How often do you need to change the stones in the sauna?

In the article How to Replace Stones in a Kiln, I explain in detail how to change stones in a kiln step by step. What should everyone know about replacing stove stones? Does the order of the stones matter? Is there a difference between replacing stones in an electric stove versus a wood stove? Read more: Why change the stones in your sauna heater Replacing the stones in the stove is a fairly quick procedure. Getting started usually takes the longest. When you decide the day to clean your sauna, you can change the sauna stones at the same time. Before replacing stove stones, be sure to check that you have the required number of spare stones. Depending on the stove, you may need 20-100 kg or more of stove stones.

Here’s how to start changing stones:

Don’t forget to first disconnect the heating elements from the circuit so that nothing happens. I recommend wearing gloves, the stones may be sharp and there may be sharp tin plates inside the oven.

Clear the stove of stones:

Clear the oven of stones. Place rocks in buckets. You may want to consider when is the best time to check the condition of your stove stones. You can check the condition of the stove visually or by tapping two stones against each other. After checking the condition, you can sort the stones into good and bad. Those in poor condition should be removed. Have you ever wondered how often you need to change the stones in your heater? Do you know why they should be replaced? And how do you know when it’s time to replace them? How do you even change the stones in a sauna heater? What about old stones, what to do with them? You will get answers to these questions in this article! The sauna heater is the heart of the sauna. This is why it is important to remember to take good care of it. Keep the stones in order and you will be able to enjoy a good steam longer.

Why do you need to change the stones in your sauna heater?

The stones in a sauna heater perform a very important function. They heat up and thereby transfer heat to the entire sauna. You might think that stone is a material that can withstand anything without change, but this is not so. The stone is malleable. Think about the rocks by the sea, little by little they became rounder and lost their original shape.

This also happens in the sauna.

The stones work hard in the sauna. The stones are subjected to intense pressure as they are heated and water is poured on them over and over again. In some saunas this happens once a week, in others every day. Heat fluctuations, heat, humidity and water gradually begin to wear down the stones. Stones that have been used for too long begin to gradually weather and crumble. Dust from stones and small fragments of stones settle to the bottom of the heater. They clog air circulation but can also cause rust. When air circulation is blocked, it means steam is compromised. Even your electricity consumption may increase (if you use an electric heater). For these reasons, the stones in your heater should be replaced and checked regularly.

How do you know when it’s time to change and check the stones in your sauna stove?

There are some good rules or indicators for this. The first sign is that you notice that the level of stones in the stove is dropping. We have a so-called pillar heater at home and you can clearly see how the level of stones has decreased. (See image below.) Why change the stones in your sauna heater? Another way to test the stones is to take two stove stones and knock them together. If and when the stones start to crumble, then you know it’s time to replace them with new ones. The third thing, of course, is that you don’t even remember how much time has passed since the last change. A fourth indicator could be that the oven has stopped heating properly or is heating slowly. Finally, when the stones turn light gray or begin to discolor due to water, it is time to replace the stones. As a general rule, check your stove stones once a year and replace them if necessary. The Mondex website states that the stones should be replaced after every hundredth sauna use. Thus, if you use the sauna twice a week, the interval between stone changes is one year. I think this is a great rule. If you maintain your sauna regularly (that is, wash your sauna two or three times a year), make it a habit to check the stones every time you wash them. The service life of stove stones also depends on the quality of the stones and their quantity. Remember that your sauna and especially your heater need maintenance. This is a small thing, but it allows you to enjoy the sauna year after year. What happens if the stones in the stove are not changed regularly? The condition of the stones in the heater affects the service life of the heater itself. Keep the stones in good condition to keep the heater in good condition. Over the years, the stones will settle and may begin to put pressure on the electric heater resistors. Dust and crumbs flying from the stones settle to the bottom of the heater. They can damage the bottom of the stove by rusting, which can make a hole in the stove. If you use an electric heater, electricity consumption increases. The stones heat up slowly and the heating time increases. This is how you replace stove stones Begin replacing the stones by removing the old stones from the heater. Clean the bottom of the heater. Remove broken stones and stone dust. Wipe the oven inside and out with a damp cloth. Check the condition of the stones before placing them in the heater. Start stacking larger stones. Work one layer at a time. Place the extended stones between the resistors. Make sure there is enough air between the stones and the resistors. Please note that the stones move and find their position over time. What to do with old sauna stove stones? Sauna stones come from nature, and it would be better to return them to nature. They can be used to design flower beds or decorate the facade of your home. I hope this article on why you should change your kiln stones helped you. Please remember to pay attention to the heart of your sauna. 30th of December 2022 In the article “The Right Way to Use a Sauna” I question whether there is a right way or a wrong way to use a sauna. I know that there are many passionate sauna lovers in Finland (and abroad) who consider their own way of sauna use to be the best. But which one is right? Or can we be merciful to others and accept everyone’s personal preferences? 28th of December 2022 Christmas is a wonderful time of year, and for us Finns, the Christmas bath is an important part of our Christmas celebrations. In Finland, you can get into a Christmas sauna even if you don’t have a sauna. The main function of stones in a bathhouse is to retain and release heat. The stones must have good heat capacity and resistance to destruction under the influence of sudden temperature changes. Thus, the stones should be as dense and uniform as possible. In addition, it is very important that the stones are one hundred percent environmentally friendly, i.e. so that during the heating process they do not emit any harmful substances.

Testing stones for strength

Only whole, undamaged stones can be used for the bath. To test their strength, you need to use a hammer, or hit a stone against a stone. In addition, in the process of selecting stones, they can be heated and immediately lowered into cold water. It is imperative that the stones be inspected at least once a year for damage and washed (soot deposited on the surface of the stones during use will subsequently become a source of unpleasant odor). It is also advisable to gradually replace old cracked stones with new ones. This is explained by the fact that the heat capacity of old stones gradually decreases, i.e. the effectiveness of their use decreases.

Replacing stones with new ones

Experts note that after a certain period of use, stones must be completely replaced with new ones. It all depends on the intensity of use of the steam room. As a rule, for an ordinary home bath this period is several years. For wood-burning stoves located in a home sauna or bathhouse, it is better to choose round, smooth stones – this will ensure better air circulation. If we are talking about electric ovens, then it is preferable to use small stones (with a diameter of 50 mm to 75 mm), since here the container for stones has small dimensions.

How to load stones into the kiln?

The stones are loaded into the oven in a certain sequence. Stones with a large fraction are placed in the lower section of the furnace container, then medium-sized stones are placed on them, and the smallest stones are placed at the very top. In this case, it is necessary to try to ensure that the grate separating the combustion chamber and the container for stones is covered with stones as little as possible. Layered stones (sandstone, limestone and representatives of other sedimentary rocks) are absolutely not suitable for use in furnaces – they will quickly collapse. It is also undesirable to use siliceous rocks – when water gets on them, they will split and throw away small fragments. It is best to purchase stones of volcanic origin for a bath: