Date of publication: September 17, 2018
Bath ceremonies in Russia have always been respected, and remain so today, despite any political and economic processes. To relax after a difficult day at work in the sauna, warm up, relieve stress and tension, get rid of thoughts, and at the same time carry out health prevention - every owner of a bathhouse or sauna has this opportunity.
Equipping your steam room with a good sauna stove is not at all difficult, the main thing is to decide what kind of stove you need - for example, a closed or open type of heater? Which is better? How does one type differ from another? In this article we will try to reveal the basic concepts and differences between the two types of heaters, their advantages and features.
To begin with, you need to define the heater itself. What it is? From the name it becomes clear that stones play a key role here. A sufficient volume of heat-conducting stones is placed in a special casing, in which they are heated and transfer heat to the steam room. This is the heater.
The first sauna stove in history with an open heater
This simple, essentially device was invented by people thousands of years ago. The very first baths, discovered by archaeologists in the sites of ancient people, were a hole in the ground, which was lined with straw and brushwood and a pile of stones was thrown on top. Burning brushwood heated the stones, the heat from which the first people used for heating. A little later, inventive humanity came up with a unique innovation of this design: a homemade tent made of branches and skins was erected over a pit with brushwood and stones. Thus, it was possible to keep the heat from the heated stones within one space in which people warmed themselves, were treated and, in fact, steamed. By the essence of its design and operation, this first device can be called an open heater.
What to choose - closed or open oven?
Today, the level of comfort of bath procedures is, of course, incomparable to what ancient people could afford. And this is for the better. However, the question of whether to buy a cast iron sauna stove with a closed heater, or, for example, a metal one with an open one, should be asked before making the final choice. To do this, let’s take a closer look at the features of this or that type.
As you might guess, the main difference between the two types of stoves is in the design and location of the container with stones. In closed oven models, the stones are placed in a closed casing, which only has a door to view the stones and throw water on them to generate steam. And in open ovens, the mass of heat-accumulating stones is open to view, they are easily accessible and you can conveniently pour water on them to produce saturated steam. True, precaution is important here - too much water can harm both the bath procedure and the equipment itself. But there are other differences.
“Russian bath” mode? And please...
We bring to your attention a brief overview of some models of sauna stoves. The criteria and rules by which we decided to choose these models: - first and most importantly - no one produces bad stoves, therefore in this review you will not find negative ratings. Try to determine for yourself the advantages and benefits you need. - designed for the most common volumes of steam rooms - about 14-16 cubic meters on average - identical outer casing - mesh - presence of a closed compartment for the coolant. Let's start with the last point. In recent years, the most popular stoves have become models designed to create the conditions of a “Russian bath”. In numerous battles on forums, it was conventionally accepted to consider the ratio of created temperatures and humidity to be 60/60, as well as the possibility of creating dry superheated steam from maximally heated stones as a “Russian bath”. The models we have chosen, in our opinion and according to the manufacturers' annotations, correspond exactly to this. All of them have either such a compartment built into the design or built on. Among other things, the relatively large mass and coolant screen bring them closer to “Russian stoves” in terms of the absence of hard radiation from the metal. Most often, this type of furnace requires a foundation. The reason is simple - the total mass is quite large. Or, at the intended installation site, it is necessary to plan in advance to strengthen the floor structure. A number of the offered stove models have their own options, extended functionality or some variations. For example, all stoves, except for the Sayana Vitra XXL Inox model at the moment, can be offered with solid doors without glass. For those consumers whose stove can be mounted to the side, where the presence of the glazed part does not play any role. Sayany Vitra XXL Inox, on the contrary, is the only model offered that has a modification with a built-in heat exchange circuit. It can be positioned universally - on the left or on the right. This stove also has varieties with the same heat exchanger option, but with a firebox made of structural steel - the Sayana Vitra XXL Carbon model. Such a stove can already be directly compared in terms of certain qualities and price with the Varvara Terma Panorama and Vityaz Favorit 28 models, which have options only made of structural steel. Well, of all, only the cast iron Hurricane 28 Fireplace can boast of the number of door options offered. What is called for all occasions. Sudarushka Rusa Family, in turn, is the only option offered, including with a shortened tunnel for burning directly in the steam room. Let's take a closer look at each stove model. Representative of Tver ]Varvara Terma Panorama[/anchor].
Stoves under the Varvara brand have been on the stove market for decades and have won their customers and a niche of high-quality, high-quality and inexpensive ones. All models are made from structural steel. The thickness of the metal in the combustion part is from 6 mm and above. The 170 kg weight of the proposed model is close to its cast-iron competitors and speaks volumes. The model, as we have already described, can be offered without a glass door, namely with a solid cast iron door, which will also reduce the cost of the stove. The manufacturer has not yet offered more options and modifications. The stove has a very deep internal heater built into the firebox. To obtain steam from the lowest layers of stone, a steam gun is required in the design. But there is no such option yet. It is quite possible to use such devices from other manufacturers or make them “handicraft”. Fortunately, it’s not a high-tech product. The oven has the most compact dimensions in width. Its design is more extended upward. With usually minimal free space in the steam room, this is a definite plus. What other advantages….Value between quality and price. And during times of crisis in the economy, it’s more likely the opposite - price and quality.
The prize of sympathy is the price of the product!
Offer from the Inzhkomcenter VVD - Sudarushka Rusa Family.
2021 offer. Although all variants of Sudarushka models have been offered since the late 90s. Time-tested firebox made of cast iron and only cast iron. There are no other modifications to the firebox. The only representative of all those discussed that can be used with a firebox directly in the steam room. The oven is without a remote control and has a solid metal door. This is what this option will be called. In this case, the upper heater turns over 180 degrees and the door of the upper compartment will face the steamer. Everything is universal. The closed heater is a solid, impressively sized stainless steel compartment. The compartment completely blocks the possibility of contact of anything with the hot cast iron of the firebox. It is the contact between water and cast iron that consumers most often fear. In this case, the cast iron part is completely insulated by the upper stainless heater. The upper heater with a closed part is very capacious. 100 kg of stone! The option of removing steam from the lowest hot layers has been thought out. The signature steam gun is offered as an option. I think it is simply necessary to purchase it. Otherwise, with all the advantages and capabilities of this stove, you will save in vain.
The prize of sympathy is the most capacious internal heater and a well-thought-out design for professionals and steaming connoisseurs!
Sayany Vitra XXL Inox is a representative of the family of stoves from the Novosibirsk manufacturer under the Termofor brand.
Termofor naturally calls itself the No. 1 manufacturer of stoves in the country. The volume of production and supply, geography of sales are only confirmation of leadership. Let's return to the stove... The Sayana Vitra XXL Inox stove was introduced quite recently. It combines the proven and tested technologies of two stoves at once - the Sayana stove and the Geyser 2014 stove. From the first it inherited a stylish appearance, which is the envy of many competitors, and from the Geyser it inherited the functions of a closed heater and double steam generation. The branded steam gun is offered along with the stove in the base. If you need to have a structure with heated water in your bathhouse, then Sayany Vitra XXL offers it to you. Option with built-in universal heat exchanger. The only oven with such characteristics and capabilities. What else is unique and unique about it? The firebox, namely the material. It is made of stainless steel, which is why the oven weighs only about 60 kg. The manufacturer's warranty for this model is 3 years! Do you think the cost of this stove is high? The Sayana Vitra XXL Carbon version with the same characteristics, but with a firebox made of structural steel, will bring your dream closer. A little cheaper and without loss of functionality.
High functionality with an adequate price is our prize of sympathy!
Vesuvius Hurricane Lux Fireplace - “cast iron is our everything or you can’t ruin a bathhouse with cast iron.”
Massive and powerful combustion unit made of cast iron. The upper chamber for the coolant is built above the firebox. Like all cast iron stoves, it cannot be integral with the firebox. We chose as a competitor the option of a stove with a fireplace door. Vesuvius, on the other hand, offers the widest choice of door designs - smaller, larger, and all without glass, and all, we note, are cast iron, as is the firebox. The thickness of cast iron in the combustion part is 12 mm! The manufacturer's stated service life is 30 years. What is called will remain as an inheritance. Try to follow the recommendations set out in the passport for handling a cast iron unit and, perhaps, the stove will still serve in the 22nd century. The design does not include a steam gun, but most likely this will not be a difficult modification. In this case, it will be necessary to consider insulating the place where the gun is installed on the surface of the firebox. It is better that the escaping steam contacts not the cast iron, but the intermediate material.
Power, durability and performance are our passions!
The last version of our review, but not the least important, is an offer from a Tver manufacturer under the Berezka brand.
Stove Vityaz Favorit 28. The stove is made of structural steel 6-8 mm thick and has a steam gun in the base - a definite plus. As a modification, a stove option with a solid cast-iron door is offered. The casing and front part are stylized as antique forging. The difference from all presented models is the location of the closed compartment door. It is not from above, but from the back of the oven. You can feed it into a steam gun or into the upper heater through the open door. It does not interfere. A significant difference from all other analogues. When supplied to a steam gun, steam exits through special holes in the body and passes through the external stone filling.
Our sympathies are more good and different stoves! Price as an argument during crises!
| Furnaces | Varvara Terma Panorama | Sudarushka Rusa Family | Sayany Vitra XXL Inox | Hurricane Lux 28 Fireplace | Vityaz Favorit 28 |
| Photo | |||||
| Manufacturer | Russia, Tver | Russia Moscow | Novosibirsk, Russia | Russia, Tula | Russia, Tver |
| Furnace material | Structural steel | Cast iron | Stainless steel | Cast iron | Structural steel |
| Steam room volume, m3 | 12-24 | 10-18 | 12-24 | 14-30 | 12-28 |
| Total mass of stones, kg | 250 | 250 | 213 | 300 | 220 |
| Mass of stones in a closed heater, kg | 70 | 100 | 26 | 80 | 40 |
| Steam gun | No | option | in the database | No | in the database |
| Dimensions HxWxD, mm | 1120x560x860 | 1055x578x785 | 920x680x865 | 870x710x890 | 1050x650x920 |
| Oven weight, kg | 170 | 140 | 63 | 187 | 145 |
| Chimney diameter, mm | 115 | 115 | 115 | 120 | 115 |
| Possible options and modifications of the furnace | - with a solid cast iron door | — with different types of doors — without remote firebox | — with a firebox made of structural steel - with built-in heat exchanger | - with different types of doors | - with a solid cast iron door |
| Price, rub (May 2016) | 23 500 | 43 900 | 29 000 | 42 380 | 25 200 |
Of course, there are many more options for stoves with supposed modes close to the concept of a “Russian bath,” but we tried to compare at least some of them.
Returning to the first point of our rules - no one produces bad stoves, we are confident that each of the listed models will find its consumer for certain advantages and designs. We hope this material will help you decide on the future “heart of the steam room”, will significantly save time and simplify your choice. Light steam, yours
Our group on VK.COM: Sauna stoves with a closed heater.
Optimal conditions inside a steam room for a Russian-style steam room
A metal or cast iron stove with a closed heater is mainly used in classic Russian steam rooms, where the air temperature should not exceed 70-80 degrees Celsius, while the air humidity should be quite high - at least 65%, and better yet, more. Unlike a Finnish sauna with dry air, in a Russian bath humidity plays a decisive role - it is she who “guides” the bath procedures and has a positive effect on the human body. Steam saturated with moisture helps the pores open, promotes the release of sweat, while “smoothing out” the heat, allowing you to perceive it with comfort.
The humidity and temperature parameters described above are achieved precisely thanks to the closed design of the stove heater. So, the entire volume of stones in it heats up quite strongly, to a temperature level of about 300-750 C⁰. At the same time, excessive heat should not enter the steam room, so as not to overheat it. To “retain” the heat inside the furnace, a casing was invented - made of brick, cast iron, iron and other materials. The stones located inside the casing have direct or indirect (depending on the internal structure of the furnace elements) contact with the fire - they heat up, as expected, but the heat from them is retained by the casing and the amount of heat that is needed directly enters the steam room itself - without excess .
Cast iron sauna stove “Sudarushka”
For a small steam room, the Sudarushka stove equipment, produced by the well-established Inzhkomtsentr VVD company, is perfect. Such cast-iron sauna stoves, operating on wood, are excellent for small rooms, as they have an elongated design: a cast-iron firebox is located below, and a heat-resistant steel heater is located above. The device is reinforced with a corner welded to the bottom, which, in addition, prevents fire from entering the chimney, cutting the flame. Double gas circulation provides better heating of the stones, and therefore the steam room.
Features and advantages of stoves with a closed heater
The closed design of the heater has the following features, which, in fact, are advantages:
- the steam room heats up more slowly, but with better quality: the heat is distributed evenly, promoting a comfortable microclimate and favorable conditions for steaming
- Strong heating of the stones contributes to the process of heat accumulation in them for a very long time: the bathhouse cools down for a long time, allowing you to both increase the time of bathing procedures and warm up in the steam room even the next morning
- the steam room does not overheat, and the temperature level in it is at a level comfortable for the human body
- quite high, but comfortable temperature in the steam room is maintained for a record long time without the need for reheating
- a closed heater, namely its walls, retains the required volume of steam without “splashing” it into idle conditions: the steam infuses, becomes light and rich
- the heating speed of the steam room can be easily adjusted using the door of the closed heater - just open it and the heat will flow into the room
- high level of fire safety
Sauna stoves with a closed casing for stones are made of various materials, which, of course, also affect the heating and thermal parameters of the equipment. So, for example, a metal stove for a Russian bath with a closed heater will heat up faster than a cast iron one, but the cooling process will also be fast - metal does not store heat for a long time. But a cast iron stove will retain and release accumulated heat for a long time, but it may take hours to heat it up. A brick stove also retains heat for a long time, but this type of equipment is rarely used anymore - why assemble a stove brick by brick when you can buy a ready-made one for the same money?
Steam – hard and soft
Do you have experience going to a bathhouse? If you are reading this article, most likely yes. Remember how different the sensations are from different baths. It is impossible not to notice this difference - even a beginner who has been in just a few steam rooms quickly develops his own preferences. It's all about the steam fraction.
Let's look at the extremes. It is not comfortable to be in any steam room: the steam burns, your ears literally wrap themselves in a tube. The burning effect is felt not only by the skin - breathing in such an atmosphere is also not easy.
Such steam is called coarse-dispersed (large fraction). It is this form of steam that we are dealing with when we bring water to a boil on the stove. It is clearly visible to the eye and has a characteristic rigidity.
Fig. 1. You don’t feel very comfortable in a bathhouse with coarse steam.
It’s a completely different matter - soft steam, carefully enveloping you with warmth. It’s easy to breathe in a bathhouse with such steam, and steaming with a broom is a pleasure.
This steam is called finely dispersed (fine fraction). Its characteristic feature is invisibility. In the steam room you will not see white clouds of steam when you add water to the heater, although you will feel on your skin that the room has been steamed to perfection.
Pros and features of ovens with an open casing
Sauna stoves with open heaters are also very popular today. Especially when arranging a Finnish sauna. Open stones allow the steam room to heat up faster, but it also cools down quite quickly. At the same time, the open casing helps heat the steam room to very high temperatures, and if you are a fan of hot, dry air, then this is definitely your option. The Finns, for example, only recognize such steam rooms; they prefer dry and extremely hot air than moist steam and moderate temperature - like in a Russian bath. Therefore, it is not customary for the Finns to throw water on open stones: firstly, steam immediately eliminates excess heat and dryness, making the air humid, and secondly, strong steam at such high air temperatures as they like in Finland can severely burn a person and cause serious injury. damage to his health.
The oven must be used for its intended purpose so as not to harm either the equipment or your health. So it is best to choose an open or closed type of heater based on personal preferences for the level of temperature and humidity during bathing procedures. For lovers of moist, healthy steam and moderate temperatures, a closed stove is suitable, and for those who prefer dry air in a steam room at high temperatures, an open heater is suitable.
Stones for cast iron stove
Cobblestones are an integral part of the heating device, because the temperature in the steam room depends on their heating. Most often, stones have to be purchased separately from the furnace equipment. Do not forget that the main parameter of cobblestones is their roundness: there should be no sharp edges. Round products heat up better and retain heat longer. When choosing cobblestones for a cast iron stove, the following points must be considered:
- stones should be varied in size: from small to large;
- it is important that they are not damaged;
- cobblestones should not be light: the heavier the rock, the better it retains heat;
- It is preferable to use stones only of natural origin.
The cobblestones should be placed as follows: we place the large ones on the bottom, and the smallest ones should be on top. Do not forget that the total weight of the stones depends on their type and the area of the steam room. On average it turns out like this: for every 10 sq. m requires about 100 kg of cobblestones. However, even stones cannot withstand constant exposure to high temperatures, so they need to be replaced every 2-3 years. The cobblestones should not be watered immediately: you must wait until they reach a minimum temperature of 300 degrees. If you do this earlier, the steam will be too wet and people will not be able to stay in the steam room for long.
