TOP 20 best stoves for a bath: 2021 rating and which one to choose with a closed heater for a Russian bath

A sauna stove is a modified heating stove; in addition to the main body and firebox, there is a steam generator, which is considered the main feature of such devices.
Below we will look at how to choose a stove for a sauna, what parameters to consider in 2021, and which models in terms of price/quality ratio to look at first.

The rating takes into account not only the technical characteristics, but also the strengths and weaknesses of each product.

Rating of the TOP 20 best stoves for baths in 2021

Questions and answers

The selection and operation of a gas stove for a bath requires experience and skills in operating such equipment. At first, a lot of questions arise, and most of them are the same. It is easier to answer them immediately to eliminate the risk of errors.

Which gas stove burner should you prefer during the selection process?

There are many options here. First of all, you should not be guided by the name of the manufacturer - you need to pay attention to the design of the device and consider how it is installed. The burner flame should not touch the metal of the body or firebox - this will cause rapid burnout and failure of the stove. The best option would be a micro-flare burner, the efficiency of which is in no way inferior to conventional models, but there is practically no danger of burning through the walls of the furnace.

What is more convenient, atmospheric or closed (pressurized) burner design?

Atmospheric structures can be used if the volume of the room exceeds 12 m3. In addition, they are highly dependent on external conditions, require stable draft and are often capricious due to drafts. However, if normal conditions are created for them, the furnace operates stably and does not require electricity. Closed burners require power supply (ventilation, control, control of the combustion process). At the same time, they have much less danger of self-extinguishing.

How to choose the furnace power?

The power of a gas furnace must be calculated. This is a difficult procedure, requiring calculation of the volume of premises, adjustments for the size and number of windows, finishing materials, etc. Independent calculation is difficult, but you can use an online calculator (there are many of them on the Internet, you can use several resources to clarify the results). You can do it simpler and calculate the furnace power based on the ratio of 1 kW per 1 m3. However, this method will give too approximate (and possibly erroneous) results.

What is the fuel consumption of a gas furnace?

This parameter is individual for each model. Average indicators here provide too little useful information, since gas consumption depends not only on the size or configuration of the premises. Here it is necessary to take into account the combustion mode, water heating losses and other specific features. However, for orientation, we can proceed from average values ​​- a 10 kW furnace in average mode consumes 0.85 m3 of liquefied gas or 1 m3 of natural gas per hour of operation.

What is better, to choose an imported or domestic gas stove?

Imported stoves are expensive. In addition, they are too dependent on the quality and pressure of the fuel, the stability of the power supply, grounding and other technical details. Therefore, it is more profitable and correct to purchase an unpretentious and inexpensive gas stove of domestic production.

How often should furnace maintenance be done?

This depends on the load, device parameters, its design and operating conditions. The frequency of maintenance is indicated in the device passport. It is not recommended to ignore the manufacturers' instructions. If exact data is not available, prophylaxis should be carried out once a year. To do this, you should call a technician from the service center or a gas service technician.

How to choose a stove for a sauna?

When choosing a sauna stove, experts recommend first studying the main parameters:

1. What kind of steam room do you want ? For Russian, the temperature ranges from +45...+60 degrees, with humidity from 60 to 95 percent, so a closed heater is recommended in this case. For Finnish, the indicators are different: +70...+110 degrees and humidity 10-15 percent, and here an open heater and a convector casing are used.
2. Type of food . There are wood, gas and electric. The first ones are simple in design, fill the steam room with a pleasant woody smell, but require decent reserves of fuel. The latter run on gas, are easy to use, do not require regular cleaning, and it is possible to adjust the temperature. Electric ones are used in Finnish saunas; they are compact, quickly heat up the steam room, but have a good appetite.
3. Is it possible to heat from an adjacent room ? To do this, you need an external combustion tunnel, which is relevant for large rooms.
4. Is there a built-in heat exchanger ? It is necessary to heat the water in the tank so that the owner of the stove does not run to another room with a ladle.

Criterias of choice

Choosing a gas furnace is a responsible task that requires preliminary calculations and knowledge of design features.

The selection criteria are usually:

furnace power

It is necessary to first calculate the required power, taking into account the volume of the room, correction factors for decoration, windows, number of rooms (compartments), etc. The power is selected based on the volume (on sale it is usually indicated for which rooms a particular model is suitable);

burner type

Manufacturers claim that the best option is a supercharged design. However, it has a lot of features that complicate operation. In particular, high-quality grounding and a voltage stabilizer are required. Therefore, atmospheric burners are more often chosen - they are unpretentious and only need stable draft;

water heating method

Double heating is preferable (in a container and in a flow-through method), but here they are guided by their own needs and considerations;

fuel type

Most designs can operate on both natural and liquefied gas. However, most burners require reconfiguration from one type to another, change of burner nozzles and other procedures. They can only be performed by specialists from the service center.

Expert opinion

Lovkachev Boris Petrovich

Bath master who knows everything about steaming

Taking these criteria into account and comparing them with the characteristics of commercially available gas furnaces, the optimal option is selected. An important factor is also the price of the stove, which many users consider the main selection criterion. Here any recommendations are useless - they are guided by their own financial capabilities.

TOP 2 best stoves for saunas with a tank

Harvia 20SL

Convenient wood stove with a laconic design .
Closed heater, for forty kg of stones. Heated from the adjacent room, the stove power is estimated at 24 kW. It generates steam well and evenly heats the air in a Russian steam room with a volume of up to 20 cubic meters. meters _ The case is made of steel, with durable walls that are not afraid of corrosion.

The hermetic firebox is also made of steel, which is closed by a door made of heat-resistant glass. It is not afraid of soot and always remains clean, allowing you to monitor the flame level.

The stove is small in size, does not take up much space in the room, and can be placed either in a corner or against a wall . The legs are adjustable in height, the door can be moved so that it opens in the other direction. The minimum room volume recommended by the manufacturer is 8 cubic meters. meters.

Main characteristics:

1. Power type: wood fuel.
2. Heated volume - 20 m3.
3. Furnace power - 24.1 kW.
4. Body/firebox material: steel/steel.
5. Weight - 70 kg.

pros

high build quality;

paint fastness;

long service life.

Minuses

not detected.

Vesuvius Rusich Aqua 22 (DT-4) with 61l tank

Wood-burning stove of floor type, with a firebox from an adjacent room .
The grate and door are made of cast iron, the remaining elements are made of structural steel. The casing with ventilation, closed type, can accommodate about 30 kg of stones . Such a stove will serve faithfully for up to ten years, since the materials used do not suffer from external influences and high temperatures.

Additionally, the stove is equipped with a water tank, its volume is 61 liters and it can be installed on both the right and left sides.

Requires installation of a chimney with a standard diameter of 11.5 cm . Additionally, there is an ash box at the bottom, which can be used to regulate the flame and quickly clean the stove.

Main characteristics:

1. Power type: wood fuel.
2. Heated volume - 24 m3.
3. Body/firebox material: steel/steel.

pros

tightness, smooth burning and uniform heat distribution;

drawer for ash;

heated from the adjacent room.

Minuses

Takes up a lot of space along with the tank.

TOP 2 best stoves for a bath with a water heating circuit

TMF Sayany XXL 2015 Inox Vitra ZK TO

The oven is made of chrome-plated heat-resistant steel, the wall thickness is 3 mm .
The steel contains chromium, due to which a film is formed on its surface, protecting the furnace from the effects of gases formed at high temperatures, as well as from corrosion. The stones in the casing prevent overheating, as they take on all the excess heat, dissipating it . The channels here are horizontal; soot does not accumulate in them.

The door is steel, but if desired, the user can replace it with glass. The door has the property of self-cooling. The fuel channel is of an elongated type; it allows the stove to be placed in two rooms at the same time, while the combustion will be carried out from the adjacent room.

The air warms up from room temperature to one hundred degrees in a couple of hours . There is a drawer for ash at the bottom, so you can clean the stove directly while it is burning.

Main characteristics:

1. Power type: firewood.
2. Heated volume - 24 m3.
3. Body/firebox material: steel/steel.
4. Weight - 69 kg.

pros

Firewood, peat briquettes, wood chip briquettes, pellets are used as fuel;

heated from an adjacent room;

there is a box for ash;

high quality steel.

Minuses

not detected.

Ermak 16 with heat exchanger

The main feature of this domestic model is increased functionality .
The mesh heater can be replaced with a hanging tank, and the process takes no more than five minutes. Due to this, optimal bathing comfort is created, the stove grows and changes as the owner’s needs grow.

The stove is a wood stove with a power of 16 kW and is used in bathhouses with a volume of up to 18 cubic meters. meters _ The device is simple, reliable, with a long service life. The door is equipped with a self-cooling handle; if necessary, it can be moved to the other side.

The chimney is located in the center, there is a hole for quick and convenient cleaning of the flues . The firebox is deep, a large load of fuel is allowed at once, the tightness of the firebox will ensure even combustion.

Main characteristics:

1. Power type: firewood.
2. Heated volume - 18 m3.
3. Furnace power - 16 kW.
4. Body/firebox material: steel/steel.
5. Weight - 56 kg.

pros

reliable design, high-quality materials;

convenient cleaning system;

extended functionality.

Minuses

nondescript appearance.

TOP 2 best inexpensive sauna stoves

TMF Osa Inox YES anthracite NV

The smallest wood stove in the brand's lineup .
The manufacturer provides a three-year official guarantee on the integrity of the metal and welds of the firebox. Installed in steam rooms up to nine cubic meters. meters. The heater is a closed type, you can load up to 25 kg of stones into it.

There are two ventilated compartments, which additionally warm the steam room by passing air through a uniformly heated mass of stones.

The reduced dimensions do not affect the quality of work, but significantly save the total amount of fuel used. The maximum permissible volume of the steam room warms up in less than an hour.

There is a modification with a short fuel channel, which is well suited for a Russian bath, where the steam room and washing room are combined.

Main characteristics:

1. Power type: firewood.
2. Heated volume - 9 m3.
3. Body/firebox material: steel/steel.
4. Weight - 40 kg.

pros

compactness, ease of installation;

there is an option with a short fuel channel;

affordable price and long service life.

Minuses

not detected.

Karina Optima 3

In conclusion of the rating, it is worth mentioning this compact and inexpensive option for an electric sauna stove .
It has low power, so the stove cannot be installed in rooms whose volume exceeds four cubic meters. Small dimensions and a weight of eight kg simplify installation and allow the device to be moved or transported if necessary.

The heater here is closed, but with a large number of ventilation holes so that the heat is distributed quickly and evenly.

You can load up to 20 kg of stones into it. The case is made of steel and withstands high temperatures well. The stove is equipped with a special bracket for mounting on the wall.

Main characteristics:

1. Power type: mains.
2. Heated volume - 4 m3.
3. Furnace power - 3 kW.
4. Case material: steel.
5. Weight - 8 kg.

pros

small, light;

fast heat transfer;

not afraid of power surges.

Minuses

Sometimes the power may not be enough to produce thick steam.

Analysis of bath units of the Sochi series

Sauna stoves of the Sochi series are designed to work in steam Russian baths. They are produced with a closed heater, separated from the environment by a simple housing. You can cover the heater during the assembly and installation process with a stationary sheet of metal or brickwork. If desired, you can make an imitation of bath stones laid openly directly on top of the top panel. However, such masonry cannot perform the function of generating steam; its destiny is decoration.

Description and technical features

Units for Russian steam rooms from the EasySteam company are made of heat-resistant materials. The body and structural elements of sauna stoves are extremely resistant to intense exposure to high temperatures, alternating with the supply of cold water. The production uses steel alloys with a chromium content of 17% or more, which guarantees high strength. The smallest wall thickness of the metal elements is made of stainless steel AISI 430 4 mm, and the heater is made of alloy steel AISI 439 6 mm. Also, at the customer’s request, it is possible to install Wolfshoher Tonwerke (made in Germany) heat-insulating material (fireclay slabs) in the combustion chamber. The manufacturing technology is dominated by stamping, rolling, and bending technologies, thanks to which the number of welds weakening the structure is reduced to a minimum.

Convection channels (2) are formed between the body (1) and the internal components of the stove, increasing heat transfer. They are located along the back and side walls of the oven. The chimney is surrounded by a bent-stamped tank of a heater (3) - one of the main working parts of Russian bath units. Water is supplied to the heater through a pipe designed to release steam (7).

In addition to the convection channels, the task of fully heating the heater is solved by the labyrinth chimney (6), which runs along the central axis of the tank. According to this original solution of the designers, the masonry is heated both from the outside and from the inside. To prevent direct flame from entering the chimney, the lower entrance to it is equipped with a divider (5), due to which only combustion products enter the chimney channel.

The formation of finely dispersed steam is carried out by a steam generator (8), which is a complex system of vertically and horizontally installed tubes. Horizontal elements are perforated along the entire length for uniform steam release. A dispenser (9) with a check valve is attached to the top of the steam generator, preventing the movement of vapor in the opposite direction. Before starting the fire, the dosing device is checked for functionality. You just need to unscrew it and shake it. If the valve inside moves freely in both directions and rattles when it touches the edge, you can start heating the sauna stove.

The structure of the firebox differs little from the usual folk standards. At the bottom, as usual, there is a grate (11), which is necessary to create traction. There is an ash pan (15) to remove combustion products. A useful innovation is the presence of protective screens (4) on the inner surface of the combustion space. They optimize the transfer of thermal energy to the bottom of the heater and protect the walls of the firebox from overheating.

The facade of the stove (14) is equipped with a combustion door for storing fuel, equipped with large heat-resistant glass. A fuel channel (13) is separated from it, making it possible to load firewood from the room adjacent to the steam room.

Focusing on taste preferences and financial capabilities, the future owner selects the lining for the stove and stones to put in the heater tank.

Foundation for a solid sauna stove

The weight of the Sochi stove, which inspires sincere confidence, almost in an ultimatum form dictates the need to build a foundation. The physical weight of the unit with stones alone reaches 200-260 kg, depending on the model. The weight of the stone or brick casing should be added to it. And it, for example, from a coil is 240 kg. Such a colossus, especially with a stone cladding, cannot simply be installed on the floor. The foundation for its installation must be solid, sufficiently powerful, reinforced concrete.

When choosing a place to build a foundation, the following rules must be observed:

• Only this can be installed on the base under the sauna stove. It is impossible to combine the foundation of the building itself and the stove itself due to the difference in load. The soil and the foundation structure itself under the unit and under the walls of the bathhouse sags by different amounts. It is permissible to place a stove and a separate chimney system on the same foundation.
• The distance between the foundation for the stove and the foundation of the building should be 30-50 cm to ensure that both structures move independently from each other during settlement.
• Dimensions of the foundation in plan, i.e. its width and length are determined based on the actual dimensions of the unit, taking into account the thickness of the cladding. If the flooring will rest on the stove foundation, then the size of the foundation should be increased by 10 cm around the perimeter. However, it is better to install separate supports under the flooring.

The depth of the foundation is determined by the depth of seasonal freezing in a particular region. The underground structure should be deepened below the readings determined by the meteorological service by 220 mm. For example, when installing a bathhouse in the Moscow region on loamy or clayey soil, the foundation pit for the stove must be dug to a depth of 1320 mm, because the depth of seasonal freezing there, verified by many years of observations, is 1100 mm.

It is completely in vain that the depth of seasonal freezing in private construction is sometimes not given due attention. But it affects specifically light private buildings, and not heavy high-rise buildings. Rocks containing groundwater tend to expand when frozen because... the volume of ice is significantly greater than the volume of unfrozen water. Following changes in volume, the foundations of low-rise buildings move, rising in winter and returning to their previous positions when thawing.

Ground seasonal movements are not uniform due to the chaotic location of water in the rock. As a result of uneven movement, cracks appear in reinforced concrete foundations, followed by destruction. Prefabricated foundations made of blocks or bricks behave much worse. In the best case, uneven settlement will be indicated by a distortion of the furnace resting on the foundation, in the worst case – depressurization of the chimney exhaust system with all the ensuing catastrophic consequences.

Protective screen for wood stove

The screen of sauna stoves of the Sochi series from EasySteam is made of heat-resistant solid brick, soapstone slabs and a coil. When using hollow ceramic bricks, all technological voids of each element are filled with dry sand in order to increase the heating of the stove lining.

A stone or brick screen built around a sauna stove performs several undeniably significant functions, these are:

• Preservation of the heat released during the heating process, so there is no need to constantly add firewood.
• Protection of steamers from burns and direct radiation.
• Formation of additional convection channels that provide microclimate regulation in the steam room.

In addition, the presence of a screen ensures complete drying of the room and increases the prestige of the interior.

The article will tell you more about how to line a stove with bricks.

Organizing a protective screen is a delicate matter, requiring strict adherence to a number of important rules:

• The screen walls must be interconnected and form a single casing.
• The laying is done on a pre-prepared base that has had time to harden.
• Either a refractory oven mixture or a clay solution is used as a binding solution. The use of cement and adhesive compositions is unacceptable, because when heated they release toxins and are destroyed.
• The chimney is constructed using a metal insert. The best option is a chimney built separately from the stove.
• The screen is laid in a quarter of a brick for chopped wooden bathhouses. A half-brick screen is used to equip bath structures without massive wooden elements that need careful drying.
• The minimum height of the screen is 30-50 cm greater than the height of the stove.
• The distance between the stiffening ribs of the unit and the inner wall of the screen should be no more than 3 cm. If the convection channels formed as a result are larger, the bath will take longer and heat up worse.
• Convection screen doors should be installed at the shortest distance from the floor. The doors will ensure that cold air is drawn in from the bottom surface of the bath, heated and released in a heated state. This eliminates the problem of cold floors.
• The recommended height of the front wall of the screen is equal to the distance between the floor and ceiling in the steam room.

The technology for organizing a screen made of stone slabs is no different from the method for constructing a brick analogue. There is a difference in its construction for specific models. However, the manufacturing company provides its products with detailed instructions with a clear description of the specifics of the process.

Water heating system

The system designed for heating water is a circuit with two functional components, these are:

• Heat exchanger attached to the side wall of the unit. In fact, this is an ordinary rectangular container, the internal volume of which is 8 liters. At the top and bottom of the heat exchanger there are two fittings for connecting the pipeline from the storage tank.
• A remote tank equipped with fittings for connecting the pipeline, a tap for drawing heated water and a fitting for discharging excess steam. The tank is filled through a neck equipped with a sealed lid. Buyers choose the configuration and volume of the storage tank in accordance with their own needs.

The circuit operates on the principle of a miniature hot water supply system.

Preparing the unit for operation

Wood-burning stoves are allowed to be installed in a room with properly functioning ventilation. In the steam room, it is recommended to organize a supply and exhaust system that guarantees complete removal of combustion products. The presence of a ventilation window is a prerequisite for the natural removal of carbon dioxide. Place it in the corner of the steam room farthest from the stove at the maximum possible height. Supply ventilation should ensure the supply of fresh air from the street. Its channel is connected to the gap between the stove body and the protective screen to optimize traction.

Before installing the unit on the foundation in the steam room, you need to carry out the first firebox outside so that the remaining industrial contaminants and dust burn out. The duration of the first fire is 4-5 hours. During the installation process, you should scrupulously follow the requirements and recommendations of the manufacturer indicated in the instructions. Before starting up the sauna unit, a thorough check of the organization of all components and testing for functionality is carried out.

The stones are placed through the neck of the heater, located on the top panel of the stove. For the laying, natural stones with excellent heat capacity are used that can withstand the onslaught of high temperatures. The lower part of the heater tank from the bottom to the steam generator is filled with large stones, the upper part with their counterparts of the middle fraction, and the voids between them with small ones. Going overboard with the weight of the bookmark is extremely undesirable. Just like forming a monolith out of stones without air channels to provide ventilation.

Rules for operating these stoves

• Stoves with the EasySteam brand are designed to be fired with dry wood or briquettes made from pressed sawdust. The use of peat and coal is prohibited. In order not to overload the unit and thereby extend its service life, the firebox is filled only 50-70% with dry firewood.
• Kindling is carried out in intensive heating mode with the temperature control valve pulled out.
• To burn wood, a constant supply of oxygen is required through the grate, which is ensured by an open ash door. If necessary, reduce the intensity of combustion, close the door.
• The temperature in the steam room is adjusted by opening/closing the convection doors of the screen.
• Overheating of the steam room is prevented by switching to the heating mode of the heater. To do this, when the temperature reaches 60-70º, the thermostatic valve is temporarily set to the “closed” position. The walls of the stove do not cool down. When the temperature in the steam room drops, the valve moves out again.
• If a hot water system is connected to the unit, it is not recommended to constantly use it without filling, so as not to contribute to accelerated wear of the equipment.
• The water heating system is filled before the firebox. This is prohibited when the stove is hot.
• The storage tank should be filled to the level specified by the manufacturer.

The video will briefly introduce you to the principle of operation and operation of a wood-burning sauna stove:

We hope that this review will help you choose a decent unit with the required technical characteristics.

Which company should you choose?

When buying a stove, first study the range of the most reliable and popular manufacturers:

• Hephaestus - the best cast iron stoves with high energy efficiency;
• Vesuvius is a worthy competitor to Hephaestus with a wide range;
• TMF - different standard sizes, extended functionality;
• Ermak - modular design of products, additional equipment can be used;
• Harvia is a proven brand with high quality materials;
• Sawo are stylish, functional, reliable stoves with a good warranty.