varying only the second part of the name. The advantages of its heaters include the relatively low cost and the presence of strip heaters, the advantages of which were discussed above.

There are other manufacturers of electric furnaces for baths who supply strip heaters - these are Ermak and Elektropech . In addition, they are found in Vesta ovens, the manufacturer of which remains unknown to us. In all cases the price is moderate .

For a more complete overview of the most popular Russian heaters, we recommend reading the article at the link provided.

Video on topic

A video that talks about two Christina stoves of different power:

Foreign electric heaters

People in Russia are most familiar with Finnish-made heaters. And they really are the majority among the products of foreign companies represented on our market.

In this regard, we devoted several articles to Finnish electric stoves: a review of different companies, which, by the way, included the Swedish Tylo, which recently merged with the Finns, as well as two articles about the most popular company in Russia, Harvia - a review of the stoves of this companies and an article to help those who want to know whether Harvia is suitable for their steam room.

Video on topic

Video about the range of electric furnaces ]SAWO[/anchor]:

In addition to the Finns, you can also find German-made electric furnaces on the market, in particular from EOS.

Electric heater EOS

A characteristic feature of EOS stoves is that the company does not rely on attractive appearance, believing that strength and reliability are attractive in themselves. Therefore, there are relatively few cheap stoves in their model range, and among the expensive ones you can find such a refinement of design thought as a mill wheel that supplies water to a red-hot metal pyramid. Well, everything here is for everyone.

Therefore, we will risk expressing our own opinion: if durability is important to the buyer, EOS electric furnaces are quite suitable for him, even in the angular design that is typical of most models. Everything else, in essence, doesn’t matter. By the way, strange-looking cylindrical models appeared at last year’s exhibitions - Zeus and Orbit, for example. But they still lack grace.

EOS electric heaters are available in floor-mounted, wall-mounted and under-counter versions . Power varies within average limits: from 2 to 12 kW. Some models are equipped with steam generators .

IMPORTANT! It is worth paying attention to the network requirements - there are models that require non-standard 400 volts.

Choice

If, nevertheless, the choice fell on an electrical appliance, then it is worth considering important criteria before purchasing and the dimensions of the electric bath. There are quite a lot of options from which you can choose a model on the market, so a scrupulous assessment and first acquaintance must be done carefully.

All stoves have both common and special characteristics; here you need to read the instructions in detail or ask a consultant for information. After checking all the properties, each owner will definitely select the most suitable model for his steam room.

Reviews

Of course, we are all tired of advertising and want information that comes directly from users. But it has long been the subject of falsification, so let’s proceed from common sense: in general, reviews of the electric heater will be positive from those who received exactly what they wanted - either a sauna stove, or that rare variety that allows you to arrange a sauna “in Russians." And if you want more detailed information, take a look at the articles that are devoted to specific models, where reviews will concern both real advantages and real disadvantages.

How to choose a stove depending on the volume of the room

When choosing a heater on the manufacturer’s website, it is recommended to look at the technical characteristics of the device. For example, there are models of stoves with a power of 9 kW, which are designed to heat 8-14 m3.

Electric heater in a small room

To calculate the power of the heater, you need to calculate the volume of the room. Furnaces equipped with heating elements heat 1 m3 with one kW, and belt furnaces heat 1.5 m3. In addition, 1 m3 is added to the calculated volume for every 1 m2 of non-thermal insulated surface, for example, if the door is made of glass, then 1.5 m3 is added. You should not take a stove whose maximum power will be equal to the calculated one, since operation at increased loads will quickly render it unusable.

Problem: the electric heater is humming

We can assume that the reason your electric heater is humming is due to an increase in air draft (this happens in chimneys). All electric furnaces have holes at the bottom for the intake of cold air, which flows to the heated stones, and from there goes upward with force. The upward movement of lighter hot air creates draft. It may be more or less, depending on the temperature difference .

Of course, the cause of the hum may also be a malfunction of the device. In this case, you should contact a specialist or service center.

Control Panel

Remote wall-mounted devices are popular, thanks to which you can regulate the steam supply and the general situation in the steam room. The device is quite convenient to use and has many functions, including pre-planned activation.

Among the models, you can easily find a suitable option and install it in your home; you can understand the functionality by opening the appropriate instructions or consulting with the manufacturer’s support service.

A heating element

To complete the equipment, special heating elements are most often used; they can be of a strip type or a combined type. The cost of such a device is not too high and it can be replaced at any time if a breakdown occurs.

It will not be possible to operate such elements for a long time, this is due to the fact that they are often subjected to mechanical stress. When purchasing an item, it would be advisable to choose models with high-quality alloy in this element.

Basic operating principles

After applying voltage to the heating element, it begins to gradually heat up. This heat is transferred to coolants in the form of special stones. They accumulate heat and then release it either to the metal body (for closed-type ovens) or directly into the steam room (for open-type ovens).

For a classic Russian bath, the second option is more suitable. There are intermediate models equipped with a lid. Such electric sauna stoves can be opened at any time, increasing the convection of heated air from the heater.

Types of construction

Some owners of private residential buildings believe that a heater is a stove made of stones. This is a wrong opinion because they are present in the design only in a certain place. Special stones are loaded into the stove so that they heat up, and when water hits them, steam is formed.

Heaters are usually built from bricks. Metal is also used. Steel options are sold ready-made. They are also manufactured according to individual drawings. Less time is spent on equipping bathhouses with metal models. Most often, the steel version is purchased ready-made and installed in the desired location.

On a note! The metal model is a sauna stove, the dimensions of which are usually smaller than the dimensions of a brick heater.

Options for metal and brick sauna stoves Source obustroeno.com

Pros and cons of a metal stove

A metal heater is made by welding. In its design, above the firebox, just like in a brick stove, there is a container for laying stones. Cast iron is not used in production, as it cracks when exposed to water. The advantages of a metal heating device include:

• a large number of ready-made options;
• low weight, usually not exceeding 50 kg;
• quick warm-up, which is usually completed in a maximum of one hour.

The disadvantages of a metal bath heating device include the possibility of installation in a building with an area of ​​no more than 25 m2. The disadvantage is also the uneven heating of the bath, an increased level of fire hazard, and rapid cooling upon completion of the combustion process.

Advantages and disadvantages of a brick stove

A brick-built heater in a bathhouse is the most popular type of heating structure. It is chosen by all those who like to take a steam bath in accordance with Russian traditions.

Brick sauna stove Source ad-cd.net

See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in the design and installation of fireplaces and stoves

The advantages of brick construction include:

• high degree of fire safety;
• maintaining heat for a long time;
• easy operation, since there is no need to add firewood during washing;
• ability to heat a large sauna;
• no contact of the special stones used with combustion products;
• uniform heating of the room.

The disadvantages of such a heater include the large size and weight of the structure. Therefore, a brick foundation for the stove must be created, and the need arises for choosing the right location for the heating device. It is determined during the design of the bath.

The downside is also the pre-heating of the heating device, which can last, for example, 5 hours. In addition, brick structures are difficult to clean and construction cannot be completed without special skills. Therefore, most people turn to specialists for help.

Professionally installed brick stove Source blogspot.com

Brick stove foundation

In order to safely use a heating brick structure in a bathhouse for a long time, a foundation for the stove is always created first. It must be carried out in the form of a separate structure if the weight of the heater is more than 700 kg. In this case, the distance between the foundation of the bathhouse and the stove should be at least 0.5 m.

To avoid mistakes, it is better to entrust the construction to a master from a specialized company. Typically, specialists perform work in the following sequence:

• Dig a pit with a depth below the freezing point of the soil, but not less than 50-70 cm.

When determining the width and length of the pit, the size of the sauna stove is taken into account. The pit around the perimeter is 10-15 cm wider than the heater. The increased size of the pit allows for free installation of the formwork.

Pit for the foundation of the stove Source sdelaikamin.ru

• Pour sand into the bottom of the hole.

The sand cushion is watered to compact the layer. Then sand is added so that its thickness at the bottom of the pit is 15 cm.

• Pour broken bricks onto a compacted sand layer. Stones are also used.

The second layer is also compacted. To eliminate the free space between the stones, sand is used, which is compacted with water. Typically the thickness of the 2nd compacted layer is 25 cm.

• Fill in crushed stone and compact the third layer.
• Install the formwork.

4 cm thick boards are used for the box. When determining its internal dimensions, the width and length of the furnace foundation are taken into account. The upper edge of the wooden box is placed at the level of the subfloor of the bathhouse. The formwork is securely fixed in the pit.

• Install the reinforcement frame inside the box.

The distance between it and the formwork walls is usually 5 cm.

• Concreting is carried out.

The poured solution is compacted using steel reinforcement. A wooden block is rarely used. The concrete surface that has not yet hardened is leveled along the edge of the formwork.

Poured and leveled foundation Source fishki.net

After the solution has cured, the formwork is removed. The concrete surface is covered with tar in two layers. Then the free space between the concreted area and the walls of the pit is filled with gravel or sand. Then the foundation for the sauna stove is covered with polyethylene. It is left in this state for a week.

Power supply type: 220 or 380 volts

For a small bathhouse, an electric heater with a 220 V power supply is suitable. You can connect and install such a stove yourself. Of course, it is better to call an electrician to check the wiring.

More powerful models are designed for a voltage of 380 V. It is better to call a specialist to connect them. Proper grounding is especially important here. There should be no phase imbalance, voltage drop, etc.

There are also stoves that can operate on both types of networks. If possible, it is better to connect them to 380 V.

Briefly about the main thing

Before calculating a stove for a bath, you need to decide on the type of structure. After all, it can be with an open or closed heater, completely metal or lined with refractory bricks. In this case, it is necessary to provide for high thermal performance, tightness and long-term heat retention by the stove.

Metal heaters are available for purchase in finished form. They weigh less than brick ovens. At the same time, steel structures heat up faster, but they heat the bath unevenly. Brick heaters are built on a foundation.

Regardless of the type, the stove in the bathhouse must provide heating to all rooms. Its design includes a firebox and an ash pan. Often the wall with their doors is located in the dressing room.

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