Cast iron stoves for a bath: pros and cons

A high-quality stove is the most important component for a comfortable stay in the sauna. The greatest pleasure from staying in the steam room is achieved by the optimal air temperature and the softness of the steam. A simple firewood stove has long been replaced by a wide range of models and a choice of manufacturers.

The popularity of the cast iron stove is constantly growing. But before deciding to install such a structure, it is important to study the features characteristic of this material, its advantages and disadvantages.

The bath ceremony is a traditional ritual used not only for relaxation, but also for health purposes. Cast iron is becoming increasingly popular as a stove material.

A cast iron stove for a bath differs from its predecessors in a number of advantages.

• High heat resistance, which is achieved due to the addition of chromium. An additional advantage is the ability to withstand sudden temperature changes.
• High level of heat capacity and low level of thermal conductivity. It is on the basis of these properties that the room will warm up quickly, but the accumulated heat will leave slowly (up to 9 hours).

• Heating equipment made of cast iron has thick walls that easily let heat through, but at the same time do not burn out from high temperatures.
• Subject to the installation technology, the cast iron stove is absolutely fireproof.
• Small dimensions allow placing equipment in a room of any parameters.
• No foundation is needed to install such a furnace.
• A small amount of firewood is required for the smooth operation of heating equipment.

• Environmental friendliness and safety of the material itself.
• There is no oxygen burnout during operation.
• The released steam is not only not harmful to humans, but also brings certain health benefits.
• Long service life if the device is used correctly.

A cast iron heating device is characterized by versatility: it simultaneously heats both the air in the steam room and the water. The cast iron stove fits well into the interior of the bath and looks harmonious in a steam room with any design. Despite the fact that the stove is compact, it weighs quite a lot - about 60 kilograms.

The lining of the stove is selected exclusively from individual wishes and can be made from almost any material. For example, it can be overlaid with bricks or tiles, or it can not be exposed to additional external cladding. Facing may be required if an unscrupulous manufacturer has saved on the quality of the material being produced. Low-quality cast iron is capable of cracking during operation. To avoid such troubles, it is recommended to cover the heater.

For installation in a private house bath, you should choose stoves made of cast iron of the highest quality. You should not save money when buying a product, it is important to carefully study its chemical composition, so as not to encounter material deformation during use.

There are several main disadvantages of cast iron stoves.

• Even at the installation stage, it is necessary to provide for the construction of a full-fledged chimney, which is not a prerequisite for installing electric boilers.
• During operation, the elements of the furnace should be treated with increased accuracy, since the material is fragile.
• High cost in comparison with analogs made of steel.
• Do not cool the oven sharply, as the metal may crack.

The principles of operation for all models are almost the same, there are only small differences in the level of heat preservation and the heat transfer rate. For different types of ovens, these indicators differ depending on the characteristics.

The main models of cast iron stoves from Russian manufacturers that appear on the modern market meet all modern requirements and have excellent technical characteristics.

Wood-burning cast-iron stoves for a bath are in high demand due to their simple design, high level of reliability and ease of use. The shape of the oven can be rectangular, square or round.

The principle of operation of such a furnace is quite simple:

• The wood-fired stove is equipped with a firebox for solid fuel;
• During the combustion process, heat is generated, which is taken up either by the furnace body or by the stove.

There are models where the design provides for the presence of a hole that allows you to lay firewood not only through the twin compartment, but also in the next room. Models that can be classified as "advanced" are equipped with a water tank in which water is heated and used for washing. Heating occurs due to the heat that the body gives off.

The next type is stoves with a closed heater. In terms of the amount of fuel consumed, this is the most economical option. The level of soot formation in them is significantly lower than that of other models. The volume of the heated room is up to 45 m3. One of the design features is the arrangement of stones inside the oven itself. They are completely hidden from view, water is supplied through the hole located on top, as a result, the liquid turns into dry, clean vapor.

Another popular type of heating device for a bath is a stationary stove with an unbearable firebox. The size of such stoves is small, and they perfectly complement the interior of the steam room. They are often used in buildings of limited size without a utility room. Sitting in the steam room, you can watch the firewood burn. Of course, permanent storage of firewood near the stove is prohibited, as this is fraught with the possibility of a fire.

The next model is a stationary stove with a remote firebox. For such models, the firebox is placed in the utility room or in the recreation room.

It is not always possible or desirable to heat the stove with wood. Therefore, an excellent option would be to purchase gas cast iron stoves. In addition, a wood-burning cast iron stove with the help of specialists can be converted into a gas appliance.

You cannot carry out this procedure yourself, since the installation of a certified gas burner is required. She is examined by a gas inspector. If an iron wood stove can start a fire, the gas poses an explosion hazard.

The next category of heating devices is a cast iron stove with a heat exchanger. A heat exchanger is a pipe system through which water flows continuously. The exchanger heats the water in direct contact with a heat source. It can be located both outside and inside the furnace body, in other cases it is a coil that wraps around the chimney.

Currently, there are several proven manufacturers who manufacture all of the above types of ovens.

Owner reviews are a great opportunity to study the features of a particular model even before buying a stove. Based on them, a list of manufacturers worthy of attention has been compiled.

For the Kalita range of ovens, these are:

• Jack Magnum;
• Joy;
• Arched;
• Taiga;
• Huntsman;
• Prince Kalita;
• Gaudi;
• Kalita Extreme;
• Knight.

Manufacturer - "Izhkomtsentr VVD". Collapsible type of construction, the firebox body is made of cast iron 1 cm thick.Some models are characterized by a closed type of heater, controlled by ventilation, and the presence of a combustion tunnel made of materials such as stainless steel and cast iron.

You can decorate the firebox door in two different ways: using a coil or soapstone. These stones have a positive effect on the body, increase the overall level of immunity and normalize blood pressure. On sale there are models with a heater built into the firebox. But the closed heater is recognized by experts as the preferred option for use. This is due to the fact that in a closed space, stones are heated evenly from all sides, due to which the steam becomes lighter and more useful.

The arched model features a beautiful design and stone cladding. The arch-shaped stove has doors decorated with wrought iron plates. The temperature in all parts of the steam room is stable and evenly distributed due to increased thermal inertia. The heater can hold up to 120 kilograms of stones, heating is carried out in less than 2 hours, after which the temperature is maintained at the desired level for a long time.

The Jack Magnum model is produced with an open heater. The volume of stones that are placed inside reaches 80 kg. Thanks to the thin lining, heat energy is quickly accumulated and then distributed throughout the steam room.

Along with numerous advantages, the model also has disadvantages:

• Components (grates) quickly fail, it is problematic to replace them;
• The stove is heated for a long time in the cold season;
• The firebox has a low height;
• There is a constriction where the fuel line connects to the stove body, which is highly impractical.

The next market segment is the Hephaestus range of stoves. Furnaces of this brand outperform competitors' equipment largely due to an important advantage - accelerated air heating. It takes only 60 minutes for the surface temperature to reach 7000 degrees. Flame arresters are built into the Hephaestus furnace equipment, so fuel is consumed very economically.

Another advantage of these ovens is their compact size and weight. In addition, the equipment can withstand 15 - 20 years of continuous operation without loss of useful properties. From the manufacturer, you can choose an oven for a room of any area.

The firebox is made of cast iron, the thickness of which varies from 10 to 60 mm.

The lineup is as follows:

• PB 01. The main plus is the presence of steam isolation (in order to avoid injury to people), cladding with natural talcohlorite material. This model has three variations, each of which can hold about 300 kg of stones.
• PB 02. Supports 2 modes: dry air and wet steam. Heat-resistant glass is installed on the door of the firebox.

• PB 03. Small-sized convection oven. With its help, you can heat about 25 square meters of area. This model has its own modifications: PB 03 M, PB S, PB 03 MS. All of them are designed to quickly warm up small rooms.
• PB 04. These are closed-type wood-burning units. The dimensions of the furnace are compact, the equipment is equipped with a waste container and a chimney. The oven itself is made of cast iron, its doors are made of durable glass.

The official manufacturer emphasizes that the quality of casting at each stage is under continuous control of specialists, and just one load of firewood is enough for 8 hours of continuous operation of the unit. The manufacture of furnace equipment is possible in the "economy" version or in the elite cladding of several different types: "Russian steam", "Optima" and "President".

The next type is the Vesuvius cast iron stoves. The Vesuvius range consists of such stoves as "Hurricane", "Sensation" and "Legend".

"Sensation" is heated directly from the steam room. It has a ventilated stove and a completely sealed firebox. The stones are heated up to 350 degrees.

A very worthy copy is the "Vesuvius Legend" weighing 160 kg.It is intended for use in steam rooms, the area of ​​which reaches 10 - 28 cubic meters.

Hurricane is an ideal stove for those who appreciate the traditions of the primordial Russian bath. The stove is closed, in the upper part. The steam at the outlet turns out to be fine, dispersive. The equipment weighs about 110 kg, the stove can be fired from a room adjacent to the steam room. The oven casing itself is painted with heat-resistant black paint. Heating stones reaches a temperature of +400 degrees.

The Kudesnitsa 20 stove is suitable for both wet and dry baths. The stove is made of real cast iron, does not burn out. The firebox is one-piece, the stove is covered with heat-resistant enamel.

The Termofor furnace has a high efficiency and affordable cost. The manufacturer gives a three-year guarantee for the integrity of the metal.

Main characteristics:

• High level of security. Each furnace undergoes all the necessary tests and is manufactured according to the current regulations.
• Increased strength. For creation, heat-resistant steel with a high percentage of chromium is used.
• Two modes of operation: fast warm-up / maintenance of temperature.
• Soot self-cleaning system.
• Great design.
• Easy to transport.

The Sudarushka stove is popular, the distinctive features of the model are fast warming up and excellent heat capacity.

The list of positive aspects of this equipment can include:

• economical use of fuel material;
• design versatility;
• simplified installation procedure;
• light weight;
• ease of care;

The design also has disadvantages:

• There are often complaints that the furnace fires quickly burst. Poor cast iron quality or improper operation can be the reason for this.
• The liquid in the tank boils quickly.

The above structures are in high demand due to their relatively low cost and ease of installation.

The Finnish sauna stoves must be mentioned. Their assortment is wide, but the cost is significantly higher than on the model produced in the Russian Federation. It is justified, since more expensive metal is used in the manufacture.

The main oven manufacturers are:

• Harvia is a leader in terms of service life;
• Narvi is a manufacturer of highly environmentally friendly products;
• Helo is a democratic brand with a simplified design.

Despite the high cost, Finnish-made stoves are recognized leaders in the world market.

There is a wide selection of different oven models on the market. Which of them is better, the buyer decides, focusing on their individual needs and financial capabilities. In order not to get into a mess, you should read the advice of experts.

These recommendations can help with the choice and tell you what exactly you should pay attention to when choosing.

• The quality of the material. It is very important to understand that the metal differs in thickness and other quality characteristics.
• Placement of the firebox. The firebox can be regular or elongated. The elongated one is mounted in the wall opening, which allows the stove to be heated both from the rest room and from the steam room.

• The type of water tank can be built-in and hinged. When choosing, it is worth considering what is the specificity of the bath.
• Performance level. Usually, the manufacturer posts detailed information about how much of a room a particular type of oven is capable of heating.
• Type of fuel. Based on what kind of fuel will be used for heating, it is worth paying attention to the wall thickness of the selected model.

• Door type. Tempered glass models are much more expensive than analogs, but a wonderful view of the fire will be provided for a long time.
• Is the furnace completely made of cast iron? There are manufacturers who, wishing to reduce the cost of their products, replace some elements with steel ones. The disadvantage of such products is that steel significantly reduces the service life of the device.

For those who love and know how to work with their hands, there is another option that does not involve the acquisition of a structure.

But whoever made them, cast iron stoves are excellent high-performance products that can be used both in a sauna and in a Russian bath. When buying, it is important to carefully perform a visual inspection and study all the parameters of the device in order to avoid a wrong decision and purchase the most suitable option.

For information on how to choose a cast iron stove for a bath, see the next video.