Finnish sauna stoves: TOP 11 best models and brands for your steam room

A mandatory attribute of the steam room is a stove. The comfort of bath procedures and the indoor microclimate largely depend on the installed equipment. Moreover, it is necessary to determine the type of structure and its location at the design stage of the structure.

Finnish sauna stoves

TOP 5 best Finnish manufacturers of sauna stoves

About the manufacturer:

It is called "PetrozavodskMash - TNP". He has been making iron casting for fifty years, and he began casting furnaces thirty years ago. I’m talking about this because cast iron, as a material for a bathhouse, is excellent. However, without experience and professionalism, the result is something awkwardly short-lived. By the way, the abbreviation “ATB” is an old name, but many people remember it and remember it only with positive emotions. The plant is located in the Republic of Karelia. Hence the name of their products...

Purpose

The stove can perform different functions depending on the type of room in which they are installed.

Wood-burning Finnish sauna stove

Sauna stoves

In such steam rooms, the stove must be able to heat the air in a short period. This does not produce steam. The sauna maintains a high temperature exceeding 100 degrees (sometimes it even reaches 140...150 degrees). At this temperature, the air in the room is very dry. Its humidity is in the range of 5...15%. It is the combination of high temperatures and low humidity that allows the human body to easily tolerate such conditions and benefit from it.

Sauna stove

In saunas you can hardly find massive stoves with the heart hidden from view - the stones. Today, as a rule, they are equipped with electrical structures with an open compartment in which stones are buried.

The main purpose of a sauna stove is to quickly heat the room to the desired temperature and maintain it for a long time. But you won’t be able to see how the flames embrace the stones or smell the aroma of burning wood.

The oven should quickly heat the room to the desired temperature

Important! Exposure to dry air can be negative. The upper respiratory tract and mucous membranes are especially affected.

Bath stoves

The bathhouse creates completely different conditions. It maintains a temperature no higher than 90 degrees. You should not raise it higher, otherwise it will become impossible to stay in the steam room. At the same time, air humidity is approximately 60%. This mode is not suitable for many, so the temperature drops to 60 degrees and the humidity level to 40...50%. The thermal conductivity of such air masses is much higher, which ensures deeper heating.

Bath stove

The stones in the bathhouse are usually closed. The compartment where they are located is located directly above the firebox and can only be opened to add water to the stones. But in Finnish stoves a pipe with a metal watering can is used for this. In a sauna stove, stones can retain heat much longer than in an open structure. And the steam generated when water hits the stones is light and fills the entire surrounding space. It gives the impression of hot, but not scalding air.

Equipment from Finnish manufacturers provides for steam exhaust through a special chimney. The temperature inside the oven can reach up to 600 degrees. The casing helps protect against burns. The oven itself is massive and highly powerful. Sometimes the steam room does not contain the entire stove structure, but rather it is heated in the dressing room.

The purpose of the hot water tank in the bathhouse

Where can I buy it?

Prices for Finnish stoves are very expensive, so the issue of purchasing such units must be taken with full responsibility. There are several options for searching for sellers and stoves:

• you can order equipment in online stores;
• order delivery from an official dealer of manufacturers;
• will go to a specialty store.

But everywhere it is important to make sure of the reliability of the seller and only after that order the product. Go to the bathhouse lovers forum and ask where is the best place to buy a stove.

Read reviews about the work of online and online stores and be sure to check the entire set of documents from sellers. This is the only way you can protect yourself from scammers and get reliable, durable and economical equipment from Finnish sauna stove manufacturers.

Fuel type

The operating principle of the equipment may vary.

1. Wood-burning structures can be heated not only with wood, but also with other types of solid fuel. They are economical and heat up the room quickly. Such stoves are more traditional: it is pleasant to be in a room where you can hear the crackling of firewood and the air is filled with a pleasant aroma.

   
   Wood-burning stove for a sauna

2. Electric ovens are connected to the outlet. They are characterized by greater fire safety, compactness, ease of operation and the ability to adjust the operating mode. The air with such units warms up very quickly. Most often, electric furnaces are installed in saunas or in rooms where it is not possible to install a chimney. But working heating elements change the ionization of the air, which becomes less healthy.

   
   Electric sauna stove

3. Not so common stoves using gas as fuel. Combination models are also available that can operate on both wood and gas.

   
   Gas sauna stoves are gaining popularity

The ideal option for a stove installed in a steam room is a wood-burning design. In this segment, products from Finnish factories enjoy deserved popularity.

Disadvantages of electric heaters

Advantages and disadvantages

Compared to other types of stoves, Finnish wood-burning products have a number of advantages:

• high-quality assembly;
• use of the best materials in production;
• multifunctionality;
• use of environmentally friendly fuel;
• maintaining normal humidity levels;
• high efficiency;
• guarantee of long service life.

Finnish wood stoves also have disadvantages:

• slow heating of the room;
• the need to arrange a foundation;
• high cost of the product.

Popular Finnish brands

The products of several companies with extensive experience in the production of bath stoves are most in demand.

No. 5. Tulikivi

There are not many models in the line of this manufacturer, but they stand out due to their characteristics and design. All stoves are lined with natural stone, which not only significantly increases their aesthetics, but also allows you to create very light steam. The designs are safe: the risk of getting burned when touching the equipment is minimized. The stove does not emit harmful substances into the air. But not everyone will be able to purchase these devices due to the high cost.

Tulikivi

Prices for sauna stoves Tulikivi

sauna stoves Tulikivi

No. 4. Kastor

The company has been producing stoves for about 70 years. During this period, a large number of units with different characteristics were developed.

Kastor

For the production of equipment, heat-resistant steel with a thickness of 5...8 mm is used. Its efficiency exceeds 70%. The furnaces are equipped with filtration and ventilation systems. They have a well-thought-out design that ensures heat retention and protects a person from burns.

Prices for sauna stoves Kastor

sauna stoves Kastor

No. 3. Harvia

The equipment of this brand, which has 60 years of experience in producing wood-burning stoves, can be used without interruption. It is reliable, safe and durable.

Harvia

The firebox is made from heat-resistant steel or cast iron; the door is made of glass resistant to high temperatures. Two independent firewood combustion channels help improve the efficiency of the equipment. The manufacturer has thought out a CO emission system, the level of which is reduced to a minimum.

The stoves are equipped with chimneys and water heating tanks made of heat-resistant material.

Prices for sauna stoves Harvia

sauna stoves Harvia

No. 2. Narvi

The company has no factories outside of Finland. All products are manufactured in this country. Narvi stoves are highly reliable. They are made from durable steel with an enamel protective coating. The equipment is quite simple to operate and maintain. It works for many years.

Narvi

Prices for sauna stoves Narvi

sauna stoves Narvi

No. 1. Helo

Wood burning units from Helo are economical. To heat the air to 80 degrees, one hour and a couple of stacks of logs are enough. After this, the heater is able to maintain the temperature for several more hours. The stoves are made in a classic design. The brand offers a wide range of stoves, their prices are quite affordable.

Helo

It is worth noting that a little over 10 years ago, Helo and Kastor companies merged and since then, products under these brands have been produced at the same production sites.

Prices for Helo sauna stoves

sauna stoves Helo

Video - Testing sauna stoves. Bonfire, Vira, Harvia

Operating rules

There are many options for lighting sauna stoves, and any of them depends on the design of the chimney, the ventilation scheme and other indicators.

In any case, you should not heat the unit to the maximum, as this will not improve the quality of the steam and will shorten its service life.

You need to find the optimal method specifically for your model and strictly follow the instructions.

General rules for lighting Harvia stoves:

1. First of all, you need to light the stove with finely chopped wood. To do this, open the heater and chimney as much as possible.
2. After the firebox has burned out, you need to fill it no more than 60% of the total volume.
3. If you leave a little empty space above the stack of firewood, combustion will be quick and complete.
4. The gap for placing raw materials in the firebox depends on its quality, size and humidity, as well as on the design. On average, the interval is about half an hour, but it is better to add firewood when the fire has gone out and only coals remain in the heater.

Why do the facing panels on the wall next to the heater quickly darken?

Check that all safety distance requirements are met. If yes, check the placement of stones in the heater. If the stones are packed too tightly, or have become compacted over time due to an irregular shape, there may be insufficient air circulation inside. This can cause the main elements to overheat, especially when using an electric heater.

When heating the heater, an unpleasant odor occurs. What is the reason and how to fix it?

If the heater is new, it may still have protective agents that were applied during the manufacturing process. Warm up the heater for the first time in a well-ventilated area. An overheated heater can intensify odors mixed in the air: paint, glue, finishing materials. They are not caused by the steam room or heater itself.

The heater warms up normally, but produces strange sounds, similar to blows. What is this connected with?

Intermittent impacts are usually caused by rocks breaking apart due to high temperatures. Thermal expansion of heater parts can cause similar sounds when it heats up.

There is no draft in the chimney; smoke enters the bathhouse. What is the reason and how to fix it?

There may be several reasons. 1. The ash pan is filled with soot, which makes it difficult for air to circulate inside the oven. Clean the ash pan. 2. There are leaks in the chimney pipe. Seal the pipe. 2. 3. The stove chimney channels are clogged with soot. Clean the chimneys through the furnace cleaning holes.

Choosing a Finnish wood-burning stove for a sauna

Stoves from Finnish manufacturers can be considered synonymous with quality. These units combine traditional solutions and the latest technologies. The production uses metal that has good thermal conductivity. The stoves produce soft heat that lasts for a long time. This increases the efficiency of the equipment and its cost-effectiveness.

Stoves provide gentle heat

One of the main aspects that Finnish engineers pay attention to is the safety of furnaces and their environmental friendliness. High-quality materials and fuel combustion technologies are used.

The equipment is characterized by a long service life. Their minimum service life (if used correctly) is at least 10 years. Among other things, Finnish equipment has an attractive appearance.

Original design of a Finnish stove

The operating principle of a Finnish stove (most models) looks like this.

1. The combustion chamber is made of heat-resistant steel (cast iron fireboxes are not often found in Finnish stoves) with a thickness of 4...10 mm. For stoves from Finland, it is located in the lower part of the body. Firewood is placed in it and ignited. Above this compartment there is a blower. The firebox door is usually made of heat-resistant glass, which makes it possible to observe the combustion. Burning wood produces heat.
2. Thermal energy rushes upward. Typically, Finnish units are equipped with two independent fuel combustion channels. Stones placed in a heater that holds 20...110 kg are heated.
3. The chimney, located in the center of the stove, additionally heats the stones.
4. Water is poured into the heater through a special funnel.
5. The steam, passing through a pile of stones, dries and enters the steam room in the form familiar to a Russian bath.
6. To be able to splash herbal infusion on the stones, the heater usually has a door.
7. Some models are equipped with a tank for heating water, which is mounted on the chimney or on the side of the unit. Often the firebox is remote, then the steam room is heated from the next room.

Not all models have a water tank

Some models of Narvi stoves
Having decided to purchase products from Finnish manufacturers, it is useful to have an idea of ​​the important characteristics that you need to pay attention to.

What are the benefits of modern metal stoves?

1. The thermal power of the devices is of decisive importance . For wood-burning equipment, it depends on the capacity of the heater (the mass of stones placed there determines the amount of heat and steam released). There is a simple rule: for heating 1 cubic meter. m steam room requires about 1 kW of power. You should not purchase a unit with a large performance margin. This is fraught not only with unnecessary costs, but also with possible deformations of the cladding. A unit that is less powerful than required will not last long (you will have to increase the load, constantly maintaining the fire) and will not be able to provide the conditions necessary for staying in the steam room. Typically, manufacturers indicate the performance of the furnace when operating under ideal conditions (the room must be well insulated, heat loss must be minimized). However, as a rule, a small reserve of power should be provided in case not all the heat remains in the steam room.
2. Preference should be given to products from a company whose quality has been tested by time .
3. The presence of a water tank allows you to obtain hot water for the needs of those in the bathhouse.
4. A remote firebox helps save space in the steam room and create comfortable conditions in the adjacent room.
5. Grate , which protects the bottoms from temperature influences and is necessary for removing ash, must be made of heat-resistant steel or cast iron.

How to choose a Finnish stove for a bath
The products of Finnish stove masters are distinguished by their performance properties and attractive design. Despite the fact that domestic manufacturers try to develop analogues, they do not always manage to achieve similar characteristics.

Video - Finnish sauna stoves Aito AK

The lineup

The Harvia company's product range includes wood-burning and electric stoves of different model lines.

The following are most suitable for home use:

Delta are compact, weighing no more than 10 kg, triangular-shaped ovens for placement in a corner, which is very convenient for saving space in small rooms.

Sound – models of bold design. The range includes stoves with casings in three colors - black, platinum and steel. The line's ovens are medium-sized, their weight is about 15 kg.

Compact – the line consists of 2 models and is designed for small saunas and steam rooms.

Classic is one of the most popular lines. It is presented in two models of wall mounting, which are designed for steam rooms for 5-13 people. Devices with a maximally open design and a large heater volume.

Why cast iron is the most suitable material for sauna stoves

Because it provides:

Comfortable warmth

The comfort indicator is determined by the wavelength of the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation. The longer it is, the more pleasant the emanating heat is for a person. I’ll say it differently: for example, a steel stove heated to the same temperature will create more “harsh” thermal radiation, which is less beneficial to the body. Even simpler: a cast iron stove “burns” less oxygen in the steam room. Therefore, some manufacturers of steel products are trying to equip their furnaces with so-called screens that reduce acute heat.

Durability of use

This is a particularly strong point in relation to steel and brick stoves. Cast iron has higher corrosion resistance than carbon steel. Therefore, he has more time to burn out. According to experts, the service life of a cast iron stove is approximately 1.5-2 times longer than a steel one. In addition, cast iron is much less susceptible to expansion caused by high temperatures. Accordingly, there is less deformation during the process. In other words, “the parts keep their factory shape.”

Speaking about brick “brothers”, their durability is within 7 years, since any brick crumbles and cracks over time. Somewhere earlier, somewhere later. And to restore brickwork, a specialist is required.

For information: the passport of the Karelia ATB furnace states: the minimum service life, subject to operation of 170 hours per year (that is, ≈ 3-3.5 hours per week), will be 15 years. By the way, many stoves produced by the plant in the late 80s still heat well. And the factory warranty for a cast iron Petrozavodsk stove is 30 months (in contrast to factory steel ones, which are guaranteed for 12 months).

Unfortunately, there is no 100% protection against ignorance. This is why stove manufacturers curse when they are told about problems that arose during the warranty. Many of these problems are caused by the buyer's failure to comply with basic operating rules.

Regarding such an indicator as the rate of heat accumulation, I will inform you: a cast-iron stove is slightly inferior in heating time to a steel stove, but superior to a brick one. If we talk about cooling, the opposite is true: steel takes longer to cool, but faster than brick. I think you know this yourself.

There are other advantages, however, I do not consider them significant.