Stove for a Russian bath with a closed heater

Closed heater - how it works

Before moving on to how to build a sauna stove with a closed heater with your own hands, you need to understand what a Russian steam room is.

The difference between a sauna room and a dry steam room is different air parameters. In the bathhouse there is high humidity in the range of 50-70% at a temperature of 45-70 degrees. Such a big difference is possible for the reason that all people have different preferences, and in the Russian bath there are several modes. Typically, visitors begin to warm up when the air reaches 45 degrees, and pour water on the stones at higher temperatures.

This regime obviously developed for the reason that the baths were heated by stone stove structures, and other methods of steaming were not available. According to the findings of scientists, it is these indicators that contribute to improved health. And currently, a brick oven is considered the best option for a bathhouse. However, not everyone can afford it, and for this reason, metal units are most in demand, of which there are a huge variety.

They are presented in different options and price categories. Many of them have an open heater, which is why the stones are constantly in contact with air. They are not suitable for Russian baths, since they cannot provide the required regime. The large heat transfer of the metal body leads to the fact that the air is significantly overheated.

An open heater also does not allow you to obtain steam of the required condition - it must be at a high temperature and consist of tiny droplets. It was called “easy” because after visiting the steam room there is no pain in the head, and the body feels light. Such steam does not form if the heater is open. It turns out heavy and wet, followed by a headache. Therefore, it is preferable to use a sauna stove with a closed heater.

True, a Russian steam room may also have a metal stove. It is desirable that it have not only an external, but also an internal closed heater with a large volume. If the design of the unit is exactly this, the stones heat up to 500 degrees, sometimes even higher, whereas in an open heater no more than 200-250 degrees. When water hits a hot surface, a light, almost transparent steam is formed, which is appreciated by fans of the Russian bath.

Sauna stove with a closed heater: comparison with an open one

Sauna stove with a closed heater Laguna
The main difference between the design of a closed heater is the arrangement of stones inside the stove, the heating of which occurs through the walls of the stove from the firebox, as well as through hot smoke passing through the cobblestones. Compared to an open heater, here the stones are heated to a temperature of 400-700 degrees, depending on the type of stove.

To create steam, water in stoves with a closed heater is supplied to the stones through a specially built-in door. The advantages of a sauna stove with a closed heater are:

The steam room does not warm up as quickly as with the open type, but evenly, which creates a favorable microclimate in the bathhouse and more comfortable conditions for the steam room.
The stones heat up evenly, accumulating heat for a long time.
The steam room does not overheat.
The creation of high-quality steam is ensured by the walls of the stove, which retain the steam inside and facilitate its infusion. Compared to the open type of heater, the steam is moderately dry and light.
The high temperature in the steam room is maintained for a long time without the need to heat the stove.
High fire safety.
Ability to heat large areas.
The ability to regulate the rate of heating of the room, for which it is enough to open the heater door.
When steam is supplied, the possibility of getting burned is eliminated.

Among the disadvantages of the closed type are the following:

Long time for kindling and warming up the steam room.
Higher fuel consumption than an open type heater.

Now let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of a stove with an open heater. A special feature of this type of heater is the open arrangement of stones in a special niche above the firebox. The temperature is transmitted to the stones by the heated surface of the stove walls, from which they receive heat and transfer it to each other. The larger the heated surface area, the better the cobblestones warm up. Often, one layer of stones pressed along the perimeter to the walls of the stove is enough to generate the required amount of steam and heat. In an open-type heater, the main thing is not to overdo it with the number of stones. If there are too many of them, the top row will not have time to warm up, since there will be no contact with the walls, and steam will not form.

Sauna stove Rus 9 with open heater

The advantages of an open type heater are:

Fuel economy.
Rapid heating relative to the start of the stove lighting.

Flaws:

The stones heat up quickly, but they also give off heat just as quickly as they cool down.
In order to get high-quality steam, it is necessary to warm up the top layer of stones well, but the steam room begins to overheat, creating a not very comfortable atmosphere. To prevent the stones from cooling quickly, it is necessary to heat the stove, and without this the steam turns out heavy and damp.
The stones heat up less than in a closed heater.

The need to shield the walls

In addition to the fact that a closed heater is required, it is also important to shield the flow of hard radiation coming from the metal walls. A number of manufacturers create double metal casings around the unit body that reduce convection.

For the same purpose, cladding with natural minerals can be used. Similar stoves are offered by many manufacturing companies, but since natural finishes are very expensive, the products cannot be called cheap.

You can reduce radiation from a metal case yourself. For this purpose, a brick screen should be made around it. In order to remain able to regulate the degree of thermal energy release, it is necessary to provide vents with doors.

Criterias of choice

You can cleanse your body of impurities and toxins, cleanse yourself physically and spiritually, relax, and have fun only in a real Russian steam room. Experts say that there were no Finnish saunas nearby. To do this, it must meet the following criteria:

provide sufficient power;
create a unique atmosphere of a Russian bath - a certain combination of temperature in the steam room and humidity;
ensure fast, uniform heating of the room;
the firebox door should be made of heat-resistant glass, this will save time during maintenance;
A sauna stove for a Russian bath is better when a closed heater is used
quickly dial and maintain high temperature, which closes the list of necessary parameters.

A brick stove for a Russian bath is a traditional option, but not everyone can build it correctly. Laying a brick stove is a labor-intensive and expensive process.

Ready-made models made of steel and cast iron can compete with it, but it is advisable to install a protective screen made of brick. The rating of sauna stoves for Russian baths is given below.

Steam gun

The operation of a closed heater depends on how isolated it is from the walls of the unit and the state of the air in the steam room. The better these indicators are, the hotter the stones will be able to heat up. However, in this case there is a problem with how to supply water to the stones.

In order to obtain steam inside the heater, a system of tubes with holes is installed. A glass or funnel is attached to the outside and water is poured in. It flows down the tube down the unit. Such a device is called a heat gun. It got its name because the escaping steam makes loud sounds, reminiscent of a gunshot.

When using this device, it is recommended not to limit yourself to a single tube - it is better to make a branched version at the bottom, which will evenly distribute the liquid throughout the stove and bring it to the hottest zones.

Manufacturers of metal units for baths

If the question arises, what are the best stoves for a sauna with a closed heater, then it is worth talking about the most popular and proven products. They are present in the lines of the following manufacturers: Vulcan, Teplodar, Termofor (read: “How to choose and install a Vulcan stove for a sauna”). There are also devices with a closed heater from Finnish companies.

The following enterprises produce metal stoves for Russian baths:

Fehringer;
Kutkin;
Teklar;
Troika;
Kalita;
Svarozhich;
Enchantress;
Isistim;
Sudarushka.

Manufacturers who are in the top four have already earned a positive reputation - customers speak of them as reliable manufacturers.

As for the other companies, their products can be divided into two types: metal products and cast iron with a closed heater. Cast iron appliances are produced under the following brands: Kalita, Sudarushka and Svarozhich. But it is worth noting that in products of the Sudarushka brand, only the firebox is cast from cast iron, and the water tank and container for stones are made of steel. But since the basis of the stove is the firebox, this model can also be classified as cast iron products. Read also: “Sudarushka sauna stove - characteristics, features, operating rules.”

Types of sauna stoves with a closed heater

Depending on the material of manufacture, a sauna stove with a closed heater can be brick or metal.

More often, a stove for a Russian bath with a closed heater is made only of brick; it has the following advantages:

High heat capacity
Attractive design
High-quality, soft steam
Ability to heat a large steam room area

At the same time, a brick heater is not without some disadvantages, namely:

long time to warm up;
massive design, which is not always suitable for a small bathhouse.

In addition, when laying, it is important to take into account many design features, so it is not easy to assemble a brick stove yourself. The high cost of material and construction is also a disadvantage of this type of stove.

Sauna stove with closed heater Laguna

A metal stove with a closed heater is more suitable for a sauna than for a bath due to the specificity of the steam generated. It is tougher than brick and short-lived. In a metal heater, you need to maintain the fire longer, therefore, fuel consumption will be higher. But it warms up quickly, immediately starting to give off heat.

The cost of a metal heater is cheaper than a brick one, it is compact, and the rapid cooling of the heater can be solved by using cast iron for its manufacture, despite the higher cost of the material.

It is impossible to give an exact answer as to what material is best to make a stove with a closed heater, since both brick and metal have both advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, both options are often combined, when a metal stove is placed in a brick screen, or when laying brick and metal are combined. In this case, a metal frame is made for the heater, welded from a corner. A metal firebox, firebox doors, a blower, and a door for watering to generate steam are installed in the brick walls.

Metal valves are also installed in brick chimneys. Then chimneys are installed, the heater is lined, i.e. the metal firebox is lined with brick from the inside and the heat capacity from the outside increases in the same way. Thus, the best stoves for a sauna with a closed heater are combined models, in which all the advantages of a heater made of brick and metal are combined in one design, and the disadvantages are leveled out.

Sauna stove Siesta

Depending on the operating mode, periodic and continuous (long-term) stoves are distinguished:

The first type is considered the most common, retaining heat in the steam room for two days. Smoke passes from the heated firebox into the chimney, simultaneously heating the stones located in the so-called brazier. They can also heat up from a flame. The bottom row of stones heats up to 1000 degrees, the top - up to 650. The smoke covers the stones with soot, which allows you to immediately use the steam room as the fuel burns. Otherwise, the steam room is filled with carbon monoxide, and you can use it after 3-4 hours.
The design of a permanent or long-term stove includes a ash pan, a firebox, a stone backfill and a chimney. The stones are heated through the walls, which separate them from the firebox. The heating temperature is 450-500 degrees, it warms up the steam room. The body of a continuous heater is usually made of 4 mm thick sheet metal. A special feature of the design is that its body is placed in a metal casing due to the strong heating. Heated air circulates between this screen and the body. To prevent the air from being polluted by soot from stones, which is washed off with water and steam, in a permanent design, the stones are fenced off from the smoke with a cast iron or metal plate.

EasyStim ovens

These units are made from stainless steel 4-6 millimeters thick, the chromium content in them is 17%. In order to reduce the number of welds, the firebox and container for stones are formed by stamping and bending. To strengthen the walls of the firebox, special stiffening ribs are used, and to improve the heating of the stones and reduce the load on the bottom, it is made round in shape.

To prevent flames from entering the chimney, a flame breaker is installed in the firebox. The chimney channel is curved in order to more efficiently use the energy obtained during the combustion process. As a result, the flue gases go around the container filled with stones from all sides, which leads to their high-quality heating.

In order to regulate the operation, there is a handle at the top of the unit that changes the location of the thermostat damper. When the gap is open, intense heating of the room occurs, and if it is closed, the stones are heated.

Such closed-type sauna stoves have steam generators installed inside, namely systems consisting of tubes with holes that are located in the heater. The water that enters there falls on highly heated stones, and is then distributed over a large area due to the presence of a system of holes.

The water begins to evaporate, falling on the hot stones. The steam that is formed rushes up, bypassing the stones towards the outlet located above. As a result, the steam is broken into small particles, heats up more and becomes almost transparent.

Variety of EasySteam stoves

This company presents five lines on the market. Four of them are for baths of various sizes: Sochi, Yalta, Gelendzhik, Anapa. “Cherepovets Blast Furnace” is offered for professional service. A special feature of EasySteam products with a closed heater is the side door, designed for convenient maintenance of the heating unit. It may be on the left or right, so this point needs to be discussed when ordering.

Furnaces are produced either protected by a brick screen, or lined with slabs of coil or soapstone. Technical parameters differ for different models. Those that have lining are characterized by large size and weight, as well as a significant price. The weight of the facing material can reach 250 kilograms.

Such a closed heater for a bath, such as “Sochi”, “Gelendzhik” and “Anapa” has the same device inside. They differ in power, and accordingly, are suitable for steam rooms of various sizes. Modifications in the same line have differences in the size of the compartment for stones, and based on this, the thermal inertness of the furnace.

The greater the number of stones, the longer the steam room warms up, but at the same time it allows you to get a larger amount of steam. Its inertia is also ideal for drying the steam room, since the stones release the resulting heat for a long time.

A new product among the EasyStream line, “Yalta” has a different design, which is a kind of mesh oven. But it is quite unconventional: a closed internal heater is located around a chimney, which is surrounded by an open and ventilated heater.

This design makes it possible to shield radiation without creating a massive screen or expensive cladding, and at the same time obtain light and good steam. Therefore, EasySteam stoves from the Yalta line are well suited for Russian baths. Read also: “Which Ermak bath stove is best: choice using examples.”

Consumer reviews about EasyStim stoves:

When I first went to the steam room, there was a brick sauna stove with a closed heater. Then I decided to build a home sauna and chose the EasyStream stove. The steam is excellent, two loads of solid fuel are enough. The steam gun is great. The downside is that the adjustment knobs are hot. I maintain the temperature at about 55 degrees.
I installed an Anapa stove with brick lining in the bathhouse. In summer, the temperature becomes necessary in about an hour and a half, in winter – after three hours. The bathhouse measures 30 square meters. When the device warms up, heating of water in a tank with a volume of 100 liters begins.
I really like the EasySteam Sochi model. The laying of stones is large, but you can create different types of steam rooms. By opening and closing the dampers, it is possible to obtain either dry and hot steam, or moist and cool steam. And since my bathhouse is commercial, I can please different clients.

Do-it-yourself sauna stove with a closed heater

The type of heater is selected based on the size of the steam room, the production of the desired steam - dry or wet, the expected number of people steaming, and the heating time of the steam room. The foundation is installed 50 cm below the ground. It is made of concrete covered with a waterproofing sheet and a brick layer on top. The walls of the firebox are installed at an angle so that the remains of burnt firewood fall onto the grate, which, in turn, is mounted under the boiler in the central part. Next, a blower door is installed, which regulates the force of air supply into the ash pan. By decreasing or increasing it, you can regulate the burning power of wood or other fuel. If there is an excess of air masses, the fuel will burn poorly because the combustion temperature is low. If there is not enough air, the combustion force will be uneven.

An ash pan is installed under the grate to collect the remains of burnt wood. It also regulates the air entering the firebox. A water tank is installed inside the stove, and a coil is placed inside the firebox. The stones are placed on a grate made of metal rods with a diameter of 4-6 cm, inside the chimney.

Steam oven with closed heater

The quantity and quality of steam depends on the correct choice of stones. The correct calculation is 35-45 kg of cobblestones per 1 m3 of steam room. Gray and black cobblestones collected near water are best suited for a heater, as they are stronger than others. The optimal size is a stone about the size of a fist, the shape is round or oval. The rounded shape allows smoke and fire to easily penetrate between them, heating them evenly. The closed heater is equipped with a steam door to ensure good heat transfer.

In order to obtain high-quality finely dispersed steam, you can install a steam generator, or a so-called steam gun. It is lowered to the very bottom row of the heater's stone pile, and a valve installed at the top of it keeps heavy steam from escaping through the top of the pipe. At the end of the steam gun, branches can be installed, various holes through which water leaks. It is best to supply boiling water inside the steam generator. Steam generator models suitable for certain boiler models can be purchased at the store, or you can make them yourself.

Stove Enchantress for baths

These units are manufactured in Russia. The Enchantress is not the only model range; the company also produces cast-iron products Kalita and cast-iron-steel Sudarushka. A modern cast iron sauna stove is a high-quality and practical product.

The Enchantress is made from heat-resistant steel AISI 439. The outside is decorated with fireclay refractory bricks or natural minerals.

A special feature of the products of this line is a two-chamber firebox. In this case, fuel combustion occurs in the lower one, and flue gases are burned in the upper one due to secondary air. Because of this, the stoves have high efficiency and do not require a large amount of fuel - thermal energy is almost entirely used to heat the heater.

They have a large heater. The flame covers it from five sides, heating the stones to a high temperature, but the top remains open, which is undesirable for steam baths, but good for saunas. In the case of the Enchantress, you can purchase a steam accumulator, which is like a lid for a heater, which also makes it possible to lay stones. It should be taken into account that any stove from this line has sufficient power to heat an additional portion of stones.

The line includes models called “Russian Steam”. They are better suited for Russian baths, since they initially have a closed heater with a lid designed to facilitate maintenance. Opening/closing the lid switches heating modes. If it is open, the steam room heats up more actively, and if it is closed, the stones heat up intensely.

If you supplement the Enchantress with a steam generator, with the exception of the MK modification, you get a similar effect. The MK mesh heater from the same manufacturer is equipped with a closed heater. The stones in it are also heated by the chimney.

Thus, the Enchantress stoves can function in Russian baths with some modifications, namely, with lids and cast iron ingots, replacing some of the stones with them. Russian Steam models already have a closed heater, so they produce light steam, and the lining copes excellently with hard radiation.

User reviews about the Enchantress units:

My stove is lined with fireclay. Works well, but the steam was a little heavy. But after I equipped the heater with a lid, and also partially installed cast iron instead of stones, it became much better. After this, the steam became wonderful, there is enough of it, and the temperature in the steam room reaches 70-75 degrees.
Perhaps the walls of the oven are thin. I have been using the Enchantress stove for several years, and during this time the top of the stove has sagged by several centimeters, and the walls have become slightly bent. But as for steam and heating the bath, there are no complaints.

Advantages of closed heaters

The main advantage of closed heaters, for which all the fuss is, is the deep heating of the stones. They reach high temperatures and create excellent steam.

Other positive aspects:

Warm-up speed. The combustion process does not last for many hours. The stones heat up in an hour or two.
Ability to keep warm for a long time. The sauna stays in working order for longer. You can use it throughout the day for different needs.
The ability to better regulate the temperature in the bath. As soon as a person opens the heater door, an additional flow of heat escapes into the steam room. If it suddenly seems that it has become too hot, you can cover the heater and the temperature will drop slightly.
They can be implemented in both metal and brick ovens.

If it turns out that the heater is flooded, just close its door. Internal heat promotes rapid evaporation and temperature restoration.

Furnaces Paravoz

This is not a typo: these ovens are called that way. They have a somewhat strange appearance: they are made from a pipe lying horizontally. As a result, the units really resemble a steam locomotive, but the name of the furnaces is Paravoz.

These units are very durable - they are often used in public baths for up to 7 years or more, every day. Taking into account the fact that the bathhouse is heated much less often at home, they can last for decades.

There should be a brick screen around the stove to prevent the steam room from overheating. A lot of steam is formed, it is transparent, clean and hot. The heater is almost impossible to fill - testing was carried out. As a result, 20 liters of water were poured out within 10 minutes, but the stones and metal dried out in less than 60 seconds.

A paravoz is not a cast iron sauna stove with a closed heater. They are made from steel pipes with a diameter of 430-650 millimeters, a length of 80-10 centimeters and a wall thickness of 8-10 millimeters. The stoves have a considerable weight - 160-330 kilograms, and this does not take into account the stones, which heat up very well, which is facilitated by the special shape of the firebox in the form of a vault and some other interesting design solutions.

Currently, there are 11 modifications of these furnaces. Some of them have similar technical characteristics, but they differ in furnace casting. As for the design, it is almost identical. On some products the finishing and appearance of the front part have been changed.

Review of Paravoz stoves

Wonderful product! I installed an impressive screen around this stove. The temperature rises within a few hours, but you can start steaming just an hour after it has been melted. And at the same time, it is impossible to get burned by it. All good.

Choosing a stove for a Russian bath is not so easy. Concepts such as “sauna” and “bathhouse” are often confused. At the same time, in each of these establishments it is necessary to create a certain atmosphere, for which it is necessary to select a specific type of stoves. So before purchasing, it is recommended to consult with a specialist who will help you choose the appropriate model depending on the type of steam room and the user’s requirements.

Stove-heater: pros and cons

A brick stove has both advantages and disadvantages.

Speaking of positive aspects, we can recall the following:

the structure is capable of retaining heat for a long time. The stones remain well warm from 6 to 9 hours (this depends on the dimensions of the heater, the volume of cobblestones placed inside, the gradation of the latter, as well as on the temperature that was reached during the heating process);
a similar sauna stove with a closed heater has high fire safety;

The floor around the stove should be covered with iron

it is capable of heating a large area;
on the second day, the bathhouse maintains a temperature close to +20°C, thanks to which the hostess can wash clothes there.

However, it is necessary to mention the disadvantages:

so that the air in the bathhouse can fully heat up, the brick stove must be heated for 3-5 hours (depending on the thickness of the stove walls, as well as on the outside air temperature);
stoves made of bricks require a fairly large room;
Since a brick stove is a very labor-intensive device, independent installation of the stove is completely excluded. Consequently, you will have to turn to professional masons for help (building a bathhouse will cost significantly more);

The laying was carried out by specialists

since such a structure is quite heavy, it is necessary to install a recessed foundation for the sauna stove (accordingly, the price of the structure will increase);
It is advisable to carry out bathing procedures only after the fuel has burned completely. Otherwise, you can get carbon monoxide poisoning.