Cast iron stoves for a bath: pros and cons, types, assortment, selection rules

The best stainless steel sauna stoves

Thermofor Tunguska

An excellent specimen, which is also not very expensive. This oven very quickly heats up a steam room with a volume of up to 18 m3. The heater available here warms up from all sides - this is the key to efficiency.

Advantages:

Suitable for a Russian bath of any configuration;
Gives out finely dispersed steam;
Very fast heating;
The volume of the firebox and heater will suit everyone;
Adequate cost;
Very easy installation.

Disadvantages:

Design is not for everybody;
It cools down very quickly.

The main advantage of this model is its very fast heating. The trouble is that it cools down very quickly. Reviews on Termofor Tunguska indicate that you need to remember to throw firewood into the firebox, otherwise it can quickly cool down.

However, its 60-liter volume allows you to do this not too often. The room is heated by this oven due to the convector casing, which creates a powerful stream of hot air.

Thermofor Geyser 2014

Another worthy stove designed for a Russian bath. For its production, heat-resistant alloy steel was used. Steam generation is two-stage here. This means that heavy steam is generated by the oven, which is dried in the second compartment, after which it goes into the steam room.

Advantages:

Light and pleasant steam;
Nice appearance;
The stove holds 70 kg of stones;
Combined fuel;
Optimal price tag;
Extremely fast heating;
The case turned out to be very reliable.

Disadvantages:

With intensive firewood burning, a hum is heard in the chimney.

Much more important is the fact that the stove is capable of boasting a long service life - it is possible that it will outlive the bath itself. It is capable of heating a room with a volume of up to 18 m3 - this is quite enough for most owners.

Harvia Legend 240 Duo

The Finnish manufacturer has worked in this field for 60 years and now shows a very decent result. Harvia Legend 240 Duo is distinguished not only by its attractive appearance, but also by its high-quality device. The large stone compartment holds up to 200 kilograms. This stove is suitable not only for a Russian bath, but also for use in a sauna, because it can produce a high temperature, while leaving the humidity at a low level.

Very often, the premises allocated for the steam room are small in area. However, the innovations that were used in the design of the stove allow you not to worry about fire safety when installing it. Items in the steam room can be located depending on the wishes of the developer. The large volume of the heater is also an advantage in comparison with analogues. Firstly, it allows you to get a large amount of quality steam. Secondly, you can lower the temperature without losing the amount of steam. This can help people who are not allowed to take a bath because of the high temperature.

pros

Large stone compartment.
Rapid heating of the room.
A lot of steam.
High quality material.

Minuses

It is possible to add a tank, but it must be purchased separately.

Vladislav, 56 years old.

I bought the stove half a year ago. Very happy with the purchase. When I just installed it, I was surprised that there was a lot of free space in the steam room. I, of course, saw that the stove was compact, but I did not think that it was so compact. However, steam quality and heating time are not affected. About 30-40 minutes is enough for the steam room to warm up to 80 degrees. The steam is light and pleasant. And the design is nice too.

What to look for when choosing?

However, having decided on the brand and material used in the manufacture of sauna stoves, other parameters cannot be overlooked. One of the main ones is the thermal power of the equipment. It is taken at the rate of 1 kW per 1 m³.

Next, you should pay attention to the heater. It is the most important component of the stove in a Russian bath. Its capacity is also calculated based on the volume of the steam room. In this case, it is necessary to evaluate not only the weight of the stones, but also the number of heating surfaces. The more such hot spots there are, the better the room will warm up. The quality of the steam also depends on this parameter.

The dimensions of the firebox ensure ease of use. The most convenient and profitable in terms of fuel consumption is the model with a deep chamber.

And, of course, decorativeness. This parameter determines how comfortable it will be in your steam room.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantage of stoves made of cast iron is that the walls of such units have a thickness of more than 10 mm, which means that such a bath device will accumulate heat much better, retain and give it away longer than its steel counterparts. A cast-iron stove for a bath will provide a gradual, smooth heating of the steam room and will allow you to economically use firewood - an expensive fuel.

High heat resistance and thick walls of the heater also have a positive effect on its durability. Cast iron walls are not subject to deformation under the influence of high temperatures, which means that the unit will serve you for many years, its service life is much longer than that of steel.

The corrosion resistance of cast iron is simply brilliant, unlike steel, it does not rust even in a room with sharp temperature fluctuations and high levels of humidity.

Modern cast-iron appliances for a bath are made by casting, carried out according to the thorn-groove principle, or using sealants. The absence of welded seams also positively affects the quality, since very often, due to non-compliance with the technology, it is the joints that become the most vulnerable places of the heater.

Another important point: cast iron is a chemically neutral alloy, which means that during the operation of the furnace, oxygen in the room will not burn out.

Cast iron stove for bath Vesuvius SKIF

In fairness, it should be noted that products made of cast iron still have drawbacks. First of all, this is the high cost of such units and a large specific weight, which means that for the installation of a furnace, an indispensable condition is the need to equip a foundation for it.

Many modern manufacturers in an effort to reduce the cost of their products and make it more competitive offer consumers combined options.

In this case, the furnace part of the unit is made of refractory cast iron, and the outer casing is made of stainless steel. Such specimens have proven themselves well, but those who are accustomed to "broom" steam still remain adherents of brick or cast-iron stoves.

Is weight a guarantee of quality?

For both cast iron and steel furnaces, the quality of the metal is primarily important. This characteristic affects safety. Experts warn that unscrupulous manufacturers who save material can burn out the furnace - and this threatens not only the need for repairs, but also a much more serious problem - fire.

“For example, a real cast-iron sauna stove is heavy - no less than 100 kilograms. If it can be lifted and easily carried by one person, then we do not recommend installing such a stove, ”advises Zhiglov.

Measurements of the cast-iron "Siberia" showed that the thickness of the metal at the case is 12 millimeters, and in the upper part, which receives the main load, is 15 millimeters.The steel model is also thick — throughout the structure, not just in the firebox, 6 millimeters thick metal is used.

The best firms of electric ovens for a bath

Electric sauna stoves undoubtedly have several major advantages: they are environmentally friendly, easy to operate, fireproof and, most importantly, do not require the use of additional constructive measures to remove combustion products. Therefore, despite the fact that a wood-burning stove is considered a traditional option for a Russian bath, electrical devices in the steam room are becoming more and more popular. Their compact size, wall mounting and other pleasant options attract not only owners of small saunas, but also owners of full-size steam rooms in a country house.

Although most large manufacturers of sauna heaters usually have several electric heaters in their assortment, the most popular electric sauna stoves on the market are manufactured by specialized firms. This is due to the fact that the design principles of heating devices using the principle of fuel combustion are radically different from the approaches to the development of electrical devices.

The best firms of steel stoves for a bath

If cast iron is a material from which only wood stoves are made almost exclusively, then stainless and structural steel is a universal option for all types of bath units - electric, gas and solid fuel. Although steel furnaces are less durable than cast iron, modern metal processing technologies make it possible to produce quite high-quality furnaces with excellent characteristics, while differing in budget price and relatively low weight. Most of the well-known Russian manufacturers of steel bath stoves offer the consumer a wide range of models and the ability to choose the type of fuel: wood, coal or gas.

TMF Geyser 2014

Quality products. The stove is ideal for a Russian bath. The walls are not as thin as in the previous model, due to which the term of high-quality work increases. To obtain light, high-quality steam, a two-tier system is used. A similar tool is used in the Hangar. The heavy vapor first passes into the first compartment, then moves to the next, where it receives the necessary lightness. The unique design will not leave anyone indifferent either.

High quality steel ensures a long service life. There is a funnel for water supply. A limiter is installed on it, with the help of which it will be possible to avoid excessive ingress of water on the stones. True, for a large room you will need another oven. This model is designed for heating 8-18 cubic meters. According to customer reviews, we can conclude that the oven requires attention.

pros

Fast heating.
Light steam.
High quality steel.
Perfect design.
Large stone compartment.

Minuses

Not suitable for large rooms.
There is noise in the chimney when a large amount of firewood is burned.

Dmitry, 40 years old.

I am satisfied with the purchase. First of all, I would like to evaluate the quality of the steam. When I bought, the seller said that the steam would be light, but I could not even imagine how much. In general, the steam is excellent. The heater is also comfortable. I used to use a different model. When I bought stones, I bought them out of habit, there was not enough, I had to buy more. However, this number of stones is only a plus. The steam room heats up quickly, literally 30-40 minutes, although the volume is not very large. It looks nice too. I haven't noticed any cons yet.

Hephaestus PB-03

Our rating of the best stoves is completed by Hephaestus PB-03. This oven is radically different from the previous one in its heating capabilities. It can bring a room with a volume of up to 45 cubic meters to the desired temperature. Thick cast-iron walls give the stove massiveness and volume. Due to this thickness, the service life is automatically increased, since it is very difficult to damage or burn them out.

Lovers of high temperatures will love it. Great oven. The efficiency is 90%.This is much higher than other models. The room heats up quickly. Steam quality is also excellent. It turns out to be very light and not dry. Keeps warm for a long time. So you can take a steam bath for your own pleasure without worrying about throwing firewood for a long time. The only thing that can affect the choice of this oven is weight. With basic contents, the weight is 350 kilograms, so the floor in the bath must be strong and preferably reinforced. The furnace will show the best result if it is lined with refractory bricks, which will also affect the heating time.

pros

Reliable construction.
High efficiency.
The heat is retained for a long time.
Suitable for heating large rooms.

Minuses

Impressive weight.
High price.

Vladimir, 56 years old.

Best sauna stove I've ever seen. When buying, I tried on for a long time, the price frightened off. However, he did not regret the costs. The steam room warms up very quickly and is pleasant to steam. True, I had to strengthen the floor in the bath, as I did not count on such a giant.

The best cast iron stoves for a Russian bath

Cast iron stoves have many adherents. Although they heat up longer, they retain heat better. Here are the best representatives of this category.

Hephaestus PB-04 M

True connoisseurs of Russian baths prefer cast iron stoves. Model Gefest PB-04 M is made of a special grade of cast iron with a chromium content. Thanks to the remote portal, the firebox can be located in one room, and the heat-resistant door in another. Since the oven is delivered disassembled, there will be no problems with transportation and unloading

Experts pay attention to the innovative design of the firebox. It has a system of afterburning gases, a flame arrester and turbulent fins.

As a result, even when the combustion chamber is heated to 750 ° C, the exhaust gases enter the chimney after cooling down to 300 ° C. The furnace efficiency reaches 87%.

The model becomes the winner of our rating for the record wall thickness (6 cm), so the heat stays in the oven for a long time. The artistic frame of the door complements the picture.

long service life;
high efficiency;
unique design of the firebox;
artistic framing of the door.

disadvantages

not detected.

Vesuvius LEGEND FORGING 28 Fireplace (205)

Worthy competition to the leader of the rating is created by the Vesuvius cast iron stove LEGEND FORWARD 28 Fireplace (205). It can work in a steam bath with a volume of up to 30 cubic meters. m. Externally, the model looks elegant, there are no problems with transportation and installation. The cast iron firebox is divided into 3 parts; the manufacturer used a ceramic cord for sealing. The safety and reliability of the structure is provided by the bolted connection of units and parts. A special grade of cast iron withstands strong temperature changes, it does not burst when a large volume of water hits it.

The stove ranks second in the ranking due to the higher price and the thinner walls of the firebox (1.2 cm). In addition, the structure has a greater weight (178 kg) and dimensions.

disadvantages

heavy weight;
high price.

Attention! This rating is subjective, does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Consultation with a specialist is required before buying.

Vesuvius SKIF STANDARD

This oven also has no sharp corners. This appearance allows for a more even distribution of the generated heat. There are 2 models from the manufacturer: with an open and closed heater. If you need a Russian bath with high air humidity, it is better to limit yourself to a closed type. However, if you want to look at the stones live and splash water on them, you will have to install additional tools to increase the humidity of the air and give the steam some lightness.

All stoves from this manufacturer have specific shapes that will definitely be remembered by visitors to the bath. There are a large number of types of "Scythians", so it will not be difficult to choose the necessary oven for the volume of the room

Also, special attention is drawn to the firewood door, which can be made in both classic and glass styles. Connection of a tank for water heating is possible

However, it should be borne in mind that the standard configuration does not imply this add-on, so you will have to purchase it separately. Fortunately, several types can be found from the same manufacturer.

pros

Quality material.
Original design.
It is possible to add a tank for heating water.

Valery is 32 years old.

I purchased this oven 2 years ago. At first I was happy with everything, but after about six months I began to notice the disadvantages. Firstly, the chimney gets dirty quickly, which is why you have to clean it very often. I cannot find out the reason. Carefully took care of the cleanliness of the chimney, regularly cleaned it. Secondly, after prolonged use, it becomes more and more difficult to clean the glass on the door to the firebox. Again, I used special cleaning products, but they no longer help. In general, the first six months is a pleasure to use it for a year, but then problems arise.

Domestic brands

Cast iron stoves for saunas and baths are widely available on the market. At the service of buyers - different brands, series and models. Domestic offers are characterized by a good balance of quality and cost. Their parameters correspond to the accepted safety standards and building peculiarities.

1. Hephaestus.

The original design of the furnace is distinguished by a stove with a closed heater made of Hephaestus cast iron. Its side walls inside and outside have convection fins, due to which heat is quickly transferred to the bath room. It is equipped with a gas afterburning system, which saves fuel and reduces the formation of soot. This design, along with a trapezium-shaped stove and a cast-iron chimney, is typical for all Hephaestus stoves. Power - from 8 to 18 kW; minimum dimensions (height x width x length, mm) - 489х394х645, maximum - 980х715х997; weight - from 115 kg; Efficiency - from 87%. They heat premises from 15 to 45 m3, and their prices range from 26,000 to 195,000 rubles.

A feature that distinguishes ATB stoves for baths and saunas is the cylindrical casing around the chimney. This design re-absorbs heat, increasing the efficiency of the unit and reducing the heating time. The advantages of ATB furnaces also include a significant wall thickness and the presence of a water tank, which provides air humidity in the bath and the ability to quickly assemble and disassemble.

Some cast iron models are sold complete with a pipe. General characteristics: power - from 20 kW; average dimensions (height x diameter, mm) - 1030x500; Efficiency from 60%. Heats a sauna up to 20 m3, cost - from 30,000 rubles.

3. Vesuvius.

A separate portal for loading fuel from a room adjacent to the steam room is a feature that distinguishes the Vesuvius cast-iron heating stove. This trade mark unites 8 lines for the bath: Legend, Skif, Rusich, Lava, Premium, Russian steam, Vertical and Optimum. The average service life of all furnaces is up to 15 years. The range of characteristics and prices is great. So, the Legend VK sauna stove made of cast iron has dimensions of 760x650x830 (height x width x length, mm), weight 160 kg and cost 28,700 rubles. And the parameters of the Love 22 Panorama model are as follows: dimensions - 730x560x760, weight 81, price - 18,500.

4. Magnum.

Sauna stoves from the Magnum company stand out for their significant safety. They are lined with stone, which reduces the risk of getting burned. The protective lining of the cast iron shields the hard infrared radiation, which increases the environmental friendliness. Characteristics: power - from 15 kW; average dimensions (height x width, mm) - 825x570; weight 220 kg; Efficiency - from 60%. Heats the room up to 35 m3. The minimum cost is 75,000 rubles.

5. Inzhkomtsentr VVD.

Produces sauna stoves Sudarushka. They are characterized by a heater of an original design, which gives a fine steam. General parameters: tank volume from 50 l; average dimensions (height with a tank x width x length, mm) - 1350x400x500; weight 120 kg. Heated baths up to 18 m3. Cost - from 22,500 rubles.

Subtleties of acquisition

The characteristics of heating units can be divided into technical and operational. To choose and buy cast-iron wood-burning fireplaces for a bath without mistakes, their parameters must be correlated with your steam room. Technical properties are the number of heated stones, the volume of the firebox, the design of the ash pan, and heat resistance. Performance characteristics include:

Productivity, or the volume of the room for which it is designed.
Fuel (gas, wood or electricity). As a rule, prices for cast iron solid fuel stoves for a bath are lower than for electric ones.
Type of firebox (standard or extended).
The quality and thickness of the furnace material. Usually gray cast iron is used.
The presence of a heat-resistant glass door.
Is there a water tank and which one (suspended or built-in, the mounts are located on the side or back).

Installation nuances

Although the stoves are distinguished by high fire safety, they are installed at a distance from the wooden walls of the bath (the minimum distance is 1 m). A special foundation is not erected, but a non-combustible foundation is made. If the weight of the cast iron structure does not exceed 70 kg, a metal sheet will do. For a heavy model, the site is laid out with refractory bricks. The electric oven is grounded.

In front of the firebox door, you will need to lay thermal insulation, and on top of it - an iron sheet, on which sparks will fall. If the cast iron stove does not have a lining, it is surrounded by a fireproof pocket made of brick or decorative stone. In this way, the bath is protected from overheating, and those who take a steam bath are protected from burns. To remove combustion products, a chimney is installed in the furnace. It is placed in a special protective casing, rigidly fixed and taken out half a meter above the roof of the bath.

Cast-iron sauna stoves are beauty, economy, ease of use, compactness, mobility, durability and reliability. They are available both in price and in performance. They are installed independently, without the use of special equipment. Installation does not require special knowledge of construction and significant costs.

The bath is appreciated for its heat and light, finely dispersed steam - hot, but not scalding. In a properly heated bath, ideal conditions are created for complete relaxation and healing of the body. The oven plays a decisive role in this. Many people put cast-iron stoves for a bath, considering them more practical than steel and traditional brick ones. Why cast iron? Because it is strong, durable, little subject to mechanical damage. In addition, cast iron structures are much easier and cheaper to install than brick ones.