To create the atmosphere of a Russian steam room, a stove of a special design is required: the stones must not only be heated, but heated. Only then will it be possible to get light steam. The second task is to make sure that while the stones are heating up, the air does not overheat. After all, for a Russian steam room the temperatures should be low: 50-75°C (but the humidity is 50-60%).
To do this, it is necessary to somehow neutralize the high heat transfer of the metal. This is best realized in brick kilns. In them, heat is accumulated in the mass of the brick. That's where the idea came from - to line metal stoves with bricks. It absorbs most of the radiation from the body. After it warms up, it begins to radiate heat, but this time it is soft and pleasant for us. It turns out to be something like a brick oven, which, with the right approach, allows you to get a bathhouse very similar to a Russian one.
By covering a cast iron stove with a brick screen, we get soft heat, like from a stone stove
But not everyone wants to put down the screen. And there is another method to reduce heat radiation - cladding with slabs of “bath” stones. These stones are soapstone and serpentine, marble and some others. They have a very high heat capacity, so they also absorb radiation quite well. At the same time, they are also beautiful. But roads.
The main positive qualities of Sudarushka
The cast iron sauna stove Sudarushka is valued for its economy in terms of fuel use. Externally, this installation is also very beautiful, because in the photo and during visual inspection it can sometimes not be immediately distinguished from its foreign counterpart.
Other advantages of the oven:
- The firebox is made of the finest cast iron, 1 centimeter thick, which ensures fast and efficient heating. Just an hour is needed to prepare the steam room for the procedures. However, with such power, it is possible to install a steam room oven with an area of no more than 18 “squares”;
- Due to the minimal use of cast iron, the overall weight of the structure is reduced, which greatly simplifies the installation and transportation process. At the same time, in terms of durability, the stove is in no way inferior to its analogues;
- The design is universal, because the container for stones and the tap can be located in any part of the furnace.
Cast iron has a number of advantages over other alloys and metals in the production of fireboxes:
- when burning fuel, several times less condensate is formed, leading to the formation of steam with an unacceptably high temperature, which allows you to create steam convenient for any visitor to the bathhouse;
- cast iron covered with soapstone or other stones heats the room evenly, therefore there is no effect of cooling the air when moving away from the stove to the corners of the steam room;
- The heat-accumulation characteristics of a cast-iron sauna stove are much higher, because less fuel is consumed, and more thermal energy is accumulated and used more efficiently.
As practice shows, a sauna stove with a closed heater Sudarushka, even when heated, does not change its external and structural characteristics, which ensures the longest possible service life and complete safety.
Stoves for baths Svarozhich
This company produces cast iron sauna stoves, with a closed heater. They are cast using German equipment from gray heat-resistant cast iron SCH 15-30. Production is located in Russia and Belarus.
There are two lines of cast iron sauna stoves produced by Svarozhich: Firebird and Slavyanka Premium. Both models can be supplied with cladding or under a self-clad brick screen. The cladding is made from bath stones of four types: coil, soapstone, soapstone, soapstone, soapstone. The thickness of the slabs is up to 40 mm. This type of cladding does not require a brick screen - all cladding material has a high heat capacity.
The Fire Bird and Slavyanka stoves are equipped with two types of doors:
- Regular cast iron. This is a standard inexpensive door decorated with glass. It closes with a bolt, pressing it to the portal. This method of closing is not airtight, so air leaks are possible even when the door is closed.
- Fireplace door with large glass. If you need tight temperature control, choose a fireplace door. In addition to the large panoramic glass, it ensures tightness.
So each version of cast iron sauna stoves can have two doors. Another feature is that the door has movable blinds that can be used to regulate convection, and therefore the intensity of combustion.
Another point - since the stoves are made of cast iron, they come from the factory disassembled and you assemble them yourself according to the instructions that come with the kit.
Cast iron sauna stove Firebird
In this stove, the heater, although closed, is ventilated. This is not the best option for creating Russian bath modes, but you can still use it. The main thing is to choose the right fire mode and not overheat the steam room.
The structure of the Fire Bird stove from Svarozhich
At the moment there are three modifications: Lux, Russian steam and combi. Here are brief differences:
- Cast iron stove Fire Bird Lux. The front front wall is slightly higher, due to which the top is sloping back. Moreover, the top of the stove is also the lid of the heater. It opens upward, making it easier to access the stones and easier to pour water. At the same time, the heater is made of cast iron and is covered in flames on 5 sides, which guarantees good heating of the stones.
- Firebird Russian steam. The heater is made of cast iron, covered with a 2 mm thick heat-resistant stainless steel box on top. The box has only two holes, so the stones are not cooled by convection. In addition, the movement of air in the stove does not depend on the degree of heating of the heater. A steam gun is installed to supply steam (additional option).
- The modifications of the combi differ in that the cladding consists of two types of bath stone.
All stoves have a remote firebox: the stove can be heated from an adjacent room. The dimensions of the firebox allow the use of firewood up to 40 cm long. Since its weight is significant (without stones, lining and firewood from 270 kg), the stove must be installed on a separate foundation.
This is what the cast iron stoves Svarozhich Zhar Ptitsa look like in different versions
All of these stoves are designed for steam stoves of 12-30 m3, the chimney diameter of the first three modifications is 115 mm, and for “Elite” - 130 mm. To make it more convenient to select and navigate the technical parameters of the Firebird stove, they were compiled into a table.
Technical characteristics of Svarozhich Zhar Ptitsa stoves (to increase the size of the table, right-click on the picture)
Svarozhich stoves are distinguished by a very wide door. In the photo below, the firebox is shielded from the inside with fireclay bricks. This slows down the heating of the steam room, but the temperature remains longer after heating. You see, the door is so wide that all the “insides” are clearly visible.
Shielding the firebox with fireclay bricks
Sauna stove Svarozhich Slavyanka Elite
This line is extended even further upward. Its width, even when faced with stone slabs, does not exceed 500 mm. The weight of this line is also slightly less. And this despite the fact that the combustion portal is cast from cast iron. The weight reduction occurred due to a decrease in the thickness of the firebox walls (6 mm instead of 10 for the “Fire Bird”) and also due to the fact that the container for stones is welded from stainless steel. Only the lower part of the heater is made of cast iron, which provides more uniform heating of the stones. The thickness of the walls of the heater is 3 mm, which is more than enough to withstand thermal loads and the weight of stones.
The structure of the Slavyanka stove from Svarozhich
The Svarozhich-Slavyanka stove has two heaters - a closed one with stones placed on the side and a small open one. The mass of stones in the closed heater is 40 kg, in the upper one - 20 kg. The chimney diameter for all modifications is 115 mm. The modifications are the same:
- Economy - under brick lining;
- Standard - in a stainless steel casing (for use in Russian steam room mode, a brick screen is still required);
- Classic - lined with soapstone;
- Luxury - in a lining with a system for regulating convective flows.
This is what cast iron stoves Svarozhich Slavyanka look like in different versions
The technical characteristics of these furnaces are presented in the table (see photo).
Technical characteristics of Svarozhich Slavyanka stoves (to increase the size of the table, right-click on the picture)
Reviews of Svarozhich stoves
I have Slavyanka Elite. I took it under a brick screen. I’m happy with everything, it heats up my 15 cubic meter steam room in an hour and a half, but this is at +6-7° outside. At first I didn't put the top of the screen down, but it was hot. That’s why I blocked half of it, and on the other I have a grid with stones for decoration. Now, at 60°C in the steam room, the stones heat up very well and I can get as much steam as I want. The only annoying thing is that the doors don't fit snugly. Therefore, even with the dampers closed, there is traction. I tried to adjust the damper on the chimney, but smoke poured into the room. Then he adapted to drown her. But something needs to be done about the doors.
Mikhail, Astrakhan
I have Svarozhich-Lux. The oven is excellent, if not for one flaw. There were many cracks in the door, which made it almost impossible to regulate the combustion. I glued thin strips of asbestos around the perimeter where the doors fit. I placed them on heat-resistant sealant until they dried, pressed them down with the door and cut off the excess . It turned out very accurately. Now, with the door closed, the draft is adjusted as necessary: using the blinds on the door.
Stepan, St. Petersburg
Modifications of the Sudarushka sauna stove
Not so long ago, in 2010, the Sudarushka-M sauna stove with a cast-iron firebox was released onto the market, featuring a more original appearance and increased cost. The characteristics of the internal part of the structure have not changed: the firebox remains the same, you can still load 40 kilograms of stones, and up to 50 liters of water are poured into the tank. But now the design has become collapsible and the tank can be replaced with another firebox, which allows you to increase the number of loaded stones.
It also became possible to install a 110-mm heater pipe on the stove to shield infrared thermal radiation coming from the chimney. The use of this thermal energy for bath procedures is preferable if there are children or visitors with overly sensitive skin in the steam room. The steam generated by the oven did not change, and the heated area of the room remained the same (18 square meters).
Then the Sudarushka-S stove, a family type, was developed. What makes it different is the ability to load stones vertically and in increased quantities.
Next, a modification was made to Sudarushka-K, which left the stove with its former elegance and dimensions, but at the same time added reliability and increased the heating power, which made it possible to compare the stove with the well-known Kalita.
Distinctive features of Sudarushka-K:
- still the same cast iron firebox;
- strict body shapes with optimal proportions;
- absolute insulation of containers, allowing for maximum heating of the stones and ultra-light steam.
Caring for the stove is very simple: you need to periodically wash its walls with warm water and then the coating will always be shiny.
The most original configuration of the Sudarushka was the MK version with stainless steel shields with beveled edges, as well as a large glass covering the tunnel. This design, according to the manufacturer, corresponded to the main fashion trends at that time.
Features of cast iron stoves
In this article we will talk about manufacturers of cast iron stoves with a closed heater, which can be installed in bathhouses to achieve Russian steam room conditions. Since cast iron stoves are made with thicker walls, the heat capacity of the units is greater. And if the design of the stove is well thought out and a lot of stones are placed, then the atmosphere in the steam room is very, very soft and pleasant.
There are only a few nuances when using these units. Sauna stoves made of cast iron have a considerable mass - at least 200 kg without all the “makeweights”. Since you can’t just put a stove in a Russian bathhouse, but you will need a lining (about 200-250 kg) or a brick screen (at least 600-800 kg), you can’t do without a foundation for the stove.
A cast iron stove with a brick screen or cladding requires a foundation
Second point. Cast iron does not tolerate sudden temperature changes. And to get steam you have to pour water. Even if it is boiling water, the difference with the surface of the oven is very large. If this “cold” water gets on a hot surface, it can burst. That’s why manufacturers make special glasses into which this water needs to be poured. And some also make containers for stones from steel (Sudarushka and Svarozhich Elite) - this way there is less chance of getting a crack.
The nice thing is that cast iron stoves consist of individual elements that are connected to each other using locks. That is, if something bursts, then it is not the entire oven that needs to be replaced, but only some part of it. But still, be careful when using it.
Read more about the features of cast iron stoves in the article “Sauna stoves made of stainless steel or cast iron? What's better?"
Negative aspects during operation
In fact, all the minuses found were found by owners who were using the stove incorrectly.
We are talking about the following problems:
- For some, the furnace firebox simply burst, and everything was attributed to the low quality of cast iron produced by their compatriots. In fact, it is not the materials that are to blame, but the failure to follow the rules for their use. If the thermal operating conditions of the furnace are violated, it can easily be rendered inoperable, regardless of the materials used in production;
- There are also those bath attendants whose liquid in the tank boils in a very short time. Fixing this problem is quite simple: you need to install it on supports (resistant to heat) in order to achieve a 2-3 centimeter gap between the container and the heating surface. The water will not boil, but the temperature will be constantly maintained close to 100 degrees Celsius. If the heater is equipped with an additional damper, then the stones themselves will heat up much more efficiently;
- Some people think that side loading of the firebox is not very convenient, but this arrangement can be explained quite simply: they did it this way in Rus', and therefore they did it now for marketing purposes. At the same time, the efficiency of the installation does not suffer, which means you should use a proven option.
Bottom line
The article describes in detail the Sudarushka sauna stove and its modifications. From all of the above, we can conclude that this design is one of the most optimal for heating baths. Installation work will not cause difficulties, but if you entrust it to professionals, they will take responsibility for all stages - from purchase to assembly, installation and commissioning of the stove.
Is the quality of cast iron the same among different manufacturers?
Oddly enough, but cast iron is different from cast iron. This metal can be very different in its chemical composition. And, if its production was unscrupulous, then during the use of such a stove even cracks may form. And in Russia, according to experienced stove makers, high-quality cast iron is not produced at all.
Much more enthusiastic reviews today are received by units from the Swedish company Keddy, in which the fireboxes are solid cast iron. The doors are fitted manually, without a seal, and the chamber is completely sealed. If used correctly, such a furnace will never burst - after all, such products are made using the centrifugal method, and from special cast iron, the secret of the composition of which the Swedes still keep secret.
But ordinary cast iron is really afraid of thermal shocks, it’s true. It can burst if the temperature difference between its two nearby points is more than 80 degrees. For example, this can easily happen if cold water gets on such a stove in a bathhouse, which is not at all uncommon. That is why almost none of the leading manufacturers make cast iron sauna stoves, and the domestic Sudarushka will serve for a long time only if treated with extreme care.
However, every thing has its own lifespan, and just because a cast iron stove holds heat well, you can turn a blind eye to all its other disadvantages.
Furnace structure
When planning, you should remember that the size of the room that the Sudarushka stove will heat should not exceed 20 square meters. m. On average, the oven heats the air to an acceptable temperature in an hour. This is achieved thanks to a 10 mm cast iron firebox lining. Thin metal quickly absorbs heat and reduces the weight of the stove. However, this reduces the life of the device. Despite its strength, cast iron is a very brittle material.
Disassembling or dismantling the “Sudarushka” is easy if you have available tools. The stone compartment can be installed on either side. The same applies to the tap that leads to the tank. Its volume is 50-60 l, it is made of stainless steel. There are rocks under the water heater. The compartment is located in such a way that the stones are heated from 5 sides. This speeds up the appearance of steam. The flame divider is made of 5 mm heat-resistant steel. Between the heater and the firebox there is a protective casing half a centimeter thick.
The Sudarushka stove has an additional tunnel, which allows you to heat another room (for example, a dressing room). In winter, such a unit will be very useful.
Water heating
For areas where there is no hot water supply, stoves that have their own means for heating water are relevant. Regardless of what material the stove is made of, it will be either heat exchangers or water heating tanks. In both cases, the source of heat is the fuel on which the unit operates.
On a note! There is a difference in where the heat is taken from - from the stove body or from the chimney. In the first case, you reduce the efficiency of the furnace, in the second, you increase it. In addition, water has a very high heat capacity, which means a large heat consumption to heat it.
Cast iron stoves with heat exchanger for baths
A heat exchanger consists of pipes or a register of pipes, or other structure through which water continuously flows (under the influence of convection and gravity or from artificially created pressure). Being in direct contact with the heat source, the exchanger heats up new portions of water. It can be placed inside or outside the stove body, or it can be a coil that wraps around the chimney.
Cast iron stove with heat exchanger on a pipe.
When purchasing a stove, you should ask whether the manufacturer has ready-made heat exchangers suitable for the model you are purchasing. For example, “Sudarushka M” can be equipped with cast iron heat exchangers if the owner does not want to purchase a tank, which is also optionally supplied with the stove.
Cast iron stove with sauna tank
There are companies that are more concerned with consumer convenience. Thus, at PetrozavodskMash, almost all cast iron products can be equipped with a tank of the required volume at the consumer’s request.
Cast iron stove with sauna tank.
In any case, the manufacturer's website will usually indicate whether they have tanks in stock, whether they fit your model, and other information. True, the tanks may end up in the “accessories” section.
By the way! Tanks come in two varieties: some are somehow hung on a stove or chimney, while others are hung in an adjacent room, communicating with the stove through pipes. In the latter case, a heat exchanger will be needed to heat the water.
You will find more detailed information in the articles: stoves with a tank and with a heat exchanger for wood stoves.
Stove cost
The price of “Sudarshka” is quite reasonable - approximately 71,000 rubles. The cost of the stove largely depends on the material from which the unit is made. Cast iron and stainless steel are the most expensive. But these materials are the best. You can buy “Sudarushka” in household appliance stores, via the Internet (although delivering a sauna stove by courier is very problematic), and in specialized retail outlets. When purchasing a unit, you should check it immediately. The first kindling may be accompanied by a specific smell. Do not be alarmed - this is a coating on the new material; with further use, the smell will disappear.
“Sudarushka M” has been produced since 2010. It has a more attractive design and the ability to expand the heater, as well as an additional pipe designed to screen radiation from the chimney. Given these benefits, prices may vary from the value shown. When buying a used stove, first of all you should pay attention to the condition of the heater. Since this part of the unit is made of thin material, it is the most vulnerable.
