09.21.2017 5879 Pechnik (Moscow) A fireplace stove for a bathhouse is a universal heating unit, through which you can not only provide high-quality heating at home, but also have a good steam in a bathhouse or sauna. You can find out what types of stove a fireplace for a bath can include, get acquainted with detailed characteristics and other important features and selection criteria, as well as by watching the video in this article.
Materials from which sauna stoves are made
It is important that the device is able to provide the required amount of steam, generate enough heat and allow you to enjoy the sight of burning logs. Therefore, a durable fire-resistant material is selected for the manufacture of the firebox. Heat-resistant high-alloy steel has these properties.
Some people prefer to install brick fireplace stoves in the bathhouse. They are not sold ready-made, so they can be made to order or with your own hands. Compared to a steel oven, building a brick unit will take more time and effort. The result of the work will depend on how accurately the calculations were made and the brick was laid.
It is better to entrust the development of an engineering project to a professional or a specialized company, since a stove-fireplace for a bath is considered a rather complex system that requires care and precision during construction. For such structures it is necessary to build a reliable foundation.
Advantages of a brick kiln:
- Possibility to build units of any size and shape. There are different heating methods (water, air) and two types of firebox (open, closed).
- The design is perfect for a wooden steam room.
- The brick heats up quickly and cools down slowly, so the heat is retained in the room for a long time.
- Quiet operation.
If desired, you can improve the design of a brick wood-burning stove-fireplace. For example, if you make some changes, it can be used to cook food over charcoal.
Selecting suitable materials
A sauna stove with a fireplace has a lot of advantages, which include quickly and safely obtaining the required degree of heating in the sauna. Also, such designs have simple installation, with a long period of operation. No less important is the materials from which such a fireplace is made:
| Manufacturing materials | Descriptions and characteristics |
| Steel | A sauna stove with a fireplace and a steel or cast iron firebox is the most popular and effective. This is due to the fact that during the kindling process, steel elements can quickly heat up to maximum temperatures. Then release the heat into the room. Combustion chambers and hearths made of heat-resistant high-alloy steel are distinguished by their high strength and durability. A stove with a fireplace for a bath made of steel has a fairly high cost. It is quite difficult to make such a fireplace with your own hands, but you can buy a kit in a fully assembled state at any specialized store. Before purchasing, be sure to pay attention to the characteristics, manufacturer and brand of the selected model. |
| Brick | Sauna stove fireplaces can be assembled from brick. Such structures, if properly selected and in the correct order, can be assembled with your own hands. A fireplace stove in a brick bathhouse requires precise adherence to all calculations. As a rule, such devices have quite large dimensions and impressive weight, which is why an additional foundation must be built for them. Brick fireplaces can have either a standard air heating principle or be connected to a water supply system (water circuit). The devices are universal, which allows installation even in a wooden bathhouse. If desired, you can build an object of any shape and size. It is possible to supplement the stove unit with a hob or oven. Although a fireplace stove in a brick bathhouse takes quite a long time to warm up, it is capable of accumulating it for quite a long time and continuing to release it. Also, such devices are characterized by almost completely silent operation. |
Important: sauna stoves and fireplaces can also be heated using a certain type of fuel. The classic variety includes wood-burning fireplaces. This variation is one of the most popular and effective. The models are capable of warming up a room to a certain temperature within 50-70 minutes after kindling. This option is suitable for rooms ranging from five to forty square meters. The fireplace in the bathhouse can run on gas, that is, liquid fuel. This type is the most economical, and to operate you do not need to constantly purchase and store fuel. This option is suitable for large country houses rather than for small country houses (this is due to the fact that the price of installing gas and all the necessary communications for this is quite high and cannot be justified). The fireplace stove in the bathhouse of the third type runs on electricity. Such devices are universal. They can be installed in a room or house of any size, and for their operation you will need a standard electrical network. The models are distinguished by their ease of use, functionality and safety. As a rule, 5 kW of power is enough to heat 40-60 square meters of room.
The photos located in this article will help you decide on the choice of such a device and become familiar with the main characteristics and features of each category.
Main varieties
A fireplace stove for a bath can be heated directly from a dedicated room or from a special steam compartment.
The instructions say that it will be best if the heater itself is located in the steam compartment. The combustion chamber in this case is located at the rear.
Some of the most convenient devices are those that come with a spacious water tank that can hold about 30-60 liters of water. The installation of such stoves depends on the type chosen:
- With remote type of construction;
- Built-in varieties;
- Mounted.
Vitruvius terracotta model: a profitable and budget solution for both a large house and a summer cottage
The stove is made in a carbon shade
Convenience is ensured by the presence of a large and spacious basket for stones
Interesting to know: a fireplace and stove in a bathhouse can be purchased ready-made.
For example, models from the Termofor brand are very popular. Some parts are made in Switzerland. A large and regularly updated line includes products with a water heating tank and a heat exchanger. The heater itself can be either open or completely closed. brand sauna stove has a non-standard type of design. It consists of channels that operate independently of each other. The stove can be serviced from any room, including the dressing room. As an alternative, you can buy devices manufactured by Teplodar. You can choose both a model for a bathhouse and a Finnish sauna. Fireplaces have a long service life exceeding 15 years. If necessary, it is possible to re-equip a purchased model with your own hands, which will allow it to operate on both solid fuel and gas.
Types of sauna stoves with fireplace
There are two ways to heat the unit:
- from the dressing room;
- from the steam room.
It is considered best to install the stove when the heater is facing the steam room, and the firebox is pulled out on the back side of the structure. It is believed that it is more convenient to place firewood in a remote device for burning fuel. This method allows you to install the unit simultaneously in the steam room and dressing room.
Certain models of metal stoves are equipped with a water tank , which is usually made of stainless steel and holds a minimum of 50 liters of liquid. The following installation methods are possible:
- remote;
- built-in;
- mounted
Operational features of brick kilns
A brick stove is an effective heating system for a private house and bathhouse, which is built with one’s own hands. Such a device has low efficiency (does not exceed 75%) and an attractive appearance. To protect the portal, a heat-resistant glass shutter is used.
Brick fireplaces in the bathhouse are made to order or built by hand.
Heating devices for a bathhouse with a fireplace insert are complex functional systems that require professional development of a construction project and compliance with bricklaying technology. In addition, they require the construction of a foundation.
A brick fireplace stove has a number of advantages:
- a wide selection of different designs, with an open or closed firebox, as well as different heating system options (air or liquid);
- the wooden structure fits laconically into the interior of a private bath, helping to create a relaxing environment;
- heat-resistant brick has good performance characteristics: fast heating, slow cooling, resistance to destruction;
- low noise level when using the device.
Brick fireplaces for a bath can be used not only for heating, but also for cooking, adding some design changes.
Fuel types
It is necessary to pay attention to what flammable substance is used to fire the device. This affects both the price of the unit and its appearance. Depending on the energy source, bath heating devices are of the following types:
- Wood-burning . The wood burning stove is a classic. This type of fuel was used several centuries ago, and to this day timber products do not lose their relevance. This method of heating a bathhouse is quite functional, because the room warms up very quickly - within an hour. A wood stove consumes little energy, but provides heating for a room with an area of 4 to 50 m². The disadvantage of the unit is the need for constant cleaning of accumulated coal and ash.
- Gas. These are convenient and economical devices. They do not require constant fueling and cleaning, since their design provides automated control. This type of stove also allows you to enjoy a burning fireplace, creating the effect of a real flame. But it is not always possible to install such a device in a bathhouse, since it requires from 1.5 to 4.5 m² of gas per hour. It is difficult to provide such a volume without a central gas supply system. This is especially true for country houses and dachas. The stove can be powered by a gas cylinder, which is unsafe, so it is recommended to choose a different device model.
- Electrical. Such a stove is considered a relatively expensive pleasure. Electricity consumption due to the increased load is quite high - up to 5 kW/hour to heat the air in a room of 50 m². However, this type of oven has certain advantages: convenience and safety of operation. At the same time, for the correct functioning of the device, you will need reliable wiring and a separate electrical panel.
Distinctive characteristics of metal fireplace stoves
A metal stove is a compact heating device that combines two types of equipment - a sauna stove and a fireplace. It is characterized by high efficiency, practicality and durability. The door of the firebox and ash compartment is made of glass ceramics.
To ensure that metal fireplaces provide effective heat accumulation in the sauna, warm up the stones and are easy to use, they are made of heat-resistant high-alloy steel and equipped with glass protective doors.
A steel fireplace in a bathhouse has the following advantages:
- quick heating of rooms;
- high conversion parameters;
- there is no foundation;
- simple and affordable installation;
- strength, wear resistance and durability of the structure.
A distinctive characteristic of the devices is the design type:
- mounted;
- remote;
- built-in
A metal fireplace stove is equipped with an expansion water tank, which is both a heating and storage device. The stainless steel tank differs in volume: from 55 to 100 liters. Depending on the design features of the unit, the container is mounted on the top or side.
Stones
So, when a stove for a sauna is chosen, it’s time to think about buying quality stones that produce thick steam. The most important requirement for the material is its zero radioactivity. You need to choose dense cobblestones with a uniform structure. When they heat up, the heat is distributed evenly, gradually entering the steam room.
It is unacceptable to use stones with chips and cracks. To test the strength of cobblestones, you need to hit them against each other: good dense material will not crack, and no defects will appear on its surface.
To ensure good air circulation, large stones are placed on the bottom, medium ones on top, and the smallest ones on top. It is better to buy them in specialized stores.
The following types of stones are considered the most popular:
- vulcanite;
- basalt;
- jade.
Foundation construction
The foundation for the fireplace stove must be laid during the construction of the bathhouse or sauna. But it is also possible for the foundation to be built in an already completed building. To do this, you will need to dismantle the floor covering. Moreover, an important point is the distance between the floor and the base of the fireplace stove, which should be from 5 to 10 cm. If you neglect this rule, over time, cracks and breaks may form on your fireplace, which occur when the foundation of the house shrinks.
The first step is to mark the dimensions of the foundation at the future location of the fireplace. And then dismantle the floor covering, going down to continue marking. When you have accurately determined the location of the fireplace and started laying the base, you need to dismantle the floor, reaching the foundation of the bathhouse.
Now the main work on laying the base of the fireplace will begin.
- In the resulting pit, be sure to cover the walls with polyethylene.
- We compact the bottom of the hole well.
- We fill it with sand, making a sand cushion 10 cm thick.
- Carefully level the sand and compact it well.
- We fill it with gravel with a layer thickness of 10 cm.
- From the boards we make formwork for pouring the foundation for the fireplace stove.
- We drive wooden blocks into each corner of the pit and wrap the finished formwork panel with plastic wrap.
- We make waterproofing using roofing felt and thick polyethylene film.
- Using reinforcing bars, which need to be laid at a small distance from the waterproofing layer, we create a reinforcing frame with a cell width of 10x10 cm. The bars need to be laid at a certain distance from the waterproofing layer, placing them on small pieces of brick.
- We fill our frame with concrete mixture and cover the concrete with waterproofing material and leave it for 3-4 weeks.
After the concrete has hardened, the base will be ready for further construction of walls.
Famous manufacturers
Termofor is one of the most popular stove manufacturers. To create products, the company uses components made in Switzerland. The assortment is represented by a wide selection of models, which allows each buyer to find a suitable option. There are open and closed heaters, devices with a heat exchanger or water heating tank. Almost every sauna stove-fireplace holds about 100 kg of stones.
brand units are quite common
. The stoves of this manufacturer have a characteristic feature: the steam room reaches a comfortable temperature in a short time due to the presence of several independent channels for fuel combustion. Moreover, this stove has a long service life, and it can be serviced even while in the dressing room.
What is a fireplace stove?
A fireplace stove for a bath is a unique equipment for heating rooms, the design of which consists of a metal casing, a portal, a stove, a compartment for ash and a chimney. To ensure long-term operation, such a stove must meet certain requirements:
- Fire safety;
- personal safety;
- air heating temperature adjustment;
- compliance of the dimensions and operating power of the device with the area of the room in which it is installed;
- quick heating of the bath;
- aesthetics and attractiveness of the design;
- economical use of fuel;
- practicality and wear resistance.
Structurally, a sauna stove with a fireplace with a metal and brick casing are two different devices that are equally effectively used for heating rooms.
Wood burning
| 1st place Harvia |
| Legend Series The special grate design evenly distributes air around the logs, which increases efficiency and extends service life. The oven door hinges are mounted on any edge, so you can conveniently organize access to the firebox. Ville Haapasalo series A more budget-friendly line that fully warms up the room and delights bathhouse attendants with soft steam. To create the right steam, it is not necessary to heat this stove very high. + High efficiency. + High quality steel. + Durability. - Impressive value. |
| 2nd place Vesuvius |
| The second position in the category “The best wood-burning stove for a bath” belongs to. Since 2004, its specialists have developed considerable professionalism, so the heaters they have developed are in steady demand. “Legend” and “Skif” series are universal heaters that are suitable for both traditional and Finnish sauna lovers. The wall thickness of the first is up to 12 mm, the second - up to 8. Both lines are equipped with a convector, which speeds up the heating of the room and provides soft warmth. + Low cost. + Self-cooling door and handle. + Cast iron grate. + Aesthetic appearance. - Not detected. |
| 3rd place Feringer |
| Model: Classic 'Up to 23 m³' – Screen (Antique). This stove is the holder of a German certificate of compliance with environmental and operational standards. Reliable and economical. High-quality metal for the heater is not subject to deformation at high temperatures. A universal oven that does not take up much space. The closed-type heater, which produces pleasant steam, is complemented by a container for aromatic oils, which is important for fans of aromatherapy. And for lovers of a wet hot bath, a “steam gun” is installed. + Different operating modes. + Special purpose steel. + Exquisite design. + Robax (glass). - High price. |
For a Russian bath
| 1st place Vesuvius |
| Model: Legend Russian steam (Sanduny) 18 (240). This is the best stove for a Russian bath, because it allows you to enjoy the traditional ratio of temperature and humidity over and over again. The heater is heated in a circle up to 600 °C. There is a funnel through which the liquid flows into the internal (closed) steel heater, where the temperature is kept at about 400 °C. Water instantly turns into weightless steam. The outer part (barrel) is made of 4 mm heat-resistant stainless steel. Cast iron firebox. + Cast iron grate. + Original design. + Fast warm-up. + Two heaters for different steam. - High price. |
| 2nd place Vesuvius |
| Model: Legend Retro 24 (205). A distinctive feature of the firebox is that there are only two parts in it, and not three, as in other stoves, which has reduced the number of joints. The ribs on the side walls are increased to 25 mm, this significantly increases convection and the heating rate of the stones. This reduces the time from the first loading to complete warming up. In the category “Best stove for a Russian bath,” the leadership was not assigned to this stove only because of the cost. + Increased strength. + Large heat capacity. + 10mm walls anywhere. - High price. |
| 3rd place Feringer |
| Model: Classic 'Up to 23 m³' - Screen (Antique). The heater of this stove is closed, but its design differs from the classic version. There are 7 large holes in the bottom plate, which are blocked by a gate. Thanks to this, you can regulate the dryness of the steam. When the gate is closed, the level of dryness will correspond to a Russian bath. This effect is enhanced by medium heating of the stones. One cannot help but mention the original design, which successfully combines classical proportions and the flight of imagination of the developers. + Soft warming up. + Simple system for adjusting steam characteristics. + AISI 439 stainless steel. + Unusual look. - High price. |
Cast iron
| 1st place Vesuvius |
| Model: Legend Forging 16 (205). The wall thickness of this modification is 12 mm, thanks to which the manufacturer guarantees that the stove will serve for 15 years. Protruding ribs accelerate air heating, so the room becomes warmer after just 15 minutes. The wood-burning cast iron heater consists of 3 parts; thanks to the assembly on a ceramic cord, the joints are airtight. Another nice option is the self-cleaning glass in the door. + Thickness. + Durability. - Price. |
| 2nd place Etna |
| Model: Magma 14 (DT-3). The domestic brand Etna is known for the production of stoves characterized by high quality cast iron, hermetic assembly and precision parts. A small-sized wood-burning model with a remote portal is an excellent solution for medium-sized steam rooms. Does not emit infrared rays. The door without glass was made intentionally to eliminate the possibility of its failure. + Thick walls. + Durability. + Reasonable price. - Not detected. |
| 3rd place Hephaestus |
| Model: Hephaestus PB-04. The parts are cast from structural cast iron SCh-20; The heater is made of chrome, which made its walls thinner and lighter without losing strength. The ash drawer is made of stainless steel, so it is easy to pull out. A unique system for air suction into the firebox, as well as side fins that increase the rate of air heating, reduce the amount of wood burned and increase efficiency. + Cast iron chimney. + Sealant included. + Service life more than three decades. - High price. |
Recommendations from experts
Experts advise comparing the strength of the floor and the weight of the stove along with the stones. So, a metal sauna heater does not require a foundation. But if you are going to install a massive cast-iron stove in the bathhouse, you should consult a specialist.
Consider fuel prices. Perhaps the best option will be electricity or gas. In this case, you don’t have to take up the yard space with firewood and clean the chimney.
If the bathhouse is heated frequently and for a long time, the walls are subjected to prolonged thermal loads. To prevent them from burning out, you should not skimp on a high-quality oven.
