The best stoves for a Russian bath: top 11 models of 2021

Which sauna stoves are best?

To figure out which stove is best to buy for your bathhouse, you need to find out in what parameters they generally differ, and also decide on your preferred manufacturers. Each company has its own specialization in which it is particularly strong.

How are sauna stoves different?

The main parameters by which stoves differ are the material from which they are made and the fuel on which they operate. First of all, this is what influences the choice: the buyer decides whether he needs a brick stove, steel or cast iron, whether he prefers gas or electric heating, or whether he will heat the bathhouse with wood - after which the choice is significantly narrowed.

And in order to determine the most suitable among the remaining models on the list, it remains to compare them according to such parameters as power, heated volume, burning time of one bookmark, and the like.

The best brands of sauna stoves

There are a number of manufacturers from whose products you can expect long service life and good performance:

• "Vesuvius" produces dozens of models from classic options to the most technologically advanced. The brand is especially famous for its cast iron stoves and the design of its products.
• “Etna” - its products are notable for the calculation of wall thickness depending on the thermal load in each specific area. As a result, the consumption of cast iron is reduced, and hence the price of the stove, while it remains durable.
• “Hephaestus” – the stoves produced under this brand are particularly reliable due to their seamless manufacturing technology.
• "Ermak" - furnaces with a modular design that allows you to add the necessary modules. For example, this could be a hanging water tank, a convector screen, and the like.
• TMF is a manufacturer of a wide range of stoves and has several very popular models. Focuses on inexpensive but high-quality devices.
• Helo is a company from Finland that has been most successful in the production of sauna equipment. Its electric ovens are especially popular. It stands out for its interesting technological solutions, offering devices from premium to quite affordable.
• Harvia is another Finnish company whose popularity in our country was primarily due to electric ovens. Its products combine efficiency with smooth heating and stylish design.

Types of fuel for sauna stoves

The most popular classification involves dividing sauna stoves into types depending on the type of fuel used.

Modern sauna stoves operate on:

1. Drovakh . Such devices are ideal for those who do not have a gas supply on their site and often experience power outages. In addition, burning wood fills the steam room with a unique healing aroma.
2. Gaza . These ovens have a thermostat and a gas fuse. The advantage of such stoves is their compactness, and the user does not have to constantly control the amount of fuel.
3. Electricity . The most popular type of sauna stove at the moment. Electric sauna stoves are compact, reliable and durable, heat the room quickly and evenly and are affordable. But such a heating device is definitely not suitable for areas where there are frequent power outages.

There are also combined sauna stoves in which several types of fuel can be used.

For example, gas-wood devices are popular. They have both a firebox for solid fuel and gas-burning equipment.

What to look for when choosing

For all the same basic parameters of the stove: body material, fuel, power, heated volume, and so on. It is worth analyzing the most important parameters, based on which you will need to make a choice.

Location

Here the features of the construction will be important, namely, whether the bathhouse consists only of a steam room and a dressing room or has extensions. In the first case, the only location option is to install the stove in the steam room. If the bathhouse is divided into washing rooms and a steam room, then the stove is placed so as to heat both at once. Accordingly, it will be important to choose a stove whose design takes this into account.

Fuel

Based on the fuel used, there are three main categories of stoves:

• Wood-burning - there is no need to complain about the lack of wood in Russia, and therefore wood-burning stoves remain popular. With them you can best feel the atmosphere of a classic bath - the steam is exactly as it should be, and the smell of firewood is, after all, an important part of it. But such a stove takes a long time to heat up, and it needs a chimney.
• Gas - they heat up quickly, the fuel is cheap, and you don’t have to bother with it like with firewood. The disadvantage is that you must obtain permission to install such a stove, since if installed incorrectly or poorly maintained, it can be dangerous.
• Electric – Easy to install and maintain, these stoves are best suited for heating small spaces. The fact is that constantly heating a large bathhouse with electricity will be too expensive.

There are also hybrid options that can switch from one type of fuel to another if necessary.

Heated volume

Any model is designed to heat a room of a certain volume. There are no special tricks here: you just need to choose it based on the volume that will need to be heated.

Burning time

In addition to the usual ones, there are also models with the ability to burn for a long time. If you often need to add fuel to simple ones, then these can work on one tab for many hours - sometimes 8-10. They have two modes - normal, in which heating is carried out, and long-burning - in which the temperature is simply maintained.

Housing material

Based on the material from which the stoves are made, there are three types:

• Brick - they need to build a foundation, they have a complex structure, and they will take a long time to heat up. Therefore, gradually fewer and fewer of them are being built, but they also have advantages: after warming up, they will retain heat for a long time, and are effective for large areas.
• Cast iron ones weigh a lot, which is why they also require a foundation, but due to the material they accumulate heat very well and are released by gentle heating of the air. A cast iron stove can last for many years.
• Steel ones are the easiest to install and can be very compact. A foundation is not needed, which in many cases predetermines the choice in their favor. Steel is inferior to cast iron due to the fact that the thickness of the walls of stoves made from it is smaller, it cools quickly, and heating will not be as pleasant - but these disadvantages can be smoothed out if you purchase models made of chrome fabric and with thicker walls.

Power

One of the key parameters is that it is best to determine how powerful the stove will be needed at the very beginning, and then build from there. It is important that the power is accurately calculated: if it turns out to be lower than required, then the stove will have to work for wear and tear and will soon need to be replaced, but you should not take too much power - the air in the steam room in this case heats up too quickly, and even when it becomes hot , the stones will not warm up.

How to choose a stove for a wood-burning sauna?

When choosing a wood-burning stove for a sauna, you should pay attention to several important technical characteristics:

• Steam quality . In a good sauna, the steam should be light and the air should not overheat. To do this, it is enough to buy a regular stove with a spacious heater. But, if your budget allows, it is better to buy a model with a special steam generator.
• Furnace tunnel . Its presence is another important criterion for choosing a wood-burning sauna stove. It is desirable that the combustion tunnel be large enough. Then the sauna stove can be installed in such a way that firewood can be added to it from the adjacent room.
• Power . One of the key criteria when choosing a sauna stove. The power must fully correspond to the cubic capacity of the room. The relevant information is indicated in the product passport. It is important that the power of the furnace slightly exceeds the area of ​​the room. Then it will always be warm enough inside.

It is also advisable to pay attention to the strength of the body and the capacity of the heater. It is these indicators that determine how many stones the oven can hold, and therefore the quality and quantity of steam.

The best gas stoves for saunas

TMF Urengoy

A constantly updated and modified model from one of the leaders in the domestic market, the Urengoy stove combines thermal efficiency, safety and reliability, and all previous shortcomings have been corrected by the company, based on feedback from users who purchased previous versions. The stove is designed to heat a volume of 12 m³, has a chimney, and its firebox volume is 42 liters. According to its characteristics, this is an optimally balanced device suitable for many baths.

It stands out because of its interior - all pipes, valves, etc. are hidden behind a glass door, the stove looks simple, everything in it is arranged conveniently. The manufacturer provides a 1-year warranty. Such a stove will cost about 13,000 rubles, which allows us to consider it a good choice in terms of price and parameters.

Price: ₽ 13,010

TMF Taimyr XXL 2021 Inox

Designed for rooms with a volume of up to 24 m³. The firebox has a volume of 40 liters, and the internal heater has a volume of 47 liters. The dimensions are not that large for such a powerful device: 645 x 450 x 1010 mm. Made from heat-resistant steel. Cost - from 23,000 to 28,000 rubles.

The heater is enlarged and reinforced with double stitching. The stove is notable for the fact that it can create a high humidity regime without overheating the room - the same as in a traditional bathhouse. Creates soft warmth - it will be very pleasant to be in the bathhouse with it. Unlike many analogues - essentially wood-burning stoves converted for gas - this model was designed from the very beginning specifically for gas, which made it possible to take into account all the associated nuances.

Price: RUB 23,930

The best wood-burning stoves for saunas

Varvara Kamenka (extended firebox)

One of the variants of a long-proven model. The unusual firebox immediately attracts attention. Through the heat-resistant glass of the door you can observe the burning of wood inside the stove. With its help you can heat up to 24 m³ of area.

Thanks to the stone lining, heat can be maintained for a long time. The room heats up quickly - within an hour and a half, if the thermal insulation in it is correct. The stove has a function for adjusting the flame level. Its weight is 120 kg. You can purchase it for 14,000 – 22,000 rubles, which is not much for a device of this class. In general, it is practically devoid of shortcomings, which is not surprising for the development of a line of such successful models, and boasts an interesting design.

Price: RUB 23,730

Vesuvius Skif 22

This 22 kW stove is designed to heat up to 22 m³. The main characteristics are standard: this relates to weight, dimensions, and chimney parameters. The thickness of the steel stands out - 12 mm, a good indicator. It’s still difficult to compete with cast iron, but thanks to this, the stove retains heat better, heats softer and more evenly than most other steel models.

It has a “clean glass” system, thanks to which relatively little soot will settle on the oven glass, which means you will have to care for it less often. Another advantage is its low cost: this model is available for approximately 17,000 – 20,000 rubles. The design of the device is classic, the shape is convenient for installation, and the oven does not take up much space.

Price: RUB 19,390

Hephaestus ZK P 18

The cast iron stove is designed for a steam room with a volume of 6 to 18 m³ (the manufacturer has more powerful modifications designed for larger rooms). It has a high efficiency rate of 90%, it is achieved due to the unusual design of the walls, thanks to which heat from the firebox is quickly transferred to the steam room. The heater retains heat for a long time.

Weighs 166 kg with small dimensions due to the material. SCh20 cast iron with the addition of chromium is used, due to which the heating with this stove will be very soft. The wall thickness ranges from 10 to 60 mm. The chimney is also made of cast iron, which ensures durability of the entire structure - with cast iron stoves with a chimney made of a different material, it is often the first to fail. Costs about 58,000 rubles.

Price: ₽ 58,000

The best electric sauna stoves

Harvia Delta D36

A small and technologically advanced sauna stove: its power of 3.6 kW is enough to heat a room with a volume of no more than 5 m³. At the same time, it costs like a full-fledged oven with much greater power - from 23,000 to 28,000 rubles. It's simple: it weighs very little (8 kilograms), so it can be freely moved from place to place, while it warms up quickly and ensures long-term heat retention.

Delta D36 already takes up little space, but thanks to the triangular shape of the case, it can be placed in the very corner, and it will not interfere at all. It can also be attached to the wall, for which a bracket is included in the kit. The oven is controlled using a remote control located on the bottom of the housing. Thus, this model is a very simple and quick way to organize a sauna, and you can also take it with you.

Price: ₽ 25,200

Sawo ARIES ARI3-60NB

Another compact electric oven designed for installation in a corner. At the same time, it exceeds the previous reviewed model in terms of power - 6 kW makes it possible to effectively warm up a room with a volume of up to 8 m³, which makes it a priority choice for owners of steam rooms of this volume. After all, in other respects it is also very convenient - it weighs only 13 kg, there is a remote control with which you can set the settings.

It warms up the room very quickly, in 10-15 minutes, and if you add water, it fills it with fine steam, just like in a real Russian bathhouse. If you do without water, the stove will create a dry sauna - the air will warm up evenly. Externally, the model is stylized as a brick one. Cost – about 34,000 rubles.

Price: RUB 33,990

How to choose and what to pay attention to?

The choice of a wood-burning stove is determined by the needs of the room and the intended use.

First of all, you need to decide on the size and power . These are the main parameters of the device that determine its ability to effectively heat the available volume.

Typically, it is based on the calculation that 1 kW of power is required per 1 m3 of sauna volume . However, often the parameters of the stove do not correspond to the size of the bath, which is caused by the specific design or the presence of additions that take away thermal energy.

In addition to the basic parameters, you should pay attention to the following points:

• presence of tank . The ability to simultaneously heat water by some users is considered very rational;
• firebox location . Most models have a lower location, which is determined by the design itself. There are models with an elongated combustion chamber designed for installation in a wall niche. Installations with a conventional firebox are more compact and lightweight, and do not require the creation of an overly strong supporting platform;
• production material . There are brick, cast iron and steel construction options. The first ones are bulky, require a lot of space, and are stationary. The latter are rare, as they are expensive and quite large. Preference is given to steel furnaces made from special heat-resistant alloys. They are inexpensive and practical;
• heater type . There are open and closed types of heaters. The first is preferred by most users due to the high heating speed, which allows them to quickly heat the bathhouse if necessary. Closed models have a lid over the layer of stones. It limits the loss of thermal energy and heats the room more evenly. At the same time, you will have to start heating the bathhouse several hours in advance (at least 3-4);
• furnace design . There are classic (ordinary), mesh (with a layer of stones around the firebox, laid in a mesh. It covers the entire furnace, surrounding it on all sides with a cocoon of stone), with a steam generator (makes it possible to supply pre-prepared steam) and designs with a water tank;
• installation method . There are stationary and mobile types. For its compactness, most users prefer the second option, although it is less efficient and has low power; The degree of mobility of a wood-burning stove is a very relative indicator. since it is in any case connected to the chimney.
• heated volume . This is a parameter that is directly related to the power of the unit. Usually it is equal to the volume of the steam room, but there may be options when the power is 15-20% greater than the size of the room;
• ash box . This is an element that makes cleaning the ash pan easier. Most modern models are equipped with this device.

IMPORTANT!

Choosing a suitable sample should start with power, and only then consider other capabilities of the device.

The best combined sauna stoves (with tank)

Ermak Uralochka-20

The model can run on either wood or gas. This is a very convenient option, since it allows you to heat the sauna even in the event of gas shortages, or vice versa, if you run out of wood. You can heat up to 20 m³ of volume with this stove, which is enough in most cases.

Made of stainless steel containing up to 17% chromium - thanks to it it is easier to breathe in the steam room. Uralochka-20 is easy to repair, serves for many years, is environmentally friendly, and has a simple and convenient design. The cost is about 15,000 - 18,000 rubles. The combination of a low price with the ability to operate on two types of fuel and good power makes this model one of the best options for larger-than-average rooms.

Price: RUB 14,880

Ermak 36 Lux

Quite a productive, but also expensive stove, capable of heating a room with a volume of up to 40 m³ with a power of 36 kW. The body, unlike most competitors, is made not of cast iron, but of stainless steel, which determines the high cost: you can purchase the model at a price of 128,000 rubles. The stove is very solid, weighs almost half a ton, which is not surprising given the wall thickness of up to 40 mm.

Most often, such a stove is used when it is necessary to heat several rooms at once - it copes with this with ease. It heats up to 750 degrees, providing an ideal atmosphere and light steam in the bath - thick walls allow it to do this much better than any other of the models considered. Its fuel consumption is very low, and the heater will retain its temperature for several hours even after the fire is finished. If a large budget has been allocated for the purchase of a stove, then first of all attention should be paid to this model.

Price: RUB 129,525

Comparative table of the best sauna stoves

FAQ

Which stoves are better - steel or cast iron? Cast iron ones give off heat better and last longer, and in the baths with them there is “light steam”. But they also cost more.

Is there a difference between stoves for baths and saunas? Electric ones are usually used for saunas, because they do not require steam.

Why is a sauna stove not suitable for heating a living space? It is designed to heat up quickly and cools down relatively quickly - more fuel will have to be consumed to maintain heat.

What is better: making a stove yourself or buying it? Depends on whether you know how to make them, or whether you have the opportunity to turn to trusted craftsmen, as well as the funds for this (most likely, it will cost more than buying a ready-made one). If yes, then it is quite possible to make your own stove.

What stones are better for a bath?

The main requirement for bath stones is their ability to withstand high temperatures and retain heat for a long time. Also, do not forget that stones of a specific size are suitable for a certain type of stove. Therefore, it is better to first buy the heating device itself, and only then select stones for it. When choosing the stones themselves, you should pay attention to their appearance. The surface must be smooth, without inclusions or impurities. There is a clear difference between chipped and polished stones. Chipped ones are more suitable for avid steamers, because the surface of such stones heats up faster and gives off more heat. Polished ones take longer to warm up, but due to their rounded edges they ensure uniform distribution of warm air throughout the room. The most affordable option for stones is large river or sea pebbles. You can buy it or assemble it yourself. In the latter case, collection is best carried out in ecologically clean areas. If finances allow, you can buy jadeite or crimson quartzite for a bathhouse.