Stove for a Russian bath: TOP 10 and guidelines for choosing the best model of sauna stove-heater

Some steam lovers perceive a visit to a Russian bath as an excellent relaxation for the body, others - as a way to prevent many diseases.Indeed, regular trips to the steam room strengthen your health and immunity, if there are no contraindications.

However, real comfort for vacationers is ensured only when the stove for the Russian bath is chosen correctly - moderately powerful, efficient, and safe. In this article, we will look at the best factory-made models that are current and have won consumer recognition. We will also dwell on the criteria for choosing a suitable model.

TOP 10 best sauna stoves

Wood heating has a relatively low efficiency, but bathhouses, especially in the North, are still usually heated with logs. For this reason, we have compiled a rating of wood-burning models.

The presented devices differ in design, characteristics, dimensions, functionality, and materials of manufacture, but all are fireproof and designed for heating a steam room

The TOP includes stoves from well-known manufacturers that sell well and have many positive reviews.

Place #1 - Teplodar Bylina stove18 H

The Teplodar Bylina 18 H bath stove model with a solid cast iron firebox combines reliability, durability and original design. The 18 H stove model is equipped with an open heater and a solid cast iron firebox made in accordance with GOST 1412-85.

The stove is designed for a steam room volume of 10-18 m³, and thanks to the solid cast iron firebox, its tightness and efficiency are increased. The thickness of the case is 10 mm, which ensures high resistance to repeated thermal loads.

Thanks to the large number of ribs of the firebox and its rounded shape, the maximum possible heat exchange area and heating of the entire stone stack is ensured, without so-called stagnant zones. At the same time, we must not forget to take into account the large weight of such a structure.

Technical specifications:

• installation method: wall-mounted;
• heating power – 18 kW;
• material of manufacture – cast iron;
• designed for a volume of 10-18 m³;
• firebox – with the possibility of removal;
• water circuit - no;
• heater – open 60 kg.

Bath lovers will appreciate how quickly the steam room heats up and how long the heat lasts. The manufacturer provides a 5-year warranty on the stove.

Another advantage is the spacious open heater and deep firebox, which allows you to use even long firewood. The advantages include compatibility with any standard chimney elements.

You can order protective screens as a set: front, side and floor.

Place #2 - TMF Geyser 2014

The Geyser series of the Termofor brand has a special feature - a combined heater. An interesting design solution allows you to make the internal steam generation system more efficient, light the stove and heat the steam room to 100°C in about an hour. This applies to all 4 varieties of 2014 - Vitra, Carbon, Inox, Carbon Vitra.

There are more than a dozen different modifications on the market, the body of which is made of chrome-plated steel. The color of the convector coating can be different: terracotta, anthracite, beige, chocolate. The door is made of either glass or stainless steel.

Technical specifications:

• installation method: wall-mounted;
• heating power - no data;
• material of manufacture – steel/glass or steel door;
• designed for a volume of 8-18 m³;
• firebox – with the possibility of removal;
• water circuit - yes;
• heater – closed/open, 63 kg.

Consumers like that the stove can be heated with logs, briquettes, and pellets. The central top location of the chimney greatly simplifies installation. Ash can be removed during the combustion process thanks to the retractable drawer design. The open part of the heater can be used to steam a broom.

The complaints relate mainly to the service life. Users complain about the heater burning out quickly. After 3 warranty years it becomes unusable.

Place #3 – Harvia Legend 240 Duo

The Harvia brand is truly loved by customers and popular, despite the high prices of the products, so there is another, more powerful and productive model in the rating. It is capable of heating a fairly large steam room - up to 24 m³, so if the bathhouse is intended for relaxation with a large family or company, this is a good option.

The maximum open heater is made in the form of a metal mesh in the shape of a barrel, allowing you to load 200 kg of stones. Robust design recommended for commercial use.

Technical specifications:

• installation method: wall-mounted;
• heating power – 21 kW;
• material of manufacture – steel/glass door;
• designed for a volume of 10-24 m³;
• firebox – with the possibility of removal;
• water circuit - no;
• heater – open, 200 kg.

Buyers appreciated the beautiful design of the fireplace-type firebox, thanks to which you can watch the burning of logs, as well as the interesting and simple design of the heater-basket.The double combustion system increases the time of using the steam room with a minimum number of bookmarks.

The main negative factor preventing anyone from purchasing a stove is the high cost - almost 40 thousand rubles.

Location #4 - Hephaestus PB-04

Cast iron model designed for self-installation in brickwork. Thanks to the elongated combustion channel, it can be moved into the room adjacent to the firebox. The walls of the case have a thickness of 10-60 mm, which indicates their reliability and minimal risk of burning. The parts are solid, made of SCh-20 cast iron with chrome, there are no seams or joints.

A gas afterburning system, a flame arrester and a large-volume heater allow you to increase the productivity and burning time of firewood.

Technical specifications:

• installation method: wall-mounted;
• heating power – 8 kW;
• material of manufacture – cast iron/cast iron door with glass;
• designed for a volume of 15 m³;
• firebox – with the possibility of removal;
• water circuit - no;
• heater – open, 180 kg.

The advantage is the material of manufacture – cast iron. It heats up quickly and “gently”, evenly distributes heat. Efficiency reaches 87%, which is a good indicator for wood stoves. Many people like the design of the firebox - traditionally “heavy” for cast iron products. The door is decorated with gilding and ornaments.

The main drawback is that the stove is only suitable for a small steam room. The assembled weight reaches 700 kg, which causes difficulties during transportation and installation.

Place #5 – Varvara Terma Kamenka

The domestically produced device features a combined heater, which allows you to increase heating efficiency and maintain stable heat in the steam room for a long time.Designed for a large room, thanks to the remote combustion portal it can heat two rooms at once. Heating to an acceptable temperature takes 1-1.5 hours.

The open part of the heater is made in the form of a basket framing a casing, inside of which there is a closed part. The entire structure is made of steel coated with a heat-resistant black coating.

Technical specifications:

• installation method – floor;
• heating power – 14 kW;
• material of manufacture – steel/glass or steel door;
• designed for volume – 12-24 m³;
• firebox – with the possibility of removal;
• water circuit - no;
• heater – closed/open, 240-250 kg.

The advantage of the stove is that it can be additionally equipped with a remote water tank of 60-120 liters, which is installed on a pipe either in the ceiling or in the attic. Instead, you can install an easier-to-install, 50-liter mounted tank.

Buyers are not satisfied with the appearance of the stove. Compared to modern modifications of competing brands, it looks too primitive. Some consumers use brick or stone cladding to somehow enhance the design.

Place #6 – Vesuvius Skif STANDARD 12

An acceptable solution from the Vesuvius company for hot steam bath lovers who want to quickly and inexpensively set up a sauna. The furnace body is made of structural steel with a thickness of 6-8 mm and is designed for long-term operation - up to 10 years. The door, bumper and grate are cast from cast iron.

The heater is an open convection-type casing, or, to put it simply, a volumetric mesh designed to load 110 kg of stones.

Technical specifications:

• installation method – floor;
• heating power – 12 kW;
• material of manufacture – steel/glass door;
• designed for volume – 6-14 m³;
• firebox – with the possibility of removal;
• water circuit - no;
• heater – open, 110 kg.

A simple budget modification has become popular due to its cost. However, there are other advantages - good heating of the steam room, beautiful door design, convenient ash tray cleaning system.

The disadvantage is the material of production. You can already guess from the price that there is a risk of rapid burnout, especially with frequent use. Therefore, we recommend purchasing a stove for summer cottages with seasonal visits.]

Place #7 - Feringer MINI

A beautiful stove lined with natural stone from the Lamel series. Created using German technology, which is confirmed by a certificate. Meets European safety and effectiveness standards. Economical, suitable for frequent visits to the bathhouse. The heat from one bookmark lasts for 3-4 hours.

It is possible to blow out the heater to remove excess moisture from the steam room. The door is large, fireplace type, made of ROBAX glass. The manufacturer claims that a sauna stove with a closed heater can be used in various modes: bathhouse, hammam, sauna.

Technical specifications:

• installation method: wall-mounted;
• heating power – 16 kW;
• material of manufacture – steel/glass door;
• designed for a volume of 16 m³;
• firebox – with the possibility of removal;
• water circuit - no;
• heater – closed, 60 kg.

The advantage is the presence of an additional option - aromatherapy. You can add oils with the scent of pine, bergamot, mint to a small container and enjoy a pleasant aroma during a couples session. Stylish design and beautiful firebox are pleasing to the eye.

The disadvantages are the same as with most steel units - the risk of premature burnout with regular use.

Place #8 — Ermak-Elite 12-C

Economical model made of structural steel with the addition of 17% chromium. The design is distinguished by a stylish design, rigidity and a well-thought-out heat transfer system. The stove is designed for a limited space, but it is possible to install it in 2 rooms due to the elongated firebox.

A big plus is the ability to connect a water circuit, a mounted or remote tank for heating water. The door with a diagonal of 310 mm is panoramic, equipped with Robax glass.

Technical specifications:

• installation method – floor;
• heating power – 12 kW;
• material of manufacture – steel/glass door;
• designed for a volume of 14 m³;
• firebox – with the possibility of removal;
• water circuit - yes;
• heater – closed, 40 kg.

The main advantage of the stove is its expanded functionality. You can heat water for showers or to heat adjacent rooms. In addition to water tanks, a steam generator and an additional convector are connected. You can also attach another heater - a hinged one that can hold 40 kg of stones.

The downside is the material used. A steel stove with thin walls can easily be overheated, after which it will become unusable.

Place #9 – Harvia M3

The Finns are real pros in the production of high-quality equipment for baths and saunas, and the M3 model is another confirmation of this. Occupying a small area on the floor, the heater for a Russian bath has a vertically elongated body, so it evenly warms the room.

30 kg is loaded into a special open compartment stones, which must be purchased separately.The design is designed in such a way that maximum heat transfer occurs and the stove remains hot for a long time.

The oven is compact and has a nice design. The body is painted in neutral colors – black and steel. The paint is heat-resistant and does not lose its protective qualities and appearance over time. Flames are visible through the heat-resistant glass.

Technical specifications:

• installation method: wall-mounted;
• heating power – 16.5 kW;
• material of manufacture – steel/glass door;
• designed for volume – 6-13 m³;
• firebox - without removal;
• water circuit - no;
• heater – open, 30 kg.

According to reviews, the stove is beautiful, economical and quickly warms up the room. Although it is not intended for connecting a water circuit, it can be supplemented with a water tank, which is purchased separately and mounted in the pipe. If you need a water heating circuit, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with rating of the best stoves with water circuit.

The negative point is low efficiency, only 67%. The ash removal scheme has not been thought through - during operation and during cleaning, some of it ends up on the floor.

Place #10 – Convection 26

An inexpensive model designed for both generating steam and heating water. It can heat one or two rooms, depending on the installation of the combustion chamber. Material of manufacture: steel + at least 13% chromium. The closed design of the heater increases the stability of heating, and the casing provides “soft” heating and protects against burns.

The “Plasma” modification, instead of a steel door, is equipped with a large screen made of heat-resistant glass, making the front part look more modern and elegant.

Technical specifications:

• installation method – floor;
• heating power - no data;
• material of manufacture – steel/glass door;
• designed for a volume of 26 m³;
• firebox – with the possibility of removal;
• water circuit - no;
• heater – open, 90 kg.

There is a possibility of heating water, which is very convenient for a bath. The cost is low, so the model is purchased with pleasure. The casing is covered with durable black paint, which does not fade or peel over time.

The weak point is thin steel parts, which quickly burn out due to constant exposure to high temperatures.

Not all models worthy of attention are represented in the rating. Every year the range is expanded with more reliable, versatile units. If you want to find the best sauna stove, carefully study the reviews and listen to our recommendations.

Criteria for choosing a wood stove

Usually the stove is selected for the steam room, taking into account the volume/power ratio. But design also plays a big role: some like rounded, high-tech designs with heat-resistant glass, others like rough cast-iron cases with embossed doors.

But it is better not to be guided by any one aspect, but to consider all the technical characteristics and design features of the unit. We suggest considering several criteria before choosing and purchasing a stove for a wood-burning sauna.

If you consider yourself a steam room regular, then pay attention to the additional options that manufacturers offer. For example, some models can be equipped with a tank of up to 100 liters - hot water in the bathhouse will not hurt.

Steam generators, aromatherapy devices, wall-mounted heaters, beautiful soapstone or coil lining, panoramic door - try to take into account every nuance.Then visiting the steam room will be even more comfortable and desirable.

In addition to solid fuel and gas stoves, electric stoves are also suitable for baths. We recommend that you read rating of the best electric heaters.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Expert advice on choosing the best wood stove:

Steel or cast iron - which is better:

Recommendations for choosing stones:

The market for industrial bath equipment is growing. Along with responsible foreign manufacturers, Russian ones have appeared, attaching great importance to the company’s reputation. You will have to work hard to choose among the variety the stove that is most suitable in all respects.

But, after proper installation of the furnace and arrangement of the system ventilation in the steam room, the bathhouse will be a favorite place to relax, and the usual washing process will turn into a traditional family ritual.

What kind of stove is installed in your bathhouse? Share with other users the main pros and cons of the equipment identified during operation - express your opinion, add unique photos of the sauna stove in the comments block.

If you still have questions about choosing the right stove model for your sauna, do not hesitate to ask our experts for advice - the contact form is located below this publication.