Types of stoves for a bath: by type of construction, material and fuel

Welding rules

Homemade metal oven

When welding, you must adhere to the following notes:

• It is not possible to maintain exact dimensions during grabbing and fitting. This is not scary, because when welding with a continuous seam, they will hide and will not be noticeable - run-up or deviations from different sides are compensated.
• To prevent the lid from falling into the box when brewing, a high round stand is placed inside it.
• The bottom of the inner heater is a 10 mm sheet. This will allow it to withstand the main heat of the flame, and too thin a bottom will quickly burn out. After that, smoke will begin to flow into the steam room.

Having completed the design of the top and bottom, proceed to the preparation of the holes. First, a small hole is made in the stove in the lower part - for the firebox.

1. The box is laid horizontally and markings are applied in the right place.
2. A grinder or a welding machine cuts a hole for the firebox.
3. A door of the same size is cut from a sheet of metal blank.
4. In the lower part (third) of the box in which the stones are placed, several holes are made for pipes - their number is selected as needed. They are placed at least 5 cm from the bottom baffle to improve traction. A box with heavy stones is supposed to be installed on them.
5. Another hole is welded in the upper part - for inserting the inner case.

6. Along the perimeter of the hole from 3 sides, two 4 cm wide plates are attached to the welding - to strengthen the cut line. The first 3 strips are attached to the inner surface of the case, and the remaining ones to the outer part of the window with mixing.

7. A gap is left between the plates enough to insert the inner box.
8. One plate is welded to the inside and to the doors of the firebox - for reinforcement.
9. The firebox is fenced off from the ash pan with a grate made of steel rods with a diameter of 10-12 cm.
10. For complete combustion of firewood, a better air flow is needed, so the grates are welded along the direction of the blower.

According to the assembly scheme, the furnace is made of 2 parts - internal and external - with a size difference of about 10 centimeters. This gap is necessary for the removal of combustion waste into the chimney. During assembly, the inner part is placed in an outer shell, which in the simplest case is attached to the smoke exhaust pipes. Their diameter is chosen as arbitrary, but not too small. Size should be enough to create good traction.

Principle of operation

Depends on the type of equipment selected. In gas models, fuel (most often propane) is mixed with air in the right proportions with controlled flow and releases heat during combustion. Thanks to this, the stone base quickly accumulates, and the water poured onto it turns into steam.

In electric heating elements, located in the inner case, stones are heated (with which they are lined). The latter, in turn, give energy to the air entering and exiting through special ventilation ducts. As a result, the room temperature gradually rises.

In wood-burning stoves, the fuel burns out and gives off the emitted heat to the stove or mesh casing. Due to this interaction, a particularly mild vaporization is observed.

All sauna stoves have two compartments in their design: a firebox (below) and a heater (above). Outside, the stove has either a metal casing (if the stove is not made of bricks) or stone lining.

For modern and simply the best sauna stoves, they are as follows:

• made of materials that can withstand heavy loads stably;
• overall safety of the device, reducing the likelihood of fire, poisoning and other risks;
• the balance between the speed of heating, the speed of cooling and the provision of moisture;
• economy in terms of fuel consumption;
• convenient sizes for operation.

There are three types of water tanks

Tank "samovar" type. This is a tank on the chimney pipe. The flue from the sauna stove passes through the water tank and the hot flue gases heat the water. Such a tank has a filler and drain hole. Usually, it is made of stainless steel.

Hinged tank. Such a tank is located close to or hangs on the furnace body. The water in it is heated by the heat from the walls of the furnace itself.

Remote tank. This is a separately hanging tank, which can even be in another room. It is connected to a heat exchanger in the furnace and, due to this, the water is heated. But for such a tank, a special stove with a built-in heat exchanger is needed to heat the water. If you decide to choose a stove with a heat exchanger, it becomes possible to heat the steam room itself and adjacent rooms: dressing rooms, changing rooms, and other rooms.

Operating tips

Even the best oven can malfunction if installed incorrectly.

It is very important to place the heater in an environment of non-combustible materials. Before the firebox of the fire stove, a steel sheet with a minimum size of 1x1 m should be filled

For recommended fire clearances, refer to specific regulations. The distance to shelves, partitions made of wood must be kept at least 1.1 m.

Before starting the stove, check the chimney draft every time. Grates, ashtrays and grates should be thoroughly cleaned. If there is no draft, it is required to carefully clean the chimney. Skilled bath attendants find that it is best to heat the stoves with hardwood. Apple, pear and cherry are slightly worse, but more expensive.

It is undesirable to use pine wood. In last place are conifers. They give a little heat and a lot of burning, soot. It is strictly forbidden to heat the sauna stove:

• rotten board;
• old planks;
• painted wood, plywood, impregnated with various wood compounds;
• old clothes;
• plastic.

It must be remembered that freshly cut wood has a moisture content of 40%. She should lie down for up to several weeks, which allows you to reduce the humidity to 20%. At the very bottom, paper or tree bark is laid (best of all, birch bark). It is undesirable to use any kind of ignition mixture, including for tourist use. In the most difficult cases, dry alcohol tablets should be used.

It is not necessary to overfill the firebox with firewood. The maximum filling is 2/3 of the volume. As soon as the firewood burns out and the coals decay, it is necessary to cover the firebox itself, the view and the blower. Putting firewood in an iron stove should be done often, but in small portions. For a cast-iron, especially a brick hearth, this is no longer so important.

Smoke is often triggered by stacking firewood too tightly. Premature shut-off of the blower also disrupts the circulation of gases. Strong fire with powerful thrust is not always optimal. Competent bath attendants generally try to burn a small amount of firewood slowly. At the same time, they still achieve excellent warm-up.

Adherents of electric stoves, of course, such recommendations are unlikely to work. The specific connection diagram is selected individually each time, taking into account the design features and the specific building. It is recommended that you consult a professional electrician whenever possible.

Before starting the installation, you should immediately check the completeness and appearance of the oven. In case of any deviations from the norm, you must immediately stop working and turn to professionals for help. Wherever wiring is laid, walls and other surfaces should be reinforced. Of course, only one metal wiring is used, without twists.No more than one electrical network is placed on one steam room, only wires with a cross-sectional margin are used.

Any sauna stoves and stoves installed in saunas should be mounted as evenly as possible. Deviation from the intended plane is very dangerous

It is imperative to install the junction boxes outside the steam rooms. If this is not possible, it is better to spend a hefty amount on the services of a professional electrician than to face problems later.

It is required to use in any case heat-resistant (rated for at least 125 degrees) junction boxes.

The normal operation of electric ovens is guaranteed only with the correct organization of air exchange. Complete replacement of indoor air should take place at least hourly. The owners of the sauna will only benefit if it is done in 40-50 minutes. It is advisable to arrange air supply directly from the street. If this cannot be done, let the nearest dry room be the source.

An extinguished wick means that you must immediately interrupt the ignition and ventilate the room itself, the chimney. Violation of this rule could result in a serious explosion!

About which stove to give preference, see below.

How to choose the right gas stove for a bath

The stove is the most important element of the steam room. It depends on her how comfortable and useful a visit to the bath will be, and how much it will cost.

Gas stove design is not the last selection criterion. The volume of stones is also important, splashing water on which you can adjust the hardness of the steam and other characteristics of vaping

As for the technical parameters, the main ones are:

• the area of ​​the paired room;
• rated power;
• type of firebox;
• material of manufacture;
• control method;
• installation features;
• design.

If the power of the stove is too large for the volume of the steam room, then the air will heat up quickly, and the stones will not have time to warm up. This means that getting decent steam will be problematic.

At low power, the furnace will work at the limit of its capabilities, which will lead to its rapid wear and deformation. As a result, you will have to spend money on expensive repairs or even buy a new unit.

Therefore, it is necessary to determine the volume of the steam room, add to it the volume of adjacent rooms, if they are also planned to be heated using the same oven. You can add 20-25% to the resulting value and, based on this data, choose a model according to the rest of the criteria.

Facing a gas stove with bricks or natural stone slabs significantly increase the heat transfer of the unit, protect bath lovers from direct exposure to high and ultra-high temperatures

It is important to pay attention to the firebox, which must be made of steel grades that can withstand high temperatures and their significant drops. It is desirable that the stove has thermal inertia, that is, it can retain heat after being turned off. This will not only save fuel while swimming, but also dry the bath rooms after completing all procedures.

This will not only save fuel while swimming, but also dry the bath rooms after completing all procedures.

It is desirable that the stove has thermal inertia, that is, it can retain heat after being turned off. This will not only save fuel while swimming, but also dry the bath rooms after all procedures are completed.

If the stove will heat water for the shower room, which is located outside the steam room, it is worth choosing a model with a remote tank. Lovers of wet steam need to buy a stove with an open heater. For connoisseurs of dry heat, you will need a unit with a closed heater, in which the stones reach 500 ° C.

Multi-mode models will help you not to limit yourself to one thing and, depending on your mood, take a steam bath in a Russian steam room, or in a Finnish sauna. Some stoves are capable of providing the conditions of an oriental hammam and infrared sauna.

Additional equipment will allow you to control the unit from a distance and prepare the bath for your arrival, being hundreds of kilometers away. It remains to wish you a successful purchase and a light steam!

Views

How to choose a stove for a bath to ensure quick heating of the premises and a comfortable rest at any time of the year? High-quality equipment should be compact, durable, convenient and safe to operate.

Meanwhile, it is better to choose models of stoves for a Russian bath, which have sufficient thermal power and the ability to form thick and saturated steam.

There are three types of sauna stoves on the modern market:

1. Wood-burning;
2. Electrical;
3. Gas.

Wood burning

Wood-burning stoves can create a special atmosphere of coziness and comfort in baths and saunas. Such furnaces are practical, convenient and durable.

Wellness procedures can be started 40 minutes after the start of the heating process. Among other things, a wood-fired sauna stove promotes efficient heat accumulation over a long period of operation.

To choose a wood-burning stove, it is important to know some of its distinctive characteristics:

• The firebox in such a stove can be of a remote or built-in type of different volume;
• In some models, the doors are made of fireproof glass, additionally equipped with an expansion water tank and grate.
• For the manufacture of the case, brick or metal is used.

Brick

The brick stove has a complex design and impressive dimensions.

Such an oven is intended exclusively for installation in a bath, since it is not capable of providing high air convection at high temperatures and low humidity.

The construction of a brick heater provides for the arrangement of a separate foundation base using refractory bricks and a connecting clay mortar. To carry out the brickwork of the walls, a special brick is also used that can withstand significant temperature changes.

Metal

The wood-burning metal stove is quite popular and in demand due to its compactness and practicality. This is the best option for small-sized steam rooms - it does not require much space, has a high heat transfer, and has an attractive appearance.

Heat-resistant steel or cast iron is used for the all-welded construction of the stove, which allows installation of the equipment in any suitable place.

Metal stoves are sufficiently sealed, therefore, they exclude the ingress of smoke and gas into the room.

Electric

The simplest and most affordable option for heating any bath is electric ovens, which are distinguished by high power, compact size and high air heating rate. Electric heating equipment is installed without a chimney, therefore completely eliminates the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The electric heater is convenient and practical to use, equipped with an automatic control system. Lightweight metal body eliminates injury and burns.

The main disadvantage of such equipment is high power consumption.

Gas

Gas ovens are less in demand compared to electric counterparts. They provide fast heating of water and maintenance of optimum air temperature in the steam room. Such units are rather bulky and heavy, therefore they are suitable only for large steam rooms.

The main disadvantage of gas stoves is the high gas consumption, and if the bath is not connected to the central gas main, then the purchase and replacement of gas cylinders will require large financial costs.

DIY making

Before making a stove with your own hands, it is necessary to take into account that the design should be economical and generate only healthy heat. It is by these criteria that wood-burning models are not inferior to electric and gas

However, to make such a metal structure yourself, you need a little welding skill.

Even an inexperienced builder can build a sauna stove with his own hands.

A structure that is made of metal must meet certain requirements:

1. Heat up and increase the temperature in the steam room in a short period of time. As a rule, iron furnaces are the best ones to cope with this task.
2. Keep warm for a long time. Since the metal has the ability to quickly heat up and cool, it will require a heater that accumulates heat, or it will take more time for the furnace to burn. Another method of long-term preservation of heat is to cover the sauna stove with a brick after its installation.
3. Take up a small area in the steam room. If the room is too small, then it is best to make vertical models with a loading door, which is carried out into the dressing room.
4. Be absolutely safe for people in the bath. To protect yourself from burns, a convection casing made of thin sheets of iron is installed on the building's body. But you can also build a brick wall near the structure.

The easiest way will be to make a wood-burning stove in a bath from a steel pipe, the diameter of which is from 300 to 500 mm. You can also use a gas cylinder for these purposes. There may be several reasons for this:

1. The pipe is already a completely finished structure body, which simplifies the entire production.
2. The cylindrical shape of the material is considered more suitable for the manufacture of a furnace than a rectangular one, since considerations of aerodynamics and heat transfer are taken into account here.
3. Vaulted surfaces without seams have a longer service life than flat ones.
4. The round design is more convenient for cleaning soot and ash.

Each oven has a number of its own characteristics. The most popular are 3 types of metal structures:

1. An ordinary horizontal stove made from a gas cylinder, which is heated from the inside of the steam room.
2. A stove made of a 53 cm pipe with a remote firebox.
3. Three-in-one boiler, which is located in an upright position.

The first types of stoves are the easiest to manufacture, have small dimensions, and are mobile. To make such a structure, you will need an unnecessary gas cylinder, the diameter of which is 30 or 50 cm. You will also need metal scrap.

First you need to properly cut the top of the cylinder right along the production seam. To do this, unscrew the gas valve with an open-end wrench, fill everything inside with water, and then proceed to pruning with a grinder. Then you should proceed in order:

1. Cut openings on the back of the cover for installing the doors and flue pipe. Build an ash or loading door frame from metal strips, and then attach them by welding to the openings.
2. Using a welding machine, build a grate, place the corners that must be fixed from the inside of the cylinder. Attach the split top back into place.
3. Make the shutters, put them on the hinges, attach the locks.
4. Attach the legs and the pipe through which the smoke will come out to the main structure.

At the end of the assembly, all the old paint remaining on the cylinder must be removed from the finished sauna stove. It is best to do it outside. Then the product is disinfected and painted again using a heat-resistant composition of the KO series.

To make a unit with a remote firebox, it is necessary to prepare metal parts and cut the pipe to the desired size. During the preparation of the metal for the additional section of the furnace, it is necessary to measure the thickness of the walls between the steam room and the dressing room. So you can calculate the width of the build-up of the part that will go into the opening of the partition. Then everything is done in a specific sequence:

1. It is necessary to make a hole in the upper part of the pipe, weld the chimney pipe to it, and attach legs to the bottom of the firebox. Install the grate.
2. Make the front section, then use electric welding to weld the firebox. Attach a blank metal disk to the boiler end of the body.
3. Make doors insulated with basalt wool. Weld the handles to them and install the finished doors in place.

The best metal stove for a bath

Thermofor Geyser is a classic design and functionality. Made of heat-resistant black alloy steel, it is a reliable material. Wall-mounted, belongs to the closed type. Combined fuel. The furnace is designed to generate steam and heat water.

Standard features include ash drawer, flame level control. The walls of the firebox are 0.3 cm thick. The stove is divided into two parts - open and closed.

In the first, steam is formed, in the second it is dried. Dosing valve built into the funnel to prevent large amounts of water from entering.

Specifications:

• Heating volume - 18 m3.
• The volume of the firebox is 40 liters.
• The length of the firewood is 50 cm.
• Dimensions - 41.5 x 90 x 83 cm.
• All - 59 kg.

Pros:

• Simple to use. It is connected to the chimney at the top, there is protection against water ingress inside.
• Reliable case. Made of heat-resistant steel.
• Laconic style. Will fit into the bath of any idea.
• Light weight. You can calmly move when arranging the territory.

Minuses:

• Noise. Rumble with active firewood burning.
• Working area. For a small bath.

The device and principle of operation of a gas bath stove

A gas sauna stove is structurally reminiscent of a simple boiler. The main difference is the principle of space heating. The working process is based on natural or forced convection of air currents in the twin room.

The internal structure of the gas furnace

According to the standard, gas stoves for a bath have the following elements in their design:

• a gas burner is mounted in the body;
• then carry out a hermetic connection of the gas pipeline with the burner;
• additionally, you can fix the water tank;
• a pallet with stones is installed on top of the body and a pipe is brought out to remove the products of gas combustion.

If we consider that cold water will be poured into the gas heater for a bath to create water vapor, then you need to choose the ideal stones that can withstand such a sharp change in environmental conditions. Large sea or river stones are the best that can be used to create steam in a steam room.

It has been proven in practice that they perfectly withstand extreme thermal stress and temperature extremes. They heat up very quickly, and the maximum heating temperature reaches 200 degrees Celsius.

Additionally, a thermostat and a fuse are built into each gas bath stove, which blocks the gas supply when the fire is extinguished. The gas chamber, where fuel is burned, is placed clearly under the stove, which allows the stones to be heated to the maximum temperature in the shortest possible time.

Criterias of choice

The most important moment, allowing you to choose the right stove for a home mini-sauna, and for any other sauna, is the power of the device. After evaluating the required indicator, you need to choose devices that cover this level with a margin. If the stove is used with insufficient power, the life of the appliance will be shortened.But also a large reserve of heat is not needed, because this means excessive consumption of energy or fuel. Usually a stock of 2-3 kW is enough.

The required power is calculated taking into account:

• door material (glass entrance - adds 1.5 m3 to the estimated volume);
• surfaces without thermal protection, for which a coefficient of 1.2 is introduced (with subsequent addition to the volume);
• the probable absence of thermal insulation (in "bare" log cabins, a factor of 2 is used);
• the need to heat adjoining rooms or warming them up with another heat source;
• the need for heating the sauna in winter (or no such need).

As already mentioned, brick and cast iron structures have a long period of operation. For a long time, hearths made of steel with the addition of 17% chromium can work. However, the cost of such products is sometimes too high. Do not use a gas burner in a wood-burning stove.

In any case, if there are no special wishes, it is necessary to give preference to stoves made of solid cast iron. Traditionally, such devices are shielded with a brick layer. However, it is useful to be able to remove individual bricks and thereby speed up the warm-up. The design should be chosen according to personal preference only. The size of the sauna stove should be selected according to the size of the room and the ease of use.

Materials used

The sauna heater or stove is made of the following materials:

• simple cast iron;
• steel billets;
• brick (hearth or red).

The service life of the selected structure depends on the quality of the raw material. The most durable are modern stoves made on the basis of chrome steel. Steel units guarantee a good heat, excluding the burning of oxygen in the steam room. The best examples of products are produced by the Finnish companies Helo and Harvia.

Bath equipment with a cast iron firebox is not easy to find, although the quality of the source material is considered good. Among the factory samples, the "Sudarushka M" from the domestic manufacturer "Inzhkomtsentr" deserves attention.

Brick stoves are perceived as a tribute to tradition and are built on the condition of reliable masonry. Brick stoves have their own disadvantages, including many nuances:

• the complexity of the construction due to the lack of professional stove-makers;
• long heating (heating period);
• the need to equip a "powerful" foundation.

All this leads to an increase in the cost of making a brick stove for a bath with your own hands.

Self-production

Steel furnace structure

To make an iron stove in a bath with your own hands, you will need to prepare sheet steel of the maximum possible thickness. With limited costs, it is enough to choose steel sheets with a standard size of about 1.5-2.0 mm. After that, you need to do the following:

1. Prepare a sketch of the furnace, where all the details and their characteristic dimensions are indicated.
2. Calculate the number of structural elements and their total area.
3. Determine the need for iron.
4. Transfer the dimensions from the drawing to the metal, and then cut all the blanks.

When cutting with a grinder, you must strictly maintain the angles of 90 degrees, and also make sure that the opposite sidewalls are the same in size. After that, a flat area is selected, on which the furnace body is assembled from the blanks. This will require:

Place two workpieces at an angle on the edges and make several tacks for welding.
First, you need to adjust the current on the welding unit so that the arc does not melt the metal - then the seam will turn out to be uniform and durable.
You need to grab 2-3 millimeters; 4-5 tacks are enough for one corner.
It is important to control the position of the corner workpieces, because

the finished seam, after cooling, will lead the sheets to the sides.
After aligning their position, check with a 90 degree square.
In the same way, a second pair of workpieces for the sidewalls are tacked for spot welding.
Two carbon body halves are attached and welded to maintain 90 degree joints.

The result is a steel box for the heater, to which it remains to weld the bottom and lid.

Popular models

Speaking about the best electric sauna stoves, it is worthwhile to understand that they are divided into two main groups. One is designed for 220 V, and the other for 380 V. Sawo SCANDIA SCA-60NB-Z can be considered a striking representative of the first type. The cost of this product is quite sparing. They put up to 20-22 kg of stones inside, so filling the room with steam is not difficult.

Also worth noting:

• convenience and simplicity of remote control;
• very high reliability;
• suitability for steam rooms with a volume of 5-8 cubic meters. m;
• linear dimensions 0.515x0.29x0.45 m;
• corrosion protection;
• redundant control loop directly on the body.

Harvia Cilindro PC70E is a great alternative. This Finnish development is high-tech and economical at the same time. The designers carefully selected the materials. A special container can hold up to 90 kg of stones. Outside, fire-resistant paint is applied, which is characterized by increased durability.

Technical properties:

• power 6800 W;
• dimensions 0.32x0.32x0.93 m;
• the volume of heated saunas is from 6 to 10 cubic meters. m;
• thermal regulators are located very low (which is not always convenient).

When choosing a sauna stove for 380 V networks, it is appropriate to pay attention to Sawo ARIES ARI3-60NB-CNR-P. This design will save free space in the steam room.

The tower-like housing ensures uniform distribution of heated air throughout the room. Watering the cobblestones located above or below with water allows, respectively, to provide an intensive supply of steam or light evaporation.

A built-in control panel is provided. The power of the device reaches 6 kW, which is quite enough for rooms with a size of 5-8 cubic meters. m. The size of the structure is 0.335x0.335x1 m.

Harvia Forte AF9 is also a good choice. This oven not only has an ergonomic design, but also looks very elegant. It can be used to heat a sauna up to 15 m2. Heating element power reaches 9 kW

Therefore, it is important to take care of powerful large-section wiring.

Harvia Club Combi K15GS is designed for saunas with a size of 14-24 m2. The device has all the capabilities to work in 380 V networks

Important: the control system and the fireplace will have to be purchased additionally. Developers strictly comply with the requirements of European standards in the field of safety and reliability

The lack of many functions compensates for the lightness (30 kg) and comparative compactness of the oven.

It makes sense for true lovers of open flame to choose "Termofor Vitruvia". The large viewing window allows you to simulate a large fireplace. The recommended area of ​​the premises is 8-18 sq. m. Logs up to 0.5 m long can be placed inside the firebox.

What functions does the sauna stove perform?

When choosing a device for heating a bath, it is important to clearly define for yourself the functions that it will perform, and already use them to choose the technical parameters of the equipment and a specific model. So, the oven must provide:

So, the oven must provide:

• Fast and uniform heating of the room (only steam rooms or all adjacent rooms) to the desired temperature both in cold and warm seasons.
• Heater stones in the heater for good steam.
• Maintaining without much effort the desired temperature regime throughout the time people are in the steam room.
• Heating water for washing.
• Drying the bath after the end of the process.

Be sure to calculate the dimensions of all rooms that need to be heated, and separately - the area of ​​the steam room. These numbers will come in handy when choosing the power of the equipment.Also, think about the desired temperature values, especially if you are used to steaming at 100 degrees and above - not all models can maintain this mode for a long time without constantly throwing up fuel.

Brick stove with a firebox in the dressing room