Electric stove for a sauna: how to choose electric stoves - 220V, 380 volts, Finnish, belt, for a mini-sauna; how to install, connection, rating

What types of sauna are there: Finnish, Russian, Turkish

The most common bath regimes in Russia today are the Russian and Finnish bath . The Turkish one lags significantly behind in this regard, since it bears little resemblance to what most associate a bathhouse with.
As for the first, both, roughly speaking, are nearby on the same temperature-humidity diagram . In order not to complicate understanding, we will explain everything “on the fingers”.

A person in a steam room is simultaneously affected by heat and steam . , the proportion of both is important . That’s why choosing a stove for a steam room is so important.

Bath thermometer-hygrometer, measures air temperature and humidity

The bathhouse turned out to be akin to art precisely because the main role here is played by the skill of the steamer, a suitable stove and the ability to handle it. Because the heat can be different (soft and hard), and the steam can be different (heavy and light).

The conditions of a Russian bath are easy to remember - the temperature is about 55 degrees and the humidity is about 55 percent .

A Finnish bath (also known as a sauna) is a temperature of 90 degrees and above , but at the same time the humidity is 5-15 percent .

A Turkish bath (aka hammam) is a temperature of up to 40 degrees and almost 100% humidity .

As for steam, for a Russian bath you need light steam , which is formed when water is heated to a temperature above 100 degrees (this is only possible with strong heating of the stones - up to 400 and above). In a hammam and even in a sauna, the steam can be ordinary, heavy - the same as you see in the kitchen when the kettle boils. This is acceptable, because there is too much of it in the hammam , and too little in the sauna , and the temperatures are such that it does no harm.

Accordingly, the stove you choose should be able to maintain the desired temperature and produce the right amount of steam of a certain quality. We analyze in detail the choice of electric ovens in another article. And here our task is to find the right use for the Harvia electric heater.

Harvia electric heaters: in which sauna is it better to install them?

The ability of an electric stove to produce steam is very limited , but the reasons for this will be discussed below. At the same time, it has excellent capabilities for quickly heating the steam room to a given temperature and maintaining it using automatic means.

Bath water

It is for this reason that I believe that there should be a special attitude towards water in the bathing kingdom. Every bathhouse attendant goes to the bathhouse not only for cleanliness of the body, the bathhouse has amazing power, gives a lot of positive emotions and energy! Yes, you know this perfectly well even without my words.

However, you may not realize it, but you get these powers from water. Yes! Exactly with water!

There is a lot of water in the bathhouse: cold, hot and gaseous! And if this is supplemented with useful infusions of herbs, various brooms, bath infusions for the heater - here you have heroic strength after a good bath!

Now let's take a closer look at this point: what kind of water should be in the steam room, what kind of water to pour on the heater and why...

How the electric heater "Harvia" works

The design of any stove determines its capabilities. Let’s briefly look at the design of the Harvia electric sauna stove, taking into account that many electric heaters are designed in a similar way.

So, an electric stove is a hollow body with heating elements installed inside .

In turn, a heating element is a hollow tube, inside of which there is a spiral . Under the influence of current, the spiral heats up, the tube serves to protect it. ( Tubular electric heaters are the most common.)

This is what the heating element for the Harvia electric heater looks like

Heating elements are very fragile and do not withstand pressure, bending and contact with water. Therefore they often fail.

If one of your heating elements has burned out, you can replace it yourself or with the help of a specialist. The main thing is to write off the markings, including the code and power , so that the store can select the right replacement model for you. Or you can take the burnt-out heating element with you.

Stones

The Harvia electric heater does not work without stones. More precisely, it doesn't work for long . Heating elements must transfer heat to stones, which have a high heat capacity and prevent the heating elements themselves from overheating.

Stones for the Harvia electric heater on the manufacturer’s website

According to the manufacturer’s own experts, only crushed stones with an uneven surface are suitable for use in heaters. They do not recommend using boned ones, since they have less surface area. In addition, it is important to follow the rule of free laying, with gaps between the stones; this is only possible if there is uneven chipping.

For his part, he offers crushed stone measuring 5-10 cm, which is suitable for small and medium-sized heaters. Stones from 10 to 15 cm are suitable for either wood-burning or high-power electric heaters (for example, Symphony (not produced) and Forte: AFB4, AFB6 and AFB9).

What to consider when choosing

The choice of these compact and convenient sauna stoves today is truly huge.

And, in order not to make a mistake and choose the ideal unit for your favorite steam room, it is important to pay attention to the following parameters: . 1

Steam room volume

Steam room volume

Usually the required power of an electric furnace is calculated using the following formula: 1 cubic meter of steam room volume = 1 kilowatt of electricity. After this calculation, you still need to take into account the energy capacity of the room - so that a short circuit does not occur and the plugs are not knocked out, as well as the available voltage - is it 220V or 380V.

The second important fact is how exactly the furnace will be controlled. Namely, its built-in remote control or remote control, whichever is more convenient for you. The main thing is that using the remote control you can control the heating of the bath, maintain the temperature for the required time and turn it off by pressing the same button.

Heater type

This parameter of an electric oven is the most important. Thus, heaters can be strip, heating element or combined. A heating element, also called tubular, is capable of heating a steam room to 800°C, but it is short-lived due to its fragility. That is why it is better to buy electric sauna stoves only with expensive heating elements made of stainless alloy, which can withstand repeated heat loads.

But a tape heater will ensure faster achievement of the required temperature. It is more economical and environmentally friendly than a heating element, but its surface temperature is much lower, and therefore it does not burn air as much. It also lasts much longer than tubular ones.

Combined stoves, which combine both strip and electric heating elements, are much more expensive, but they heat the steam room very quickly and to the highest temperature that can be achieved.

We suggest you read: How to insulate a bathhouse from the inside with your own hands

Furnace design

Modern sauna stoves - electric - can be of very different designs and sizes. These include electric heaters for the very center of the steam room, and corner stoves with a special bracket.

- protection from direct infrared radiation; - heat accumulation; - absence of convection temperature changes; - ideal uniform thermal background in the steam room; - beneficial effect on the human body.

And finally, when purchasing an electric stove for a bath, you must require a certificate for the product and a certificate for its fire safety.

Electric sauna stove Harvia: power supply

Since the “fuel” for the stove in our case is electricity, then we need to talk about the requirements for the electrical network . Because not every heater can be connected to a regular 220 volt network . You need to think about this in advance.

Despite the fact that electric heaters are undemanding to the foundation, do not require chimneys and firewood and have other advantages, the voltage of the network and the quality of the wires can become a source of unnecessary headaches.

First, let's be clear: on sale you will find 220 and 380 volt stoves. The former are connected to a regular single-phase network, the latter require a three-phase one.

3 phase

Where can I get three phases? Well, everything here is simple and complicated at the same time. Each house , including urban high-rise buildings, receives three-phase power , which is then distributed among consumers in the form of single-phase with a voltage of 220 volts. In other words, in principle it is possible to extend three phases into an apartment or house , but this issue needs to be settled.

But at home you will need more powerful wiring - a wire with a larger cross-section, preferably made of copper.

Yes, such stoves vary greatly in power. The higher it is, the greater the electricity consumption and the higher the requirements for the electrical network. In the review of electric sauna stoves "Harvia", we indicated models with high voltage. Be curious.

Electric sauna stove 3 phase Harvia Globe GL 110 on a high stand. Harvia Photos

Design features of an electric furnace for baths and saunas

Of course, an electric heater is not nearly as demanding as a wood-burning (and even more so a brick) stove. It does not need either a foundation or a chimney; many models can be mounted on the wall, and some can even be hung from the ceiling! However, some preparation is still necessary.

For your information! Did you know that some heater models can be installed directly into the bottom shelf? This significantly saves space, and the shelf is protected by a special flange made of steel or other material, which can be purchased along with the stove.

Where the heater will stand, it is better to lay out the floor with tiles or otherwise make it non-flammable (put a sheet of metal, for example). A suspended structure does not need this.

You will find the minimum distances to the main surfaces in the stove data sheet. Usually they are small, but they should be observed exactly or upward.

But if practically no questions arise regarding the installation of the furnace itself, then the same cannot be said about its connection.

The fact is that each sauna owner must independently take care of grounding the purchased unit. If you are not particularly versed in electrics, then entrust the connection to professionals, it is worth it.

It was already mentioned above that electric heaters come with different voltages. For those that can be connected to a regular network, nothing needs to be changed in the wiring. But for those with a voltage of 380, you already need to install a cable of the appropriate quality and thickness.

So, grounding. It is better to make its circuit separate for the sauna, rather than using the circuit of the distribution panel. It's not that difficult - the Internet is full of information on how to make a ground loop yourself. It is preferable to conduct the core through cable channels.

In addition, we can recommend connecting the stove to the network not directly, but through a device that ensures that the electrical appliance is turned off if a short circuit occurs or the air in the steam room gets too hot. Such a device will not be needed if a differential circuit breaker with a leakage current of 30 mA is installed.

Most models provide a choice of a built-in or remote control panel. In the second case, you will have to take care of connecting the remote control. Typically, owners place it either at the door or in an adjacent room.

IMPORTANT! The remote control needs a circuit breaker in the distribution panel. Look at the furnace passport to find out the current load

In accordance with it, the denomination of the machine is selected.

Electric furnace sensors allow you to monitor and control the heat. They also require installation, but all its points must be described in detail in the installation instructions for your stove.

IMPORTANT! Do not use intermediate connections, or extend or twist sensor wires.

A separate question is what wires can be used to connect the electric heater. If the oven is designed for 220 volts, then the wires will be three-wire, if for 380 - five-wire. An important issue is the sheath of such wires. The fact is that vinyl is in no way suitable for your purposes. It is correct to use rubber-insulated wiring that is not afraid of high temperatures.

***So, we will consider that the short course for the future owner of an electric heater is completed. I wish you health and a pleasant stay in your own sauna!

Fuel is not such a determining factor for the condition of a Finnish sauna, but its choice is influenced by the circumstances in which the sauna owner finds himself.

Today's saunas are built both in city apartments and in suburban areas, where they can also be either part of a house or a separate building.

For an apartment, of course, the easiest way is to get an electric heater. The space there is usually small, a powerful stove is not needed, so the choice simply suggests itself.

In other cases, everything is not so clear. First of all, you need to find out what type of fuel is most accessible and cheap in a given area. Most often it turns out that this is firewood. But not always. In some places it’s easier to connect gas, in others it’s easier to connect electricity.

Sauna stoves can also be wall-mounted

Gas oven

Not a bad choice, because gas, like electricity, allows you to achieve the desired temperature with high accuracy. The built-in thermostat is responsible for this.

IMPORTANT! If you want to use gas as fuel for a sauna stove, the main problem will not be purchasing a stove or burner, but obtaining permission to operate them.

A detailed discussion of the design of a gas furnace, types of burners, principles of selection and installation features can be found in the article published on our website.

In the homeland of the sauna, simplicity is valued above traditional fiddling with firewood. Therefore, most Finnish sauna stoves are still electric. There is no complexity in their manufacture or operation, but at the same time there is enough automation to relieve steamers from worrying about the stove. You can even decide a day in advance when it should turn on and set the desired time, and then you yourself don’t forget that it’s time to go to the sauna, where everything is already ready.

Temperature and humidity are monitored by other sensors, which is also convenient. The stoves themselves come in several types:

• bowl-shaped metal with an open heater;
• with a mesh casing for stones;
• closed permanent action - “thermoses”.

If you are interested in a detailed look at the types of electric heaters, we recommend reading our article about them.

For those who are hesitant in choosing, another article of ours will help, devoted to the nuances that you should pay attention to when choosing an electric stove. .

Wood burning stove

Firebox for sauna stove Vesuvius

There is no need to rely on automation here. Therefore, the skill of a stoker is akin to art. And you also need to prepare the logs to the size for which the stove is designed...

In general, wood-burning stoves are designed for hardworking admirers of tradition and those who cannot yet convert the bathhouse to gas or electricity.

In any case, a wood-burning sauna is a real option, for which you can buy (or make it yourself, by the way) the appropriate equipment.

Read more in.

It's time to talk about manufacturers, or rather, about the favorites among them.

The fact that the electric furnace is made of metal is the first advantage of this type. Other advantages arise from the fact that electricity is converted directly into thermal energy. Just compare it with firewood, which is full of problems and debris, not to mention the fact that the wood-burning stove itself cannot be mobile - it is tied to the chimney.

Yes, electric stoves for steam saunas are mobile; they only need a sheet of non-flammable material underneath floor-standing models, or they don’t need anything at all if the model is suspended.

IMPORTANT! No chimneys, no debris, and with proper grounding, fire safety is higher than that of gas furnaces.

We suggest you familiarize yourself with: Fire-resistant gypsum boards for stoves

The numerous advantages of electric stoves can be completely offset by the fact that electricity is an expensive resource. But there are compromises here too. After all, the power of a stove that can be installed in an apartment is quite comparable to the power of an electric kettle and less than the power of some steam irons. But the sauna, which such a stove will heat, will be designed for no more than two people.

The second disadvantage is the slight difficulty with wiring. It’s better to invite an electrician who will install three phases if you took a 380-volt oven, and will determine the suitability of the existing wiring and do the grounding. But there are stoves with 220 volts, and this is the usual voltage in a household network.

If we talk about whether an electric heater is good for a sauna in a Russian bath, then a lot depends on the traditional ideas of its owner. Take a look at our articles about the Russian bath (see links above) - they talk a lot about why a metal stove is physically unable to provide the required conditions, and an electric sauna stove is no exception to this rule.

At the same time, among people who are less scrupulous about tradition, there is a widespread opinion that electric stoves for a sauna and bath at the same time are quite suitable, the main thing is that there is a built-in steam generator and fine-tuning of temperature and humidity, allowing you to switch from Finnish to Russian bath mode.

Video on the topic

This video talks about why most electric heaters are not suitable for a Russian bath, but adds information about the extremely few varieties that are quite suitable.

By the way, we still have not touched upon such an important issue as the country of production. But it is precisely by this criterion that sauna equipment is often purchased.

An electric stove, the main function of which is to heat the bathhouse, is a simple structure consisting of: a double metal body, electric heaters and thermal insulation elements. A cage filled with stones is installed in the housing on heating elements or strip electric heaters.

The speed of heating the room depends on the weight and size of the cobblestones. Accordingly, the larger and heavier the stones, the sooner the sauna will warm up. The outer surface of the case is covered with metal plates up to 4 mm thick. Ventilation channels are formed between them and the walls of the furnace, helping to cool the inside of the housing.

Depending on the preferences of the bathhouse owner and the convenience of installing heating equipment in the room, an open or closed stove design is chosen. Practice shows that open heaters are still more popular. When the body is open, the steam room not only warms up well, but also receives excellent moist steam.

This oven uses nichrome wire, mounted in a ceramic stand and acting as a heating stand. Closed-type sauna stoves are produced in the form of vertical or horizontal structures, consisting of the following main elements: a heater, a conductive busbar and a heat shield.

Accessories

The Finns, as already mentioned, are trying to sell not just stoves, but a complete set of everything a steamer needs - from a finished sauna to a fence for the stove.

We list the main accessories that are offered to the client:

• remote controls;
• water dispenser;
• color lighting;
• speakers are waterproof;
• wooden fencing;
• steam generator.

The latter deserves a few words.

Harvia electric heater with steam generator

Heater models that come complete with a built-in steam generator are labeled with the word Combi, for example, Harvia Club Combi: K11GS, K13.5GS and K15GS .

In addition to the built-in ones, there are also separate steam generators , but they are supplied as equipment for steam cabins - completely insulated, in which humidity conditions of up to 100% are achievable, while the heating element is the steam generator itself. So the Finns created something like a hammam , because the temperature in the cabin does not rise above 45 degrees. Steam cabins are advertised as a means of muscle relaxation and fighting colds.

Thus, the only option to artificially reproduce the conditions of a Russian bath is to buy any of the electric heaters with a Harvia brand steam generator, set the temperature to 55 degrees and try to get light steam from the steam generator using electricity.

Harvia Club Combi electric heater with steam generator. Harvia Photos

Take a look at our review of Harvia products - Combis are also present there.

Is it possible to pour water on the Harvia electric heater?

Yes, you can pour water, but in limited volumes (see model data sheet), especially if the number of stones is small - 20-40 kilograms. The reason is that with so many stones you can easily flood the heating elements and damage them .

If the heater is larger in size, and the heating elements are securely covered with stones , then you can give in more. The main thing is not to overdo it. The steam will be heavy from an open heater, and the temperature in the steam room will most likely be more than 60 degrees. Take care of your heart!

Video

As a farewell, we suggest you watch a simple video in which the guys show the device of one of the Harvia models:

We hope that the article helped you figure out whether a Finnish electric furnace is suitable in your particular case. Customers who prefer to opt for domestically produced products should familiarize themselves with the range of electric heaters made in Russia.

Subtleties and nuances of installing an electric oven

When purchasing, you should pay special attention to such characteristics as: temperature conditions, the degree of humidity that the oven will provide, as well as reliability and functionality. But these are not all important characteristics

Electric oven from the famous Finnish manufacturer Harvia: simplicity of design and good room heating

You should focus on:

• full volume of the steam room;
• electric furnace controls;
• heater type;
• designer look of the stove;
• certificates of conformity.

Steam room volume

Most often, the output power of an electric furnace is calculated based on the volume of the steam room. One cubic meter requires a power of 1 kilowatt of electrical energy. You should also take into account the energy capacity of the room to ensure that a short circuit or plugs are not knocked out.

We recommend that you read more about the potbelly stove for a bath in addition to this article.

Also an important element is the control panel, with which you can regulate the heating temperature, as well as heat support and the time to turn off the heater.

We suggest you read: How to put a vapor barrier on the ceiling in a bathhouse

The control panel is visible on the front side of the electric furnace for sauna or bath.

Heater type

It is the most important parameter. Heaters are divided by type into: tape and heating element, as well as combined. Let's look at each one separately.

Mini-oven with heating element heater. Simplicity of design. The picture on the left side illustrates the cross-sectional view

• Heating element heaters. They are also called tubular. They can heat up to a temperature of 800 degrees Celsius, but such heating elements are not long-lasting due to their fragility. Therefore, it is best to buy an electric stove for a sauna or bath with expensive heating elements made of a stainless metal alloy. They can withstand repeated use.
• Tape heaters. They will quickly raise the temperature in the steam room to the desired temperature. Such heaters are popular due to their efficiency and environmental friendliness.

Electric stove for a sauna or bath with a tape heater. It is more economical than one equipped with a heating element

• A combined electric stove for a bath or sauna combines a heating element and a tape heater, but its price is much higher. The advantage that such an electric stove has is that it can warm up a steam room in the shortest possible time and exactly to the desired temperature.

Advice! If possible, you should not save; it is better to purchase a combined electric furnace, as it is more functional.

Furnace design

A modern electric stove for saunas and baths can be made in different designs and have different sizes.

Electric sauna stove made of metal. Rigor and elegance of design

Such electric heaters can be located in the center or in the corner. They are attached with specialized brackets. Such an electric stove for a bath or sauna can be made not only of metal, but also of facing stone, and in any case it will look elegant.

At its core, the stone for cladding can be soapstone, coil, soapstone, which gives the interior not only aesthetics, but also allows you to create an excellent thermal regime in the steam room, and also has a beneficial effect on the human body.

Before purchasing, you should familiarize yourself with two certificates: for the products offered and for their fire safety.

Advice! Installation and connection of the electric furnace must be carried out by professional electricians, in full compliance with Russian SNIPs.

The wall is made for decoration with facing stone; similarly, you can make the walls around the electric furnace

And, if there is an opportunity to have the stove installed by a real electrician, it is better to take advantage of it - this is what Russian SNIPs require

But as a last resort, it is important to simply remember the following safety rules: . The bathhouse must have a grounding circuit, its own separate circuit, and not just a neutral wire from the substation

If this is not the case, then it will be necessary to do “grounding” - connect the neutral terminal of the distribution board to the grounding wire of the electric furnace. Secondly, the electric heater must be equipped with an established emergency shutdown device so that it is triggered without error in the event of short circuits or air overheating. The electric stove can only be connected using a heat-resistant and moisture-resistant cable that can withstand the temperature regime.

1. The bathhouse must have a grounding circuit, its own separate circuit, and not just a neutral wire from the substation. If this is not the case, then it will be necessary to do “grounding” - connect the neutral terminal of the distribution board to the grounding wire of the electric furnace. Secondly, the electric heater must be equipped with an established emergency shutdown device so that it is triggered without error in the event of short circuits or overheating of the air.
2. The electric furnace can only be connected using a heat-resistant and moisture-resistant cable that can withstand the temperature conditions.

That's all the nuances. If the electric oven has been installed correctly and safety precautions have been followed, all that remains is to enjoy the cozy warmth of the steam room. After all, there is one very pleasant plus in caring for an electric stove - no chimneys or cleaning them!

Device and types

The electric furnace has a simple design consisting of a metal body, electric heaters and thermal insulation. The solid body is most often made of stainless steel. Inside it, a grate is installed on top of the electric heaters, which is completely filled with stones. The size and weight of these stones largely determines the rate of heating of the bath or sauna: the larger and heavier they are, the faster the room will warm up.

Electric furnace diagram

By design, furnaces can be open or closed. The devices of the first type are in greatest demand, as they not only warm up the bathhouse or sauna well, but also create good moist steam. For the body of such a furnace, nichrome wire is used, fixed in a ceramic heating base. Closed-type devices consist of a heat shield, heaters and a conductive element.

In addition to division by design, furnaces are divided by type of heater. They can be equipped with a tubular heating element or a strip heating element. The heating element is most often used, since its cost is lower than that of the second type of heater. Stones are placed on top of the tubular elements so that the room quickly heats up to the desired temperature.

The tape heating element is a metal strip. Compared to heating elements, it consumes less electricity and has a larger heat exchange area. But stoves equipped with this heater are more expensive.

There are models that have stone cladding. Such stoves protect against excess thermal radiation and make the heat and atmosphere in the bathhouse or sauna softer.

Pros and cons of ovens

Electric ovens have a number of advantages. They are much smaller in size than brick structures, and also warm up a bathhouse or sauna faster. An electric stove does not require solid or liquid fuel, which means you don’t have to waste time buying it, storing it and throwing it into the firebox, or organizing a storage space. It can be controlled remotely using a remote control.

Original design of a small stove

Positive qualities of electric ovens:

• Heats up the room quickly;
• Retain heat in a bathhouse or sauna for a long time;
• They have compact dimensions (low-power models have dimensions of 50x50x50 cm);
• Quick and easy installation;
• There is no need to install a chimney to remove carbon monoxide;
• Easy maintenance and operation;
• They do not emit carbon monoxide.

When installing an electric furnace, it is necessary to ensure protection of the housing.
All control of the device comes down to setting the required heating temperature on the controller. To protect against accidental overheating, a fuse is built into the oven. A large number of models of different sizes, designs and power allow you to choose a device to suit any room and needs. Also, due to the fact that solid fuel, such as firewood, is not used, there is no ash or dust, which greatly simplifies the process of cleaning a bathhouse or sauna.

Since the device automatically controls the temperature, this helps to significantly save electricity costs. When the set temperature is reached, the oven switches to economy mode. If the temperature reaches the lower mark, then it starts working at full capacity again.

The disadvantages of electric heaters include the emission of a strong electromagnetic background. Therefore, when entering a sauna or bathhouse, it is better to turn it off for a while. It is not economical to use an electric oven for a long time. The thermal power of an electric device is lower compared to solid fuel and gas heaters.

Advantages and disadvantages of electric furnaces

Let's look at what is good about this type of heating device. Positive qualities include:

1. the ability to quickly heat a room and maintain the required temperature for a long time;
2. the compact dimensions of some inexpensive models with a power of 4 kW are approximately 500x500x500 mm;
3. minimal time spent on installing electrical equipment due to the absence of the need to visit certain services to coordinate and obtain permission for installation (as is the case with gas furnaces);
4. no need to allocate space for a wood storage;
5. the design of the stove does not require the installation of a chimney;
6. ease of operation and maintenance;
7. simple control of the electric heater is ensured by setting the temperature regulator at the required level;
8. the presence of a fuse ensures that the room does not overheat;
9. absence of carbon monoxide;
10. thermal insulation protects flammable objects from fire.

Electric ovens also have some disadvantages:

1. the cost of 1 kW of electricity limits the duration and frequency of bath procedures;
2. the electrical power allocated to serve the private sector is in the range of 4–6 kW, which does not allow the installation of more powerful units;
3. Compared to a wood and gas stove, an electric device has less thermal power.

How to choose?

Our website presents a huge selection of electric sauna stoves.

All products are certified and have a manufacturer's warranty.

Almost all products are in stock; for some models, delivery can be made to order.

When ordering some models of electric furnaces, you will receive bath stones as a gift in the quantity required for the selected device, as well as free delivery.

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On which you can pour water

Heaters with a large load of stones (from 120 kg) are able to retain heat for a long time and have a pleasant appearance; you can also safely pour water on them. The body of such a stove is made in the form of a mesh, due to which the heat is evenly distributed throughout the room. The density and temperature of the steam directly depend on the amount of water poured onto the stones (manually).

Electric furnace with a large load of stones

With steam generator and water tank

As an additional option for electric heaters, you can use steam generators. They can be purchased separately or you can buy an electric oven with a built-in steam generator. Inside their body there is a water tank. Depending on the selected settings, the steam generator can fill the room with moist or light steam. Its temperature can be changed from +30 to +95°C.

The advantage of such relatively simple stoves is minimal labor costs, since there is no need to water the stones. Instead of water, you can use herbal infusions. Built-in water tanks, depending on their volume, can provide 4-6 hours of continuous steam release.

When choosing a heater model, you should pay attention to the presence of a remote control for it. In some versions it is built into the case or comes separately in the kit. There are heaters for which you need to buy a remote control separately. You definitely need to find out how long the cable for the remote control is, since if it is short, it will be more difficult to find a convenient place for it. You should also find out where the stove is installed - on the floor or mounted on the wall.

What is an electric heater?

Finnish steam generators are mainly designed to produce heavy steam. But Russian ones - on the contrary, they are specially made for those who are looking for a compromise between the speed of preparation for procedures and the Russian steam room

Therefore, we recommend paying attention to domestic products if we are talking about a more or less budget option, or buy expensive Finnish models with closed heaters, which will be discussed in the next subheading.

This is a special oven powered by electric current (220V or 380V), designed to heat the air and create steam in the steam room.

Electric heaters heat the room using heating elements (heating elements). They heat up quickly and give off their heat to the bath stones, which in turn heat the air in the steam room and maintain the set temperature for a long time.

Electric sauna heaters are a good alternative to wood stoves. They are much easier to maintain, and in terms of their efficiency they are almost in no way inferior to their wood-burning counterparts.

Model classification:

• According to the form. They usually have standard geometric shapes - rectangular, square, cylindrical.

• At the installation location. They can be divided into those that are installed on the floor and those that are mounted on the walls (in small-volume steam rooms). There are also hidden installation models mounted behind shelves.

• According to the control method. With built-in control on the body and controlled remotely using a control panel.

How to choose a stove depending on the volume of the room

When choosing a heater on the manufacturer’s website, it is recommended to look at the technical characteristics of the device. For example, there are models of stoves with a power of 9 kW, which are designed to heat 8-14 m 3.

Electric heater in a small room

To calculate the power of the heater, you need to calculate the volume of the room. Furnaces equipped with heating elements heat 1 m 3 with one kW, and belt furnaces heat 1.5 m 3. In addition, 1 m3 is added to the calculated volume for every 1 m2 of non-thermal insulated surface, for example, if the door is made of glass, then 1.5 m3 is added. You should not take a stove whose maximum power will be equal to the calculated one, since operation at increased loads will quickly render it unusable.

How to choose an electric sauna stove

In addition to electric ones, there are gas and wood-burning sauna stoves. The only difference is the degree of atmosphere of the process. Some people like to tinker with firewood, while others find it easier to press a button and relax. If you consider yourself to be in the latter category, then this article is for you.

How to choose power?

All our sauna stoves can be sorted according to room volume (length x width x height). The larger the sauna, the more powerful the stove is needed. Many buyers are trying to save money and ask whether to take into account the space behind the benches when calculating. Alas, you won’t be able to save money here; heating the space behind the benches requires very little energy, but it must be taken into account.

It is better not to increase the height of the sauna too much. 1 m 90 cm is normal, 2 m 20 cm is already the limit. A sauna that is too high will be cold because... all the hot air will remain above your heads. In addition, problems may begin with the heater, which will wear out, reducing its service life.

Is it possible to pour water on an electric stove?

One of the most popular questions. All our stoves are tested and adapted for use with water, however there are nuances that need to be taken into account.

If you are buying a stove for yourself, then there is no problem, but if you are buying it for a commercial sauna, then get ready for the fact that no one will regret it and they will splash water on the stove at their own discretion. In this case, you will either have to write a menacing sign “THIS IS A DRY SAUNA, IT IS PROHIBITED TO POUR WATER,” or choose a specialized, especially reliable stove, for example this one.

Pour water in small quantities. This will protect the heating elements from premature failure.

No cups or buckets. Use long-handled containers—ladles, for example—to lift. This will save your hands from the scalding steam. For advanced saunas there are remote systems for pouring water onto the stones.

How many stones do you need?

The more stones there are in the stove, the more steam there will be and the softer it will be.

How not to get burned?

Of course, if you touch hot stones or shadows, the result will be disastrous, but with cases it’s not so simple. Tylo stoves fare best. The thermosafe flocked coating makes the stove velvety to the touch and protects from heat.

Another approach to thermal insulation is Helo thermos stoves, such as Saunatonttu. The body of the thermos stove not only retains the heat inside, but also prevents you from getting burned on the outside.

It is also difficult to get burned on stoves finished with soapstone from Tulikivi. If the body is made of stainless steel, then you should think about a fence.

How to control the temperature?

Models in the lower price range have switches on the body. Higher class models are equipped with a control panel that is mounted outside the sauna. For commercial saunas, there are special control panels with advanced functionality. They can even be programmed.

Does the brand matter?

We will try to do without advertising and anti-advertising. A stingy person pays twice and if you buy a cheap stove, you will be forced to constantly change heating elements, because pouring water on these stoves is only allowed in advertising.

Tylo and Helo do not need advertising. These are high-quality products, especially since as a result of the merger of companies it is now one holding company with common technologies. The trick of Tulikivi is the use of soapstone and excellent design, although the price tag hits the ceiling. EOS is a high-quality, but relatively expensive product. Sentiotec is a multiple winner of awards for the best design in the world, and the IKI oven holds the most stones.

The German Ewald Lang has been undeservedly overlooked by the general public. In terms of prices, it competes with Tylo and in quality with EOS, although it lacks the Scandinavian designer glamor. Lang is also known for its reliability and indestructibility.