Beginning bathhouse attendants usually do not understand very well how to heat a stove with wood in a bathhouse. Beginners rarely succeed in effective kindling right away - there are many nuances in this matter. Each stage - from harvesting or purchasing firewood to maintaining the required temperature in the steam room - requires a good theoretical basis. This article will help you achieve quick results.
Distinctive features
Hephaestus sauna stoves are a product of the Russian company Technolit. For their manufacture, a special casting technology is used, which increases the thermal conductivity of the models. The company's products are the only bath units, all of whose components are manufactured in the Russian Federation, which allows you to control the process at all stages.
The range of stoves can be divided into the following groups:
with mesh for laying stone
for brick cladding
lined with coil
The presented models differ in the volume of the heated room - up to 45 sq./m and from 45 to 120 sq./m.
The furnaces are equipped with a flame arrester and a secondary gas combustion system. They allow you to maintain the temperature of the stones at 500–700 degrees.
Therefore, the steam is finely dispersed - it is very light and healthy. You can also set the sauna heater to smoldering mode.
Due to the circulation of hot air in the inner chamber, the steam room maintains a high temperature for a long time. All models have a high efficiency of at least 87%, which is ensured by the optimal design of the units.
The furnace firebox has 2 chambers separated by a flame arrester. Fuel gases first move along the side walls, then turn 180 degrees and move towards the outlet along the recesses of the heater.
A unique feature of Hephaestus furnaces is the absence of threaded connections, welds and steel parts in the structure that are subject to rapid wear.
The walls of the units are 10–12 mm thick and are additionally equipped with stiffeners to increase strength. The trapezoidal shape of the heater provides an increase in heating area and heat radiation. The products are equipped with extension cords, stainless umbrellas and a part of the chimney.
The design of the stoves is especially worth noting. They will fit into the interior of a log bathhouse and a classic sauna. The doors are decorated with casting. Models for brick cladding can be decorated with ceramic tiles.
Expert opinion
Lovkachev Boris Petrovich
Bath master who knows everything about steaming
Important! Hephaestus stoves are designed to be fired with wood and special briquettes. It is not recommended to put coal and various debris in them, as this will quickly clog the chimney.
Advantages and disadvantages
Gefest sauna stoves have many advantages. The main one is the ability to achieve the required temperature in the room in a short time. At the maximum indicator, the heating level of the furnace body reaches 7 thousand degrees, and the smoke reaches 3.5 thousand.
Additional advantages of the units:
- Economical fuel consumption. This is ensured by the presence of a flame arrester in the design, which ensures rapid circulation of air inside, rather than releasing it directly into the chimney. As a result, the heat is retained for a long time and there is no need to add firewood to the firebox to maintain the desired temperature.
- The ability to produce “soft” steam, for which the Russian bath is famous.
- Long service life if the operating rules are followed.
- Presentable appearance.
- Resistance to any mechanical damage due to the strength of the material.
- Compactness.
- Availability of temperature control function.
The units also have disadvantages:
- quite high price;
- the need to think about lining the stove, since cast iron cracks if hot water gets on it;
- heavy weight of the units, which can lead to problems with transportation and installation.
Attention! When installing Hephaestus stoves, it is necessary to leave free space between the floor, ceiling and protective barrier. Installation of products is allowed only in walls made of fire-resistant materials, for example, concrete or brick. Wooden buildings require the installation of special protective screens.
Choosing fuel for a sauna stove
For the firebox it is prohibited to use chemical solutions (acetone, kerosene), synthetic materials (plastic, roofing felt), garbage, old things, rotten wood.
The most popular are:
- Oak firewood
. Young trees give off emissions when burned with charcoal. The old oak will fill the steam room with heavy air. It is best to harvest middle-aged oak wood. - Birch firewood
. The most common for heating in a bathhouse. They flare up quickly and release heat for a long time and evenly. However, you should carefully monitor the air in the furnace. During smoky combustion, birch tar settles on the pipe and increases the fire hazard. Birch firewood should be used within two years. After this period, they lose their beneficial aroma. - Linden firewood
. This material provides stable and long-lasting steam. However, it is quite difficult to ignite. It is considered very beneficial for the respiratory system. After a two-year storage period, they lose their properties, like birch ones. - Alder firewood
. Such wood produces persistent heat and practically does not smoke. It is easy to prepare because it dries very quickly. At the same time, alder retains its specific smell for more than three years. - Aspen firewood
. Difficult to light, but ideal for tossing, providing good heat. It is believed that by heating the stove with such wood, you can clean the chimney. - Coniferous firewood
. They burn very hot, but quickly due to the high resin content. In addition, when burning, wood sparks too much due to the bursting of resin sinuses. Therefore, when opening the oven door, you must protect your eyes. - Coal
. It is considered a more profitable fuel. To maintain the temperature, less of it is needed, and the heat lasts for a long time. However, when burning coal, air humidity increases significantly and the beneficial aroma of burning wood is absent.
Please note that the use of painted or chemically treated wood is prohibited. When burned, it releases toxic fumes.
Preparing to light the stove in the bathhouse
First you need to prepare the firewood.
Even if you plan to heat your sauna with coal, you will need firewood (chips) for kindling. While preparing the fuel, it is advisable to leave the windows and doors in the steam room open so that the room is well ventilated. The furnace grate and ash chamber must be cleared of ash, and the valve on the pipe must be opened. Don't forget to wash the stones thoroughly and have cold water ready.
It is also important to check the chimney draft. To do this, with the valve open, you need to light a match and bring it to the open door of the firebox. The flame should burn upward.
Varieties
There is a huge variety of shapes and models of Hephaestus ovens. The company's designers are constantly improving their products.
Today the company offers consumers the following models:
PB-04 is a compact sauna stove weighing 115 kg for rooms with an area of up to 15 square meters. m. Adapted for brick cladding. Product dimensions - 335x420x485 mm. The heater holds 20 kg of stones. The firebox can accommodate firewood 35 cm long. The chimney diameter is 115 mm.
PB-04M is a type of stove with similar dimensions. The only difference is the presence of heat-resistant glass measuring 190x160 mm.
PB-04S is a product without glass, additionally equipped with a mesh that can hold 180 kg of stones. Mesh dimensions - 475x560x585 mm.
PB-04MS - oven with heat-resistant glass and mesh.
PB-03 is an excellent option for a stove without glass. Her weight is 210 kg. Installed in baths with an area of up to 25 square meters. Standard dimensions of the firebox are 410x520x605 mm. The heater can hold 20 kg. The chimney diameter is 130 mm. For kindling, 45 cm firewood is used.
PB-03S is equipped with a mesh with dimensions of 550x660x705 mm. The stove weighs 233 kg. The heater can withstand 40 kg, the mesh can withstand 240 kg. Chimney diameter 130 mm.
PB-02 is an excellent choice for installation in steam rooms with an area of up to 35 sq./m. The model is not equipped with glass. The dimensions of the firebox are width 455 mm, depth 580 mm and height 650 mm. The product is equipped with a mesh that can accommodate 100–250 kg of stones.
PB-40-Grom is a powerful product for installation in a bathhouse with a steam room of 40 sq. m. The firebox with dimensions 550x590x1025 mm is equipped with heat-resistant glass protection with a width of 370 mm and a height of 280 millimeters. The heater easily holds 60 kilograms of stones.
Reference! All sauna stoves from the classic Hephaestus series are supplied with heat-resistant sealant and a stainless steel ash box. Installation of devices is carried out in accordance with the attached instructions and takes no more than 30 - 40 minutes.
Furnaces of the Hephaestus 3K series
Models in this line have a large and reinforced heater with a single firebox recess, which is designed for additional placement of a cast iron charge. These models are intended for indoor use.
On the combustion side of the flame, the structure contains special spikes that accelerate heat transfer.
PB-04-3K is a very reliable stove with high power. Designed for installation and operation in steam rooms with an area of up to 18 square meters. m. Model weight - 130 kg, firebox width - 340 mm, depth - 470 mm, and height - 530 mm.
PB-03-3K is a stove for baths with an area of up to 28 square meters. The dimensions of the firebox are 340x470x530 mm. Firewood 35 cm long is used as fuel.
PB-02-3K is an excellent model for installation in bathhouses with an area of up to 40 square meters. The weight of the stove is 277 kg. Firebox dimensions - width - 455 mm, depth - 580 mm and height - 680 mm.
PB-01-3K – designed for bath rooms with a volume of up to 50 sq. m. In this category there are options with and without heat-resistant glass. Such products weigh 330 kg.
The firebox is 510 mm wide, 635 mm deep and 720 mm high. For high-quality kindling, firewood 50 cm long is required.
PB-100-P-3K is an indispensable stove for a bath with a 100-meter area. It differs from previous models in its greater weight and impressive dimensions.
Firewood up to 75 cm long is used as fuel. Standard dimensions of the firebox are 650x840x935 mm.
Model range Hephaestus Hurricane
This model range is characterized by an expanded configuration.
It includes:
- high forged mesh for stones made of high quality steel;
- heater box President;
- starting tube made of cast iron;
- cast iron hinged door.
Such stoves have a completely closed heater.
Types of stoves:
PB-03S Hurricane is heated with 45-centimeter-long firewood. Firebox dimensions – 410x520x606 mm. It is completed with a mesh of dimensions 560x675x950 mm.
The model is intended for bath rooms with a volume of 25 square meters. m.
PB-02S Hurricane is a functional model for baths with an area of up to 35 sq./m. The firebox has dimensions of 410x520x605 mm, mesh - 610x515x950.
Firewood 50 cm long is used as fuel.
PB-40-Grom is a powerful product for installation in a bathhouse with a steam room area of 40 square meters. m.
The firebox with dimensions 550x590x1025 mm is equipped with reliable protection in the form of heat-resistant glass with a width of 370 mm and a height of 280 mm. The heater holds 60 kg.
Main characteristics of furnaces
The bathhouse has been popular for many centuries. This type of recreation has a positive effect on well-being and improves health. Regular visits to the bathhouse help normalize blood circulation and blood pressure, and improve immunity.
It is worth noting that the quality of the steam room largely depends on the stove used for heating. Nowadays, products made of steel and cast iron are very popular.
Reviews of Hephaestus stoves indicate that they are manufactured using special technologies that involve pouring the prepared material into molds. The result is a surface without cracks, holes or adhesions. Hephaestus stoves are manufactured in Russia, and all the components used are distinguished by their reliability and quality.
There is a huge variety of shapes and models of these products. The company's designers are constantly improving their products.
This product makes it possible to heat rooms adjacent to the steam room and at the same time a person has the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of an open fire, the slight smell of smoke and firewood. The portals of the Hephaestus stoves are distinguished by a rather original finish using artistic casting. The doors are made of heat-resistant transparent materials, so you can see the fire and burning wood. This adds even more atmosphere to the room.
A special substance is used as lining, which helps to maintain the required temperature for a long time. When finishing with natural stone, you can get reliable protection from infrared rays that come from a hot oven.
Criterias of choice
To correctly choose the Hephaestus stove, consider the following parameters:
volume of the steam room;
size of harvested firewood;
the mass of stones that the heater and mesh can withstand;
presence or absence of glass;
firebox dimensions.
Most popular models
According to customer reviews, the following models of Hephaestus stoves are considered the best.
PB-04 MS
The model is equipped with an additional mesh and a door with fire-resistant glass, thanks to which you can observe the flame. There is a relief forged pattern on the door, which makes the model elegant.
The thickness of the cast iron walls ranges from 10 to 60 mm, thanks to this they will never burn out. Cast iron has high corrosion resistance and is not susceptible to rust or other corrosion. Service life more than 30 years. All parts of the stove are solid cast, there are no welds or bolted connections.
The model can warm up to 750 degrees, and the temperature in the chimney reaches 300 degrees, which reduces fuel consumption. Thanks to the convection plates located on the sides, there is rapid heat transfer and high temperature in the steam room.
PB-04
Ideal model for small baths with an area of up to 15 sq./m. The model requires independent brick lining. Hangs 110 kg, is able to warm up the steam room in a minimum time. There is an elongated portal, thanks to which the firebox can be brought into the adjacent room.
The firebox is made of cast iron with an admixture of chrome. The walls of the model are cast and have a thickness from 10 mm to 60 mm, thanks to which the stove will last a long time without being subject to rust or corrosion.
The model is equipped with a special ash box made of stainless steel. The seams have a special hermetic coating. The heater has the shape of trapezoidal cavities, so the size of its heating surface increases significantly. The walls are equipped with special stiffening ribs that allow them to withstand heavy loads.
PB-03 M
Model Hephaestus PB-03 M with a power of 18 W. The door is equipped with fire-resistant glass measuring 27.5 cm by 22 cm. If desired, the firebox can be brought into the adjacent room by extending the small portal. The door has a relief design made of forged metal.
The design of the furnace is quite mobile, which allows it to be equipped with additional attachments, as well as to replace some parts with others. The chimney is also made of cast iron, which prevents it from burning out. The set includes a stainless steel ash drawer.
PB-02
A model for large rooms with a steam room up to 35 m3. It is capable of producing an efficiency of 87%.
Thanks to a remote portal with a cast-iron door, the stove can be lit from the adjacent room. It is equipped with additional 10 cm nozzles and has secondary combustion. The stove power is 25 W, and the chimney diameter is 115 mm, made of cast iron. The stove is made from SCh-20 cast iron, and the heater has an admixture of chromium.
Thanks to the stiffening ribs, the stove can withstand vertical loads of up to 1.4 tons, which allows you to lay a lot of stones. It heats up to 750 degrees, and the temperature in the chimney reaches 300 degrees.
TOP 8 best models of Hephaestus stoves
As you can see, the manufacturer offers many models. It's easy to get confused in this diversity. We will tell you about the most popular ovens to make it easier for you to decide.
PB-04 MS
Compact sauna stove for a standard Russian steam room . This is an economical model that pleases with its performance. Warms well.
There is a steam generator, so the unit operates in both sauna and bath modes.
Characteristics:
- power 8 kW;
- steam room size – up to 15 cubic meters;
- Efficiency 87%;
- there is secondary afterburning;
- dimensions 39.4x56x64.5 cm.
Advantages:
- economical consumption of firewood;
- nice design;
- heats up quickly and retains heat for a long time;
- does not burn the air in the steam room.
Flaws:
- When first used, it gives off an unpleasant odor, so first you need to heat it outside.
PB-04
Another small stove from the same line. Ideal for small baths and saunas.
Model parameters:
- power 8 kW;
- heated volume – up to 15 cubic meters;
- Efficiency 87%;
- there is secondary afterburning;
- dimensions 39.4x56x64.5 cm.
Advantages:
- need some firewood;
- takes up little space;
- beautiful appearance;
- quickly heats the air and maintains a high temperature.
Flaws:
- there is no glass door through which you can admire the fire.
PB-03
A more powerful model for medium-sized doubles . This is a built-in closed stove with a chimney and an ash box. Gives moderate temperature and good steam.
Characteristics:
- power 12 kW;
- steam room volume – up to 25 cubic meters;
- Efficiency 87%;
- dimensions 41.8x59x75.5 cm.
Advantages:
- pleasant steam;
- Beautiful design;
- It heats up quickly and cools down for a long time - you can wash in the bathhouse even the next morning.
Flaws:
- installation will require the help of a professional, since if there are errors in the assembly, the stove will smoke.
PB-03 M
“Twin” of the previous model, but with a heat-resistant glass shutter. The stove is designed for lining with refractory bricks.
Characteristics:
- power 12 kW;
- heated room - up to 25 cubic meters;
- Efficiency 87%;
- dimensions 75.5x59x41.8 cm;
- there is a smoldering mode.
Advantages:
- warms the room in 15 minutes;
- a simple design that can be covered with bricks without the help of professionals;
- design.
Flaws:
- Since the unit is prefabricated, the seams need to be treated with a large amount of sealant, which deteriorates over the years, and the stove begins to smoke.
PB-02
Impressive and powerful oven. It will suit any interior, and will heat very well. Needs brick lining. Since the unit has an external portal, the firebox can be located in another room.
Characteristics:
- power 15 kW;
- heated room volume – up to 35 cubic meters;
- Efficiency 87%;
- dimensions 45.8×64.5×85.5 cm;
- there is secondary afterburning.
Advantages:
- can be heated from the dressing room;
- heats well;
- uses wood sparingly.
Flaws:
- takes up a lot of space and weighs 300 kg.
PB-01
Oven for large steam rooms. Can be fired with combined fuel. Logs up to 65 cm will fit inside.
Model parameters:
- power 18 kW;
- steam room volume – up to 45 cubic meters;
- Efficiency 87%;
- dimensions 5×71.1×88.7 cm;
- there is secondary afterburning.
Advantages:
- suitable for large steam rooms;
- any part can be replaced;
- will last up to 30 years;
- solid appearance.
Flaws:
- very heavy;
- labor-intensive assembly.
PB-02 M
Built-in wood stove . For medium-sized baths. It copes with its tasks perfectly. The kit includes special stakes that can be used to expand the fuel tunnel.
Unit characteristics:
- power 15 kW;
- room volume – up to 35 cubic meters;
- Efficiency 87%;
- dimensions 45.8×64.5×85.5 cm;
- there is secondary afterburning.
Advantages:
- design;
- high performance;
- good traction;
- heats two rooms at the same time;
- you don't need a lot of wood.
Flaws:
- high price.
PB-03 MS
Cast iron unit for baths and saunas . There is a net attached to it in which stones are placed. The heater has a special shape, due to which the room quickly heats up.
This is how the stove takes on a very interesting modern look.
This model is designed for medium-sized rooms.
Unit parameters:
- power 12 kW;
- steam room size – up to 25 cubic meters;
- Efficiency 87%;
- dimensions 50x70x85.5 5 cm.
Advantages:
- heating quality;
- beauty.
Flaws:
- price.
Tips for installation and operation
Hephaestus stoves are delivered to the consumer disassembled, which simplifies the transportation process. The assembled unit weighs from 100 to 950 kg, so it is best to assemble and install it directly on site. It is advisable to do this with an assistant.
The design of the stoves is simple and comes with detailed instructions, so you can handle the assembly yourself.
According to the assembly method, all models are divided into 2 types:
With lining
When installing this type of model, you will need to make a connection to the smoke exhaust system and prepare a solid base. The manufacturer offers several cladding options, depending on the specific model.
With brick trim
Such models require brick lining. The housing is designed specifically for these purposes. The appearance of the finished stove will depend entirely on the tastes and preferences of the owner. To cover these models, you can use not only brick, but also stone.
Brick cladding rules
When facing the stove with bricks yourself, it is important to consider the following recommendations:
- the distance from the convection openings to the wall must be at least 50 mm;
- As a fixing solution, you need to use ready-made mixtures that include fireclay clay.
- After facing with brick, you can additionally trim the stove with ceramics, tiles or other heat-resistant material.
How to drown
For effective operation of Hephaestus stoves, it is important to adhere to the rules for heating them:
- At the beginning of the kindling, the door is kept open, allowing cold air to enter the gap under the cladding, rise upward, removing heat from the convection ribs of the cast-iron walls, and come out in a heated state. A natural draft arises in the air gap, accelerating the movement of air and the heating rate of the steam room. As a result, the air in a steam room is heated in no more than 45 minutes.
- After the stove reaches operating mode, you can close the cast-iron lining door and begin bathing procedures.
- After another 15 - 20 minutes, the cast iron heater with the insert reaches a temperature of over 600 degrees, which allows you to obtain high-quality fine steam.
- To generate a large amount of finely dispersed steam, it is enough to open the lining door and use a ladle to pour water into a heated cast-iron heater with a deposit, quickly creating the desired level of humidity in the steam room.
- To maintain humidity, the door on the cladding is closed, which stops the convection of hot dry air and allows steam to collect under the ceiling into a “steam cake.”
- After an hour, the stove is switched to a long-burning mode to save wood while maintaining a constant high temperature of the heater (by adjusting the draft with slide valves on the stove door and in the chimney pipe).
Further regulation of temperature and humidity in the steam room occurs by combining the simple opening and closing of the blower door and the simultaneous supply of additional portions of water to the heater, due to which fine steam is generated (if necessary).
Preparing to fire a sauna with wood
Preparation begins with collecting firewood. There are also many nuances in this matter, but they will be discussed below. If we omit this aspect, then the start of the process is cleaning the room. This is a necessary condition that will allow you to light the sauna stove with the least effort, while avoiding problems with fire.
Steam room preparation
Starting preparation consists of:
- removal of foreign objects;
- dry and wet cleaning of the premises;
- thoroughly ventilate the room - it is recommended to open doors and windows.
Do not neglect regular treatment of the steam room with an antiseptic. Wood needs protection - this will increase the life of wooden trim and objects.
Preparing the stove for lighting
The sauna stove must be in correct condition. The comfort and safety of vacationers depends on how well the stove is prepared. A clogged chimney can allow carbon monoxide to enter the steam room.
Scheme for preparing the furnace:
- clean the ash pit and grate from coals and ash;
- wash the stones;
- check traction; to do this, open the ash and firebox doors and the smoke damper; after that, bring a lit match to the firebox - if the flame is drawn inward, the draft is working; an even flame indicates a clogged chimney, which in this case will definitely have to be cleaned.
If you have a boiler, check for water in it. Even if no one uses the water, without it the boiler will burst from the high temperature.
Important! Never fire the stove with a clogged chimney. It is very dangerous!
The preparatory work is done, the draft is in order - you can start lighting the stove.
FAQ
The stones do not heat up in the oven. What is the reason?
Incorrect placement and incorrect choice of stone size. Remove small pieces and stones less than 10 cm in diameter. Provide freely ventilated space between stones. Replace broken stones with larger, undamaged stones.
Why does an unpleasant odor occur when firing a stove?
If the oven is new, there may be residual protective paint on the body. Preheat the oven outside for the first time. A heated stove can increase odors in the air that are not caused by the steam room or stove itself, such as paint, glue, heating oil, spices.
Hephaestus ovens only for Russian steam baths? Is it possible to get other modes, such as a sauna?
The Russian steam bath is the most difficult mode for sauna stoves due to the requirements for a large amount of fine steam. The dry-air sauna mode requires only the heat output of the stove. All Groza and Hephaestus stoves can create both a Russian bath mode and a sauna mode in a steam room, the volume of which they are designed for. To obtain a dry-air mode with a stove in the lining, it is necessary to keep the door open for the water supply during combustion, for intense convection heating
Is it necessary to strengthen the foundation of the bathhouse when installing the Hephaestus stove?
The total weight of the oven when fully loaded ranges from 250 kg to a ton. A thoroughly prepared floor or a separate foundation for the stove is required.
The oven takes a long time to enter mode (gains temperature). What could be the reason?
There are several options. Poorly insulated steam room, low draft in the chimney, low-quality firewood, incorrectly lined with bricks.
What kind of stove should be for a bath?
Today, when arranging a bathhouse, perhaps no one will equip it with an ancient huge heater, since the operation of such a unit will require a large amount of fuel. Currently, users increasingly prefer cast iron stoves for Hephaestus baths, which have proven themselves very well.
Such devices are characterized by high thermal conductivity. The production of stoves is carried out using a unique casting technology, which produces a high-quality surface without cracks or chips.
The Hephaestus stove is available on the market in two configurations:
- with a mesh for laying stones;
- lined with coil or soapstone.
All devices are made of high-strength, heat-resistant material, are not susceptible to corrosion processes and, with proper care, can last for many years.
