Despite the fact that most stores will offer you many models as stoves for the Russian bath, in fact it is suitable for it very few options. And the task of this article is to name the most important conditions that such a stove must satisfy, to suggest which of them are found in sale, and which ones will have to order or do it yourself, in general, to provide reliable and complete information about how and with what to properly heat a Russian steam room.
Stove for a Russian bath: what requirements should it meet?
To begin with, you must decide on this: do you share the traditional view of the conditions of a Russian bath or are you inclined to modernize these conditions themselves in accordance with the available equipment ?
Principles of Russian steam room
First, let’s remember what a Russian-style bathhouse is as it was a long time ago. The temperature in such a steam room was kept in the range from 45 to 55 degrees. But it wasn't cold.
During the period of active soaring, all drafts stopped . This is necessary in order to form a steam “pie,” when hot, finely dispersed steam from a closed heater rises to the ceiling and forms the top layer of the cake. From there, the bathhouse attendant scoops up steam with a broom and lowers it onto the body of the person steaming. The temperature of the steam leaving the furnace could be above 100 degrees, but under the ceiling it was cooled to 80 degrees.
The duration of the steaming was about
20 minutes , after which the steam room was ventilated and again brought to its original state, in which it met a new batch of steamers.
The length of the period is not accidental - it is the time during which the necessary conditions can be maintained without much difficulty. The ratio of temperature and humidity was chosen ideally because these two parameters can cause acute discomfort if their balance is disturbed.
IMPORTANT! If you increase humidity and temperature at the same time, a person will not tolerate such a bath. The higher the humidity, the lower the temperature should be; the higher the temperature, the lower the humidity should be so that those steaming do not suffocate, overheat or freeze in the steam room.
So, here is a list of conditions that must be met:
- The temperature should be maintained stably in the specified range of 45-55 degrees.
- Humidity must also be maintained, otherwise unacceptable drying of the air .
- Convection must be completely adjustable, that is, at the right moment it must stop completely .
- The steam generator (heater) should produce just enough steam (without strong cooling of the stones) to completely fill the space under the ceiling .
Nowadays, a bathhouse in which the temperature regime differs from the traditional one is called “Russian”. This also depends on the ovens used. It is difficult with a metal stove to bring the stones to the required condition so that they glow crimson and so that the temperature in the steam room is 55 degrees. Therefore, the temperature rises, people adapt, ultimately believing that this is a real Russian bathhouse.
Russian sauna stove with closed heater
Well, the main thing here is that people are satisfied, because for the sake of the traditional one you need to invest well from the very beginning , and not everyone is ready to do this. In the end, we can talk about a simple country bathhouse of tiny sizes.
What materials, types of heaters and heating are suitable for it?
Now, after the necessary conditions for a Russian steam room have been listed, it is worth telling how many of the existing variety of stoves are capable of reproducing these conditions.
Let's start with the material from which the stove is made. Today the choice is the same as in the last century - either brick or metal . So, a brick oven should be considered the only one capable of completely reproducing the conditions of a Russian bathhouse .
The “correct” stove for a Russian bath
This is easy to explain: in order to maintain a fairly low temperature in a room with a working stove, it must be made of a material with high thermal inertia . brick and stone fit this definition .
By the way, it’s worth mentioning what a hot and cold . “Cold” is just a definition that you can touch it with your hand without harming your health. And you can’t touch something “hot” without getting burned.
It is logical that the first category will include stoves made of brick or finished with brick, or natural stone . And the second ones are metal stoves, without lining. In our case, preference is given to “cold” stoves.
Metal heats up easily and gives off heat easily (and even in the harsh range of infrared radiation), so you will have to work hard to force a metal furnace to keep a low temperature. Of course, you can make a brick screen or a stone casing , this will increase thermal inertia, but the metal will still be in a hurry to give off heat.
So, we are betting on a brick oven . It will provide the desired temperature in the bath. What does the quality of steam depend on? From the temperature of the stones, of course. And here we have two options: an open heater and a closed one .
IMPORTANT! An open heater , that is, with stones not covered by anything on top (or even on the sides), cannot provide heating to the crimson glow temperature , at which the stone steam is of optimal quality in terms of heat and dampness.
This means that only a closed heater , with a door behind which there is a cavity filled with stones, is suitable for a Russian bath.
But even here there is plenty to choose from: closed heaters come in direct and indirect heating.
A direct heating heater is washed by flames and hot stove gases; soot and other combustion products are constantly deposited inside and burned out. And the steam from such a heater invariably smells of smoke. But this is the very desired “light steam”.
The indirect heating stove is separated from contact with the fire by a metal partition. Accordingly, heating occurs indirectly and part of the heat is lost during transmission.
And here you should weigh all the pros and cons:
- if there is a direct heating heater in the stove, then on the one hand you get the desired crimson glow of the stones, and on the other hand, the stove must be stopped so that you can add water to the stones;
- If the heater is indirectly heated, then its contents will take longer to heat up and the temperature will ultimately be lower than with direct heating. But the stove can continue to burn (by the way, such stoves are defined as “continuous action” in contrast to the “intermittent action” described above).
So, for the bathhouse we are striving for, the best heater will be a closed one with direct heating, and a stove, accordingly, of intermittent operation . This promises certain difficulties during operation, but tradition is tradition.
Now let's figure out what fuel is best to use in our bathhouse.
TOP 5 best models
Teplodar is a company that has gained recognition in the bath equipment market. All the furnaces it produces are of high quality and performance. But some models have become the most popular and are recognized by buyers as the best.
Rus 18 L
A universal model that has long earned people's love. Designed for steam rooms with a volume of up to 18 cubic meters. Closed type of heater. The main fuel is firewood.
Pros of the model:
- uniform heating of stones;
- convenient location of the chimney in the center;
- durable steel body;
- high-quality and fast heating of the room up to 90 degrees.
- The disadvantage of the model is the thinner material used to make the convector.
Rus 18 LNZP Profi
This model from the previous series is designed for larger-than-average rooms. The convector in it is made of stainless steel.
Advantages of the model:
- door with panoramic heat-resistant glass;
- the stove is heated from the adjacent room
- The disadvantage is that the stones may not heat up quickly enough.
Siesta
One of the advantages of this interesting model can be considered the barbecue mode. The Siesta stove has a very aesthetic appearance. Can heat a large space (up to 40 cubic meters) without additional heat sources.
Advantages of the model:
- Possibility of use for heating residential premises;
- choice of dry or soft steam.
- Disadvantages include difficult movement of the levers after the body warms up .
Siberian Cliff Panorama 20 LP PROFI
A representative of the mesh stove, this means that the stove is not only a stylish solution, but also provides a lot of soft heat. Due to the presence of a gap between the stones, air flows better and the stove heats faster. The heated volume of the model is 20 cu.m.
Advantages of the stove:
- high power firebox;
- convenient location of the chimney;
- unique convector.
Flaws:
- high consumption of firewood is possible;
- Some stones may not heat up quickly due to the space between them.
Cascade-18 LP Panorama
A model with stones arranged at an angle, which allows you to get unusual steam in the room. The glass oven door allows you to admire the flames while visiting the steam room.
Pros of the oven:
- high-speed vaporization;
- economical fuel consumption;
- Possibility of choosing dry or wet steam.
- The disadvantages of the model include the inconvenient location of the remote tank.
Stove for a Russian wood-burning bath
Firewood is the most common type of fuel in our country. The reasons are simple - gas and electricity , even if installed, are expensive, but firewood is always available and its price is low.
There is, of course, also coal , but it is unprofitable to heat a stove with it for the simple reason that it gives off too much heat during combustion - this is not so good for a sauna stove, especially from ordinary steel , which oxidizes in extreme heat, the sheets become thinner, turning into scale.
In general, if we are talking about metal stoves that are poorly suited for a Russian steam room, then those made from chrome-plated stainless steel (especially with a chromium content of 17%) and cast iron , from heat-resistant grades of cast iron, will be more durable. Chromed ones are not budget models, so let's focus on cast iron ones - there aren't many of them on the market, but they still exist.
Brick oven
Brick stove for a Russian bath with a closed metal heater
The traditional option is a brick stove, which is heated with wood. However, it is precisely this circumstance that turns the work of a stoker into real skill. After all, brick behaves quite capriciously, especially in ovens that are not heated daily .
IMPORTANT! First, such a stove must be dried , then slowly warmed up so that it does not crack from the rapid transition from cold to heat.
The main differences between different models of brick stoves lie in the presence or absence of flue labyrinths - that is, stove gases can either immediately go into the chimney or lose heat in the labyrinths, increasing the efficiency of the stove. Differences in the design of the heater are also acceptable : it is usually closed, but inside it can be made with direct and indirect heating , and the design can also be improved by making indirect heating through a hood that collects heated gases.
Stones in a direct heating stove of a brick oven in a Russian bath
To heat a brick stove with wood, you need to start either in the evening and continue the next day, or spend 4 hours heating it at a time.
As for the purchase, everything is clear here - you buy materials and hire a stove maker if you yourself do not know this profession. A choice must be made during the construction process in order to determine the parameters of the foundation for the stove.
Cast iron stove
Many people are aware of the durability of a cast iron stove. And when steel models dominate the market, cast iron models do not lose their reputation. Of course, there are fewer manufacturers of such stoves, but they exist, as well as some choice for the consumer.
We are starting a conversation about cast iron fireboxes for a simple reason: they are indeed often associated with a real Russian bathhouse. Many bathhouse owners are interested in which metal stove will be the best. And the answer “none” does not suit them.
Well, if so, then we will at least try to explain how to improve a cast-iron stove so that it does not overheat the steam room.
Finnish stove for a Russian wood-burning bath Aito (photo source)
To begin with, let us clarify that the heater here must also be closed and flowing for the flame . But here’s what’s interesting: it’s still possible to find a stove with a closed heater, but with direct heating you’ll have to seriously search.
So, while the stones are heating up to the desired temperature, we must do something about the thermal radiation from the heated metal. The easiest way is to place the firebox inside a stone or brick sarcophagus with several convection holes at the bottom, which can be tightly closed at any time. The thickness of the casing must be such that its surface can still be touched by hand, that is, you need to turn a “hot” oven into a “cold” one.
If you plan to build a brick screen for this purpose, then the best solution would be a brick or stone version closed on all sides .
By the way, about the acquisition. In general, among the metal ones for our bathhouse, experts advise taking either the domestic “Teklar” or the Finnish “Aito”. Both stoves were originally conceived as options specifically for a Russian bathhouse. It is curious that “Aito” already has a brick screen under the external metal design, while “Teklar” needs a separate one, which the owner will build around it himself. Only Aito has direct heating indirect .
And if the only question is durability, then here is a list of manufacturers and models of cast iron stoves for Russian baths that can be found on sale:
- " Inzhkomcenter " - "Sudarushka" and "Kalita" lines;
- “ Svarozhich ” - lines “Slavyanka”, “Firebird”;
- " PetrozavodskMash-TNP " - "Karelia" line.
Summing up the consideration of stoves for Russian wood-burning baths, we present our rating:
- brick oven, built by a professional;
- metal with a good brick lining , for example, “Teklar” or “Aito”;
- all other stoves are more or less “ tailored ” for a Russian bath.
We also invite you to share your opinion in the rating of the best stove for a Russian bath.
Briefly about the main thing
Before calculating a stove for a bath, you need to decide on the type of structure. After all, it can be with an open or closed heater, completely metal or lined with refractory bricks. In this case, it is necessary to provide for high thermal performance, tightness and long-term heat retention by the stove.
Metal heaters are available for purchase in finished form. They weigh less than brick ovens. At the same time, steel structures heat up faster, but they heat the bath unevenly. Brick heaters are built on a foundation.
Regardless of the type, the stove in the bathhouse must provide heating to all rooms. Its design includes a firebox and an ash pan. Often the wall with their doors is located in the dressing room.
Ratings 0
Electric oven
Another type of fuel for a metal stove can be electricity (or gas, which is discussed below). That is, we are talking about stoves specially designed by the Finns for their saunas , which today are sold in Russia with the guarantee that they can be used to create the conditions of a Russian bath.
In fact, stoves with this mode simply allow you to freely pour in more water than is permissible for a dry-air Finnish sauna. The stones (in most cases) are in an open heater, often even a grid , which implies strong and uncontrollable convection currents .
And we remember that one of the conditions for a Russian bathhouse will be controlled convection, which can be stopped at any time . This condition is met by only one type of electric ovens that can be found on sale - these are “ thermos ovens ”, the convection of which is stopped by simply closing the lid and ash pan. The disadvantage of “thermoses” is their high price.
Electric stove for Russian bath Harvia
In general, it will not be possible to adapt a cheaper open electric heater for a Russian bathhouse . Instead, you will get a high temperature, which with a large amount of steam is difficult for the human body to perceive. Maybe it’s still better to use these stoves for their intended purpose? A sauna is also a good option.
Basic requirements for sauna stoves
Since a sauna heater is a structure that bears a significant functional load, it is subject to serious requirements:
- Greater heating capacity so that the air temperature under the ceiling reaches 95°C, and near the floor – at least 45°C. At the same time, the stove should allow you to change the temperature to the desired parameters and be an economical device.
- Compactness, thanks to which people can comfortably perform water procedures, move freely, and avoid accidentally touching hot surfaces.
- A sufficient volume of heated water in accordance with the number of members in the family and the average consumption per person is approximately 15 liters.
- High tightness of all elements so that gas and smoke do not penetrate into the premises.
- A thoughtful design to ensure long-term preservation of the heat that is accumulated by the stones.
Taking into account all the requirements, the choice of a finished stove or its construction is carried out with a creative approach to the process. Indeed, thanks to the efforts of engineers, heaters of different sizes and designs have been developed.
One of the stove size options Source kamin.website
Gas stove in a Russian steam room
In essence, if we are talking about a brick stove , then the difference in the design of the wood and gas options is small - it lies only in the presence of a gas burner where wood would burn.
The combustion temperature of natural gas is much higher than that of wood. However, it is easier to regulate (and even more so if the oven is equipped with control devices). Therefore, in principle, it is quite possible to achieve the required conditions with the help of such a unit .
IMPORTANT! Perhaps some owners will find a combined option beneficial: a gas-wood stove.
In addition to brick ones, there are also metal gas stoves . They are also placed in bathhouses, but they are not worth mentioning for the reasons already stated - the material and design are more important than the fuel.
Stove location
The heating device is placed in the bathhouse in such a way that the structure can heat all rooms of the building. Usually the front wall of the heater with the combustion door and ash pan is located in the dressing room.
The choice of a finished device or the calculation of a stove for a bath during design is carried out taking into account the area of the steam room. If no more than 2 m2 is required to place a heating device, it is often installed in a specially created niche.
Heater stove in a specially prepared niche Source sdelaikamin.ru
This arrangement makes it possible not to expose the front wall of the device with the combustion door and ash pan to the dressing room. In this case, the stove will have to be heated from the steam room. This option is used when it is necessary to reduce heat losses and there is no need to heat other rooms in the bathhouse.
With your own hands
Combination - an iron stove and a brick pipe that accumulates heat, laid out with your own hands by a non-professional
Here we will not go into the details of making sauna stoves yourself. However, it is worth noting that it is quite difficult to build such a stove yourself out of brick, or rather, it is difficult to do it correctly .
In fact, would the work of a professional stove maker be so highly valued if anyone could install a brick stove using online schemes? Every craft has its secrets.
We admit that a person with many years of experience in bricklaying can try his luck with his own stove. Beginners should practice on something simpler.
By the way, brick for this purpose cannot be silicate or hollow . This is necessarily a refractory solid ceramic brick , in particular fireclay , which is used inside the furnace. The mortar used for masonry does not contain cement, it is a mixture of clay and sand .
It is easier to weld a metal stove than to install a brick one yourself. Think carefully about what protection you will have from its excessive heat.
And do not forget that it is better to make a heater not just closed, but with direct fire. Of course, this will force you to change stones much more often than if they were in a solid metal box, but tradition has not only advantages.
Features of the firebox and ash pan
During the construction of the stove, it is important to correctly determine the size of the combustion zone, taking into account various nuances. Be sure to take into account the need to install a collector for heating water and the type of fuel used.
The depth of the firebox is determined individually. If this size is 80 cm, then 55 cm of this is used for loading standard length firewood, and 25 cm is used for the water heating system. The width of the combustion zone can be 40 cm, and the height – 35 cm. A firebox of such dimensions allows you to load 8-10 standard logs at a time.
Fuel combustion products are removed from the sauna stove through the ash pan. The blower also allows you to collect ash. In addition, air necessary for the combustion process enters the combustion zone through them. To regulate the rate of fuel combustion, an ash pan or a special valve is used. If it is necessary to quickly heat the bath rooms, it is recommended to completely open the air passage.
