Choosing the best stoves for a Russian bath: models with a closed heater and rating the best stoves

Despite the fact that we ourselves do not consider iron stoves a good option for creating the conditions of a real “Russian-style bathhouse,” nevertheless, this is the type of stove that most owners of personal country baths can afford. And not all owners are fans of traditional conditions, so they are quite happy with everything that is in the gap between a real Russian and a real Finnish bathhouse. Based on this, we decided to look at what suitable stoves are on the market today and, together with you, create an adequate rating that will help other readers decide on the choice of a stove for a Russian bath in the sense in which it is understood by the majority (about those for a sauna , see here).

Which sauna stove to choose, which one is better?

To begin with, it would be worth getting acquainted with the conditions that the stove we need should create. But you can read about this in our other article. Be sure to read it to get an idea of ​​what means you have to create the desired microclimate .

However, here we proceed from the fact that when asking the question: “Which stove is best for a Russian bath?”, you are still
inclined to purchase a metal one . And after reading that article, you know that you will need a stove:

• with closed heater;
• possibly direct heating;
• lined with stone or brick (or entirely made of brick);
• made of cast iron or chrome steel.

These, in brief, are the parameters of the best stoves for a Russian bath . Non-ideal metal ones can be improved by a brick casing and a well-thought-out ventilation system stop all convection flows in the steam room for a while

Let's take a closer look at the options that can be purchased on the Russian market today.
We selected stoves for the Russian bath with a closed heater, because they are responsible for the correct steam. The creators themselves intend some of the models for lining with brick or natural stone, others have a cylindrical shape, which, however, is also suitable for lining with brick, and this is important, because without it we will not get controlled convection. It is worth familiarizing yourself with the following materials: about the designs, types, sizes of stoves and which one is better.

What is the difference between open and closed stoves?

The closed type design has its own characteristics, in which the stones are located inside the furnace, the elements are heated from the firebox, and the heat passes through the walls of the device.

The cobblestones are folded inside the device; heating them will take a little longer, but safety in use is at a high level, because the components do not come into contact with the air in the room, making it possible to organize long bath procedures.

If we consider an open type model, the difference can be noticed immediately; the elements heat up to 400-700 degrees. Heating speed and ease of operation are the main trump cards of this type of heater.

But the steam produced is more harsh; in some situations it can lead to burning of the respiratory tract; this nuance must be taken into account. The components are located in close proximity to the fire; as soon as the firebox goes out, they cool down very quickly because they come into contact with air.

Select from popular models

"Anapa"

Anapa stove. Photo EasySteam

It is made by the company Izistim. Material: heat-resistant stainless steel , 4-6 mm thick, bent-welded design. The internal heater holds 55 kg of stones. The firebox is remote. Door made of cast iron and glass. Power 30 kW, heats a volume of 8-16 cubic meters. It reaches the mode: in winter in 110 minutes, in summer - in 80. It is possible to finish it with brick or buy it together with a casing made of stone - soapstone or coil. Additionally, you can order the lining of the firebox with fireclay. Find out more about the model >>>.

The company is improving its products: if previously many people had a welded heat exchanger fall off, now it is not welded at all - it is kept “leaning” against it. Read more about heat exchangers in furnaces here.

"Angara 2012", "Taimyr"

Stoves.

Construction of the Angara-2012 furnace. Photo Termofor

“Angara 2012” (Inox and Carbon - stainless steel and structural steel) has two heaters - open and closed. The closed one produces finely dispersed steam, the open one steams the broom. The furnace material is heat-resistant low-alloy steel with a chromium content of 16% . The heat exchanger inside the firebox quickly heats up the water. The company guarantees the integrity of all welds and connections for 3 years. The volume of the steam room for which the “Angara” is designed is 8-18 cubic meters.

Construction of the Taimyr 2021 furnace. Photo Termofor

"Taimyr" (Inox and Carbon) is a modification of "Angara 2012", which the creators converted to natural gas . You can choose a cheaper model made from 4 mm Carbon structural steel (which will burn out) or from 2 mm stainless steel with Inox chrome. Gas equipment must be purchased separately. Manufacturer's warranty - 1 year. You can learn more about the use of gas in this article.

"Vesuvius Russian steam"

Construction of the Vesuvius Russian steam furnace. Vesuvius Photos

Oven from the same manufacturer. Available in three versions, differing only in the type of door. Firebox material: 8 mm structural steel . Has a mesh casing for stones.

The company itself positions the stove as suitable for both a Russian bath and a sauna. In reality, you get finely dispersed steam, but also a superheated steam room, because the mesh with stones guarantees uncontrolled convection. Read more about steam room stoves here.

In our opinion , “Vesuvius Russian Steam” is an ordinary sauna stove, to which they added a closed heater, forgetting that it’s not just about it . Well, structural steel is not the best option.

"Hephaestus ZK"

Hephaestus stove PB-04 M 3K. Photo TechnoLit

Manufacturer: Techno Lit (Hephaestus) company. The abbreviation in the name means “closed heater” (see characteristics using the example of the PB-04M ZK model). Massive cast iron stove with remote firebox (combustion chamber thickness - 60 mm ). For a sauna it is suitable in a mesh casing, but for a Russian bath the option in soapstone is better . The outlet part of the chimney is also made of cast iron - this made it more durable. The temperature inside the stove can rise to 750 degrees, but in the chimney it will not be more than 300. About installation with a remote firebox here.

The main advantage is durability . It is also worth mentioning the high efficiency - 87%.

"Zhikhorka" and "Cinderella"

Sauna stove Zhikharka. Photo Zhar Gorynych

. Structurally identical, they differ only in the volume of serviced premises. “Cinderella” is more powerful - it is designed for 20-60 cubic meters of volume (“Zhikharka” - 10-30 cubic meters). Material at the customer's choice: low-alloy steel 09G2S or stainless steel 12Х18Н10Т (chrome content 17-19%) . In general, Vasyukhin stoves are made according to the conditions and wishes of a specific customer, including fuel - there are wood, gas and electric options. All this is not cheap. Vasyukhin uses cast iron or stainless steel as a bookmark.

By the way! A regime similar to that of a Russian bath can be created using an electric oven with a steam generator.

Advantages and disadvantages : there are ample opportunities to make a stove “for yourself,” but the price is such that a brick one will be cheaper.

"Emelyanich"

A stove made by " Dionysus " with a closed heater and a built-in tank for heating water for 60 liters. The manufacturer does not indicate the metal, only the thickness of the firebox walls is 8 mm. The price of the stove excludes the use of stainless steel, and the wall thickness excludes cast iron. What remains is structural steel, which is quite reasonable for the price. The oven is designed for 8-18 cubic meters, the filling weight is 80 kg. Warranty - 5 years.

"Karelia 4"

Photo source

. Batch oven made of cast iron, cylindrical in shape. The firebox is not portable. A closed heater is not located in the combustion chamber, but on the chimney, heating up from the stove gases.

Pros : cast iron - the manufacturer promises at least 15 years of operation. A 75-liter water tank is good if there is no hot water supply.

Cons : the firebox inside the steam room burns out oxygen, the steam with the smell of smoke is not for everyone.

“Kalita Russian Steam”, “Sudarushka Prima”, “Enchantress Russian Steam”

Cast iron and steel stoves with closed heaters, produced by Inzhkomtsentr VVD .

Stove Kalita Russian steam. Photo Inzhkomtsentr VVD

“Kalita Russian steam” in stone cladding made of soapstone or coil. Will heat from 18 to 34 cubic meters of volume. It has a closed heater for 120-130 kg of stones with doors facing up, and an external firebox. The stove material is heat-resistant cast iron . The stove is expensive, in particular because of the lining, which is 4 cm thick and weighs 180 kg.

Sudarushka Prima oven. Photo Inzhkomtsentr VVD

“Sudarushka Prima” is also in stone cladding. Designed for a smaller volume - up to 18 cubic meters. Stones for steam generation - 90 kg. It has an external firebox with a glass screen (you can see about using the screen in the articles about portals and fireplaces). The weight of the cladding is significantly greater than that of Kalita Russian Steam - 270 kg. Convection control is carried out using a cast iron ceiling. Can be used in sauna and Russian bath mode.

Furnace Enchantress Russian steam. Photo Inzhkomtsentr VVD

“Enchantress Russian Steam” is a steel stove made of heat-resistant steel AISI 439 . The mass of stones in a closed heater is 120 kg. Enough for several visits. Exterior finishing is either stone or fireclay brick. The volume of the room is 18-30 cubic meters.

“Steam Classics”, “Steam Baby”, “Steam Harmony”

Classic steam oven. Feringer Photos

. The three furnaces differ only in the power and volume of heated rooms. So “Malyutka” is designed for a volume of up to 16 cubic meters, “Classic” - up to 23, and “Harmony” - up to 30. All have a closed heater. The stoves have a rounded triangular shape in the upper projection. The weight of the stone for steam generation is 75-90-130 kg. Power 16-20-25 kW. The manufacturer claims that its stoves are suitable not only for Russian baths and saunas, but also for Turkish hammam. The body material is structural steel, the fireboxes are heat-resistant stainless steel AISI 439, 3 mm thick.

"Kuban", "Laguna"

Ovens.

Construction of the Kuban-20 L furnace. Photo Teplodar

“Kuban” is a steel stove made of stainless steel (13-17% chromium) , designed for 10-20 cubic meters of steam room. A closed heater can hold up to 40 kg of stones ; water enters it through a dispenser. There is an open heater on top. The firebox is made in such a way that there is no metal lead.

Photo from the website - the removable door of a closed heater is directed upward, the heater itself is part of a smoke removal system that heats the stones to 600 degrees. Water is supplied using a steam gun. An exclusive feature is the viewing glass into the combustion chamber, located in the steam room, while the firebox itself is located in the adjacent room. The disadvantages include the fact that the stove material is structural steel ; the Laguna varieties are more expensive and have a thickness of 5 mm.

Kutkin 1.0, 1.5, 2.0

Oven Standard 1.0. Kutkin Photos

All three stoves are identical in design and are made of stainless steel, finished with a coil or other stone. Differences between stoves in size, weight and serviced volume of premises:

1.0 - weighs 48 kg, is designed for 10 cubic meters of volume, holds up to 50 kg of stones;

1.5 - weighs 54 kg, heats 15-18 cubic meters, lays up to 70 kg of stones;

2.0 - weighs 60 kg, room volume - 20-25 cubic meters, up to 90 kg of stones can be placed in the heater.

Instead of firewood, gas can be used as fuel.

"Slavyanka Russian Steam", "Firebird Russian Steam"

Ovens.

Oven Slavyanka Russian steam. Svarozhich Photos

“Slavyanka Russian Steam” is a cast iron stove with a stone lining , designed for a volume of up to 18 cubic meters. Power - 7 kW. The mass of the stone filling is 40 kg (of course, this is not enough). The firebox is remote. The thickness of the facing stone is 4 cm.

Firebird stove Russian steam in a coil. Svarozhich Photos

“Firebird Russian Steam” is another cast iron stove in stone , capable of heating up to 35 cubic meters of volume. The heater is cast iron, covered with a steel box. Stone laying weight up to 140 kg. The thickness of the stone lining is 5 cm. Thermal power is up to 15 kW. Warranty - 5 years.

"Troika-06M2"

Furnace Troika-06M2. Troika Photos

A massive cast iron stove with a brick lining . Power - 20 kW, steam room volume - from 8 to 16 cubic meters. The firebox is not made of cast iron, but of low-alloy steel 10 mm thick. The weight of stones in a closed heater is 90 kg. The delivery set includes a steam gun. Additionally, you can purchase heat exchangers for the tank and heating of adjacent rooms, tanks, chimneys, etc. By the way, as for the Troika stove for the Russian bath 06M2, user reviews about it are mostly positive.

"Hangar", "Etna"

These are two series of stoves with a closed heater. For the average consumer, the “Light” and “Medium” categories are of interest, that is, stoves for family and guest baths.

Hangar oven series Medium. Teklar Photos

“Khangar” is a series of identical designs that differ in power. “Light” is designed for a steam room of up to 16 cubic meters, “Medium” - up to 33. The first is loaded with 40 kg of stones, the second - up to 120 kg. All stoves are made of AISI 430 stainless steel with a chromium content of at least 17% , and 4 mm thick. The inner heater does not come into contact with the walls of the stove and is surrounded by flame on 5 sides.

A brick or stone screen is required(!).

Etna stove for steam rooms up to 33 m3. Teklar Photos

“Etna” - there is no “Easy” category here, only “Medium” and above. In the “Medium” line there are two models - B305 and B306. The material is the same as that of "Khangar". Both have two combustion chambers. Stones for steam generation - 80 and 100 kg. The volumes of the steam rooms are 26 and 33 cubic meters. The firebox is remote for both models. Supported modes: Russian bath, sauna, drying.

Harvia Classic 280 TOP

Heater Harvia Classic 280 Top. Harvia Photos

Manufacturer: Finnish company Harvia (learn more about the company's products). The heater is a closed type, located on top and has a hinged lid. It is assumed that when closed, the stove provides a Russian bath mode. The weight of loaded stones is 60 kg. Room volume from 10 to 26 cubic meters. The manufacturer does not indicate the brand, but claims that the material is stainless steel, the thickness of the upper wall of the firebox is 6 mm.

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By the way, you and I can create our own rating of sauna stoves for a Russian bath, which will include the stoves that you really like. For our part, we will list the most suitable stoves, and you will vote for your favorite (or favorites)

Rating of the TOP 10 best cast iron stoves for baths 2020-2021

More information

You may also find the following materials about stoves useful:

• Inexpensive;
• Installation;
• Installation of metal;
• Installation in a steam room;
• Cast iron with closed heater;
• The best are cast iron.

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Well, we dare to hope that through joint efforts we will find the objectively best stoves for a Russian bath and help everyone who is still deciding on their choice.

Types of cast iron stoves for baths

Experts identify several classifications of cast iron stoves:

• By type of fuel used - wood, coal, combined.
• By design - with a remote firebox, with a built-in firebox.
• By type of heater - with an open or closed heater. Opening the heater produces dry steam, closed heaters produce wet steam.
• According to the presence of a water tank - with or without a tank. Stoves with a tank are very practical; there are both mounted or mounted, as well as built-in options.

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

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

Useful tips

When choosing a stove for a bath, it is important to take into account not only the basic selection criteria, but also the recommendations of specialists. Pay attention to 7 useful tips from professionals that will help you avoid making mistakes when purchasing:

1. Choose stoves with thick walls. This will ensure long-term heating of the room and economical fuel consumption: wood, gas or electricity.
2. Stock up on power. Choose models with a little more power than you need. This will make up for heat losses (about 7-10% of the bath area);
3. Tank for heating water. The water tank is selected depending on the number of family members planning to use the sauna, at the rate of 10 liters per person.
4. Check the mass of the stones. Always pay attention to how many stones you can load into the heater. The optimal value for a medium-sized bathhouse is 35-150 kg.
5. Decide on the type of door. It can be equipped with a heat-resistant glass insert so that you can control the fire and, if necessary, immediately add firewood;
6. Don't forget about tightness. Always pay attention to the maximum temperature that the structure can withstand.

Modern sauna stoves come in a variety of designs, shapes and colors, so when choosing, do not forget to take into account the style in which the interior of your sauna is made.

Top 4. Varvara Kamenka

Rating (2021): 4.66

• Characteristics

  Average price: 29,200 rub.

• 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

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 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

Advantages and disadvantages

Cast iron stoves are considered the standard. They are much more practical than stone, steel and other units. This is due to the optimal composition, design features and build quality.

Advantages:

• simple installation;
• cheap fuel (firewood);
• compact dimensions - usually the stoves are small, so they can be installed even in a small room;
• installation does not need to be coordinated with interested organizations, unlike gas boilers;
• the oven reaches the desired temperature much faster compared to electric and gas appliances;
• the housing is highly sealed;
• products are resistant to high temperatures (steel deforms over time);
• the water in the tank remains hot for up to 4 hours;
• service life is more than 30 years, which is not typical for stoves made of other materials.

Flaws:

• you need a stronger foundation than when installing a steel stove;
• unlike an electric boiler, it is necessary to make a chimney;
• despite the massiveness, the material is fragile, so you need to be careful when installing;
• the price of cast iron stoves is higher compared to steel and other units;
• Sudden cooling is not allowed, otherwise the cast iron will crack.

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