Selecting the right stones for your sauna is essential for a safe and enjoyable sauna experience. As throwing “Löyly” to the sauna stones is the heart of the Finnish sauna experience, having the right sauna stones that are being inspected regularly, can either make or break the sauna experience. High-quality sauna stones are made from carefully sourced rock materials, ensuring they meet stringent quality standards. This guarantees they are safe to use at high temperatures and do not release harmful emissions.
Quality Assurance and Sustainability in Sauna Stones
Premium sauna stones are handpicked, pre-washed, and easy to replace. There are different types of sauna stones to choose from, based on the type of heater in question and the overall design of the sauna. Replacing sauna stones annually in public saunas is essential to extend the heater’s lifespan, reduce energy consumption, and maintain a clean and inviting environment. This practice also guarantees the best possible sauna and steam experience for all visitors.
Different Types of Sauna Stones
Olivine Diabase Stones
Olivine diabase is the most common and widely used sauna stone suitable for all heater types. This traditional stone is dense and durable, providing excellent heat retention and steam production. For public saunas for example, Harvia’s has Elite Pro Heavy Duty stones, made from premium Finnish olivine diabase. They are heat-treated at approximately 1000 degrees Celsius for a longer lifespan, making them an excellent choice for public saunas with frequent use.
Rounded Olivine Diabase Stones
These stones, resembling naturally rounded river stones, are ideal for finishing the top layer of your sauna heater. They provide a softer steam as water flows easily down to the lower layers, covering more surface area and producing more steam. For heaters with limited stone space, it’s recommended to place these rounded stones on top of similarly sized, angular stones. This combination ensures the best results for soft steam and efficient heating.
Black Volcanic Stones
Volcanic stones are fine-grained, dark gray stones that become almost black when wet, complementing black sauna heaters. With origins dating back around 2,000 million years, their dense and durable structure makes them a great choice for wood-burning saunas. Narvi, for example, recommends volcanic stones for their wood burning heaters due to the stone´s hardness and resilience.
Decorative Stones
White Decorative Stones for a Fresh Look
Tulikivi offers white decorative stones that can be placed on top of traditional sauna stones as an aesthetic element. These stones provide a clean, fresh finish to your sauna and deliver a soft steam experience. We recommend using only the amount needed to cover the bottom stones and arranging them loosely, avoiding contact with the electric heater elements.
Red Granite Decorative Stones for a Warm Ambiance
Harvia offers red granite stones that add a striking finish to the top layer of your sauna heater. Made from Finnish red granite, these stones bring a warm look and soft steam to your sauna. As with the white stones, we recommend placing them loosely in the top layer.
How to Check the Condition of Your Sauna Stones
Due to the extreme temperature fluctuations, sauna stones gradually break down over time. You can monitor their condition by for example inspecting the floor under the sauna heater. If you find small stone fragments, it’s time to check the stones in the heater compartment. Rearranging the stones at least once a year, or more often if the sauna is frequently used, is recommended. During rearrangement, tap the stones together to check their durability. If they sound hollow or show signs of cracking, it’s time to replace them. Be sure to remove any crumbled stone material from the heater’s base as well. Stones that are ready to be replaced, might have changed their appearance as well, in comparrison to the other stones and the look of brand new sauna stones.
Proper Arrangement of Sauna Stones
The arrangement of sauna stones, especially in electric heaters, significantly affects both safety of the sauna and its heating efficiency. Always, no matter the provider, refer to the installation and user manual provided with your sauna heater to determine the correct size and amount of stones. Electric heaters typically use smaller stones (5–10 cm in diameter) that fit well between the heating elements. For wood-burning stoves, use larger stones (10–15 cm in diameter) as the base layer, and smaller stones on top to create more surface area for steam production.
Before placing the stones, rinse them to remove any excess dust. Follow the specific instructions in your heater’s manual. Here are some general tips for arranging sauna stones for all types of heaters:
- Do not drop stones into the heater but place them carefully one by one.
- Arrange stones evenly but loosely to allow air circulation.
- Avoid piling stones too high on top of the heater. No need to create a “mountain” of sauna stones on top of the heater.
- Place long stones vertically within the heater compartment.
For electric heaters, you could also consider:
Try not to wedge the stones tightly between the heating elements, instead, support the heating elements with stones to prevent bending. The sauna stones can be placed so that they support each other instead of resting directly on the heating elements.
Conclusion
Choosing and maintaining the right sauna stones is crucial for optimal performance and safety. By following these guidelines, you can ensure a longer lifespan for your heater, a cleaner sauna, and the best possible sauna experience. Regularly check and replace your stones to enjoy safe, energy-efficient, and relaxing sauna sessions.
