There are quite a lot of heat generators that are designed for installation in a steam room. Their fundamental difference is in consumed fuel. Each type of oven has both advantages and disadvantages. But if we consider all the engineering solutions in the complex, then the best oven for a sauna that is heated with firewood.
Before you deal with its nuances, it is worth explaining that such sources of thermal energy are stationary and mobile. The first - the traditional version of a brick heater - is not worth considering, since not everyone can lay out the laying properly, and this is only one of the significant drawbacks. Yes, and make the necessary engineering calculations can only be done by a specialist. But with portable stoves for the bath, since the conversation is about choosing the best option, it is worth investigating more.
The assortment of such furnaces is quite impressive, but are all their characteristics and properties decisive? Let's leave aside such indicators as the appearance( design) of the heater, its shape, the height of the legs and a number of others, and we emphasize the parameters that directly affect the efficiency of procedures and the ease of operation( maintenance).
The main criteria for selecting a wood oven
Power
Thermal is implied. It makes no sense to explain that it should be related to the dimensions of the room. If you take a model with a lower than required parameter, then how much it is not drowned, there will be no sense from such procedures. Well, a too powerful furnace will not only heat the air, but also significantly reduce the life of all materials - both construction and finishing, and will not work long in conditions of limited space.
If we take the averaged power / volume ratio, it looks like this - 1kW / 1 "cube" of the room. But this proportion is approximate, since the interior decoration is made by different materials. Plus to this - a lot depends on the quality of warming the steam room. In order not to be mistaken, experts advise the calculated value to be increased by at least ⅓.
Type of sauna heater
Closed - creates a relatively low temperature, which results in the so-called "soft" steam in the steam room( the stones are covered with a lid).Such procedures are suitable for almost everyone.
Open - this oven is able to heat up the steam room faster and stronger, but it dries considerably. For some categories of people, there are contraindications, because these conditions for the body in some way - stress.
Kind of "firebox"
An option for many sauna lovers is preferable, as the setting of firewood, cleaning of the combustion chamber is made from another room.
What else to look for
- Presence of a water tank, which is heated during the furnace. This model is suitable for those baths where a separate DHW circuit is not provided.
- Door type. This element, made of heat-resistant glass, allows you to observe the burning logs. This acts soothingly on the nervous system, and many fans of bath procedures prefer to install just such heaters.
- Housing version. The most simple option is thick sheet iron. Plus - low price. Less is an increased risk of burns. Preferably the stove with the body "multilayered"( a kind of thermos).In such structures, the surface does not heat up too much. Well, models finished on top, for example, tiles, are more expensive. But in this case the quality of functioning is not reflected. As a matter of fact, it is necessary to pay extra for appearance only. Although there is an opinion that the heat energy from such stoves is distributed more room-wise in the room volume( evenly).
- Volume of loading stones. The higher this parameter, the longer the furnace will maintain the desired temperature regime with the same fuel consumption( firewood).
A bit about the stones
The correct choice of the furnace a priori does not mean that the proper effect will be obtained from its operation. Justification - not every stone is suitable for use as a battery and secondary heat source.
What to take into account
- The best form for a stone is round. But this is ideal. In practice, you should pay attention( and select) to the samples with a rounded contour. They ensure optimal circulation of air masses.
- Pores, microcracks - the reason for rejection. Such stones with high thermal impact easily destroyed. There are often cases when they literally exploded, "fired", and the fragments flew in all directions.
- The recommended size of fractions is within 5-6 cm.
- The best ones are soapstone, jadeite, gabbro-diabase, large river pebble .
Overview of manufacturers
Given the popularity of the heater, many organizations are involved in their manufacture. But, unfortunately, not all of them can boast of new equipment, trained personnel and compliance with technology at all stages of production. Therefore, in the market there are low-grade models that not only will not provide the proper effect, but they will not last long. In order not to "run into", you need to be guided, who can be trusted unconditionally. As an example - the most popular brands.
Foreign
Finnish "Harvia", "Kastor", "Helo"( the latter are attractive at a lower cost).A common feature of such models is the economical fuel consumption.
The price is from 21 800 rubles.
Domestic
According to the estimates of users and specialists, the products under the brands "Termofor", "Suhovei", "Ermak", "Vulcan" and a number of other brands are no worse than the advertised imported products.
The price is from 8 850 rubles.
Note!
The furnaces in question are heated by firewood - this is understandable. But what kind of wood to choose, you should know. When burning coniferous rocks, soot is heavily deposited on the internal walls of the chimney, and this complicates the maintenance of the system - it must be performed more often, and more time is required. Experts advise to lay logs of deciduous trees in the stove, is best - birch .
For a bath located on a personal area, it is recommended to purchase open-type furnaces. These products are easy to maintain and economical fuel consumption in comparison with the models "closed".
In order to keep the optimum mode in the bath, it is necessary to maintain the ratio between the volume of the room( steam room) and the number of stones that can be loaded into the corresponding compartment of the furnace. You can focus on this proportion - 4.5 kg per 1 m³.
There is a widespread view that an integral part of any furnace is the grate. For sauna heaters, its presence is not necessary. By the way, in this case, the wood is burned completely, which gives a saving in fuel consumption by about 18%.
Periodic incineration of aspen logs in the stove allows less frequent maintenance of the chimney THAT, as this ensures the burning of soot deposits on the inner walls of the channel.
