How does a wood-burning sauna stove work?
As the name suggests, a wood-burning sauna stove uses wood to generate heat, often within the traditional wood burning barrel sauna. Wood-heated saunas are usually metallic and have a small firebox where the wood is burned, typically installed as backyard barrel saunas.
A wood-burning stove is a great way feature for a Luxury 6-Person Barrel Sauna; burning the firewood from your own backyard and watching it crackle increases the authenticity of the cedar barrel sauna experience.
You can also find a stove pipe that goes from the firebox to the chimney. The heat generated by the burning wood is then distributed evenly throughout the sauna room.
The heat from the fire warms up the rocks, which in turn heats the air in the sauna.
Wood-burning barrel saunas have a level or authenticity that cannot be achieved with a typical electric heater. The extra effort required to enjoy your barrel sauna experience is often considered part of the charm.
Now if you are looking for an outdoor DIY sauna, a wood-burning sauna could be the best option. Unlike outdoor saunas like electric saunas or infrared saunas, wood-burning saunas can be placed almost anywhere because there is no need for an electrical connection.
You just need a level surface to put the sauna on and enough space around it for the chimney.
Now when it comes to sauna accessories, you will have all the general features like sauna benches, sauna door, sauna heater, hot water tank, etc.
If you are looking for a traditional outdoor sauna experience, then a wood-burning sauna, also known as a wood fired sauna is definitely the way to go.
Are wood-burning sauna stoves any good?
It’s quite obvious to think about safety options since these types of saunas use firewood.
But don’t worry, wood-burning sauna stoves are very safe when operated in accordance with the safety guidance provided by the manufacturer.
As long as you follow the instructions on how to use them properly, there is no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy the benefits of a wood-burning sauna.
One of the great things about wood-burning saunas is that they can be very energy efficient.
The firewood used to heat the sauna will last for a long time and you won’t have to keep adding more wood to the fire.
This is in contrast to electric saunas which use a lot of electricity and can be quite expensive to run.
What are the benefits of a wood-burning sauna stove?
So now that we know one or two things about wood-burning saunas, let’s take a look at some of the benefits of using them.
1. They are very energy efficient
As we mentioned, wood-burning saunas are very energy efficient. This is because they use the natural heat of the wood to warm up the sauna, rather than using sauna heater accessories that rely on electricity.
Electric and infrared saunas can be expensive to run, as they use a lot of electricity. On the other hand, a wood-burning sauna is very easy on your energy bills.
If you are concerned about nature and the environment, then a wood-burning sauna won’t be a great choice for you as they use wood as a fuel source.
2. They can be placed almost anywhere
These types of saunas are very versatile and can be placed almost anywhere in your home.
Since there is no need for electricity, you can put them in any room or even outside in your backyard. This gives you the freedom to choose the perfect spot for your sauna that other types of saunas don’t have.
3. They provide a traditional sauna experience
The traditional sauna experience is the best part of going to a sauna for many people.
Wood-burning saunas provide this authentic experience as they have been used for centuries. If you are looking for a more rustic and natural sauna experience, then a wood-burning sauna is perfect for you.
Also, the scent of the wood-burning is very comforting and relaxing, adding to the overall experience.
4. They are very affordable to build
If you are planning on building your sauna, then a wood-burning sauna will be the most affordable option.
This is because they don’t require any special equipment or materials, and can be built using only basic tools.
If you want to save even more money, you can use recycled materials to build your sauna. But make sure the materials are still in good condition and won’t affect the quality of the sauna.
5. They are easy to build
Building wood-burning saunas are relatively easy and can be done by anyone with basic carpentry skills.
If you are planning on building your own sauna, then you will need a sauna kit, a large sauna stove (depending on the size of your sauna), a single-wall stove pipe, and some insulation.
You will find the sauna building process very straightforward, and it’s a great project to do with a friend or family member.
Disadvantages of using a wood-burning sauna
Everything good comes with a few disadvantages, and wood-burning saunas are no different. Let’s take a look at some of the drawbacks of using these types of saunas.
1. They require more maintenance
Wood-burning saunas require more maintenance than other types of saunas, such as electric or infrared saunas.
This is because you need to regularly check the wood supply, clean the stove, and make sure the chimney is clear.
If you don’t maintain your sauna properly, it can be a fire hazard. So make sure you are prepared to do the extra work before you get one.
2. They take longer to heat up
Another downside of wood-burning saunas is that they take longer to heat up than other types of saunas.
This is because the wood needs to be burned to produce heat, which takes time. So if you are looking for a sauna that heats up quickly, then wood-burning saunas are not the best choice for you.
3. Not good for the environment
As we mentioned before, wood-burning saunas are not the best choice for people who are concerned about the environment.
This is because they use wood as a fuel source, which is not renewable. So if you want to help the environment, then you should choose another type of sauna.
4. Safety concerns
Even though wood burning saunas are pretty safe to use, there are still some safety concerns that you should be aware of.
For example, if the sauna is not properly ventilated, it can be a fire hazard. All the pipes and vents should be clear and in good condition to avoid any accidents.
So make sure you follow the instructions carefully and always ventilate the sauna when you are done using it.
Electric sauna heaters vs wood-burning stove saunas
Now that we know the pros and cons of wood-burning saunas, let’s compare them to electric saunas.
An electric sauna heater is known as one of the most popular types of sauna heater, as they are very easy to use and don’t require little to no maintenance.
However, they are not as authentic as wood-burning saunas and don’t provide the same rustic experience.
Here is a quick comparison of electric sauna heaters and wood-burning stove saunas:
Electric sauna heaters:
1. Very easy to use
2. Don’t require much maintenance
3. Can be used indoors and outdoors
4. Not as authentic as wood-burning saunas
Wood-burning stove saunas:
1. Provide a more authentic experience
2. Require more maintenance
3. Take longer to heat up
4. Not as environmentally friendly as electric saunas
As you can see, there are both advantages and disadvantages to using electric sauna heaters and wood-burning stove saunas.
It depends on your personal preferences as to which one is better.
If you want an authentic sauna experience, then you should go for a wood-burning stove sauna.
But if you want a sauna that is easy to use and doesn’t require much maintenance, then an electric sauna heater is the better choice for you.
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Conclusion
So there you have it! Everything you need to know about wood-burning stove saunas. We hope you found this article helpful and that you now have a better understanding of these types of saunas. Always make sure to do your research before you buy a sauna so that you can find the perfect one for you. Thanks for reading!