SAUNA GUIDE TO WOOD BURNING STOVE MAINTENANCE

There are many things to consider with wood burning stove maintenance. It may sound overwhelming because wood may seem like a lot of work, but it really isn't. In fact, these wood burning stoves are pretty easy to maintain and really only require a deep clean once a year. It is a much more cost-effective choice than an electric stove because a wood burning stove will not increase your electric bill, won't require a technician for installation, and can be placed outdoors as long as the ground is level, as no power source is needed. Not to mention, wood burning stoves create an unbeatable ambiance during your sauna session.

In this article, we will discuss how to properly maintain your wood burning stove and discover the most popular brands and stoves to purchase for your sauna.

Choosing the Right Wood Burning Stove

As you probably already know, the advantage of choosing a wood burning stove versus an electric stove is that it obviously doesn’t require any electricity. This means you can put your sauna anywhere you want (as long as it is outdoors and the ground is level) without needing to bring in an electrician for installation, nor do you need to worry about increasing your electricity bill. 

Another advantage of a wood burning stove is that it won't require any heating elements that will wear out or need replacement. The only replacing you have to do is with the wood you choose to burn. Lastly, a wood burning stove's ambiance is so tranquil as it boasts a pleasant scent and a soothing sound of crackling fire while you sauna. Typically, wood burning stoves are best for outdoor and larger saunas.

Types of Wood Burning Stoves

The best-known brands for wood burning stoves are Harvia and HUUM. An extremely popular model for smaller saunas is the Harvia M3 Wood Burning Stove, as it boasts an efficient heat system with even air circulation. You can also add a chimney kit (we will discuss the benefits of those later in the article) and premium sauna accessories like a bucket, ladle, and a thermometer/hygrometer package.

A great option for a larger sauna is the HUUM Hive Wood LS 17 (pictured below). This wood burning stove looks chic and minimalist yet can hold 287 pounds of stones. This wood burning stove is also designed to heat a 283 to 565 cubic feet sauna.

Now you might want your wood chamber to be on the outside of your sauna; in that case, the Harvia M3 SL Wood Burning Stove is a great option for you. What's super cool about this wood burning stove is that while another sauna goer is inside, another can cook food over the flames or just watch the fire burn behind the cast-iron-framed glass door. This wood burning stove is amazing for small to medium-sized saunas. You use it by placing the stove inside the sauna but inserting firewood into the fire chamber from the other side of the wall.

Perhaps you want a wood fired stove with a water tank; then the Harvia 20 ES Wood Burning Stove (pictured below) is an excellent choice. This wood burning stove model comes with a 20-liter water tank on the front that heats up the water while the stove is heating, and this is a wonderful feature if you want to make steam. Another option is to install a wood burning stove and a water heater separately.

How to Install Your Wood Burning Stove 

First, you want to get yourself a good chimney kit. The best chimney kits to invest in are the HUUM or Harvia models. Why is this important? A chimney kit lets you properly vent your sauna through the top, protecting you from hazardous smoke or gasses. It also helps you maintain a properly functioning heater. You also want to ensure your sauna is outside; the electric stove is better if you want an indoor sauna. Your sauna can be placed pretty much anywhere outdoors as long as the ground you place it on is level, and there is no need for a power source either. You also want to ensure your sauna is properly ventilated (which is where the chimney kit comes in handy). Lastly, you want to ensure you use the right wood. Honestly, you really can't pick the wrong type of wood, but you don't want your wood to be treated or painted, as that can be hazardous while the wood is being burned.

Directions for Wood Burning Stove Maintenance

Your sauna heater is the literal heart of your sauna; without it, you wouldn't be able to enjoy any of the benefits that saunas offer, not to mention it wouldn't get hot. However, with the heater being the heart of the operation, you have to ensure it gets an annual inspection. This goes for both wood burning and electric heaters.

STEP 1: Clean Stones & Remove Debris

To start, it's recommended that the stones in the heater are restacked, inspected, and cleaned annually. You do this by removing the stones from the heater and placing them on a mat outside of your sauna, then checking their strength by tapping two of them together at a time. Stones that start to crumble or are discolored should be discarded. The debris from the crumbling stones can damage both the heating elements and the stainless steel of your heater. Dust also tends to collect on the stones, so you want to wash the stones with warm water and a soft, bristled brush. The air will be the freshest if you remove as much dust from your sauna as possible.

STEP 2: Inspection 

The next step is to inspect your heater and all of its components. In order to do this most efficiently, you want to wait until you put your stones back in the heater. You want to grab a flashlight for your wood burning stove and check if you can see any holes or damaged parts. You can easily replace parts, but if you don't search for them, this could make your heater less effective. If you notice that your sauna hasn't been heating properly, it most likely means that heat is escaping from the heater, so you want to pinpoint the spot that is happening. Also, ensure that the hatch completely closes and that you are emptying the ashtray regularly, and while you are checking the ashtray, this is a good time to give it a good deep-cleaning wipe down.

STEP3: Restack the Stones 

Now that you have cleaned and checked your stones and the heater's parts, it's time to start restacking your stones. It's important that the stones are stacked efficiently, which means stacking them so that air can circulate between them, which creates the best steam. In a wood burning stove, you want to ensure that the larger stones are placed at the bottom and gradually get smaller on the way up to the top, with the smallest being on the very top. The reasoning is the larger stones, which are closer to the fire chamber, will retain the most heat. On the other hand, the smaller stones will create the best steam as the water is poured onto a larger surface area and additionally have more space between stones.

Limescale and other minerals may build up on your heater's surface depending on the water quality you use for your sauna. However, this isn't a massive deal, as a wash with water and vinegar or citric acid powder will easily remove these stains. Essentially, wood burning stove maintenance really isn't all that difficult once you give it a try.

Summary of Wood Burning Stove Maintenance

Wood burning saunas are worth the investment as they won't break the bank after installation because no electricity is required. You can place it anywhere outside, as your sauna doesn't need to be hooked up to a power source. The biggest health benefit a wood burning stove can offer is that it efficiently heats up your core temperature, increasing sweating and blood flow, removing toxins from your body, and relieving muscle tension.

If you want to learn more about wood burning stove maintenance or discover the best wood burning stoves, browse our extensive selection. If you have any additional questions about wood burning stoves, feel free to reach out to our helpful team.