Advantages and varieties of cast iron stoves in the bath

The Russian bath is a healing of the body, prevention of diseases and a pleasant pastime. A reliable oven is required to maintain a comfortable temperature in the steam room. The days of brickwork are a thing of the past. Cast iron sauna stoves have become a practical alternative to the traditional sauna stove. The metal structure is quickly assembled and, in comparison with the brick, is cheaper.

Types of cast iron stoves for a bath

Heating device models differ in shape, design and type of fuel. The most practical option is a wood-burning stove. They are popular due to their simple operation and proximity to Russian bathing traditions. An excellent choice is the model with a glass door. In this case, you can enjoy the spectacle of live fire.

The shape of the product can be:

• square;
• rectangular;
• round.

According to the design features of the stove, they are open and closed. The firebox is made stationary or portable.

With open heater

By using ovens with an open stove, you can create a fragrant and healing steam in the room. It is enough to splash herbal decoction on the stones. This design is close to an authentic smoke sauna. Its pole is the rapid warming up of the room.

With a closed heater

A more common option is when stones are inside the heater. They warm up to temperatures of 500-700 ° C. After water is supplied through a special door, finely dispersed steam is generated. The heating time of the steam room is longer than when installing an open heater. But the heat spreads more evenly and lasts for a long time. The models are designed for large baths. They reduce the likelihood of steam scalding and fire hazards.

With water tank

Stoves with a water tank are a practical choice. Metal containers are of various sizes. They are placed on a stove or chimney. Tanks are manual, hinged, built-in. The training tanks are installed on the stove next to the firebox. Hinged ones are placed on the convenient side of the structure, if desired, on both sides. Hot water is used for washing and creating steam.

With a remote firebox

Cast iron sauna stoves with a remote firebox have an elongated firebox. The design allows fuel to be loaded from an adjacent room. The safety of operation is increased, the risk of getting burns from fire is reduced. In the steam room, you do not have to allocate space for firewood, ash and combustion products will not get into it.

Advantages and disadvantages of cast iron stoves

The positive properties of heating devices are associated with the characteristics of the material from which they are made:

• The cast iron sauna stove is a durable construction designed for 30 or more years of operation.
• The material is resistant to corrosion and has high thermal conductivity.
• The thick walls of the firebox are slowly burning out.
• A wide range of sizes, weights and product features. You can choose a model of optimal power and design.
• The high heat capacity of cast iron and stones ensures that the temperature in the steam room is stable for a long time.
• The stoves are sold ready-made, they are easy to install and maintain.

The modern design of cast iron stoves makes them an attractive element of the sauna interior. A choice of models are offered with forged details, a transparent door, stone cladding.

Cast iron stoves are not without drawbacks:

• Various quality of cast iron alloy. Models of unscrupulous manufacturers are made of metal, which burns out quickly and can crack when the temperature changes.
• The significant weight of the structure makes transportation and installation difficult. For some products weighing 300 kg or more, you will have to make a foundation.
• High cost - a good furnace will cost more than a steel counterpart.

One of the problems in the manufacture of heating structures is the complexity of welding cast iron. To achieve a tight, durable seam, special filler materials and heat treatment are required. Many manufacturers have found a solution using bolted parts.

Comparison of cast iron from different manufacturers

All the advantages of cast iron structures are manifested only if quality material is used. Low-grade metal products quickly burn out and become unusable. Manufacturers add various components to the alloy composition, changing the properties of the final product. Most brands are pouring parts from ordinary gray cast iron. Such structures are quite durable and have an affordable cost. The addition of chromium and other additives increases the price of the product.

Hephaestus ovens received good reviews and characteristics. They are manufactured using classical technology, without bolting. The most vulnerable part of the structure is the firebox, which is made of a material alloyed with chrome.

Another domestic manufacturer, Magnum, offers furnaces and furnaces made of refractory cast iron. The plant strictly adheres to the technology of annealing and metal tempering.

The details of the furnaces produced by Inzhkomtsentr VVD are made using lamellar graphite. The additive enhances corrosion resistance.

Products of Swedish and Finnish companies are popular. They use high quality alloyed cast iron, but the material only goes to the furnace. The main part of the structure is made of heat-resistant steel.

Furnace selection criteria

Before buying a cast iron sauna stove, it is necessary to study the criteria for choosing a heating structure:

• Estimated heating area - performance indicates the performance of the product. The parameter depends on the dimensions of the stove.
• Furnace type - standard or remote. The place of laying firewood depends on its design.
• Heat retention period - the characteristic shows how many hours a preheated oven will hold a high temperature.
  
• The heater is open or closed. This choice depends on the personal preferences of the future owner. There is no fundamental difference, both designs work perfectly.
• Firebox door type - the design is dull and with a heat-resistant glass screen.
• Wall thickness - a standard indicator from 10 mm. The thicker the walls, the more durable the product.
• Type of fuel - the most popular is the wood-burning cast-iron stove for the bath, but there are models for gas or combined.

Additional characteristics include the possibility of installing a water tank.

Popular models

In stores you can find products for the bathhouse of domestic and foreign production. Russian models will cost less, the difference in performance is small.

Hephaestus PB-03

The stove with a closed heater is installed in baths with a volume of up to 25 cubic meters. m. The heated stones make it possible to obtain finely dispersed steam. The stove is equipped with a remote firebox. There is a system for afterburning combustion gases and a flame arrester. Installing convection fins on the sides of the firebox increases heat transfer. The blind cast-iron door is decorated with a relief pattern.The structural elements are one-piece, made of heat-resistant cast iron. Hephaestus models have the highest efficiency among similar designs. The indicator reaches 90%.

The Hephaestus company offers models with natural stone cladding. Used as finishing: soapstone, serpentine, serpentite. The stone reduces the effect of hard infrared radiation, making the product design more attractive.

Vesuvius legend Russian park forging 271

The model with a remote firebox is served from the dressing room. It is designed for an area of ​​12-26 sq. m. The closed-type heater has an attractive forged body. Water is supplied to stones heated to 600 ° through a special funnel. The elements of the firebox are fixed with a bolt connection. Sophisticated design allows for increased wall temperature and heat dissipation. The tightness is ensured by the use of a heat-resistant cord. The service life of the product is up to 30 years.

Vesuvius Sensation Aqua 22 DT-4

The design of the stove allows the stones to be heated simultaneously from four sides. The large mass of loaded stones ensures a stable temperature in the steam room. The model has a strict laconic design. Due to its compact size, it can be placed in small rooms. The advantage of the design is the ability to install a 40 liter hinged water tank.

Inzhkomtsentr VVD Kalita-Classic

The light weight in comparison with other models does not reduce the advantages of the oven. It heats up the steam room faster, working in a continuous mode with a minimum consumption of firewood. The long furnace tunnel allows firing from another room. Buyers can choose the door of the firebox made of cast iron or with panoramic glass. The design assumes loading 70-80 kg of stones for steam generation. The model is collapsible, which simplifies transportation.

Sudarushka

The cast iron wood stove is characterized by a vertical extension of the body. This design allows you to safely install it in a steam room of a limited area - 10-18 cubic meters. m. The model is economical, quickly warms up the room. The closed heater is equipped with a side steam outlet. The buyer can choose a door made of cast iron or with glass. Offered disassembled, requires field assembly.

Magnum President

A cast-iron boiler for a wood-fired sauna quickly heats up the steam room to a comfortable temperature. It is suitable for buildings of 15-35 sq. m. The model is equipped with a CHT-1 firebox, the design of which is the development of the Magnum enterprise. The rigid stone box with a capacity of 120-180 kg is resistant to temperature changes. The stove has a remote firebox and a closed heater. A feature of the model is the facing with stone tiles. Thanks to the finishing, the structure retains heat for a long time.

Features of operation

The sauna stove is a source of fire hazard. This should be borne in mind when installing and operating it. It is advisable to trim the place around the structure with a non-combustible material. It is important to keep an eye on the ash box, to clean it in time with the remnants of firewood. During operation, do not allow cold water to hit the hot cast iron, this can lead to cracks.

Some owners brick their cast iron stoves. The procedure allows you to increase the cooling period of the structure. The cladding has its drawbacks - it will take more time and fuel to warm up the room.

When choosing and installing a cast-iron stove for baths and saunas, fire safety rules must be taken into account. To make the stay in the steam room more comfortable, the metal is covered with bricks. The classic Russian bath will delight you with light and healthy steam.