We assemble a sauna stove with our own hands from metal. Stove for a metal bath: requirements, types, do-it-yourself assembly technology Drawings of iron and brick stoves for a bath

The stove in a real Russian bathhouse should be economical and produce healthy heat. According to these criteria, wood heaters outperform electric and gas heat generators. But there is a third, no less important advantage: you can make a metal stove for a bathhouse with your own hands, provided that you are good at electric welding. The brick version of the heater is also good, but not available to everyone due to the price of materials and the difficulties of laying in the finished steam room. So choose a homemade unit from the models proposed in our publication and start manufacturing, using step-by-step instructions and drawings.

Choosing a sauna stove design

Ideally, a heat source made of metal should meet the following requirements:

Warm up quickly and raise the temperature in the steam room. Iron stoves do this very well.
Keep warm as long as possible. Since steel heats up and cools quickly, you will need a heater that accumulates heat, or an increase in the burning time of the firebox. The third option is to cover the sauna stove with bricks after installation.
Occupy a minimum of usable space in the steam room. If the volume of this room is too small, then it is better to choose a vertical design with a loading door located in the dressing room.
The heater must be safe for people washing in the bathhouse. To protect yourself from burns, you can install a convection casing made of thin sheet iron on the housing or, again, build a brick wall around the housing.

Note. The duration of combustion increases with the volume of the fuel chamber of the unit. Here you need to find a reasonable balance between the size of the stove and the duration of its operation. A small firebox will have to be constantly loaded with firewood, instead of being able to wash in peace, and a large stove will take up half the area of the steam room.

Do-it-yourself iron sauna stoves come in the following designs:

with a body oriented vertically or horizontally in space;
heated directly from the steam room or from the next room (a remote firebox door is made);
with and without water tank;
with external or internal heater.

Vertical heater

The vertical body of the stove shown in the photo gives one advantage - saving space in the bathhouse. There are more disadvantages: short burning time (due to the fact that the flame covers the entire stack of firewood) and not too high heat transfer. According to these important parameters, a horizontal sauna heater outperforms a vertical one, but at the same time occupies a larger area.

Horizontal stove with heater and tank

If the bathhouse does not have an electric water heater, it costs nothing to install a tank for heating water intended for washing on the stove or chimney. It can be welded from ordinary metal, or better yet from stainless steel. There is also a more convenient way to heat water: the tank, located in the washing room, is connected by pipes to a samovar-type steel heat exchanger installed on the chimney pipe.

Steel heat exchanger for chimney

The open heater, which we inherited from the Finnish sauna, heats up to a maximum of 400 °C, but it can be watered with water in order to “give up the park.” Heaters closed inside the stove body accumulate more heat, heating up to 700-800 °C, but at the same time they become polluted by passing flue gases and therefore require periodic cleaning.

Reference. Some craftsmen assemble metal stoves with internal brickwork, the diagram of which is shown above. They serve for a long time without burning through the walls, but are difficult to manufacture, and fireclay bricks cost money. You can find out more about various sauna heaters by watching the video:

Preparation of materials

It is best to make a stove in a bathhouse from a steel pipe with a diameter of 300-500 mm or a gas cylinder. There are several reasons:

the pipe is a ready-made body of the unit, which simplifies the matter;
a cylindrical shape is preferable to a rectangular one for reasons of aerodynamics (air flow around) and heat transfer;
vaulted walls without seams will last longer than flat ones;
A round firebox is easier to clean from ash and soot.

Advice. It is more convenient to make an ash pan from sheet metal 2 mm thick, and 3 mm iron will be used for the doors. Try not to use high-carbon steel of a grade higher than St35, which can become hot from exposure to high temperatures, deform and burst at the seams. The correct stove is welded from grade St3.

Stages of door manufacturing

The grate can be made from corners or periodic profile fittings. The budget option is a sheet of thick iron with longitudinal slots, the purchased option is cast iron grates. It is advisable to make the doors double-layered with a basalt fiber gasket (pictured) so as not to get burned if accidentally touched.

Heater stove - manufacturing guide

We bring to your attention 3 common designs of metal stoves for baths:

a simple horizontal stove made from a cylinder, heated inside the steam room;
heater made of 530 mm pipe with remote firebox;
vertical sauna boiler “three in one”.

The first option is attractive due to its ease of manufacture, small size and mobility. For homemade products, you will need an old propane cylinder with a diameter of 300 or 500 mm and scrap metal. The second heater is distinguished by an additional section with a door built into the opening of the steam room wall, and an open heater. The third model is a whole boiler, consisting of three compartments - a firebox, a closed heater and a tank for heating water.

Advice. If you cannot find a good pipe or cylinder, cook the stove according to the drawing from sheet steel with a thickness of at least 3 mm (preferably 5 mm). First, you will have to perform a number of operations to assemble the firebox - cutting the workpieces and welding them together with strict observance of 90° angles.

The drawings show options for heating units made of sheet iron

We weld a simple stove

The first thing to do is to correctly cut the cylinder cap along the factory seam. To do this, unscrew the gas valve with an open-end wrench and fill the container with water, after which you can use the grinder.

Reference. Propane is heavier than air and therefore reluctant to leave closed containers. To avoid an explosion when cutting metal, it is customary to force it out with water.

Assemble the heater according to the presented drawing, observing the following order:

Cut openings at the end of the lid for mounting doors and in the housing for the chimney pipe. Make frames for the loading and ash doors from metal strips, and weld them to the openings.
Assemble the grate by welding and place it on the corners fixed inside the cylinder. Weld the cut cover back into place.
Make the sashes as shown in the photo. Place them on the hinges and attach the latches.
Attach legs and a chimney pipe to the body.

After assembly, the gas cylinder sauna stove is melted outside in order to burn off all the old paint. Then it can be degreased and repainted using the heat-resistant composition of the KO series.

Manufacturing a unit with an external firebox

To make such a stove, you need to prepare metal parts and cut the pipe to size, following the drawing:

Advice. When preparing the metal for the additional heater section, measure the thickness of the wall between the steam room and the dressing room. This way you will know the width of the extension part that will fit into the partition opening.

Perform further work according to the instructions:

Cut a hole in the top of the pipe, weld the chimney pipe to it, and weld the legs at the bottom of the firebox. Install the grates as described in the previous section.
Make the front section and weld it to the firebox. Weld a blank metal disk to the rear end of the housing.
Make doors with handles insulated with basalt wool and install them in place.

Important point. The lower plane of the remote firebox should be flush with the pipe wall for easy cleaning of the ash pan.

All that remains to do on top of the finished stove is to weld a frame for the heater from corners covered with a coarse metal mesh. After firing, staining and installation in the bathhouse on site, fill the mesh with special stones from the list:

basalt;
river pebbles;
gabbro-diabase;
Soapstone chlorite

How a similar sauna stove is made in practice is described in detail in the video:

Making a vertical boiler

The peculiarity of the round unit shown in the drawing is the presence of 3 chambers - fuel, heater and water tank. Their size can vary according to your wishes, for example, the larger the size of the firebox you make, the longer 1 stack of firewood will burn. Enlarging the heater will allow you to accumulate more heat, which is released for a long time after the fuel burns out.

Advice. You should not greatly increase the volume of the water tank, otherwise it will not have time to warm up by the time of washing.

The boiler assembly procedure looks like this:

Cut blanks for partitions, bottom and lid from metal with a thickness of at least 5 mm. Prepare the ends of the pipe and weld the round grate bars.
Make openings in the body for the doors and hatch for loading stones.
Make holes in the partitions for the chimney and install them inside the pipe. Secure the tank lid to the hinges.
Make doors from semi-circular cut out pieces and place them on the awnings.
Install a flue duct and a water drain valve at the bottom of the tank.

If desired, even in this furnace you can make a remote firebox. To do this, you need to increase the loading and ash channel by welding metal blanks of the required width to the side of the pipe, as shown in the photo above. The correct assembly of such a heat generator is shown in detail in the following video:

Installing a stove in a bathhouse

Since a proper steam room is always built of wood, the main requirement when installing a wood-burning heater is fire safety. To survive it, follow simple rules:

the stove cannot be placed directly on a wooden floor, but only on a sheet of iron protruding 70 cm in front of the firebox;
wall cladding made of flammable materials also needs to be protected from fire with sheets of roofing iron or mineralite;
when installing a heater with a remote firebox, the opening in the wooden partition is also sheathed with non-combustible materials, as is done in the photo;
the distance from the insulated chimney pipe to wooden building structures is 38 cm.

It is recommended to make a channel for venting combustion products outside from a double-walled sandwich filled with basalt wool. Often, the same square-shaped water tank, built directly into the ceiling, is used to insulate the chimney. How to properly install a stove in a bathhouse is shown in the diagram:

Important. Do not use sheet or cord asbestos for thermal insulation inside bathhouses; it emits dust that is harmful to health.

Conclusion

When a homeowner is faced with a choice - to build a stone sauna stove or install a metal one, the majority is inclined to the second option as it is more economical. A homemade iron stove will be even cheaper; in addition, it will be ideal in all respects, because you yourself will think over its design. Don't know how to weld? Save money otherwise by ordering the assembly of the unit in a specialized workshop.

Design engineer with more than 8 years of experience in construction.
Graduated from the East Ukrainian National University. Vladimir Dal with a degree in Electronics Industry Equipment in 2011.

Once upon a time there was a bathhouse in every yard, especially in villages, but now it is very rare. It is quite difficult to find a stove laying specialist, and not everyone can afford to pay for his work. But for bathhouse lovers there is a way out of this situation - a metal stove.

Features: pros and cons

A true connoisseur of the Russian bathhouse will, of course, prefer a brick stove; it retains heat for a long time, and with its help the air in the bathhouse is created more humid. These characteristics have a beneficial effect on human health, which is undoubtedly an advantage of the Russian bathhouse. Heating such a stove with wood to the desired temperature is a troublesome task and will take from 3 hours to a day. It requires serious, regular care, it must be cleaned every year, sorted out, lubricated at least once every 2-3 years, this also requires a specialist and a lot of money. A substantial supply of firewood is also necessary.

A metal stove quickly heats up until red and quickly cools down, emits hard infrared radiation, and dries out the air greatly. It is available for purchase at a price from 10,000 to 100,000 rubles. But cheap options are short-lived, and not everyone can afford expensive ones, and it’s not a fact that they will satisfy all your requirements. You can make a metal stove for a bathhouse with your own hands, the main thing is to know how to handle a welding machine or have a professional welder as a friend. Purchasing material for its manufacture is not a problem; you can even do this at places where scrap metal is purchased.

Homemade stoves are varied in their design and depend on the size of the bathhouse, imagination, capabilities and, most importantly, on the preferences of the owner. In a Finnish sauna, the air temperature reaches 85 degrees, and the air humidity is low - from 5 to 15%. In a Russian traditional bathhouse, the air temperature should be kept at 55-65 degrees, and the air humidity should be up to 60%. The design features of these bath products will depend on this.

In a Finnish sauna, for optimal heating of the room, a large firebox is needed, which warms the air around it. For such a stove it is not necessary to make a heater, and if one is made, it is small and not closed, because such a bath does not need much steam.

In a Russian bathhouse, on the contrary, the stove should produce a kind of fog with a temperature of 150 degrees. This effect can be achieved using stones heated to at least 500 degrees, preferably in a large closed heater placed on top of the firebox.

What result should you get from a metal stove:

speed of heating of the steam room;
Maintain heat in the stove and sauna longer - this will help to increase the size of the firebox and (or) create a heater located inside or outside the stove;
saving space in the steam room;
safety.

Types of construction

The fuel unit itself, due to high temperature loads, is made of heat-resistant raw materials with good heat transfer: thick-walled steel, heat-resistant (fireclay) bricks, stone.

Homemade iron stoves for baths can be divided according to design features.

The combustion body is located vertically or horizontally to the floor;

The stove is two-chamber with vertical loading of firewood, the heater is located in the stove body. A stove with three compartments and horizontal loading of wood, a heater and a water tank are located above the firebox next to each other:

metal stoves with a firebox door located in the dressing room or located in the steam room;
with a heater located inside or on top of the stove;
a stove with or without a water tank.

A stove with a vertical firebox takes up less space in the steam room, but the wood also burns out faster, since the flame engulfs the entire volume of the firebox. To maintain a constant air temperature in the steam room, you will have to add firewood more often, which, of course, does not provide comfort at all. In a firebox located horizontally, it will take longer to burn the fuel; however, such a stove takes up more space in the steam room, so it is better to move the firebox to the dressing room. Stoves heated from the dressing room take up less space in the steam room, the firebox can be made longer, which will allow the wood to burn longer and the steam room will be cleaner. A stove placed in this way will heat both the steam room and the dressing room, but in order to add firewood, you will have to leave the steam room.

To understand what a stove with an internal or external heater is, you need to understand what a heater is. This is a compartment made of metal or large mesh into which stones are loaded. Heaters can be open or closed. The volume of the compartment is determined by the owner himself based on the size of the room, the stove and his desire - the larger the volume of stones, the more steam is produced. It is important that the stove can heat the stones to the required temperature, for a steam room of 14 square meters. m, a heater measuring 30x40x30 cm is enough. To service a closed heater, you need to provide a hatch in the upper part of the compartment for stones, through which you could reach its bottom.

Let's look at the most affordable options for sauna stoves made of metal:

with a horizontal firebox, heated in a steam room (made from an old gas cylinder);
with a heater and a firebox door located in the dressing room (made of 530 mm pipe);
with a boiler located vertically and three compartments;
a stove lined with fireclay bricks inside the firebox or red bricks outside;
in the shape of a boot, made of sheet iron with a heater located in the chimney and a stainless steel water tank.

To transform an unnecessary cylinder with a diameter of 500 mm into a small mobile sauna stove with a horizontal firebox, you will also need scraps of rolled metal. The design of the second stove differs from the first only in the presence of an open heater and a wood-burning combustion compartment opening into the adjacent room. The third stove is a boiler with three compartments: a firebox for wood, a heater located inside, and a tank for heating water made of stainless steel.

Great connoisseurs of the Russian bath understand that it is difficult to heat the heater until light steam is created and maintain the room temperature no more than 70 degrees. You can achieve the desired effect, eliminating temperature overheating of the steam room, by lining a metal stove with heat-resistant material. The walls in such a stove do not heat up much, the main heat goes to heating the heater filler, but this design carries an increased fire hazard due to the high temperature in the chimney. This danger can be reduced by installing a heater and/or water tank around the chimney. It’s easier to line the outside of the stove, but then the metal walls quickly burn out. You can slow down this process by using thicker metal or leaving a gap between the lining and the metal stove.

The design of the boot-shaped stove also has three sections, but the firebox is horizontal, the heater is located in the chimney itself, which eliminates the temperature loss of the chimney and thereby allows heating up to 24 square meters. In this design, the smoke exit is delayed by the heater, as if enveloping it, this warms the stones and does not allow the heat to immediately evaporate. This reduces the time it takes to heat the room to maximum temperature, allowing you to retain heat for a long time, and, accordingly, saves firewood.

If the design of the stove in the bathhouse does not provide a water tank and there is no possibility of installing an electric water heater, make a steel heat exchanger, install it on the chimney, connect it with pipes to the water tank, which is located in the washing area, and the thermal energy released by the chimney will be beneficial .

Heat exchanger made of stainless steel with embedded inserts for connecting hoses or tubes using clamps: The interior of the bath usually consists of wooden elements, and the stove is heated to high temperatures. To ensure the safety of people in the steam room from burns and to prevent fire, the stove must be covered.

Ways to protect wooden elements and people:

make brickwork on three sides, separating the stove from the wooden elements;
cover the stove with a frame made of thin stainless steel with holes that improve air exchange.

Schemes and sizes

Purchasing ready-made grates and doors will speed up and simplify the process of making the stove, but then the holes in it must correspond to their size. Hand-made parts will be the size you need. The simplest method of making a stove is to use a gas cylinder.

A drawing for making such a stove from an old cylinder

Making a stove using a pipe as a body is also not difficult, since the air flow flowing around the walls of the body improves heat transfer. A body with virtually no seams is more reliable, will last much longer, and a round firebox is more convenient to clean. To calculate the length of the remote firebox, you need to know the thickness of the adjacent wall.

Drawings of a metal stove with a body made of 530 mm pipe, the firebox door is located in the adjacent room:

A three-in-one furnace with a vertically located boiler is also made from 530 mm pipe. The difference between this stove and previous versions is not only in its location relative to the floor. It contains three sections: a firebox, a heater and a water tank, located vertically, one above the other. The firebox heats the stones, and from them the water is heated. The heating of stones and water uses the temperature of the chimney, it is located inside the heater and water tank. The volumes of the chambers can be changed at your discretion, but you must understand that as you increase the size of the firebox, you will need to add firewood less often, since they will burn longer. A large heater will take longer to warm up and maintain its temperature for longer.

Drawing with dimensions of a vertical oven with three chambers

For the stoves of the first two options, you can install a water tank and a heater on top, only next to each other, and not on top of each other. So the number and size of the chambers in your stove will depend on how much and at what temperature you like to steam and how much water you need at the desired temperature.

The body of a stove of almost any design and size can be lined with brick on the outside, but it is easier if it has a simple configuration. The main thing is that it is made of structural or heat-resistant steel of large thickness. The inside of any firebox can be lined with bricks, but this is much more difficult. Immediately provide a larger firebox, taking into account the brickwork, and eliminate the increased fire hazard in the manner described above.

A boot-shaped sauna stove can also, at your discretion, have the dimensions you need of both the stove itself and its sections. The design of this stove is carried out by welding parts cut from sheet iron (5 to 10 mm thick), a stainless steel water tank and a heater located inside the chimney.

Manufacturing stages

Instructions for making a simple stove from an old cylinder:

unscrew the valve from the cylinder with a regular wrench of the required size;
fill the cylinder with water to displace the remaining gas and avoid an explosion;
Using a grinder, we cut off the upper part of the cylinder along the seam;
we make holes in the cut-off part to install doors and in the housing for the chimney pipe;
We weld the grate bars from metal rods, install them on the corners welded in advance in the cylinder;
We weld the previously cut off upper part of the cylinder into place;

we attach door hinges and latches to the doors;
we cut the legs to the required size, use a 40 mm pipe for this and attach them to the bottom of the body;
install the chimney pipe;
We melt the manufactured stove in the open air to burn out the remnants of the previous paint;
degrease, coat with heat-resistant enamel, dry;
We install the furnace in a permanent location.

The manufacture of a metal stove with a firebox door located in the adjacent room begins with cutting metal elements according to the previously presented drawing:

cut out a place in the upper part of the pipe for the chimney pipe, weld it;
We weld the legs at the bottom of the pipe;
we insert grate bars made according to the same principle as in a gas cylinder;
we make the front section according to the dimensions, weld it to the firebox;
We close the opposite end of the pipe by welding with a piece of metal of the required size;
We make doors, insulate them with basalt wool, weld them and install handles in the designated place.

Assembling a furnace with a vertically located “three in one” boiler from a 530 mm metal pipe:

cut out the bottom, lid, compartment partitions from metal 5 mm thick;
prepare the edges of the pipe;
We weld the grates according to the diameter of the pipe;
we cut out three holes where the hatch for loading stones, doors for the firebox and ash pan will be located;
we make round holes in the already prepared partitions, fix them in the pipe to divide the oven into sections;

We attach one part of the loop to the upper part of the pipe, which will serve as a container for water, by welding, attach the second part to the lid, and attach a faucet to the lower part of the container;
we make canopies for the doors, weld them to the prepared holes;
we make the doors from semicircular pieces of pipe, cut to size, and attach them to the awnings;
insert the chimney pipe.

We line the outside of the metal stove with bricks:

We build a brick screen (sarcophagus) from red ceramic bricks. Don't forget about the gap for air circulation between the walls.
To access the doors, leave windows or, better yet, make doors; they will regulate the temperature in the steam room.
We line the firebox with fireclay (heat-resistant) bricks on a mortar of fireclay cement, and place the brick on its edge. The thickness of the masonry depends on the size of the brick (available with an edge of 3-6 cm).

The finished stove in the form of a “boot” turns out to be heavy, so it is better to weld the main parts separately and carry out the installation on site, like a designer. Let us warn you right away that it is difficult to cut metal parts of such thickness using a cutter, grinder, and especially a hacksaw without defects. It is better to contact an organization that has a guillotine (as a rule, these are metal collection points), this will save you time and nerves, but will increase the cost of the product. The design of the furnace includes four sections in the form of metal boxes of the correct shape. The first section (firebox) is connected to the second (chimney) using a fastening mechanism, the third (stove) will be installed in the second section, and the fourth (water tank), made of stainless steel, is placed in front of the second box.

Let's start production:

marking blanks on metal;
cutting blanks of the required sizes (four boxes) using a guillotine;
we fold the walls of the boxes, number them so as not to confuse them;
we assemble and lightly weld the parts of the section with the bottom wall;
using a grinder, cut a hole in one wall to allow steam to escape freely;
another small one is made above this hole, bolts are attached to it on all sides, we install a door on them and tighten brass nuts (brass does not oxidize);

we first wrap the door with asbestos thread for tightness, soot and soot are periodically removed through it;
at the bottom of the second box, 5-6 cm away from the edge, 2 to 4 holes are made, pipes are inserted into them;
in the first section from the end we cut out a place for the fire door and ash pan. We make a hole on top for installing the second section, along its edge to strengthen the hole we weld a corner on one side, and on the other three pre-prepared plates about four centimeters wide;
the plates are welded to the inner and outer surfaces with a slight indentation from the edge and a gap for installing the second section;
to strengthen the places prepared for the doors, in the first and third sections we weld one plate on each side;

between the firebox and the ash pan we place a grate made of steel rods;
We weld the grate bars for better combustion of wood parallel to the ash pit;
to strengthen the third box (stove), we weld small metal gussets to it;
attach a cover with a pre-cut space for the chimney pipe;
We weld the so-called “skirt” to the place where the chimney pipe will be installed;
install the heater (third box) in the second section on the tubes previously inserted into it;
Having assembled and once again checked all sections of the stove, we perform the final welding of our structure. The seams must be welded very well to prevent the bathhouse from becoming smoked by carbon monoxide.

Decorative finishing

A stove in a bathhouse is not only a source of heat, steam, and increased danger, it can also be a decoration for the room.

If you only care about the safety of the stove, then it is enough to paint it with modern paint to protect the metal from corrosion. The use of heat-resistant enamel based on silicone paints is no different from conventional enamels, but protects metal at temperatures up to +800 degrees. The metal is degreased and then paint is applied. After the first layer has dried, the next layer is applied. It is recommended to paint those metal elements that will be covered with brick and insulation.

The decoration of the stove in the bathhouse can perform a purely decorative function in the form of forged decorations and additional decorative elements of the stove itself. You can use heat-resistant paints of various colors with an antique effect. Decoration can also be used to eliminate the increased danger of a sauna stove.

The stove can be lined with red brick masonry (we have already considered this method), but the masonry on the sides can be decorative, in the form of a grid. On the firebox side, the stove can be covered with a screen made of forged elements or simply with a beautiful mesh fixed in the frame.

It can be covered with a beautiful casing, also covered with heat-resistant paint, in the color you like.

A stove lined with heat-resistant stone will look impressive; this will not only give a noble look to your product, but will also improve the quality of the stove itself.

The decorative decoration of your bathhouse stove depends only on your desire, taste and wallet size.

Installation

To install a metal stove in a bathhouse, you need to start by preparing a site for it. Such a stove weighs less than a brick stove; it does not require a foundation, but it has a greater fire hazard due to the high temperatures reached due to prolonged burning of wood.

The site for installing the furnace is prepared at least twice as large as the area occupied by the furnace itself, and consists of several layers located from bottom to top:

asbestos coating;
stainless steel;
six-centimeter heat-resistant brick;

There is another option:

we dig a shallow pit, maintaining the same proportion in terms of area;
pour sand, crushed stone, compact it;
fill it with cement mortar and wait for it to harden;
We spread roofing felt as thermal insulation;
We check the plane with a level, it is better to make a slight slope towards the drain;
lay out two rows of red bricks.

To prevent fire, the stove should be placed no closer than one meter from walls and easily flammable objects. The walls around the stove are plastered, lined with bricks, sheathed with sheets of iron or mineralite, and a firewood storage area is separated. If the firebox is removed from the steam room, the opening is also protected from fire by non-combustible materials.

The location for creating the hole for installing the chimney must be provided during the construction of the bathhouse. Creating elbows in the chimney will cause soot to be deposited in such parts of the chimney, which will worsen the draft in the stove. If it is impossible to eliminate such places in the chimney, consider dismantling this area to clean it.

The chimney channel should be made of a double wall sandwich filled with basalt wool. As insulation, you can use a square water tank, which is installed in the ceiling.

Having installed the stove in place, we fill the heater with stones of basalt, river or sea pebbles, gabbro-diabase, soapstone, porphyriate, dunite, white quartz, crimson quartzite. It is better to choose flat stones and place them on the edge in the heater. Do not use stones with red veins or inclusions (this is iron), it is harmful to health when oxidized.

If you start heating a stove in a sauna and it smokes, a possible reason for this is poor draft. To test it, take a piece of paper, set it on fire and bring it to the firebox. If the flame does not reach the stove, prepare for repairs. Cleaning the chimney is not difficult - disassemble it and use a metal brush, dustpan and broom to remove debris and soot. It is advisable to clean the chimney every year in the summer so that an unpleasant problem does not catch you at the most unexpected moment - in 30-degree frost or when friends come to take a steam bath. If the chimney pipe is burnt out or rusted, this section that has become unusable should be replaced.

Another reason for poor operation of the stove and chimney (if it smokes) may be the insufficient diameter and height of the chimney pipe. The required pipe diameter is at least 110 mm, and the chimney height is three meters.

An iron stove in a bathhouse will last longer without major repairs if it is regularly monitored: cleaned of soot, periodically coated with heat-resistant enamel.

Have fun!

To learn how to make a metal sauna stove with your own hands, see the following video.

To get the most optimal temperature in the bathhouse, you need to have a properly selected, good stove. At the same time, the choice and arrangement should be taken very responsibly, because the chosen stove for the bath will affect not only the air temperature, but also its humidity.

If you use a low-quality stove, you will never be able to create a good bathhouse, in which being in would bring rest, relaxation and relief from illnesses. And in order to choose a suitable stove, you should definitely figure out how the bathhouse differs from its closest “relative” - the Finnish sauna.

Connoisseurs know that between a real Russian bathhouse and, for example,

There is a real abyss. In saunas, air humidity is relatively low, but the temperature can reach 110-130 degrees. In the bathhouse, the temperature usually does not rise above 70-90 degrees. Only under the very ceiling, where extreme sports enthusiasts prefer to steam, does it approach the mark of a hundred degrees. But the humidity in a Russian bath can be 50-70 percent.

Therefore, the bath has a gentler effect on a person than a sauna. Moist air with the aroma of oak or birch leaves allows you to get rid of diseases that affect the respiratory tract. And the relatively low temperature (with high humidity, 60 degrees is perceived no worse than 120 degrees in a sauna) does not put much strain on the heart, stimulating the release of sweat containing salts and toxins.

Also, unlike a sauna, which heats up quite quickly and cools down quickly, a bathhouse takes longer to warm up, but retains heat for a very long time.

Having dealt with these subtleties, you can begin to choose a suitable stove.

What requirements must the oven meet?

Today you can see a variety of stove models on sale. They may vary in size, design and materials. You can buy a stove made of brick or metal, suitable for heating a small or large room. But you should make the final choice only after you have decided on the size of the bathhouse and steam room itself.

An approximate list of requirements for a sauna stove:

Compactness. In most cases, baths are small in size, which allows them to be heated relatively quickly.
Fire safety. All the upholstery in a good bath (floors, ceilings, walls, shelves) is made of wood. Therefore, in some cases, one spark is enough for the whole thing to flare up.
Power. This indicator is selected for a specific bath. A stove made of metal or brick must have sufficient power to quickly heat the bathhouse, heat the required amount of water, provide steam and hot air to bathhouse visitors, and also efficiently dry the steam room after all procedures are completed.

Yes, a sauna stove must meet only three main criteria. But if she doesn’t answer at least one, then she’s not suitable. It’s better to look for another model; fortunately, the modern market offers a huge selection.

Today, when you come to a specialized store, you can see two types of devices: steam generators and classic heater stoves.

Steam generators resemble huge electric kettles in design, usually square or rectangular in shape. Almost all models have a power control function. The heater stove can be replaced with it, or supplemented to humidify the air to the optimum level. However, steam generators are relatively little known to most people, and in addition, they differ sharply from conventional heater stoves. Therefore, despite their convenience and ease of use, they are little popular.

Installation diagram of a steam generator in a bath

Heater stoves are usually divided into two groups - closed and open. The former are most often made of stone or brick. They are the ones best suited for.

What are modern sauna stoves like?

Experts divide all modern stoves into two categories based on the type of energy used: wood stoves and electric heaters. Each of them has certain advantages, which you should definitely know about in order to avoid mistakes when choosing the right model.

The design of a metal stove can be very different. Some of them are made using handicraft methods, from scrap materials and using gas welding. Others are created in factories and have a special design developed by professionals. But they all differ in how quickly the temperature rises. It is enough to lay dry, high-quality firewood and set it on fire, so that after 30-40 minutes the temperature in the bathhouse rises to a level suitable for washing.

The danger of carbon monoxide poisoning is completely eliminated. The stove is covered on all sides with metal, preventing smoke from entering the bathhouse. The stones from which the heater is made heat up as a result of the flame transferring heat to the iron, and the iron conducts them to the stones and gives off heat to them.

Alas, the classic metal sauna stove has a serious disadvantage. The heat capacity of such furnaces is not too high. They heat up quickly and, rapidly transferring heat to the room, quickly cool down. Because of this, conditions suitable for uniform heating of the body are not created. To correct this, experts recommend lining them with brick, leaving only a gap of a few centimeters for a layer of air. This not only allows you to retain heat for a long time (brick has a high heat capacity), but also reduces the risk of burns.

Construction of a stone stove for a bath

You can watch how to make a stove-stove with your own hands in this video

Building a stove that will be made entirely of brick is an expensive process. In addition, you will also spend quite a lot of time on the construction of such a serious structure.

You should also always consider the dimensions and. On the one hand, the stove should take up a minimum of space, and on the other hand, it should provide enough heat to heat several people. Below in the drawings you can see various designs of heater stoves that are suitable for almost any size bathhouse. Accordingly, the upper ones are for large baths, the lower ones are for small structures.

Diagram of a metal stove-heater

Here is a drawing of a stove that you can make yourself.

External brickwork;
Furnace frame;
Internal brickwork;
Wire clamps;
Water heating tank;
Chimney;
Heating stones;
Steam hatch;
Protective grille;
Plank;
Fire door;
Blower door;
Support metal sheet.

The diagram shows the most commonly used stove-stove design, which is suitable for any small bathhouse. It will create the necessary temperature in the room, which will allow several people to steam at the same time.

The metal frame of such a stove-heater is made of steel sheet with a thickness of 5 mm. You also need to place a tank for heating water directly on top of the stove itself.

In the cold season, such stoves can heat a room of 10 m3 in about 2 hours, while the temperature of the stones can reach and be more than 300 degrees Celsius.

In this video you can see how a simple metal stove-stove was made with your own hands

Design of a metal stove for a bath

Pure metal sauna stoves are no less durable and reliable.

Drawing of the simplest iron stove for a bath

It is recommended to line the iron stove with fire-resistant bricks to avoid serious injuries and burns instead of pleasure during bathing procedures. The stove can be made from ordinary sheet iron, but a more reliable and durable design can be made from chrome-plated steel.

Diagram of the design of a modern metal sauna stove made of chromed steel

Naturally, when arranging one should take into account everything that is mandatory when constructing any stove. Be sure to consult with experts about this point, even if you decide to build the stove yourself.

Another scheme for arranging a metal stove for a bath, which you can make yourself

Installation of a metal furnace

When installing a metal sauna stove, you must adhere to certain recommendations:

Today, many people have a bathhouse in their dachas and suburban areas. The bathhouse has been the main attribute of Russian life since ancient times and does not lose its popularity and relevance today. A bathhouse is a place where you can relax, unwind, wash and even spiritually cleanse yourself. The main thing in a bathhouse, of course, is the stove. A lot depends on the stove, so most often you want to make it yourself. The designs of brick or metal sauna stoves can be very different, but their main function is heating and maintaining heat and even heat in the room.

Classification of sauna stoves

A metal stove has a number of advantages

Recently, two methods of self-building a stove have been practiced:

brick;
metal.

When compared, a metal stove has a great advantage, since it is simpler to build and cheaper in terms of material costs.

Advantages and disadvantages:

a brick stove takes longer to burn than a metal stove, which means more fuel (wood) is consumed;
laying a brick stove without an experienced stove maker is somewhat difficult for an amateur;
a metal stove in a bathhouse heats up faster, which is unsafe in terms of fire, while a brick stove is practically not dangerous;
a metal stove is a more suitable option for small baths, while a brick stove has the advantage of spacious rooms due to the large space it occupies.

Construction of a sauna stove: main points

It doesn’t matter how the bathhouse itself is designed, the design of the stove is not much different. In all options, except for the outdated black bath, the firebox is located in the dressing room, and the rest of the part should be in the steam room itself to ensure maximum heating of the room. This is due to the fact that the stoker does not have to constantly open and close the doors in order to add fuel, and the heat accumulates inside the bathhouse.

Furnace design

As a rule, all sauna stoves can be divided into two types. The first are continuous furnaces. Such a stove will need to add fuel all the time to maintain the desired temperature. Typically such ovens are made of metal. The main advantage of such a stove is that it warms up within half an hour, and then can provide heat directly to heat the bathhouse.

If your bathhouse is small, then installing a metal stove would be the right decision. In addition, you can buy a ready-made version of such a stove, so you do not need to carry out complex work on its manufacture. Such stoves can use not only wood as fuel. There are options that work quite well using natural gas or electricity. Of course, with such fuel, the unique aroma that we are used to feeling in the bathhouse is lost, but there is a minimum of hassle with such a stove. You just need to turn it on.

Brick oven requires skill

A brick oven is much more complex and troublesome to build. This type of oven is usually designed for temporary use. Due to its size, as well as the ability of the brick to hold high temperatures, it is quite possible to heat the stove once so that the heat is maintained throughout the evening.

The main disadvantage of such a stove is that it takes a long time to heat it. If you plan to steam in the evening, then you need to heat the stove during the day, because usually the heating process takes about five hours, depending on the size of the sauna and the stove itself. It should also be noted that the complexity is caused by the large weight of the brick structure. For such a stove you will need a high-quality massive foundation, which makes it impossible to build a bathhouse on poles, as many people like to do.

Options for metal sauna stoves

The old “potbelly stoves”, due to high fuel consumption and low heat transfer, have long become a thing of the past. Modern metal sauna stoves can be divided into three main groups.

Closed stoves, the peculiarity of which is a small heater in the middle (on the grate) and brickwork, which is done not only outside, but often also from the inside of the stove and mounted on metal ponds.
Open stoves have an open heater, but a smaller water tank, and to increase heat transfer, the heater in such a unit is covered with a sheet of galvanized iron.
Combined stoves, which have a blower, a firebox with a valve and a grate.

As for the type of stove, you can choose between a regular wood stove with a real fire, a stove with an electric heating element, a stove using gas as fuel, as well as stoves that use alternative fuels, such as pellets (compressed sawdust). It depends on the owner's preferences. As for “new” technologies, not everyone is ready to entrust their bathhouse to them and still prefer real live fire and fuel-wood, even if such a unit will have to wait longer to warm up.

Furnace construction work

Building a metal furnace will not be difficult, the main thing is to have drawings, a welding machine, a tool for cutting metal and certain skills.

It is worth noting that according to the plan, the structure will be closed, so if you want to turn up the heat, you will have to open the door. When building a stove, all safety criteria must also be observed. If you do not have experience and knowledge in this matter, it is better to play it safe and carry out all work under the supervision of a professional or knowledgeable person.

We are building the foundation

Unlike a wood-burning brick stove, installing a metal stove does not require much preparation. However, due to the significant weight of the entire structure, a reliable foundation will need to be prepared for it.
The base for the stove - let's call it the foundation - will extend slightly beyond the space of the stove itself; an “allowance” of 5-10 cm on each side will be enough. The foundation is prepared according to a standard scheme, which includes:

digging a pit with a depth of at least 50-60 cm;
creating a cushion from sand, gravel, construction waste: 20-30 cm. Let us remind you that the use of wood waste is not allowed here to avoid rotting;
organization of waterproofing (a layer of roofing material is suitable);
pouring a cement screed - 20 cm. Drying of the concrete should take at least 10 days;
laying out the foundation pit with bricks to the level of the entire floor of the bathhouse, leveling.

A metal stove on such a base will be securely fixed, the soil underneath will not shrink, and the unit will perform its functions properly.

Safety requirements for installing metal stoves

Since the bathhouse is mainly built from logs or timber, its design involves a high fire hazard. When building the bathhouse itself, as a rule, the standard distances from the bathhouse to other buildings in this and neighboring yards are taken into account.

The same goes for the oven.

The stove must be installed at a distance of at least 20 cm from wooden walls or other wooden structures in the room.

The wall near the stove should be treated with a fire protective agent or laid with a special metallized coating (isover) to protect against fire.

You can protect the space around the oven with a special screen. Also, to protect against heat and fire, metal stoves are often lined with bricks or stones. In addition to practical interest, it also plays the role of a decorative coating.

Structure of a metal furnace

Probably everyone can imagine what a metal sauna stove looks like. This is a rectangular box with cameras arranged in a special way. It is divided vertically into a ash pan, a firebox and a heater, with a pipe running above it. A hot water tank is welded horizontally from one or another wide side to the stove, since the design of a homemade metal sauna stove is usually such that the heating of the sheets from the fuel simultaneously causes heating of the water in the washing room or steam room.

The heater is filled with stones, but their choice must also be approached carefully, because not all rocks retain and release heat as required for bathing procedures.

Preparing and assembling the oven

To make a metal stove with your own hands, take iron sheets at least 5 mm thick, since thinner ones will cool quickly and not fully perform their functions.

Mark the metal according to the drawing. Cut out all the parts with special tools.

Doors to the firebox

It is better to buy the doors to the firebox and vent separately.

Please note that the firebox door can be made of heat-resistant glass so that you can watch the fire while sitting in the dressing room (fireplace effect). This will promote relaxation and rest.

The experience of stove makers and bathhouse construction specialists shows that, although the stove can be mounted in a variety of shapes (oval, round, combined), the traditional rectangular stove holds the palm, as it is the most successful, time-tested design. Thanks to this shape, the corners of the oven do not get as hot as the main structure, and this prevents the oven from changing shape over time.

You can make a stove from a finished metal barrel - horizontal, or from a pipe - vertical.

But such ovens do not “hold their shape” well enough and are not always easy to use. For a small bathhouse that will be used by one family, the best option is a rectangular stove of standard sizes, with a heater located behind a small door and a water tank.

Tools you will need to make a homemade metal stove:

Bulgarian;
welding machine;
pipe 600 mm long with a diameter and a wall thickness of 9-10 mm;
steel sheets from 5 to 8 mm thick;
grate;
rod 10 mm thick;
door (if you buy a ready-made one, the latch is included);
latches;
tap;
heaters and blowers;
a chimney pipe at least 2 meters long (we will cut it into pieces).

To get started, you will need a piece of pipe.

We cut out a blower from a pipe measuring approximately 250 x 50 mm.
The grate will require fasteners, which should be welded above the hole itself from the inside.
Next, a hole for the firebox is cut, the size of which is approximately 250 x 350 mm.
On top should be attached a stable fastener for the heater rods, with a diameter of at least one cm;
We make a hole on the opposite side of the heater in order to be able to fill in water.
The heater can be filled with different stones, for example, diabase is suitable. You cannot fill the heater with simple granite, as constant temperature changes cause this stone to crumble.
All that remains is to weld the lid to the heater, initially providing a hole for the chimney there.
We install the pipe.

Installing a water tank

Iron stove

To complete the installation of the entire structure, you need to install a water tank. We weld the remaining piece of pipe to the heater. The main thing is not to forget in advance to weld the tap on the bottom of the tank. Next, all that remains is to make a lid at your discretion, in the shape of an oval or square, tightly fitting to the tank.

The final touch in making a stove with your own hands will be creating a brick house for it. The air circulating between the metal and the brick will contribute more evenly and in a shorter time, in addition, touching a hot stone is much less traumatic than contact with hot metal.

So, if you put in some effort, you will get a homemade metal sauna stove made to your individual dimensions and preferences. One can be proud of such an achievement, as a thrifty owner “with his hands”, who does not care about any difficulties.

There is probably not a single owner of a country house who would not want to build a real Russian or Finnish bathhouse on his property. To ensure that expectations coincide with reality, it is necessary to carefully consider the equipment and layout of the structure. And you definitely need to choose and install the stove correctly, because it is the heart of any steam room. Of course, you can buy a ready-made unit, but will the standard design allow you to realize everything you have planned? It is best to build a sauna stove that will fully meet all the owner’s needs with your own hands.

Homemade stoves for a wooden steam room: advantages and disadvantages

Almost all existing designs of homemade sauna stoves are not inferior to factory units in terms of appearance, efficiency and performance. In addition, they are easy to maintain and durable.

As for the possibility of saving space in the steam room, a home-made structure can be fit into an existing room more rationally. Although the choice of stove type depends mainly on the specifics of use (for example, if the bathhouse is two-story, then the stove can serve as a source of water heating) and the arrangement of the bathhouse premises, several general requirements can be identified:

Sufficient thermal power and the ability to adjust it.
Operational safety.
The presence of additional elements for redirecting convection currents.
Possibility of adjusting temperature and humidity.

All modern units for equipping steam rooms can be divided into two types according to the material of manufacture:

brick stoves;
metal heating devices.

To understand their performance characteristics in more detail, let’s take a closer look at each option.

Brick stoves for frame baths

Burnt brick has long been considered the best material for building sauna stoves. Even today, despite the availability of simpler and cheaper options, many people prefer a brick building. And not so much for its solid and presentable appearance, but for the ability to create an indescribable atmosphere of home warmth and comfort. No less important are other advantages of brick heat generators:

High heat storage capacity. The stove heats up quickly and even after the fuel has completely burned out, it retains heat for 6–8 hours.
Possibility to heat rooms of any size. Sauna stoves can have dimensions sufficient to heat structures with several rooms, including a steam room, a locker room and a room for gatherings with friends.
If the operating rules are followed, a brick stove is safer than any other open-flame heating device.

Such a stove is not without its drawbacks, which you have to pay for the unique atmosphere and comfort. And, I must say, they are no less significant than the advantages:

Difficult to install. To build such a furnace, bricklaying skills are required.
Higher cost. Most often, this factor is due to the need to buy refractory materials and furnace castings.
It takes a long time to heat up, so you need to melt it in advance.
Big sizes.

As you can see, brick is far from a clear choice for building a sauna stove. However, if you want to create not just a steam room, but a full-fledged place for rest and relaxation, then this design is optimal. In addition, it is quite possible to build it with your own hands, if you use the procedures and drawings of existing furnaces.

Metal sauna stoves

Some lovers of steam baths consider a metal stove in a bathhouse unacceptable for use. Nevertheless, it is necessary to seriously consider this option, since it has a lot of undeniable advantages:

The metal stove is compact and can be installed anywhere.
Installation takes a minimum amount of time. If you know how to use a welding machine, such a furnace can be built in a few hours.
Low cost. To make a stove it is not necessary to buy sheet metal. You can use various metal containers, pipe scraps, car rims and other scrap metal.
Instant heat dissipation. A steel stove begins to radiate heat immediately after lighting, and will warm up the room in a matter of minutes.

If we talk about the disadvantages of iron sauna stoves, there are few of them. The faster it warms up, the faster it cools down. The temperature in the room will begin to drop immediately after the wood burns out. Of course, a massive heater can alleviate the situation somewhat, but even with it, metal stoves cannot compete with brick stoves in terms of heat transfer. Another disadvantage is the danger of getting burned on hot walls, although this can be easily eliminated by installing a protective screen.

The best option, capable of combining all the advantages of metal and brick sauna stoves, are combined ones (made of steel and lined with red brick). At the same time, the requirements for the tightness of masonry joints are reduced, and there is no need to construct a massive foundation.

Choosing a stove for a steam room: types of designs

To make the right choice, you need to have an idea about other features of sauna stoves. Today we can talk about classification according to the following criteria:

heating rate;
layout features;
method of heating the heater;
fuel used.

Depending on the temperature of the outer walls, all sauna stoves can be divided into “hot” and “cold”. In the former, the surface temperature reaches more than 100°C, which allows you to very quickly heat a large area. Such a stove is indispensable if the steam room is used occasionally, and constant heating is not provided in it. But the advantages of such structures also entail significant disadvantages. Firstly, touching hot walls can cause burns. Secondly, rapid heating is difficult to control, so the likelihood of accidental overheating of the air increases, and, as a result, getting heatstroke.

“Cold” stoves require longer heating, but the temperature of their walls, even with the most intense flame, does not rise above 50–60 degrees. It is impossible to accidentally burn yourself on it. In addition, the ability of “cold” stoves to accumulate heat allows you to maintain the desired air temperature for several hours. This makes it easier to operate structures intended for regular use. It is also important that heating extended over time allows you to set the optimal temperature and humidity in the room.

As for the layout, there are options for placing the stove both in the steam room itself and in the dressing room. The first design is certainly cheaper and easier to install. However, it has several disadvantages. So, when opening the door to add fuel, smoke may come into the room. In addition, due to high humidity, it will not be possible to store firewood next to the stove, and each time it will not be very convenient to run to another room to get it. The safety of the structure will also suffer, since in a cramped steam room the risk of touching a hot door increases many times over. Therefore, it is better to install an external combustion part, which can be placed in an adjacent room, and leave only the heater in the steam room. Of course, this option has the right to life only if the bathhouse has sufficient area.

If we talk about the method of heating a heater, today stoves in which the stones do not come into contact with the fire are especially popular. They are placed in a special enclosure welded to the casing of the heating device, or in metal baskets that are placed on the walls or chimney. In this case, the temperature of the stones reaches 400 degrees. The advantage of this method is the ability to heat the stove and regulate air humidity simultaneously with taking water procedures.

Batch ovens are designed in a completely different way. In them, the stones come into contact with combustion products, so they are heated to a very high temperature - 1000°C or more. But you can begin health measures only after the firewood has completely burned out and carbon monoxide has been removed from the interior of the stove. And in order to prevent the heater from cooling quickly, it is covered with a casing or a hinged door.

Often, sauna stoves are also equipped with a water tank. It is installed mainly on the back of the structure, passing the chimney through the container. Thanks to the lower heating and high temperature of the flue gases, it is possible to obtain water in quantities sufficient not only for rinsing, but also for full-fledged water procedures in a wooden font.

Knowing all the features of sauna stoves, it is not at all difficult to choose the right design, focusing on the features of a particular building, operational requirements and personal preferences of the owner.

Calculations, diagrams, drawings

Some craftsmen prefer to build a sauna stove “by eye,” arguing for the simplicity and undemanding nature of the structure. But the thermal regime and quality of the steam depend on how correctly it is designed (if desired, you can always install a steam generator in the bathhouse). For example, with excess power, the air in the steam room will heat up very quickly, but the stones will remain cold for a long time. If the performance of the heating device is not enough, it will constantly overheat, which will quickly disable it.

The parameters of a sauna stove are calculated based on the actual cubic capacity of the room. To determine the volume of a steam room, three quantities are multiplied - its length, height and width. After this, adjustments are made related to the characteristics of a particular structure. So, for bathhouses with a bare frame, the obtained value must be increased by 1.5 times, and for each uninsulated square meter of surface (windows, doors, etc.) 1.2 m 3 is added to the volume of the room. For example, the actual volume of an unclad building measuring 2x2x3 m with a window (1x1 m9 and a glass door (1x2 m) (taken equal to V = 2x2x3x1.5+1.2+2.4 = 21.6 m3.

Experienced stove makers calculate the power of the stove based on the fact that for each cubic meter of the actual volume of the steam room, 1 kW of energy will be required. So, in our case, a 20 kW heating device is suitable. To calculate the size of its firebox, the resulting power is multiplied by 2. For example, in the example discussed above, a firebox with a volume of 40 liters will be required. As for the linear dimensions, the height of the combustion chamber should be no more than 2/3, and the depth should be no less than 2.5 of its width.

Photo gallery: projects of wood-burning sauna stoves

The order of a small sauna stove will help to correctly calculate the material Metal heater stoves can have a different location of the water heating tank The drawing of a stove for a steel bath needs to be made as detailed as possible Arranging a stove with an open heater will greatly simplify the masonry process A vertical sauna stove fits perfectly into a small room For a bath you can use pipes of any diameter The size of the steam room stove depends on the area of the bathhouse The chimney can also be placed on the side

Materials and tools

In order to build a brick oven, you will need:

red and fire bricks;
clay;
sand;
blower door;
combustion door;
grate;
cleaning doors;
asbestos cement slab;
stones.

Since a brick oven requires a solid foundation, it is necessary to pour a reinforced concrete foundation. To do this, additionally prepare cement and crushed stone, as well as metal mesh or reinforcing rods.

The sauna stove can be made of either brick or stone, using pieces weighing from 1 to 5 kg. Rubble, granite or smooth stone are suitable for these purposes, but flint should not be used - when heated, it cracks into pieces.

In your work you will need traditional stove maker or mason tools:

trowel;
hammer-pick;
bubble or laser level;
mooring cord;
plumb line;
construction square 40x40 cm
tamping;
plaster rule;
containers for solution and bulk materials.

To trim bricks, you can use a grinder with a stone circle. This will allow you to perform the masonry more accurately than when working with a hammer-pick.

If your choice is a metal stove, then prepare:

sheet steel 1 and 5 mm thick (it is better to use heat-resistant varieties);
grate;
metal corner with shelf 40–50 mm.

The doors can be made from the same metal or you can use store-bought ones, hanging them on hinges and latches. As a chimney, you can take a steel pipe with a diameter of at least 100 mm. Its length should be at least 4 m - this will ensure good traction. By the way, a metal chimney can also be used for a stone stove.

As for the tools, to build a metal heater you will need:

welding transformer or inverter;
angle grinder;
cleaning and cutting wheel for metal;
electric drill with a set of drills;
roulette;
scriber.

If the design of the sauna stove includes a tank for heating water, then you should additionally take care of a piece of large diameter pipe, threads and taps that may be needed to install a hot water supply system.

Preparatory work

Work begins with preparing the construction site. If the stove is installed in the wall between the steam room and the dressing room, then part of the wall is cut out. When placed in a corner, the walls are protected with mineral thermal insulation, after which they are lined with red brick. When choosing a location, you should definitely consider how the chimney will be installed - perhaps its installation will be hampered by floor beams or rafters.

How to correctly calculate and install the foundation

You should be aware that even a small metal stove is an impressive structure, not to mention brick structures weighing hundreds of kilograms. Therefore, the first thing to do is to build a strong, reliable foundation.

To build the foundation:

If you plan to install a metal stove with subsequent lining with red brick or stone, then the dimensions of the foundation must take into account the dimensions of the final structure.

Rules for preparing the solution

For laying a brick heater, you can use both factory mixtures and a simple clay-sand mortar. River sand and fatty clay are best suited for its preparation - it is more plastic, and during the drying process it forms a strong seam. To determine the amount of both components, an experiment is carried out. To do this, small parts of clay and sand are mixed in different proportions, after which balls with a diameter of about 5 cm are rolled out of the solution. Lumps of clay, dried for several minutes, are squeezed between two wooden planks, observing the beginning of cracking of their surface. The optimal composition is considered to be one in which the ball began to collapse only after it was compressed to 2/3 of its original size. If this happens earlier, then the amount of clay in the solution must be increased.

To obtain a high-quality solution, the clay is cleaned of impurities and thoroughly kneaded. After this, it is soaked in cold water for 24 hours.

Another way to determine the quality of the masonry mixture is to lower a wooden spatula into a bucket of mortar. The mixture should not drain immediately after removing the tool from the container - this indicates an increased sand content. If there is a lot of clay, the composition will spread unevenly over the surface of the blade, forming lumps. The optimal composition forms a layer 1.5–2 mm thick.

Cutting blanks

To build a metal furnace, a steel sheet with a thickness of at least 4 mm is used. To cut it with a grinder, you will need a lot of time and effort, in addition, you will have to spend more than one abrasive disc. If possible, it is better to cut the metal in advance using a gas cutter or plasma cutter. Even if you or someone you know does not have such equipment, do not despair. Now, any nearby enterprise or car service center will have everything you need, including a specialist who can help you.

Step-by-step instructions for laying the walls of a brick sauna stove with your own hands

The design of a good-quality and simple “cold” heater differs slightly from other brick stoves. The firebox is made of fireclay or other fireproof material, and an ash pit is installed under it. In the ceiling between the working chamber and the blower there is a grate necessary for supplying air to the combustion zone.

The differences concern only the arrangement of the heater. It can be installed “white” or “black”. In the first case, the stones are laid on top of a metal plate, while in the second type of stove the heater is in direct contact with the fire, as a result of which they heat the room much faster and provide hotter and drier steam (if desired, you can use a steam generator in the sauna).

Drawings and instructions for one of these furnaces give a complete picture of its internal structure and the features of the flue.

The following instructions will help you lay out the walls correctly:

The prepared foundation is covered with roofing felt, after which the “basement” or zero row is laid out dry. It is made entirely of red brick. The appearance of the sauna stove depends on how level the base is, so you should constantly monitor both the level of the structure and its geometric parameters.
The first and second rows lay out the shape of the stove and the configuration of the niches under the ash pan and heater. They are advised to be made from fire-resistant red brick.
An asbestos cement sheet measuring 550x650x10 mm is laid on top of the second row. It will form the bottom of the ash pit.
In the third row, the same stove is installed on the other side, under the firebox.
In the fourth row, a niche is laid out under the heater and the base of the combustion chamber is laid. The underneath and walls are made of fireclay bricks, after which a grate is installed.
The fifth row extends the combustion chamber and partially covers the bottom of the heater. A small opening in its lower part will be needed to drain excess water.
In the seventh row, a layer of stones is laid and the fire door is installed. To do this, pieces of steel wire are threaded into the ears cast on its frame. Then the cast iron part is installed in place and fixed with bricks, supports, etc. Before performing the next row, the wire is straightened and placed in the seams.
In the eighth row, a channel is laid out that connects the firebox to the interior of the heater. Thanks to it, hot gases will be directed to the stones.
Before laying the ninth row, a horizontal valve for the direct gas duct is installed.
In the tenth row, a vertical damper is installed, through which the heater can be isolated from the chimney. This will allow the flow of gases to be directed into the chimney along the shortest path. The rest of the stones are laid out here, after which the heater cover is made from a steel sheet 1 mm thick.
The combustion chamber is covered with a cast iron plate. Asbestos cord or basalt cardboard is used as a seal.
The eleventh and twelfth rows finish building up the furnace mass, preparing the base for the chimney.

The grate bars are not fixed, so to ensure their stable position, grooves are cut in the bricks of the bottom row.

After the stove is folded, install a water tank and a chimney.

Construction of a small iron stove

If you have even the most minimal experience in welding, a metal sauna stove can be built in just one day. The small dimensions (the length, height and width of this model are 900x800x600 mm) allow you to install the heater even in the smallest steam room.

The production of the stove is carried out in stages:

The sauna stove is installed in place and filled with stones, trying to lay them as densely as possible. After this, focusing on the height of the heater, the top cover is made from metal 1 mm thick. The stove can be heated immediately after connecting the chimney.

Video: how to weld a metal sauna stove with a boiler

How to cover a steel structure with hollow bricks: building a combination oven

If necessary, a metal heater can be lined with stone or hollow red brick. Thanks to the increased storage capacity, the heat from the stove will emanate much longer, which is especially important for devices with a heater equipped “in black”. The decision to encase the stove in a brick shell is made at the design stage, since the increased dimensions of the structure require the necessary allowances when arranging the foundation. While working, you should adhere to the following tips:

For masonry, only heat-resistant mortar is used - natural clay or a factory-made heat-resistant oven mixture.
The distance from the brickwork to the metal walls must be at least 100 mm. The air gap will protect the shell from high temperatures and make it possible to retain heat for several hours longer.
Vents are left in the lower and upper parts of the barrels - special openings, thanks to which the intensity of convection significantly increases.
The outer casing can be made either solid or by laying bricks in a checkerboard pattern.

In order to save material, the brick can be laid not flat, but on the edge. Of course, the heat capacity of such a casing will be lower. By the way, you can convert the oven into a “colder” category by installing external screens made of metal sheets. They will prevent you from getting burned on the hot walls and will enhance convection heat transfer.

Other design elements

Putting the stove back in place is not enough. It will function only if there is good draft, which will be provided by a properly constructed chimney. In addition, in a real bath there should be not only dry steam, but also a sufficient amount of hot water. To do this, the furnace is equipped with a tank for heating it.

Installation of a chimney (stove pipe) in a Russian bath

Its design depends entirely on what oven it is intended for. Thus, a massive brick unit needs a pipe with an increased flow area, while even a chimney with a diameter of 100 mm will provide draft in a small heating device. When calculating a chimney, experts recommend starting from the size of the blower opening, taking its cross-section equal to 1/2 the area of the window for air supply.

The thickness of the chimney walls, as well as the cross-section of the internal channel, should not be less than half a brick. During the construction process, two types of mortar are used - clay for building up the pipe array indoors and cement or lime for working outside. Thanks to the latter, masonry joints will not collapse under the influence of moisture.

Although the installation of a chimney for a sauna stove is subject to more relaxed requirements than for heating appliances in residential buildings, it must rise above the roof level by at least 0.5 m.

The stove can be equipped with a metal or asbestos pipe. It is important to make its lower part heat-resistant, for which a thick-walled steel or cast iron section is installed at a distance of at least 1 m.

Installation of a hot water barrel (liquid heat exchanger)

The sauna stove can be equipped with an open or closed water heating tank. If the building is connected to a water supply system, then it is better to install a sealed container, be sure to equip it with a safety valve configured to operate when the pressure in the system exceeds 3-4 atm. Otherwise, you will have to fill the water heater manually, through the opening in its upper part.

Heating the water in the tank is carried out in two ways. The first is that the container is installed at the back of the firebox or above it. The second involves installing a water heater on a chimney. Passing through the internal channel, heated gases give off their heat, quickly heating the water to a high temperature.

To make a boiler, use a steel sheet with a thickness of at least 3 mm, welding its joints with a continuous seam. The pipe that is installed inside must be thick, otherwise, due to high humidity and temperature, it will quickly become corroded.

If the building has running water (for example, if your frame bathhouse has a bathroom), then the tank can be replaced with a liquid heat exchanger. Its contour is welded from steel pipes with a diameter of up to 1 inch, installing the structure at the rear of the firebox. To prevent water from boiling, the heat exchanger is equipped with a bypass valve, from the outlet of which a pipeline is laid to the heater.

Video: how to lay out a brick stove with a built-in water heater

How to finish the stove depending on its type

External decoration will help to give the sauna stove individuality. It can be done in various ways - from simple jointing of brickwork to cladding with marble or granite slabs. It all depends on the taste and financial capabilities of the owner.

Photo gallery: examples of finishing stone and iron stoves of different sizes

The stove, lined with glossy slabs, looks like a fireplace Finishing with natural stone can be very unusual The firebox in the form of a fireplace portal looks unusual Granite is ideal for lining a sauna stove Flat stone can be used to decorate not only the stove itself, but also the adjacent wall A wooden fence, although not a full-fledged finish, can protect against burns A large structure can be built from facing bricks and simply unstitched seams

How to heat a stove with wood

Before heating the stove, it is necessary to close the heater channel and open the direct flue damper. This will significantly increase traction. Then firewood is placed in the firebox and afterburning is done using paper or rags soaked in kerosene or barbecue liquid.

After the firewood has ignited, it is necessary to open the valve of the channel that connects the firebox to the heater and close the direct gas duct. At this time, the stones should be covered with a lid.

The stove is heated until the temperature in the steam room rises above 60°C. After the firewood has completely burned out with a poker, be sure to check whether there is any unburnt wood in the corners of the firebox. If such pieces of logs are found, then you need to throw them away, otherwise they will smoke. The heat must be checked for the presence of blue flames. If they are, then you still can’t take a steam bath, because you might get burned.

Burning coals are thrown away in the same way as unburnt wood. After this, water is poured onto the heater, which will remove soot from its surface, and the walls and shelves of the bathhouse are washed from soot.