If you ask any experienced bath attendant for advice on whether to give preference when buying a sauna stove to a domestic manufacturer or a Finnish one, in 99% of cases you will hear the answer: “Of course, Finnish!” After all, this epithet has long become synonymous with quality in the construction world, and this is especially true for the construction of a bathhouse. Looking for reliability and durability? Then Harvia sauna stoves are for you! And the point here is not only that the production is foreign, and there, supposedly, everything is done “as for the people.” For many, the decisive factor in choosing a stove is trust in the company itself - and Harvia has been on the world market for more than 55 years, which is impressive. And all these 55 years, its stoves have been improved and updated in design, and therefore today they are seriously different from other analogues in style, ease of use and functional characteristics.
Why are Harvia stoves so good?
Modern Finnish-made Harvia wood-burning stoves are valuable because they produce a record amount of heat with little wood consumption. According to reviews, the steam room warms up to 80˚C in just an hour.
The main advantage of Harvia ovens is their efficient air circulation system. Thanks to it, fuel - firewood or peat briquettes - is consumed economically, and the heat is radiated so evenly that it creates especially noticeable comfort and promotes relaxation.
And style plays an important role in a modern bathhouse – which is why beautiful and modern Harvia stoves are such a success. A cast iron firebox, streamlined steel body and tempered glass - this is what will look great in any steam room. The view of the stove from the rest room is especially impressive - a huge screen with large glass through which the fire is visible, and a stylish frame framing it.
Harvia sauna heaters and sauna stoves are made from high-strength steel, and modern technologies and methods proven over the years make it possible to avoid overheating of the stoves, without interfering with the valuable heat transfer. And in order for Harvia products to look like new even after years, the material is well protected from corrosion - with a layer of expensive fire-resistant paint.
There are, of course, negative reviews of Harvia stoves - they are sometimes disliked because of their strong convection. This problem is not difficult to deal with if you cover the heater with a brick screen - this does not require a lot of time and money.
Indeed, in addition, some Harvia models allow you to load up to two hundred kilograms of stones into them - and this means pleasant high humidity and gentle temperature, which is perfect for creating the atmosphere of a real Russian bathhouse.
Wood-burning sauna stoves “Harvia”
We have already paid tribute to this company by publishing a review of its electric heaters. This time we will talk about wood-burning sauna stoves “Harvia”, because wood, as you know, remains the leader among fuel types for sauna stoves .
But here it’s worth making a reservation in advance: the wood-burning stoves of this company are intended almost exclusively for saunas , and not for Russian baths. In rare cases, such a stove will have a closed heater, and high convection is automatically built into all models.
IMPORTANT! Lovers of Russian baths should look for other options.
Well, for those who initially set their sights on a sauna or sauna mode in their bathhouse, we suggest that you read our review of wood-burning heaters.
Website Harvia.fi (hereinafter, photos from the manufacturer’s website)
Review of the most interesting models
The range of electric and traditional Harvia stoves is quite wide - these include wood-burning heaters, electric stoves, and steam generators. “Warmth for everyone” is the company’s motto, which they implement in the “stone-water-wood” combination.
But the most popular of the Harvia series has become the Legend sauna stove - it produces excellent steam. True, some bath attendants are dissatisfied with the way the stove dries the air - but this defect is quickly corrected with a small amount of water, which is applied to the stones. What’s more important here is that in order for the steam to be light and pleasant for the body, like this stove, it really has to be dried out a little, which generally affects the air in the steam room. But, if you heat it correctly and consistently, it won’t be noticeable.
And many especially loved the Harvia “GreenFlame” sauna stove - a wood-burning sauna heater, which has become famous for causing less damage to the environment than others. Its carbon monoxide emissions are 80% lower than other stoves, and its wood consumption is 25% more economical. And the service life is longer. Even its ash yield is much lower - due to the fact that, thanks to the automatic fire control system, the wood in the stove burns longer, but emits less harmful substances, and the combustion efficiency is always at the maximum level. This is how environmentally friendly steam combined with modern design quickly brings Harvia GreenFlame to the TOP of sales throughout Russia. All the latest models of the line are equipped with a door made of cast iron and heat-resistant glass.
Large selection of Harvia sauna stoves in the Fornax online store. You can choose a model that is exactly suitable for your bath.
How did it all begin?
Harvia has been and remains a family company. Its development began with a small art forge more than 60 years ago. Today it is located in the city of Muurame and belongs to companies with a rating of the highest category in terms of creditworthiness. Its production facilities employ more than 300 people and generate a turnover of approximately 60 million euros.
It is known for its products for Finnish saunas far beyond the borders of its country and the Scandinavian Peninsula. Its heater stoves are created taking into account all centuries-old traditions and using advanced technologies. This approach has allowed Harvia to become a world leader in the production of sauna products, which are supplied to 65 countries.
Installing a stove and making a chimney: the ideal scheme for Harvia
Before installing the Harvia stove, you need to heat it well - outside. The fact is that the first half hour will burn out the conservation lubricant and special black paint, which becomes even more durable after the first heat treatment. And if you heat the stove in a bathhouse for the first time, you will have to ventilate it for a long time. Therefore, those photographs where the stove is smoking right in front of the bathhouse - in the middle of the garden - should not come as a surprise.
Compared to other sauna stoves, Harvia can be placed a little closer to the wall and other objects than is usually allowed - all thanks to its body. But, in any case, the distance from the stove to the nearest combustible material is at least 50 cm.
Brick screen
It is necessary to pour a slab under the stove and install a brick screen - if it is built right up to the ceiling, then there is no need for additional protection of the walls. And it’s even better for Harvia stoves to build not only a screen, but also an entire brickwork in a pre-cut section of the wall - it will carry both the chimney and the console. And for greater reliability, the brickwork itself can be strengthened with buttresses.
Now we are making the foundation for the sauna stove: formwork is placed, reinforcing masonry mesh is laid and everything is filled with mortar.
Assembly and connection of the chimney
Next, a ceiling passage is mounted - 64x64 cm, between wooden beams. It must be located so that the distance to combustible structures remains at least 250 mm with protection - this is according to the standards.
The cake from the beams to the pipe is as follows: Rockwool foil (130 mm) + foil + mineralite on a metal frame + expanded clay. The next step is to lay ventilation ducts and the ceiling of the steam room is completely insulated.
Many people argue about which pipe should be used for Harvia sauna stoves. Some people recommend Ermak, others are happy with the branded one - the same brand as the stove.
It is only important to remember that Harvia chimneys are expensive and are made of food-grade ceramics, which, of course, is durable, but not very practical if a fire occurs. Therefore, for now, most experienced bath attendants agree that the most suitable chimney for the Harvia stove is the “Vulcan”. It is better to supply and drain water to the heat exchanger using a corrugated pipe.
A little advice: when installing a stainless steel pipe, the connection between ceramic and steel pipes must be sealed with a special ceramic fiber tape, and a heat-resistant sealant must be applied on top. Then no condensation will occur. Also, before installing the main protection, the box for the passage of the pipe must be sewn up at the bottom with a sheet of mineralite, with a pre-made cutout for the pipe. And pour fine expanded clay into the box itself. If the stove chimney needs to be inspected and cleaned in the future, one of the two pipes will need to be removed, while the second, which leads into the ceramic block, will remain secured. For the convenience of the whole process, the first pipe can be inserted deeper into the chimney - this will make it easier to remove the one that is mounted on the sauna stove pipe.
So, if everything is done technologically correctly, the new Harvia will delight you with soft steam, good heat and proper operation for many years to come. After all, this is quality in Finnish!
Pros and cons of such equipment
How do these models differ from their wood-burning counterparts? First of all, by its operating principle. In them, the stones are heated by electric heating elements. This avoids the installation of a chimney, and also significantly reduces weight and dimensions.
Watch a video about the benefits of stove products:
Among the advantages of such models, the following should also be highlighted:
- Quick heating of the steam room and long-term heat retention
- No trash or need to clean out ash
- Easy to operate and easy to adjust
However, such models also have some disadvantages, including:
- High power consumption
- Creation of an electromagnetic background that does not have a very good effect on human health
Buyers' opinion
Despite some disadvantages of electric ovens, most consumers note their high quality, safety and reliability. Based on numerous positive reviews, we can say with confidence that the products of the Finnish manufacturer Harvia are in great demand and fully confirm all the stated parameters and characteristics.
Those who have already appreciated all the advantages of electric stoves note that they are ideal not only for a Finnish sauna, but also for a Russian steam room. For this purpose they are equipped with a remote steam generator. It is located separately from the stove and, by splashing water into a special tray, allows you to get clouds of wet steam.
As you know, the price of bath equipment depends on its technical characteristics. Among them, the main one is power. The larger it is, the higher the price will be. But for a small home sauna, models with low or medium power are sufficient, which guarantees a low cost.
On average, prices for electric heater stoves from the Harvia company range from 10 to 40 thousand rubles. This allows a wide range of users to make the right choice.
Why glass doors Harvia?
is not a newcomer to the market of equipment for baths and saunas: founded in 1951, the company has been producing stoves, chimneys, boilers and other bath equipment for 60 years. The products of this manufacturer have long won the love of bath lovers around the world. Both stoves and Harvia doors attract with their combination of functionality and practicality with exquisite beauty. Finnish sauna doors will serve you for many years. It is also worth noting that the cost of such doors is quite affordable.
What are the benefits of doors produced by Harvia? It's no secret that sauna doors always have special requirements. Unlike ordinary interior doors, doors for saunas (Finnish, Swedish, Estonian or Russian) must successfully withstand high temperatures and splashes of water and be durable. Practical Harvia doors are designed specifically for saunas by a manufacturer who knows a lot about it! These doors use particularly strong, 8mm thick reinforced safety glass. The Harvia door opens and closes completely silently and effortlessly. The door frames are made of wood suitable for use in hot and humid rooms: pine, aspen, alder (without knots). They can withstand use in damp areas without deforming.
