TOP 10 best electric stoves for a bath: 2021 rating and which device to choose for heating a steam room

A “quick” Russian bathhouse – this is what an advertisement for an electric heater with a steam generator should sound like. In fact, what is the point of generating large volumes of steam in a sauna if the classic Finnish sauna is dry-air, that is, the amount of steam even after sauna should not be more than 15%. However, we shouldn’t rush to conclusions; let’s see if an electric stove with a steam generator is really capable of creating the conditions of a Russian bath. And are all steam generators that can be found on sale suitable for such purposes?

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

How to choose and what to pay attention to?

When buying an electric sauna stove, pay attention to the following criteria:

1. Preliminary calculation of steam room volume . Determines the required power. For 1 cubic meter of steam room there should be 1 kW of power. This calculation is approximate, but with its help the buyer can determine the choice of electric stove of the required performance.
2. Furnace controls . The wiring must be able to withstand the load. Some models cannot operate on a 220 W network; they must be connected to 380 W. Please consider this point when purchasing.
3. View of the heating circuit . For a home steam room, you can choose a heating element, but it is better if it is made of stainless steel - this will extend the service life of the electric furnace.
4. Design . Depending on the size of the room, you can choose the type of device: wall-mounted, floor-mounted or mixed type. It is better to equip small steam rooms with a wall-mounted stove; it saves space.
5. Availability of a certificate of product conformity to Russian standards . Please pay attention to the presence of a valid safety certificate for the stove and the materials from which it is made.

Helpful tips for use and installation

• It is important to lay the hoses without kinks and with a slight slope, so that when condensate forms in the tubes, it flows freely and does not form plugs.
• The steam generator is connected to the electrical network of the house only through an RCD with a power of 10 mA (if the device is in a steam room) or 30 mA (if the generator is in the utility room).
• Grounding the generator housing is mandatory! Don't put your family and guests at risk.
• You can check the water level in a homemade steam generator only before heating begins. In working condition, the valve connecting the steam gun tank and the reserve tank must be closed.
• Keep the inside of the tank clean, clean it with acid every 5-10 sessions (like in a kettle). If the water in your area is soft, cleanings can be done less frequently. Another option is to use prepared water: passed through an ion exchanger, distilled, or simply pre-boiled and settled.

Video: review of a Russian bathhouse with a homemade steam generator

As you can see, having an old gas cylinder and a little experience in welding is quite possible to provide yourself with a working steam generator. If you have not yet appreciated the advantages of light steam, we recommend that you first make the simplest heat gun from a pipe and a mug. We are sure that for the invigorating and healing effect of light steam, you will soon want to acquire a more advanced option.

• Author: Marina Maksimova-Koldashenko
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The best electric sauna stoves

Sawo Mini X MX-36NS-Z

Electric sauna stove of hanging type, power 3.6 kW . Operates on 220 and 380 network

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Heats up to 6 cubic meters. The body is made of durable steel, galvanized inside, and has a light weight of 8 kilograms.

Compact sizes are ideal for placement in tight spaces . You can separately purchase a remote control panel that allows you to adjust the indicators from a distance.

The housing does not heat up to high temperatures, the room is heated quickly and evenly, even in the corners of the steam room.

The declared volume warms up in 15-20 minutes.

It features low energy consumption and is available in white color . The work proceeds silently. The manufacturer provides three years of official warranty.

Main characteristics:

1. What volume does it heat? 6 m3.
2. Power - 3.6 kW.
3. The body is steel.
4. Dimensions - 50x33x24 cm.

pros

• compactness and lightness;
• efficiency;
• economical energy consumption.

Minuses

• not detected.

Sawo Scandia SCA-45NS-Z

Snow-white hanging electric stove for baths and saunas, power 4.5 kW.

Heats up to 6 cubic meters.

The body is made of steel and does not become very hot during operation..

Galvanized inside. This distribution of materials allows you to reduce the cost of the device without losing its service life. Operates from a 380 W network.

A remote control panel can be purchased separately . The panel is located on the side, with its help you can set the parameters of power, temperature, and late switching on. The stove's heater can hold up to 22 kg of stones.

The air heats up quickly and evenly, without strong dry heat . The specified volume is heated in 20 minutes.

It is characterized by low price and economical energy consumption. The manufacturer provides three years of official warranty.

Main characteristics:

1. What volume does it heat? 6 m3.
2. Power - 4.5 kW.
3. The body is steel.
4. Dimensions - 45x41x29 cm.

pros

• stylish design in the style of Scandinavian minimalism;
• energy consumption class;
• fast and uniform heating.

Minuses

• To use the modes, you need to buy a thermostat.

Sawo MINI MN-23NB-Z

Electric hanging stove for small steam rooms . The furnace power is 2.3 kW,

heats up to 3 cubic meters. The light stainless steel body does not heat up during use.

Operates from a network of 220 and 380 W.

The heater can hold up to 9 kilograms of stones. The casing and upper grill are also made of stainless steel.

It takes no more than 10 minutes to heat up the specified volume, while oxygen is not burned out and the heat is distributed evenly.

The controls are simple and the work is silent. The control panel is located on the side, which is convenient in terms of saving space.

Compact dimensions allow you to easily place the device in tight spaces.

The remote control panel, which is purchased separately, is designed to adjust parameters without the need to enter a hot room.

Main characteristics:

1. What volume does it heat? 3 m3.
2. Power - 2.3 kW.
3. The body is steel.
4. Dimensions - 45x43.5x21 cm.

pros

• economical energy consumption;
• convenient control;
• fast heating.

Minuses

• no deficiencies identified.

Sawo Aries ARI3-45NB-P

Floor-standing electric sauna stove with a total weight of 60 kg . Placed on stable

legs that do not allow movement or accidental tipping.

Despite the high design of the heater, the stove itself stands well and does not wobble. It has a power of 4.5 kW and heats up to 6 cubic meters.

You can use the remote control to control modes remotely . The body is made of stainless steel, as is the grill of the heater. Open type heater. There is an adjustment of heating power.

Hot air is distributed evenly throughout the room, without bypassing the corners . It features economical energy consumption. The specified volume heats up in 20-30 minutes.

Adjustment can be made not only through the remote control, but also through two rotary switches on the body.

There is a timer and thermostat.

Main characteristics:

1. What volume does it heat? 6 m3.
2. Power - 4.5 kW.
3. The body is steel.
4. Dimensions - 93x30x30 cm.

pros

• official Finnish guarantee;
• simple control of switches or via remote control;
• installed timer and thermostat;
• economical energy consumption.

Minuses

• The remote control is not included.

Sawo ARIES ARI3-90NB-P

Floor-standing electric sauna stove with a total weight of 13 kg, which allows you to freely move the device from place to place.

Placed on stable legs that prevent movement or accidental tipping. It has a power of 9 kW and heats up to 14 cubic meters. Operates from a 220 W network.

You can use a remote control to control modes, which is purchased separately.

The body is made of stainless steel, as is the grill of the heater. Open type heater, holds up to 50 kg. There is an adjustment of heating power.

Hot air is distributed evenly throughout the room, without bypassing the corners . It features economical energy consumption.

The specified volume heats up in 20-30 minutes . Adjustment can be made not only through the remote control, but also through two rotary switches on the body. There is a timer and thermostat.

Main characteristics:

1. What volume does it heat? 14 m3.
2. Power - 9 kW.
3. The body is steel.
4. Dimensions - 92.5x27.5x27.5 cm.

pros

• economical energy consumption;
• control of both switches and remote control;
• fast and uniform heating;
• a light weight.

Minuses

• The remote control is not included.

Sawo Scandia SCA-90NB-Z

Another model of an electric floor oven . A power of 9 kW is enough to heat 14

cubic meters. The case is made of stainless steel. The heater can hold up to 20 kilograms.

Operates on 380 W network.

The housing houses a control panel with manual (rotary) controls. They do not deform from high temperatures.

The grille is made of stainless steel and galvanized inside . This ensures a long service life, protecting the housing from early deformation. High temperature and humidity do not affect the operation of the device.

Warming up is fast and uniform, the oven does not burn oxygen . Small dimensions and economical energy consumption make this model even more attractive.

Main characteristics:

1. What volume does it heat? 14 m3.
2. Power - 9 kW.
3. The body is steel.
4. Dimensions - 52x51.5x29 cm.

pros

• Finnish quality and official guarantee;
• convenient control;
• fast and uniform heating.

Minuses

• cannot be connected to a 220 network.

Sawo Nordex Mini NRMN-36NB-Z

Another model of a hanging electric stove for small steam rooms . Device power

is 3.5 kW, this is enough to heat 6 cubic meters. Operates from a network of 220 and 380 W.

The body, casing and upper grill are made of stainless steel, galvanized inside . Made in light gray color, the body does not heat up.

The heater can hold up to 11 kilograms of stones . Control is carried out using two rotary switches located on the body.

Installation is easy, compact dimensions allow you to easily place the stove in modest room sizes.

It copes with heating quickly, evenly distributing heat at the specified volume in 10-15 minutes. Doesn't burn oxygen.

Main characteristics:

1. What volume does it heat? 6 m3.
2. Power - 3.5 kW.
3. The body is steel.
4. Dimensions - 49.5x34x20 cm.

pros

• compactness;
• fast and uniform heating;
• simple mechanical control.

Minuses

• not found.

Harvia Vega BC60

Compact and lightweight (only 11 kg) hanging electric sauna stove with a power of 6 kW, for heating 8 cubic meters.

The outer casing and firebox are made of stainless steel. During operation, the housing does not become hot.

Mechanical control, two convenient rotary switches located on the front side of the outer housing.

The heater can hold up to 11 kilograms of stones. Heating occurs quickly, heat is distributed evenly.

Operates from a network of 220 and 380 W. There is a turn-on timer and a built-in thermostat. The oven is designed for a long service life and is not afraid of high temperatures and humidity.

Main characteristics:

1. What volume does it heat? 8 m3.
2. Power - 6 kW.
3. The body is steel.
4. Dimensions -54x48x31 cm.

pros

• built-in timer and thermostat;
• simple mechanical control;
• fast and uniform heating.

Minuses

• there is no possibility to control remotely.

Harvia Moderna V80E

Lightweight electric sauna stove with a power of 8 kW . Heats up to 12 cubic meters.

Can be placed on the floor or hung on the wall. Operates from a 220 network, there is a possibility of remote control.

This allows you to adjust power, temperature and operating time without entering a hot steam room ahead of time.

The heater can hold up to 20 kg of stones. A temperature sensor is installed, the maximum temperature is 110 degrees.

The oven is adapted for eight hours of continuous operation . There is an electronic control panel on the side. The connecting cable is 3.5 meters long, which allows the device to be moved freely.

Main characteristics:

1. What volume does it heat? 12 m3.
2. Power - 8 kW.
3. The body is steel.
4. Dimensions - 58x41x31 cm.

pros

• timer and thermostat;
• electronic or remote control;
• 8 hours of continuous operation.

Minuses

• When the voltage is low, the control is disabled.

Harvia KIP90

Hanging model of an electric sauna stove . The power of the device is 9 kW, this

enough to heat 14 cubic meters.

Operates on 220 W network . The outer casing is made of stainless steel.

The heater can hold up to 25 kg of stones. The oven is compact in size. Easily fits into small steam rooms and saunas.

Heating of the room occurs quickly, the heat is distributed evenly, without bypassing the corners . Doesn't burn oxygen. The specified volume warms up in 10-20 minutes. Designed for 4 hours of continuous operation.

The control is mechanical, carried out by two rotary switches located at the bottom on the front side of the case.

They are protected from high temperatures and humidity.

Main characteristics:

1. What volume does it heat? 14 m3.
2. Power - 9 kW.
3. The body is steel.
4. Dimensions - 60x41x28 cm.

pros

• simple mechanical control;
• fast and uniform heating;
• economical energy consumption.

Minuses

• not found.

Principle of operation

A sauna stove with a steam generator regulates humidity and air temperature by changing the volume of supplied steam.

The steam generator functions in new models like this:

1. Water is poured into the storage tank (in some cases, depending on the configuration and model, this is done automatically).
2. From this tank, through connecting pipelines, the liquid circulates into the steam generation chamber.
3. There, under the influence of high temperatures, the liquid turns into steam.
4. Steam enters the steam room through a special hole.

The process of steam formation in different models of heaters may differ due to their design features and the type of heating of the steam generation chamber.

Types of electric sauna stoves

Electric sauna stoves come in several types: wall-mounted, stationary and mixed..

The former are distinguished by their light weight and extremely compact dimensions; such stoves are used in small steam rooms in order to save space. Stationary ones are heavier and larger, hold 20 kg of stones and are suitable for large steam rooms.

Mixed electronic ovens can be hung on the wall or placed on the floor . They are light, compact and in terms of power they are inferior to stationary models.

Most often used in steam rooms with a volume of up to 10 cubic meters.

In addition, electric furnaces are divided according to the type of heating element:

1. Heating element heater , which has a limited resource, especially with frequent use.
2. Band heating . It is considered the safest and most economical option in terms of energy consumption.
3. Mixed heating . Such models combine both types of heating element. The tape increases the speed of kindling and reduces the load on the heating element, extending its service life.

Is additional insulation required for the steam room if the electric heater has a steam generator?

This is far from an idle question if you are going to install such a heater in an apartment. The sauna itself is a fairly dry bath, but if you start using a steam generator, the humidity in the steam room will be much higher .

problems with dampness and what usually accompanies it due to the use of a bathhouse high-quality waterproofing of the room . On our website you will find materials on how to properly insulate a room from moisture. Another important factor in the fight against humidity is the correct ventilation system - we have also written about it several times.

Even if the bathhouse is a separate building in the yard, it must be thoroughly dried after the procedures. In addition to ventilation and waterproofing, leave the stove on for a while so that it finally dries the walls . To avoid the formation of condensation on the walls, first heat the sauna dry, and only then turn on the steam generator.

Advantages and disadvantages of electric sauna stoves

The advantages of electric furnaces are considered:

• quickly heats the room and maintains a constant temperature;
• small size;
• You can install the device yourself;
• operation from a network of 220 or 380 W helps to eliminate fuel reserves;
• no need to build a smoke exhaust duct;
• no need to remove soot or carry out any maintenance activities;
• easy to adjust temperature;
• protection against severe overheating;
• does not emit carbon dioxide, is the safest, unlike gas or wood-burning devices;
• has good thermal protection.

The disadvantages of such models include:

• high cost of maintenance, the price of electricity with frequent use can hit your pocket hard;
• the wiring resource may not be sufficient if the network is configured for a lower consumed load;
• heat dissipation is lower than that of gas or wood-burning models.