Stoves for a bath on the wood: the pros and cons

Stoves for a bath on the wood have both pluses and minuses. In order to fully appreciate those and others, you need to understand the types and design of stoves.

Starting from the times of Ancient Rus and up to the Soviet period, wood-burning stoves were made only of brick. The work on laying out the heaters was difficult and expensive, but there were no other alternatives. Now, on a par with brick structures, metal stoves are used. To date, both options are used with approximately the same frequency, only there is one problem. There are practically no services on laying brick ovens on the market. Specialists in this industry are few.

Another thing - a metal oven. It is already delivered in finished form and its installation can be performed even by a self-taught master without much experience.Such furnaces are made of various metals and are usually supplemented with a water tank, which can be placed in different places relative to the furnace body. The metal construction drowns not only the baths, but also steam and Finnish saunas. The difference is only in the type of stove, more precisely, in what kind of steam it will serve.

Modern stove models offer a wide range of possibilities. Now it is possible not only to regulate the temperature of the water in the tank, but also the air in the room. You can also buy a stove in a wide price range by contacting a specialized store for help or choosing the appropriate option via the Internet. Each of the options has its pros and cons.

Buying a stove in the store, it is possible to evaluate and touch the product, visually see its dimensions, evaluate the model for a possible marriage. On the other hand, you have to overpay, because the price of the product includes the cost of renting the room, electricity, staff salaries and so on.

Buying over the Internet is more risky, since there is no opportunity to personally evaluate the product, but at the same time you will not have to overpay.The company saves a lot on renting a store and avoiding other expenses. All you need is to rent a warehouse and create an Internet site.

There is an alternative way. You can evaluate the selected model in the store, and then order it via the Internet from a trusted supplier. So you will save money by not giving up the opportunity on the spot to assess whether this stove is suitable for you or not.

A special feature is the fact that you need to choose the stove installer very carefully. The design is not cheap, and it is important to responsibly approach this issue: examine the available information about the specialist, see photos of his work, read reviews. Only if you are convinced that the chosen master is a true professional in his field, can you trust him with the installation. After all, the wrong installation can lead not only to the loss of operational properties, but also to something worse: for example, the fact that carbon dioxide will not come out, and people in the bath will simply get angry.

Another important nuance is the large weight of the furnaces. As a rule, they weigh from 160 kg, so it will be necessary to further strengthen the foundation under the bath.Ideally, if the foundation was carefully and without undue savings performed the first time. If you make the foundation not strong enough, then the whole structure will squeeze. As a result, the stove will collapse regardless of whether it was made of brick or metal.

All wood stoves are filled with stones, which, warming up, and give the necessary heat.

A typical feature is the fact that increased safety requirements are imposed on wood-burning stoves, especially if the stove is not equipped with an external fire box. It is imperative to ensure that oxygen does not burn out, and people are not harmed instead of good. In addition, when the stove is directly inside the steam room, there is always a chance that the wooden steam room will light up.

When choosing a wood stove, many do not realize that they involuntarily pay attention to the wood-burning boiler. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to figure out what exactly the differences are.

Many mistakenly confuse a wood-burning boiler and stove, but this should not be done, since the differences between them are quite substantial. By buying a boiler by mistake, a person may be faced with the fact that the bath will not be heated properly to the temperature he needs, and all the costs and efforts to correct this will be in vain. The only way out will be the dismantling of the boiler and the installation of the furnace, which will need to be purchased, and these are additional expenses.

The stove is a heat source. It warms everything around. Even if you are near it, you will feel warm. The furnace is able to heat both the steam room and the dressing room. It effectively releases heat outside, rather than locking it from the inside.

The boiler works a little differently. All the heat is concentrated inside it, so nothing will feel next to it. Subsequently, heat is distributed (usually through the house) through a pipe system. If you put such a boiler in the bath, then there will be no sense from this. It will be necessary to heat the boiler to unbelievable temperatures, so that there will be at least a small return. In the end, you will get a little return at very high costs.

Choosing a truly suitable oven is not so difficult at the moment.The market offers a huge range of various models, equipped with all sorts of additional functions and parameters. However, it is precisely the variety that complicates the problem of choice. With other things being equal, it is rather difficult to choose a single option.

As mentioned above, it is possible to install a furnace either from brick or from metal. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages.

Start a conversation with brick ovenssince they are more traditional.

The advantages of this type of model include the following aspects.

• The type of heat that radiates such a stove. It is soft, not dry and burning, but as comfortable as possible for a person. Temperatures can vary widely.
• Time to keep the temperature. Such stoves are heated for a long time, but do not cool for a long time. For example, the standard warm-up time of a bath with a wood-burning stove is ten hours, but during the same period the steam room does not cool down.

• The emerging atmosphere.In the bath with a brick oven creates a favorable microclimate that does not affect the well-being of people negatively. It is about cases when the oven is mounted correctly.
• Easy operation. It is easy to stoke such a stove, as well as to carry out nursing activities. As a rule, the fuel burns through here completely, so all that remains is to clean the ashes.
• Durability. Furnace construction of brick with proper care can last forever, so it is important to comply with all requirements during installation, follow all instructions.

Disadvantages of brick models are also available.

• First of all, we are talking about the heaviness of the structure. A woodburning brick stove weighs an average of 300 kg. This imposes certain restrictions on where it can be mounted. The base must be strong and stable.
• You will also need to pay attention to strengthening the walls. If the bath is built of wood, the walls around the stove must be further protected with metal sheets, since the wood can not withstand the heat and catch fire.

• Even a small brick structure takes up quite a lot of space, because the brick walls are thick,when compared with metal. In small saunas, building a truly functional stove will be problematic.
• It is necessary to restore the brick model from time to time: check for the presence of gaps, update the inter-seam solution and the like.
• For the construction of wood stoves made of brick fireclay refractory brick is used, and it is quite expensive. Thus, the construction of a brick stove will cost a greater amount than the purchase of finished metal.

Metal furnaces are more popular. They are distinguished by a number of advantages in comparison with brick ones.

• Democratic value. Buying and installing a metal stove is much cheaper than equipping a brick counterpart.

• No need to strengthen the floor. The only thing that is necessary is to take care that the foundation is non-combustible, fire-resistant. The mass of the loaded furnace structure (meaning that it already has wood loaded, and the tank, if any, is filled with water) rarely exceeds 200 kg. The floor under the oven weighing less than 200 kg will not necessarily be strengthened, just a strong base will suffice.If the weight of the stove is not much higher, then it is best to strengthen the floors with lags and flooring made of thick and durable boards (oak is a good fit). However, keep in mind that a wood-burning stove made of metal for household use usually weighs 150-160 kg. More massive options are purchased for professional commercial use.

• Elective chimney. There are several options for how to make a chimney in metal furnaces. The first option is a classic chimney that removes smoke through the ceiling. The second is through the wall. The third is a chimney made of sandwich pipes, which is lighter than others in the construction and, moreover, much cheaper.
• Quick set temperature. Unlike a brick one, a metal furnace does not need to be heated for 8-10 hours in order to achieve the required temperature. To obtain a high degree of heating the air will take no more than an hour.

• Small size. The metal construction is many times smaller than the brick construction, so it can be installed even in the most compact sauna buildings.
• Ease of installation. Installation and connection of the furnace from metal will not cause special difficulties. It is a virtue even for a beginner.

In addition to these advantages, there are metal models and disadvantages.

• It is necessary to pay special attention to fire safety requirements. The metal casing heats up more than the brick casing, which increases the risk of fire.
• It is for this reason that it is necessary to shield the walls, especially from wood. For these purposes, it is best to use sheet refractory material (PVTN), but metal panels are also suitable.
• Particular attention should be paid to the arrangement of the chimney. It is necessary to withdraw it correctly, double-check everything several times. Otherwise, the smoke going to the bath instead of the street will fill the room and people will be angry.

First of all, all wood-burning stoves are divided into two categories: closed and open. Furnaces from each category differ in a number of characteristics.

The stove of the closed type is different in that the stones are covered with a special lid. This contributes to the fact that the stones do not cool for a long time, and the temperature lasts longer. The steam that forms here is wet and soft, regardless of temperature.

The open type furnace does not have a stone door, due to which it is distinguished by a number of features. So, if it takes a long time to warm up a closed-type model, the open-type design heats up very quickly. The temperature in the bath will be much higher (up to 90-100 degrees), while the stove of the closed type heats the air only to 40-60 degrees. Humidity in the room is minimal, so these wood-burning stoves are more relevant for saunas than for baths.

Wood-burning stoves are classified according to the position of the firebox, which can be built-in or external.

The first option is not welcome, because it is harmful to health, although it helps save space. In this case, the firebox is located inside the steam room, and if necessary, firewood is thrown right there. Such an arrangement is dangerous because the oxygen in the room is burned out, and people can feel weak, dizzy, and even choking.Please note that a high-quality ventilation system is not a logical way out, but a waste of money, since the temperature in the ventilated room will fall, therefore, the stove will have to be heated more and the ventilation will not replenish the scorched oxygen.

The portable firebox is much more functional and more convenient. It is located in the next room and has no effect on the oxygen balance in the steam room. Regardless of the temperature, people will feel in the steam room with such a furnace equally comfortable. The only disadvantage is that a large bath area will be needed: it should consist of at least two rooms (a steam room and a dressing room, for example).

Subdivide the furnace and material. As mentioned above, the classic version is brick, but the metal is more modern.

The huge popularity of wood stoves for a bath of cast iron, with a number of features.

• The pig-iron furnace heats the room many times faster than the brick one.
• The heat created by warming up such a model is soft and comfortable.In addition, the temperature is kept for a long time.
• Cast iron is durable, does not deform under the influence of high temperatures with time, is not subject to corrosion. In addition, cast-iron options can be combined, for example, gas-wood and working both on wood and gas.

Steel furnaces basically have some drawbacks, among which is uncomfortable heat, rapid heat loss, and also infrared radiation. They are susceptible to deformation when exposed to too high a temperature (for example, when a chipboard is used instead of conventional wood to maintain combustion).

Among other things, the furnace can operate on electricity. They are not wood-burning, since the burning in them is not supported by fuel. You can often see electric fireplaces that work on a similar principle, but an electric furnace can be used to heat a heated sauna room, which will allow the steam room to cool down longer.

Particularly noteworthy are model-steam generators, which fill the air with moist high-temperature steam.Such electric models are often mounted in addition to ordinary wood to quickly turn the sauna into a hammam, while choosing mini-samples, so as not to clutter the space.

Furnaces with heat exchanger or tank - structures that, among other things, provide also a comfortable temperature in the dressing room or other sauna rooms. A special tank is connected to them, the water in which heats up while the stove is heated. Heating radiators can also be connected here.

By and large, chimneys are divided into two types: internal and external. It is logical that, for the most part, the internal chimney is located indoors, while at the external location almost the entire pipe is placed on the facade. In Russian realities, the external chimney is more popular because it allows you to keep the heat in the room for a long time.

The internal chimney is easier to clean than the external one. In addition, it saves heat.The disadvantage is that it is incredibly difficult to design such a structure, even though the internal chimney does not need to be warmed.

The external model is constructed more for aesthetic purposes than for practical ones. Here you have to think of mounting on the facade, drill holes outside.

A crucial factor is natural craving. The better it is, the better the chimney and the stove itself will function. If you do not take this factor into account, then you can come to the fact that the combustion will not be supported due to the violation of heat exchange processes in the furnace. In addition, the smoke accumulated in the room, can lead to poisoning. In order to not be too strong or too weak, you need to design the chimney responsibly and carefully.

A chimney for a wood-burning stove made of any material consists of the following elements:

• Trumpet. It serves to bring smoke out.
• Connecting elements. Used if the pipe consists of several parts. There are ordinary or angular.
• Flanges. They are flat parts with bolt holes.Used for tight and durable connection of pipe parts.

Before proceeding to the arrangement of the chimney system, it is necessary to carry out all the calculations. They must be true, because any errors can lead to the fact that the chimney will not work properly in the future. The calculation for wood-burning stoves has a specific feature.

When calculating the height, it is important to remember the presence of natural draft in the chimney. To achieve an optimal result, it is not necessary to pull the pipe too high or too low. In the first case, there is a risk that the thrust will be too great and the fire in the furnace will die out under the pressure of the wind. In the second case, too weak traction is guaranteed. Professionals do not recommend making the chimney height above the roof more than 50 cm.

From the calculation of the diameter depends on the performance of the entire system. The cross section affects not only the force of thrust, but also the temperature in the chimney.The most optimal is a round or cylindrical section, rather than square. Remember that the height and diameter of the cross section are correlated with each other: when one changes, the other changes. To calculate the diameter depending on the length of the pipe, special tables are used, for example, as in the picture below.

An important role is played by the material of the chimney. So, the pipe can be iron or brick.

What the chimney is made of affects its functional characteristics.

• If the chimney, like the stove, is made of brick, the problem of strengthening the base arises. It is also necessary to make a pipe of fireclay bricks due to high temperatures. Inside the pipe can not be treated with plaster, because there is condensation.

• Metal pipes are usually made of stainless steel due to the formation of condensate. Such chimneys consist of modules,connecting to each other with flanges and fittings. The metal version is much cheaper and more functional than building a brick structure. In addition, you can further insulate the pipe, making it double-walled: inside - stainless steel, and insulation is built into the pipe.

Keep in mind that designing and installing a chimney for a wood-burning stove is an operation that only professional can handle. Only he can calculate and install everything correctly. The installation of the stove itself is not so complicated, but the efficiency of the stove itself, and the well-being and health of people resting in the bath depends on the chimney.

So, deciding to install a wood stove, first you need to decide on which model to give preference. If the technical characteristics and features were mentioned above, then it is worth learning more about which countries and manufacturers are recognized as the best in this field. The users made a special rating of manufacturers. This includes only manufacturers of metal structures, since brick furnaces are built only to order according to an individual plan by lone craftsmen.I am glad that the list of leading manufacturers includes not only foreign manufacturers, but also Russian ones.

Company Litcom from Russia offers stoves for steam "Vesuvius". Today, these models are among the most popular due to the optimal ratio of price and quality. The manufacturer offers a wide range of products that differ not only in characteristics and material, but also in dimensions. Here there are both stoves designed for heating small saunas and for large steam rooms.

Manufacturer "Hephaestus" from the Republic of Belarus offers excellent quality models, but there is one drawback: the price. The products of this company are not cheap, and not everyone is willing to pay that kind of money. Many buyers respond that in many ways they overpaid for the brand, since the manufacturer is well-known.

"Ermak" - a company from Russia, which is loved by customers thanks to affordable prices for its products. Indeed, the cost of stoves here is much lower than others, but this does not affect the quality. Users note a long service life, no deformation, rapid heating of the room.The designs themselves are pretty reliable.

"Teplodar" - another Russian manufacturer offering models of decent quality. This brand is often compared with "Yermak", since the model range and prices are almost identical. In many ways, the choice is due to the aesthetic preferences of customers: someone more in appearance likes the Yermak stoves, someone - Teplodar.

Thermofor - Siberian company that produces some of the highest quality stoves. Products reliable and high-quality, characterized by high aesthetic appeal.

Finnish brand models Harvia have excellent thermal performance. Judging by the reviews, the furnaces quickly heat up and keep warm for a long time, while they look attractive. In the model line-up there are both small samples and large-sized heavy cast iron stoves. Furnaces are notable for their minimalist design.

Helo - also a Finnish brand that offers a wide range of different stoves for home steam rooms and saunas. There are also ovens for professional use.All models are economical, while capable of heating a large bath area. The price for household models is a maximum of 40,000 rubles.

Finnish brand Kastor distinguishes the specifics of the furnaces. Heat is radiated not only by stones, but also by the walls of the furnace. Therefore, such models are well suited for installation in the steam room itself, and not in the adjacent room. In the manufacture of products using materials with high heat-resistant indicators.

Feringer - Russian manufacturer offering stoves for baths and saunas, working on different energy sources: wood, charcoal and electricity. The plant has been operating for more than 10 years, and during this time has won the recognition of customers. Furnaces can be either dry heat or steam, which are more suitable for baths.

Brand from Sweden Keddy It offers high-quality models that do not look like wood stoves thanks to a special design solution. More such patterns resemble fireplaces, which is attractive from an aesthetic point of view. In addition to furnaces, the company also supplies chimneys made of cast iron.

Company Hark - from Germany, so the German quality of its products is guaranteed.So, the company offers over a thousand different models, so that even the most spoiled buyer can find something suitable. The manufacturer has been operating for more than one and a half centuries and during this time has become a leader in Europe.

Thorma - a joint project of Germany and Slovakia. The stoves have a minimalist design: they don’t look like typical samples because they are tall and narrow. Among other things, there are cylindrical models. All products of the company are of high power and fast heating.

In life, homemade stoves are as common as purchased ones. This is due to the fact that the option of self-production is often cheaper, but this rule does not always work. So, it will be necessary to buy a brick or metal, pay for welding, equip a chimney, strengthen the foundation, make a lot of effort, spend a lot of time. If you are not afraid of such a prospect, feel free to start building your own hands.

It is worth starting with studying the process of building a brick wood-burning stove.

You will need to purchase the following materials and tools:

• red brick;
• chamotte brick;
• sand and medium fat clay for mortar;
• metal corners;
• doors for a fire chamber and for blew;

• gate valve;
• if provided, a tank for heating water;
• trowel;
• mallet;
• building level;

• plummet;
• the rule;
• hammer;
• building tape measure.

To begin, you will need to mix a thick solution of sand and clay. The solution needs to be checked: roll small balls out of it and dry completely. If cracks have gone through them, then the solution will need to be redone. If not, the balls should be dropped on a hard floor. If they remain intact, then the solution is made correctly.

Be sure to strengthen the foundation. To do this, use a concrete fill. A simple floor on logs will not work, it will not sustain the weight of the furnace and will break or squeeze.

Next, start laying out the oven itself. To do this, you can use special schemes.Here are some of them:

Remember that fireclay bricks fit only inside the chamber for fuel, since only there will be so high temperatures that the red bricks will not stand them, which, incidentally, is fire-resistant.

At the final stage, the chimney is installed and all systems are in working order. It is important to check the natural chimney draft. Pay attention to the evenness of the masonry: the oven laid out smoothly will not only look aesthetically pleasing, but will also last longer. At the end, weld the door for the combustion chamber. Your oven is ready.

Before proceeding to the construction of a metal furnace, it is necessary to improve the characteristics of the metal. Surely every person at least once in his life saw red hot stoves, but few people thought that this reflected in the functionality of the design. A number of characteristics are lost, not to mention the appearance. Therefore, it is important to choose the right metal and prepare it properly.

It is necessary to check the metal for warping. The lateral and upper edges heat up most of all, so the sheets from which they will be made need to be red-hot and let them cool down slowly.After such a procedure, they are deformed, and it will be necessary to trim them with a hammer and trim them to the desired size. Such simple reception will allow to avoid a buckling further.

So, the sheets should be large, not less than 1.5-2 mm. From metal you need to cut all the details of the furnace. To determine their number and size will help pre-drawn sketch.

Next, carry out welding work. Remember that the regulation of electricity is extremely important: only with the correct current strength will the seam be uniform, beautiful and durable. Watch how well the parts are welded, otherwise the furnace body will lead. By and large, you should have a solid box.

Now cut a rectangle in one of the sides and knock it out with a hammer. This will be the place where the door of the furnace chamber is installed. Do not throw out the rectangle, it is still useful.

Cook the stove in the same way, and then put all the elements together. Equip the chimney and remove the chimney from the stove. Check the health and performance of the structure. Your oven is ready.

Experts have prepared several recommendations on how to make the manufacture of a wood-burning stove for the bath as economical as possible, and the operation - long.

To such advice you need to listen.

• If you made a metal furnace, then pay attention to the legs. In the classic version uses four legs, but it is better to give preference to the legs, sled. They will help reduce the load on the floor, while it will look more interesting.

• To reduce the heating of the walls when refractory materials are not at hand, it is possible to enclose the furnace structure with a red refractory brick. This will significantly reduce the risk of fire. However, pay attention to the fact that the brick has a high thermal conductivity, otherwise increase the temperature characteristics of the furnace.
• Make the production as waste as possible: make the door for the combustion chamber of a rectangle cut from the side of the furnace. Firstly, it is ideal in shape and size, and secondly, it will help save a little.

• If the presence of a water tank is foreseen, it is best to choose stainless steel for its manufacture. When performing welding work, remember that stainless steel is welded in a special way. Certain skills are required here.
• To increase safety, make around the stove in a steamy barrier structure,representing a kind of wooden fence. It will protect against accidentally getting burned on the stove. This is especially true for baths, which will be children.

• If you bought or made a stove, and its power was insufficient, then there is a way to fix it. Additional metal sheets can be welded to the sides of the structure. They will increase the heat given off by the stove.
• If there is such an opportunity, then better equip the door air regulator. This is done in order to adjust the rate of fuel burning, to accelerate or stop the heating of a double room at will.

• A brick oven must be built near the wall of the dressing room adjacent to the steam room. The distance from the firebox to the wall, taking into account all the wall and details, should be at least 30-40 cm, otherwise the risk of ignition will increase many times. However, this figure can be reduced to 15-20 cm, if you use special protection (asbestos cardboard, for example).
• Regardless of which furnace is installed, an iron sheet is placed under it, which protects the floor from excessive overheating and fire.The sheet thickness must be at least a centimeter, otherwise the protection will be ineffective.

• It is best to expand the sheet-lining, moving about 20 cm in front of the stove. This is done in case the burning coals fall out of the combustion chamber in order to protect the floor from burning.
• Ash, oak, birch, linden, alder, aspen, as well as some conifers such as pine and spruce are recognized as the best wood for melting the bath. Fruit trees are also very popular: pear, apple, cherry, plum. These rocks have good thermal conductivity and long burning time. Among other things, they have a beneficial effect on the human body.

• Often, to quickly raise the temperature in the steam room and for the appearance of wet steam, many pour water on the stones in the stove. This should be done carefully, otherwise the furnace can fail. It is not recommended to pour out more than 100 ml of water at a time, otherwise a fire may result. Pouring water should not be a targeted stream, but a fan. Then the steam will be as intense as possible and the temperature will rise quickly. Stones should take on a raspberry color after water soaks them.

Wood-burning stoves are an excellent acquisition that will make a bathing holiday enjoyable and rewarding. Care for the stove properly, and it will serve you for more than a dozen years.

On how to choose a stove for a bath on the wood, see the following video.