repurposing a wood insert for a sauna stove - thoughts?

[questforfire]

I have read that regular wood stoves are not optimal for saunas because they provide too much radiant heat, whereas sauna stoves ideally produce more convective heat that transfers to the rocks and then the air (or this is what i have understood). This lead me to wonder if a wood stove fireplace insert, which i believe is also built to favour convection rather than radiant heat, might be a better option to repurpose for a sauna - with some sort of rock container built around the top (and sides?)...Anyway, i know this is not a sauna forum, and i do plan to ask on a sauna forum, but it strikes me that there might be some people here who would have some good insights on the question - any input much appreciated

 

[Whitenuckler]

I have read that regular wood stoves are not optimal for saunas because they provide too much radiant heat, whereas sauna stoves ideally produce more convective heat that transfers to the rocks and then the air (or this is what i have understood). This lead me to wonder if a wood stove fireplace insert, which i believe is also built to favour convection rather than radiant heat, might be a better option to repurpose for a sauna - with some sort of rock container built around the top (and sides?)...Anyway, i know this is not a sauna forum, and i do plan to ask on a sauna forum, but it strikes me that there might be some people here who would have some good insights on the question - any input much appreciated

I take it this is located in a sauna building where you don't have power, and want a wood stove?

 

[questforfire]

yes - well, we are actually debating about that as well, but yes, assuming we want a wood stove. Ideally id like both and have thought of putting both in, to have the option of the convenience of electric, but also the option of running it without power (any input on that appreciated as well - people on sauna forums seem divided on the advisability of having two stoves - the main downside, apart from space considerations, seeming to be the heat that would be absorbed by the other stove, thus slightly longer heating-up time...)

Basically for now we are trying to DIY the sauna as cheaply as possible while still doing a proper solid build, and we happen to have an old insert lying around that isnt doing anything but taking up space right now, so that is how the idea came up. My thought was to install it for now, leaving space for an electric stove as well and the option of wiring it later on.

 

[Whitenuckler]

yes - well, we are actually debating about that as well, but yes, assuming we want a wood stove. Ideally id like both and have thought of putting both in, to have the option of the convenience of electric, but also the option of running it without power (any input on that appreciated as well - people on sauna forums seem divided on the advisability of having two stoves - the main downside, apart from space considerations, seeming to be the heat that would be absorbed by the other stove, thus slightly longer heating-up time...)

Basically for now we are trying to DIY the sauna as cheaply as possible while still doing a proper solid build, and we happen to have an old insert lying around that isnt doing anything but taking up space right now, so that is how the idea came up. My thought was to install it for now, leaving space for an electric stove as well and the option of wiring it later on.

Is this going in a detached separate building? Did you discuss with your insurance your plan? I don't think an insert would work out. Best to get a small top loader, or a wood sauna stove that was designed for that.
If this is going into an outdoor sauna, all the ones I have been in have been "homemade". The stove was made by a local welder, or perhaps purchased. The box and stovepipe are inside, and the stove door is outside.

 

[questforfire]

yes, detached building. So you think there would be safety issues?

 

[Whitenuckler]

yes, detached building. So you think there would be safety issues?

The safest would be to go electric if you can run say 15A 240V. As soon as you need to have a woodstove, you are going to have to get it done professionally, certified and all accepted by your insurance. In the "old days" insurance was not so picky, so guys were able to do it with some handy friends. You could get an electric sauna heater that will heat up rocks ect, or you could go carbon element heating panels.