Many bath owners are thinking about how to make a stove for it on their own. This solution has many advantages, including savings, and the ability to make a product with the required dimensions, and the high quality of the furnace. However, you should take into account a few nuances before you start making your own..
Peculiarities
Bath and sauna are far from the same thing, therefore the stoves for them will be completely different. If it is necessary to create a high temperature in the sauna, while the heat should be hard and dry, then in the bath the opposite is true. The temperature also remains high, but due to the high humidity, the heat turns out to be mild and the temperature is practically not felt. Such treatments are beneficial for both physical and mental health..
Most of the baths are made of wood, and the type of stove that will be installed there also depends on this. For example, oak baths are designed to create high temperatures, and brick ovens are most often built there..
Linden structures are extremely rare due to the fact that linden wood is a scarce product, and few people can afford such construction. The stoves here should not have strong power.. The heat should not be strong, since linden baths are classified as lungs. Of course, the simplest solution is to buy a ready-made stove designed for a certain area of the bath. However, many refuse this decision..
First, I don’t want to overpay. Indeed, a high-quality hand-built stove costs two to three times cheaper than the same option from a renowned manufacturer. Secondly, a hand-built stove allows the master to express himself. Thirdly, such a design can be made of any size and configuration, so that it fits perfectly into your bath. Stoves made according to personal measurements to order are very expensive, so it is much easier to make a stove yourself.
Pros and cons of homemade designs
Self-fabrication of a furnace structure has both advantages and disadvantages. It is necessary to take into account both those and others in order to soberly assess your strength and understand whether it is worth undertaking an independent production or it is better not to save money and order a ready-made solution..
So, the advantages include the following provisions:
- Attractive appearance, which can be varied at will. Those who have experience in welding, as well as in everything related to the independent manufacture of things, can make a truly unique design, which is not inferior in beauty to factory counterparts..
- Profitability. Homemade baths, arranged in the right way, are not inferior to factory ones in terms of fuel or electricity savings, if this option is chosen.
- High performance. A properly designed and built sauna stove has a high efficiency, so that no heat is wasted in vain – everything is transferred to the steam room.
- Easy to maintain. Homemade stoves are easier to maintain, since the person who makes them knows where what is, which places need to be cleaned more thoroughly, and which can only be slightly swept..
- Durability. Like factory ones, hand-made stoves last more than one year, and if we are talking about a brick one, then it can last for several decades..
- Save space. Due to the variability of the parameters, it becomes possible to rationally fit the stove construct into the bath, while not leaving too large gaps or taking up unreasonably much space.
As for the shortcomings, there are not so many of them, but still they are:
- If a homemade stove is made of stone, then it may be too heavy. This will require additional strengthening of the foundation, which will entail additional costs.
- There is a need to protect the environment, since the amateur stove-maker does not always have the necessary knowledge on how to reduce the temperature outside the stove..
- It is necessary to carry out all work with a high degree of professionalism, since an incorrectly made stove will not properly warm up the steam room and, in general, will bring more problems than joy..
The difference between the furnace and the boiler
Many people mistakenly believe that the stove and the boiler are one and the same. Indeed, it is somewhat easier to make a boiler than a furnace, but this does not eliminate the disadvantage that the boiler will never create the required temperature in the bath. The main purpose of the stove is to give off heat. It dissipates heat around or forwards it to a certain place, but does not concentrate inside itself.
With the boiler, everything is exactly the opposite. It pumps heat inside, and then transfers it through the pipes. However, the lion’s share of the heat is lost in the process of passing through the pipes, which is why the temperature drops dramatically, so the boiler is not able to properly heat the bath.
Thus, the choice in favor of a furnace over a boiler is obvious, although it turns out to be many times more difficult to manufacture. It is important that you do not be deceived when you come across assurances in numerous instructions that the boiler and the stove are one and the same..
Views
Today, homemade ovens are divided in many ways. These include not only materials, but also the location of the firebox, the presence or absence of fuel, the method of heating the stove. In order to properly assess the advantages and disadvantages of each of the available options, it is necessary to study them all..
It is important that not all of these types are available for a beginner master. Most require some experience and knowledge as to how exactly such structures should be made, what to focus on. Knowing what kind of stove you want to see in your bath will help you avoid people wasting time and energy adding those options that will not be used in the future. For example, a steam generator or a tank is not always necessary. The same goes for the dimmer, with which you can set the temperature.
The latter option is available only to either professional stove-makers or people who are well versed in the nuances of such technological devices and who have decided to build an electric stove..
Closed and open
The division of sauna stoves into closed and open ones is a fundamental factor that fundamentally determines the type of heat they supply. So, in closed ovens, stones are covered with a lid. This is done so that the stones do not cool down longer, giving off heat only as needed.. Whatever the temperature, in baths with a closed oven, the steam will be moist, soft, light.
In Russian baths, you can find such heaters much more often..
As for open ovens, then they are more typical for a sauna than for a bath. They give a hard heat, humidity is practically at zero. With all this, the stones are heated almost instantly to high temperatures..
It’s easier to build such a stove., since you don’t have to work on making the lid, however, for a bath, this option is not the best because of the dry hot steam. In the bath, wet steam is welcome..
By material
Material separation is the most obvious of all. There are not many options. To date, only metals and bricks are available for self-production..
Brick
The dream of many bath owners is a brick stove. This is due not only to its traditional and solid appearance, but also to its durability, ability to keep warm for a long time and other positive features. However, in order to lay out such a stove, you will have to work hard. Masonry takes a lot of time, besides, it requires some experience. Also you will need to purchase special materials: ordinary brick will not work.
An important disadvantage of brick oven structures is their weight. Small a stove designed to heat an average bath can weigh up to 300 kilograms, so the foundation under such a stove will need to be strengthened. However, this disadvantage is redeemed by the fact that such a stove is suitable for heating and a two-story bath, and not just to create a sufficient temperature in the steam room. In addition, aesthetically, such a stove looks the most attractive precisely because of its traditional appearance..
Many sauna owners cannot imagine their steam room without such an impressive design..
Metallic
Metal furnaces are a more common option due to the fact that it is much easier to build such a structure yourself. All you need is sheet metal, cutting and bonding tools, and welding skills. Thanks to such a simple set, metal options have gained such frenzied popularity among amateur stove-makers..
However, the oven cannot be made of any metal. For example, aluminum, which is so easy to work with, is categorically not suitable for these purposes. It bends easily even in a cooled state, and if you warm it up, it will be very warped and bend. As a result, the stove will lose its shape after the first heating..
Copper is not suitable for these purposes.. Copper furnaces are excellent in operation, but this non-ferrous metal itself is quite expensive, as a result of which it is cheaper to buy a ready-made unit than to assemble it by hand..
Steel
Steel stoves are easiest to make due to the fact that steel is a malleable material, but not too. Steel sheets are easy to handle, but difficult to bend by hand, so they are more preferable for building furnaces. But practice shows that steel furnaces have many disadvantages..
So, the steel heats up to the point where the heat becomes uncomfortable and hard, which makes it unpleasant to take such a bath. It is impossible to somehow eliminate this drawback, since this is the cost of using a steel case..
Among other things, the steel stove emits harmful infrared radiation, which generally negates the entire beneficial effect of the bath..
Steel stoves cool quickly, although they heat up quickly. You will need constant make-up to keep the temperature at least approximately at the same level..
You will also have to monitor what kind of firewood or other sources of combustion are used to maintain heat. If you use a heat source that has too high a combustion temperature, the stove may deform and no longer look attractive..
Cast iron
Cast iron stoves are wildly popular, since cast iron is the most well suited among all metals for making stoves. This is due to some specific features inherent in cast iron..
So, a cast iron stove heats up quickly enough. Not as fast as steel, of course, but faster than brick. At the same time, she also warms up the steam room quickly. Compared to a brick furnace structure, cast iron “works” twice as fast.
Cast iron stoves keep the temperature for a long time, emitting warmth that is comfortable for a person. The heat is soft, the steam is moist. At the same time, there is no harmful infrared radiation, which can negatively affect health.. In terms of service life, a cast iron stove can be compared to a brick.
Cast iron is not afraid of high temperatures, therefore, in theory, it is possible to create any temperature in the bath. Cast iron constructs do not deform even as a result of impacts, not to mention exposure to heat. In addition, cast iron units do not rust, which is an additional plus.
By energy carrier
As for what you can use to heat the bath, there are many options. Among them are both traditional and modern. It should be noted in advance that the manufacture of electric or combined ovens requires special skill. In the first case, you may need knowledge of engineering, in the second – the ability to combine several techniques at once in one product.
As a rule, such fuel options are chosen for home bath stoves that will not require a lot of money in the future.. Energy-saving technologies are used or raw materials are recycled. This is especially true for wood-burning stoves..
Some people heat the bathhouse with chipboards left over after repairs, however, this is strongly discouraged, since it is still more beneficial for health to choose real wood (oak, birch).
Electrical
Electric sauna stoves have appeared not so long ago. Today, factory counterparts are widespread. Few people dare to make such a structure on their own, fearing to make a mistake and spoil expensive raw materials. but much more often than electric stoves, you can find electric fireplaces. It makes no sense to make just an electric stove, since with moderate electricity consumption, it will warm up the steam room for too long, and for rapid heating, you will have to use too much electricity, which will negatively affect utility bills.
It is better to use the electrical make-up capabilities only to maintain the existing room temperature. Then a lot of electricity will not be spent, and you will not have to fight over a full-fledged electric oven, and maintaining the temperature at the required level will become much easier..
Wood burning
A favorite option that most prefers are wood-burning stoves. They are recognized as the best option for a bath, since the fumes from real wood firewood are good for health. It is easiest to build a wood stove: there are many schemes and ways with which you can do this..
Stone wood stoves work best., however, cast iron counterparts are also quite acceptable. So, a brick stove on wood does not cool for a long time, and if you use wood burning for a long time, then you can maintain the desired temperature at least all night.
However, it can be difficult to fold it correctly. This will require the help of a professional stove-maker, and there are very few of them on the market.. The wood stove can be made of steel or cast iron. If you have some experience, choose cast iron. It is more difficult to work with it, but the oven will turn out to be more reliable..
Gas
Today, gas ovens are almost as in demand as wood-burning ones. Combined options are often made, in which the stove can be powered by both wood and gas. However, such popularity of gas baths is explained not only by their ability to quickly and efficiently warm the air in the steam room..
Gas is one of the cheapest types of fuel, so you won’t need much money to buy it. Among other things, the gas stove does not have to be tidied up and cleaned as often as the wood stove, because the gas cannot clog the chimney or clog the fuel chamber.
Self-manufacturing of a gas stove is a rather complicated procedure, since many requirements will have to be taken into account, however, this guarantees high safety of using the stove in the future..
If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to refuse from making a gas stove, otherwise the bath can simply turn into a gas chamber.
By the location of the firebox
When the sauna stoves were just invented, the firebox was located inside the stove and there was no thought that it could be located in any other way. However, over time, people realized that minor modifications could completely change the furnace structure itself, as well as the air quality and heat in the steam room. This is how remote fireboxes appeared. Today, there are only two options for the location of the firebox – built-in and remote.
Each of the options has its own pros and cons, therefore, it is impossible to unequivocally determine which of the options is better. Each of them is suitable in a particular case, often remaining the only possible.
Built-in
The built-in firebox is used only when it is necessary to save space. It happens that you have to give up the presence of a dressing room when it comes to a very tiny bath. However, this is where all the advantages of this option end..
The built-in firebox has many times more disadvantages than advantages. So, the location of the firebox inside the steam room contributes to the fact that oxygen burns out in the room, which is already a little there.. The only way to fix the situation is to establish a ventilation system.. The oxygen will indeed increase, but this will lead to the fact that the temperature will drop significantly and the furnace will have to be heated more. As a result, oxygen will burn out again. It turns out a vicious circle.
Also, the prospect of throwing firewood if the firebox is inside the steam room does not seem tempting, since accidentally leaking coal can lead to the fact that the whole bath will flash like a match.
Portable
A remote firebox is much more functional, but it requires enough space for it. In this case, the chamber itself, into which the firewood is thrown, is located in a room adjacent to the steam room. The advantages are obvious: there is no risk of burning out from lack of oxygen, firewood is thrown from another room, so the risk of a fire is also minimized. Whatever the temperature in the bath, the microclimate will still be comfortable., since precious oxygen will not burn out and the heat will not seem hard.
A significant disadvantage is only that the bath must necessarily consist of at least two rooms, that is, have a larger area. However, this minus can be called a minus only with a stretch, since few people make a bath, consisting only of a steam room.
Another important note: it is better to place a fire extinguisher near the firebox just in case.
By the way the heater is heated
This point implies the placement of stones relative to the heat source. There are periodical and continuous heating furnaces. In continuous heating furnaces, which are more common today, stones do not come into direct contact with the exhaust gases. They are placed in a special container, which is located in the steam room itself. The stones of the middle fraction remain clean, you can pour a little water on them, to make the steam more humid. So, the maximum temperature of heating stones reaches 400 degrees, the steam turns out to be dry and hard, more characteristic of a Finnish sauna..
The intermittent heater looks quite different. Here, the smoke from the burning fuel passes directly through the stones, and then goes out through the chimney. This imposes certain restrictions: for example, you can not wash in the bath until all the fuel has burned out and all the carbon dioxide has been released, otherwise you can get addicted. In this case, the stones are heated to extremely high temperatures – 1000 degrees. Steam is generated as soon as you pour water over the stones. by the way, stones for such heaters must be large and rounded.
By the presence of a tank
Baths are often equipped with a water heater on the side. So the heat from the side walls of the stove does not go to waste, but heats up the water in the tank, which can then be used at will. The side tank also acts as a heat exchanger, thanks to which an optimal microclimate is achieved in the dressing room and steam room.
Another purpose of the tank is to heat the rest of the building. It happens that the bathhouse is located on the basement of the house. After the stove has been heated, it heats up the water well, which is then carried around the house through a pipe system..
Such impromptu heating radiators can be made by hand, if you further study how such a system works, what it is based on. Welding an ordinary tank on the side of the stove or near the chimney will not be difficult..
With steam generator
With regard to the device of the steam generator, this solution allows you to fill the room with heavy wet steam, as in a hammam, and without resorting to a complete alteration of the stove. The most interesting solution is to install a mini-steam generator in addition to a homemade sauna stove, which will save space, while coping with its task no worse.
In addition to the above, there are several more varieties of sauna stove structures that do not fall under any classification. One of them can be mobile oven. It has a much smaller size and weight, due to which it can be moved relatively freely from room to room.. Mobile stoves are usually equipped with a built-in firebox, since there would be more problems with a remote stove.
Top burning bath, or feeding – a design in which combustion begins from the upper tier of stacked firewood, gradually spreading to the lower rows. Such designs have been used since ancient times for Russian baths, since they allow you to avoid serious heat loss at the very beginning of combustion..
The fuel is used up gradually and smoldering occurs already at the time when the steam room is hot enough, and all that is required is to maintain the temperature.
What to look for when choosing?
Before making your final choice on any of the options, you need to evaluate it according to several parameters. Such careful preparation is required due to the fact that building a stove (especially a brick one) is a troublesome job and requires financial investments, so it is important not to make a mistake.
The assessment is based on the most obvious and common factors, and they affect both the choice of material and design..
Heating rate
How quickly the oven heats up is critical when it comes to a year-round sauna. If in summer there is practically no risk that the bath room will not warm up well enough, then in winter such a probability is extremely high.
So, in the summer you can heat the bathhouse in 3-4 hours, while in the winter you will need to spend 8-12 hours on it..
It is also important how well the stove keeps warm. For example, a steel structure heats up well, but cools down just as quickly, which negatively affects the time during which you can wash in the bath. A controversial issue – is it worth heating the bath for 3 hours in order to be able to steam in it for just an hour. Too much fuel will be consumed to maintain the temperature, which is inefficient from a financial point of view.
Layout
This implies the presence of a steam generator, a tank, as well as the location of the firebox relative to the furnace. All these nuances were discussed in detail in the section with classification..
Stove heating method
The contact of stones with smoke from heat sources plays an important role, since it depends on how soon it will be possible to wash in the bath. This affects the temperature and humidity of the air in the bath, as well as the microclimate. Some varieties are more suitable for saunas, others for Russian baths, but recently the most popular are combined options, when you can vary the humidity at will. Intermittent heaters with a miniature steam generator are most suitable for this..
However, if you need to receive steam only of a certain type (for example, if you are a fan of the Finnish sauna and only it), then it would be more logical to save money and build a heater without any additions, but only one that would be provided with the necessary parameters.
Fuel used
Decide in advance what you want to fuel your oven. The complexity and high cost of manufacturing the stove largely depends on this. So, the easiest option to implement is a wood-burning structure, since you do not have to resort to technical improvements..
The best solution would be to combine the ability to feed from multiple power sources in one oven. For example, when one is over, you can use the other. The most popular is the combination of gas and wood make-up.
In addition to the above, there are several other factors that are not so extensive, but also significant. These include the temperature power of the oven.
It makes no sense to make a stove that is too powerful for a small bath, but too small a structure will not cope with heating a large room. Be sure to correlate the square of the bath with the heat output of your product..
The wall temperature of the furnace unit is also not in the last place in importance. Not so long ago, the so-called “cold” stoves appeared. They take much longer to warm up, but their outside temperature never exceeds 60 degrees, while inside it can be several hundred degrees higher.
Blueprints
Drawing up a drawing is an important and responsible step. Without proper education, it is almost impossible to draw up a competent drawing, and without a correct drawing it is impossible to build a good furnace. Fortunately, there is a simple solution – use a ready-made scheme. They are freely available in abundance, so you can choose the most suitable.
Another option is to order the production of a drawing according to your own measurements.. This solution has several advantages:
- such a unit will ideally fit in the bath niche that you took under it;
- there will be all the necessary additions (for example, a tank);
- the connection diagram of the parts, as a rule, is immediately indicated on the drawing, so you will avoid difficulties.
The cost of such a custom option is not so high, so you can easily afford it. The money spent on the purchase of the circuit will allow you to save a lot of effort, time and nerves in the future..
Materials (edit)
As mentioned above, today there are only a small number of materials from which bath heating structures are made..
This is due to the specific requirements that are put forward for them:
- ability to withstand high temperatures;
- not susceptible to corrosion, decay;
- incombustibility;
- acceptable price;
- durability and others.
Because of this, the list was reduced to only two items: brick and metal. Stone stoves were and remain the most preferred option for Russian baths, but metal is much cheaper and easier to work with. This led to the fact that metal structures are gradually replacing brick. For self-production, it is also better to prefer a metal unit, since it is easier to make it yourself, than lay out a brick classic design.
Brick kilns are beautiful, with high heat transfer. Due to the fact that it is difficult to make them yourself, many refuse to build them, however, with sufficient experience, such a structure can be made by yourself.
Simple ovens look like this:
- A simple stove without frills looks dignified and interesting, despite the fact that a lot of time and effort was spent on its construction. Even a beginner can do such laying..
- A more complex version, laid out by a professional craftsman. Such beauty requires professionalism, but the result is worth it. It turned out to be a full-fledged Russian stove.
As you can see, the brick is aesthetically attractive, but working with it requires a certain skill. Simple metal units are made by home-grown craftsmen throughout Russia, while the furnaces are no worse than factory ones. There are both products that are as simple as possible, and with forged elements..
Metal constructs made by hand have approximately the same look. The most simple unit with a heater and everything you need will not take up much space. This stove has a built-in firebox, so it is designed for installation in the smallest bath. Homemade stove construction with forged elements and a water heating tank will perfectly fit into any bath.
Making forged parts will require blacksmithing skills or can be custom made. It is up to you to choose which material suits you best..
Instruments
To make a metal furnace, you will need the following tools:
- welding machine for hermetic joining of parts;
- grinder with a diamond disc for cutting metal sheets;
- drill for making small holes;
- building level, mounting tape, protractor and marker for marking;
- disc for grinding metal.
A more diverse toolkit is used for a brick oven:
- various trowels and spatulas for applying mortar that holds the bricks together;
- a pickaxe for giving the bricks the required shape and breaking off excess pieces;
- laser building level for assessing contours;
- plumb line for assessing verticals;
- construction “triangle” with dimensions 40x40x57 cm;
- a rule for removing excess mortar and leveling bricks;
- buckets and pallets in which mortars for bonding bricks will be diluted.
Design
Homemade stoves come in a variety of finishes that define their appearance. However, everything depends not only on this. First of all, the beauty and aesthetic appeal is determined by the accuracy with which all the work is carried out..
The most interesting may be the following self-made options presented:
As you can see, there are no metal products among them, since brick units look much more advantageous in design..
Where to install?
The answer to this question is obvious: in the steam room. However, in reality, everything turns out to be not so simple. If a unit with a built-in firebox just needs to be installed in a steam room, then with a remote one – only at the wall adjacent to the room into which the firebox will go. Also, the firebox can have access to the street.. Then it is important to evaluate where you want to see the exit, and install the stove exactly there..
The decision about where the installation will be carried out must be made even at the stage of laying the foundation. This measure is due to the fact that the foundation in this place will need to be well strengthened, otherwise the floor simply will not support the weight of the stove structure and will fall apart. It will also be necessary in the plan to lay an installation hole for the furnace, if it has a remote firebox. Otherwise, there will be serious problems with the installation..
Preparatory work
At the stage of preparation, it is necessary to prepare not only the materials from which the stove will be directly built, but also the bathhouse itself. If you do not do all this with sufficient quality, then there is a high probability of improper operation of the stove. For example, heat may be supplied to the wrong place, or there may be problems with the release of smoke, which can be hazardous to health..
The first step is to search for or order a drawing (possibly self-made). The drawing should contain all the necessary information about the oven..
It is also recommended to immediately indicate to what maximum temperature the metal of your choice can be heated. Usually, this data can be specified in the same place where you make a purchase..
Metal preparation
This procedure is carried out after all the parts are cut to the correct dimensions.. It is necessary to release those elements of the future unit that heat up the most. These include the sides, top and door of the firebox.. They are the ones who come into contact with burning fuel..
The release is done as follows. First, the sheets are red-hot, after which they should not be quickly cooled.. It is best to leave the metal sheets to cool slowly.. They do not need to be immersed in cold water. After carrying out these manipulations, you may notice that the parts warped, lost their original shape. To return them to a look close to the original, use a hammer, knocking out the parts to the desired shape. If the hammer does not help or the parts become larger, then simply saw off the protruding parts.
This preventive measure prevents the stove from warping during the first use..
Calculations
All values of the stove should be shown in the drawings. It is about what area of the foundation needs to be strengthened and how much of the area of the walls needs to be protected. Based on the dimensions of the oven, we can say that the place of strengthening the foundation should extend beyond the edges of the furnace by 30 cm. For example, making a square metal unit with dimensions of 60×60 cm, you will need to strengthen the place 120×120 cm (30 + 60 + 30 cm on each side).
The wall should be insulated 50 cm above and beyond the oven. For example, with a stove height of 80 cm, you will need to make insulation 1.3 m high from the floor. It will also be necessary to lay a metal sheet in the place where the oven will be installed. This is done so that if something happens, the ember that has fallen out does not cause a fire. The metal layer should protrude 1 m beyond the plane of the door.
Markup
Before starting work on metal cutting, all components will need to be marked. For this, again, the data given in the drawing are used..
Sometimes the markings are done on the fly, when the unit is made up of rectangular and square elements, but even in this case it is better to draw borders with a marker. In the future, it will be easier for you to cut out the necessary parts, following the outlined lines..
Room preparation
This refers to the laying of metal sheets on the floor and walls, the calculation of which was given in one of the previous paragraphs. It is best to choose stainless steel for these purposes.. Despite the fact that it sells under the weight of the stove, there is a dignity that fully expiates this fact – you will not encounter damage to the metal with rust, which can greatly worsen its appearance and condition..
Strengthening the foundation
It would be more logical to place this stage at the beginning of the list, since the strengthening should be done even at the stage of laying the foundation. However, if this was not done, you will have a difficult stage of disassembling the floor..
There is also an alternative way: choose an electric stove, which, due to lack of fuel, will not weigh as much as gas or wood-burning options. However, this also comes with some costs..
Manufacturing
The device of a metal furnace does not cause such difficulties as a brick one, so it is logical to start the description with a simpler option.
To make a simple chimney stove, use the following step-by-step guide:
- The easiest way is to make a unit from a log. To do this, you will need a piece of pipe at least 50 cm in diameter. The length of the cut depends on how high you want your oven to be..
- Cut out a blower in the pipe with dimensions of 0.05×0.2 m.
- Cut an opening for the firebox with dimensions of 25×20 cm.
- Next, weld the fasteners for the rods that make up the heater. For this, fittings with a diameter of 1 cm are suitable..
- Fasten the heater net made of twigs.
- Cut another steam hole in front of the heater.
- Fill the stove with stones. It is forbidden to use granite or any stones containing mica for these purposes. Soapstone is perfect.
- Weld the diameter cap on top of the pipe.
- Cut a hole in the lid for the chimney. The diameter of the chimney pipe should be about 15 cm.
- Weld the chimney.
Installation of a brick oven will require much more materials, effort and time. Depending on the option you choose, you will need a certain amount of bricks. Make sure the brick is fire resistant.
Pay attention to the following diagram. It indicates the order of the bricks. Follow it to build the oven correctly. Also, a brick can be used to cover a metal structure. This gives the effect that a brick stove is installed in your bath, and not a metal one..
Thermal insulation
Thermal insulation of the stove itself is necessary if only because during the combustion process a lot of thermal energy is dissipated in the surrounding space. The owners of the baths are trying with all their might to neutralize this disadvantage in order to rationally use all the available heat..
Thermal insulation can be carried out in several ways:
- By installing protective wall metal screens. They will reflect heat. It makes sense to place such a screen around the heater located in the steam room. Then all the heat will not be dissipated to anywhere, but will be pumped up in the steam room..
- Brick shielding. In this case, the thickness of the brick should be equal to half the standard, that is, it is optimal to use a masonry of half bricks.
The protection for walls and floors, which is made of sheet metal and was described above, also serves as a kind of thermal insulation measure..
Safety engineering
When you are in the bath, there are two real dangers: getting burned or getting acne. In order to prevent burns, they came up with a special material – basalt cardboard. It is laid around the stoves so that the awkward movement does not lead to a severe burn, because in an atmosphere of hot air, touching the surface of the same temperature as the air can cause a serious second-degree burn.
To avoid the danger of waste, it is advised not to make such a stove, the blower of which goes directly into the steam room. It is best to take it to an adjacent room or outside..
Also it is necessary to check whether the ash has been removed before “feeding”, since combustion products are capable of giving off carbon monoxide, which is odorless. It turns out to be difficult to understand that you are suffocating with it.
Tips & Tricks
Experts share some tricks that will make the process of making a stove much easier:
- Don’t neglect the drawing. Without it, there is a high probability of making a mistake and building an ugly and ineffective stove structure..
- Be sure to complete all preparation work as this will reduce the risk of fire..
- Repair of the stove must be done on time in order to avoid the need to soon replace the existing stove due to the impossibility of troubleshooting.
- If you plan to use the stove not only for a bath, but also for heating, consider a pipe system.
- If you are not sure that you can build a decent quality stove, give up this venture. A sober assessment of your abilities can save you energy, time and money and preserve your self-esteem..
Beautiful examples
- A self-made unit made of black metal with a twisted stove looks interesting and unusual. This design can decorate any steam room, regardless of its size..
- If the stove does not look very attractive, it does not mean that it serves poorly. This image clearly shows the option available in most baths. The owners did not spend a lot of time on finishing, concentrating on the functioning of the stove..
- A metal stove in a brick cladding looks traditional, but it is not so difficult to make it. In this case, the brick frame acts as a heat-insulating shield, allowing the temperature to remain at the original level longer..
- If a person has enough time and patience, as well as skills in the difficult task of laying bricks, he can get such a beautiful structure. The bricks have been given the desired round shape by grinding..
For information on how to make a stove for a bath from a pipe, see the next video.
Projects of one-story houses with panoramic windows
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7photos
7photos
