The best sauna stones for the sauna heater with purchase recommendation
Sauna stones – application and purchase recommendation. Even the best heater cannot provide an optimal sauna experience without the right sauna stones. They are, so to speak, the heart of a good sauna climate. The stones store heat and release the heat before temperature peaks occur, creating an even and pleasant steam. However, when worn and damaged, they can also cause terrible injuries under certain circumstances.
Quality of sauna stones
But what are the right, suitable stones? There is a huge selection to choose from, ranging from texture to price. In general, pay particular attention to the following properties: First, the stones must have a high heat storage capacity to withstand large temperature ranges.
Furthermore, they must be resistant to temperature fluctuations as well as being asbestos-free and must not crumble or generate dust. With the now extreme price differences, do not automatically choose the cheapest option. It is better to find out about the quality of the goods on offer rather than spoiling your sauna experience by saving a few euros.
Flat or square sauna stones?
Also pay attention to the right size of the individual stones. As a rule of thumb, if the heat output is less than 10 kilowatts, stones five to ten centimeters in size are sufficient. For a higher heat output, larger stones should be used. In terms of shape, flat stones have the advantage over square ones in that they produce a more pleasant steam. But the right composition also plays a major role in the perfect sauna experience.
What types of sauna stones are there?
The typical sauna stones are made of granite, diorite, gabbro and peridotite. These are so-called magmatic deep rocks with small to medium grain size. All stones have in common that they are heat-tolerant, withstand thermal shocks and do not contain unsuitable mineral components. They are also characterized by the fact that any splinters that may occur are usually quite small. However, deep rocks such as plutonite, porphyry as well as volcanics are also suitable for sauna stoves.
Granite stones from the quarry
However, granite stones are predominantly preferred, and the offer is correspondingly large. However, different granite stones are offered on the market. If the granite comes from a quarry rich in minerals, which was exposed to high pressure, the granite is particularly resistant. Such a resilient granite is, for example, olivine diabase, which also has a high heat retention capacity.
Synthetic sauna stones
However, not all theoretically suitable natural stones are always in stock and immediately available. To ensure permanent availability, manufacturers now also produce synthetic sauna stones. They are mostly of natural origin, but have, for example, specially hardened surfaces. However, fully synthetic, ceramic stones are also available. Synthetic sauna stones have a much longer service life than the untreated ones. However, a traditional infusion succeeds only with natural stones.
Unsuitable sauna stones
On the other hand, sand and rhyolite stones are unsuitable for sauna heaters, as the former can damage the sauna heater over time due to sand escaping, and rhyolite stones can split quickly during an extreme temperature shock, which now occurs during all infusions, and thus develop sharp edges.
When to change the sauna stones
Apropos: What actually happens to the stones during an infusion, which for many sauna lovers is the actual highlight of the sauna session, and what stresses do the stones have to withstand? Simply put, the stones give high performance during each infusion. After all, they are heated to extreme temperatures each time and then abruptly cooled down again with the infusion water. The temperature shock can be up to 100°C (212 °F) or even more, depending on whether the infusion is made with water, ice water or directly with ice.
The minerals contract on the surface of the stones during this process, while the heat inside the stone is initially retained. However, this brutal alternation between heating and cooling, as well as the permanently changing humidity, attack their structure in the long term. They become porous, can crack or even crumble. The use of aromatic oils, which many sauna-goers use during an infusion, can also severely clog the pores of the stones and thus inhibit the evaporation of the water.
Expiration date of the sauna stones
Exactly when these signs of wear occur depends on the quality and mineral composition of the stones. On average, sauna stones last between two and three years, depending on quality and use. In the meantime, occasional rearrangement of the stones is recommended so that all stones are evenly loaded. After one year at the latest, the stones in the sauna heater should be checked for their condition.
During the inspection, not only the top layer should be checked, but also the lower layers. A complete replacement is necessary at the latest when the stones decompose. However, regular replacement is recommended, which ensures optimal evaporator performance and short heating times, thus significantly increasing your sauna enjoyment.
Sauna stones should be stacked
If you receive new stones, you should not simply pour them out of their packaging into the sauna heater, but rather stack them thoughtfully on top of each other, preferably from small to large. This means that the small stones are placed at the bottom of the heater and the largest stones are placed at the top. In general, the stones in stores are relatively well presorted, but still it does not hurt to take the stones out of the package and sort them by size.
Above all, however, be careful not to cover the individual heating elements too much. It is essential to ensure free air circulation in the oven.
And one last tip:
Pay attention to the transport costs when you buy the stones online! Because such an order can quickly weigh 20 kilograms. That can be quite expensive….
Suitable sauna stones for the sauna heater:
1. Harvia sauna stones for soft infusions
To set up a sauna and have your own personal wellness oasis just a few steps away, many accessories and accessories are important, which above all must be of good quality, carefully selected and professionally installed. Of course, this also applies to the natural stone sauna stones – because only with the right sauna stones a sauna is perfectly equipped. Because only when high-quality sauna stones are properly layered on the sauna heater, the heat generated by the heater can be stored for a longer period of time and released into the ambient air at a constant temperature. This, in turn, guarantees a healthy room climate in which you can relax optimally and which can also have a supportive effect on some health problems.
In addition, you need the sauna stones for an aromatic infusion, because only on the hot stones the infusion liquid can evaporate as desired and develop its beneficial effect. Harvia sauna stones are particularly well suited for these requirements. They are particularly suitable for sauna heaters that are designed as wall models and therefore require stones with a diameter between 5 and 10 cm. This is especially true for sauna heaters such as Symphony or Forte, but Harvia sauna stones are also very suitable for sauna heaters of other brands, as they also score well with other sauna heaters.
2. Round natural sauna stones from FinTex
These sauna stones are suitable for both residential and commercial saunas. Let yourself be seduced by the soft and mild sauna steam. The soft sauna steam is created by the fact that the rounded sauna stone allows the infusion water to wet all the stone layers in the sauna heater and thus evaporate more evenly and gently. In addition, this sauna stone does not crumble and dust around.
Place our sauna stones loosely in your sauna heater. Under no circumstances should the sauna stones be too tight; air circulation in the sauna heater must be guaranteed. The heating resistors must be completely covered with sauna stones. Ideally, the smaller stones should be at the bottom, as they are easier to place between the individual heating elements.
3. Sauna stones – norwegian granite
The quality of the stones can be equated with the quality of the sauna. Sauna stones should be checked and cleaned regularly. Stones placed directly on the heating elements are exposed to extreme thermal conditions. The change in temperature causes small cracks in the stone, which over time cause the stone to break apart. This “grit” falls between the larger stones and prevents air circulation between the stones. This leads to an annealing of the heating elements. Sauna stones should therefore be changed regularly.
“Splittprofi” sauna stones come directly from selected quarries and are pre-washed and sorted by hand. Application: Please place the granite sauna stones loosely and loosely in your sauna heater. Under no circumstances should the stones be too tightly dimensioned; air circulation in the sauna heater must be guaranteed. The heating resistors must be completely covered with our sauna stones. Ideally, the smaller stones should be placed on the floor, as they can be placed more easily between the individual heating elements.
