ALL ABOUT HUUM WOOD SAUNA HEATERS

Did you know the Baltic States has a vibrant history with saunas, much like Scandinavian countries? In fact, Estonia has a deep history with saunas that spans back centuries ago. Today, Estonians are still very enthusiastic about their saunas, and one of the best wood sauna heater companies comes from Estonia, which is HUUM.

HUUM is known for its efficient, beautifully crafted, wood-fired sauna heaters. In this article, we will focus on HUUM’s wood-fired sauna stoves, which are widely renowned as some of the best in the world.

Read on to learn more about the rich history of saunas in Estonia, the founding of HUUM, and which HUUM products are the best to buy to make your sauna experience a step above the rest.

The Story of HUUM

We all know that the Scandinavian countries are always known for their expertise and perfection in saunas, but if you travel a little East to Estonia, you will find that HUUM wood sauna heaters are some of the best in the entire world. As mentioned, HUUM was founded in the Baltic States of Estonia, and the word “humm” actually means “flame, glow, or blaze” in Estonian. The root of the word “humm” comes from the Latin word “homidium,” which means “steam, humidity, and dampness.” Essentially, “humm” is the hot steam that rises up from the hot stones of a warm and social sauna – thus, the name HUUM was born.

Estonians, like Scandinavians, have a rich history with the sauna. Saunas played a significant role for Estonian peasants for centuries. In those days, the sauna was heated once a week (on Saturdays), and sauna-goers would prepare for their sauna session by soaking birch whisks in hot water. Today, many Estonians still have a sauna session every Saturday, which is a nod to the humble beginnings of their ancestors. The sauna represents gathering family and closest friends to revitalize the body and soul. 

Founder, Siim Nellis, is no stranger to the sauna industry as he is a third-generation sauna stove producer. His family has a deep history in the crafting of durable sauna heaters. This tradition started with Nellis’ grandfather, a skilled stove-setter, and then went on to Nellis’ father, who still produces high-quality sauna stoves. Nellis then joined in on the family business but decided to combine sauna heaters with innovative technology and a chic Scandinavian design.

In 2011, Nellis wanted a modern and efficient design for his sauna heaters and contacted the Estonian Academy of Arts to help him design the most eye-catching design they could for his first HUUM sauna heaters. The best model was a wall-mountable and rounded sauna heater inspired by the shape of a drop of water. In 2012, the model was ready for production and was lovingly named DROP because of the model’s inspiration. From there, DROP was recognized internationally as it won a Red Dot product design award, putting HUUM on the map.

Types of HUUM Wood Sauna Heaters

You might be wondering if a wood-fired sauna or an electric heater is the best option. If you are looking for a sleek look that boasts amazing smells and the perfect ambiance for your sauna, the wood-fired option is probably the best choice for you. Here’s a look at some of HUUM’s best-selling wood-fired sauna heaters.

HUUM HIVE Wood 13 and 17

These two products are very similar, but the main difference is the number of cubic feet it is designed to heat. The HUUM HIVE Wood 13 will heat from 212 to 459 cubic feet, whereas the HUUM HIVE 17 will heat from 283 to 565 cubic feet. 

Both of these sauna heaters combine the traditions of the ancient Estonian tradition of the sauna and modern touches like its stainless steel elements for durability and a larger amount of rocks to be held. The HUUM HIVE 13 holds a smaller amount of stones and can come with six boxes if you choose to add that to your order, whereas the HUUM HIVE 17 holds more stones and comes with nine boxes if you choose to add that to your order. Both boast more efficient heating and amazing steam than the competition.

Both heaters look similar as well, as they look exactly how it is described in their name – like a bee hive. It has a sleek grey color that will really pop inside a wood sauna and creates the beautiful wood-burning ambiance you would expect from a wood-fired heater.

HUUM HIVE Heat 12

The HUUM HIVE Heat 12 looks similar to the heaters above, but it is designed for smaller saunas as it heats from 212 to 459 cubic feet. Its unique bee-hive-looking structure is designed for the most efficient burning. It is designed to hold 199 pounds of stones or six boxes of small heater stones. The HUUM Hive Heat 12 is also constructed of stainless steel with a cast iron furnace door, which is durable and easy to maintain.

What is unique about the HUUM HIVE Heat 12 is its structure, as fresh air is conducted into the burning from above, creating a stronger and more efficient flame. This wood-burning heater provides the perfect ambiance for any outdoor sauna like the above heaters.

HUUM HIVE LS 12 and 17

The HUUM HIVE Heat LS 12 and the HUUM HIVE Heat LS 17 are very similar, much like the HUUM HIVE Wood 13 and 17. The difference is that they have the LS feature, which essentially means you can load wood from the outside of the sauna versus the inside. This can be a great feature as some sauna enthusiasts believe feeding wood from the outside of the sauna will prevent harmful chemicals and fumes in the air, and it is also said to produce faster heating. Lastly, it is the most authentic way to use your sauna, as this is how many Finnish saunas were originally designed.

The HUUM HIVE Heat LS 12 is designed for smaller saunas as it heats from 212 to 459 cubic feet, but the HUUM HIVE Heat LS 17 is designed to heat from 283 to 565 cubic feet. Like all of the models above, these two models are comprised of stainless steel with a cast iron furnace door, which adds durability and easy maintenance to the mix of these amazing heaters.

Similar to the HUUM HIVE Wood 17, the HUUM HIVE Heat LS 17 holds nine boxes of rounded stones that you can add on to your order if you choose, and the HUUM HIVE Heat LS 12 takes a smaller amount of stones, six boxes, that you can also add on to your order.

Thru Ceiling and Thru-Wall Chimney Kits

Every outdoor sauna enthusiast knows that having a chimney kit can make all the difference as it protects you from hazardous smoke or gasses. Two amazing models from HUUM are the Thru Ceiling chimney kit and the Thru-Wall chimney kit.

The Thru Ceiling is designed to use with HUUM wood-fired sauna stoves inside barrel saunas. It is said to be one of the models that keeps you the safest from fumes while enjoying your sauna. Obviously, this chimney kit goes through the ceiling, so all harmful smoke and gases will leave your sauna from the ceiling, keeping it away from everything on the ground.

The Thru-Wall chimney kit is slightly different from the Thru Ceiling chimney kit as it is designed to extend through the wall and is just as safe as the Thru Ceiling model. Like the Thru Ceiling model, the Thru-Wall chimney kit is compatible with HUUM’s wood-fired sauna stoves.

Summary of HUUM Wood Sauna Heaters

If you are looking for a sauna heater that is hugely linked to the history of traditional sauna heaters and the sleek and chic design of modern times, then look no further because HUUM is the company for you. This Estonian-based company follows in the footsteps that its ancestors took many centuries ago and produces some of the most popular and efficient (not to mention stylish) wood-burning sauna heaters on the market.

If you are looking for the best wood-burning sauna heater to put in your outdoor sauna, browse our extensive selection of HUUM products to get a stove with the most efficient heat and the perfect ambiance. If you have any questions about HUUM or its amazing products, please contact our team, and we’ll be happy to help.