Why Aren’t Barrel Saunas Popular In Europe (the truth)

[@mmcanyt]

I have a barrel sauna (Thermory No. 62), and I love it. But I have experienced the issues mentioned by Veeti in this video. To overcome the cold feet, I closed an intake vent that was close to the floor at the front of the sauna and added intake vents behind my HUUM Hive 13 wood burning stove. I also added a “humidity release” vent high on the front wall. So the airflow is now back to front, low to high. It’s a noticeable improvement. I can literally feel the steam circulating and engulfing my body now. It’s a great feeling! I have used fans as well, running them under the benches from front to back. But I haven’t needed them since adjusting my ventilation. The radiant heat issue is real. The stove can get really hot and uncomfortable to sit next to. So I built a deflector out of the leftover staves, and lined one side w heat resistant metal to block the radiant heat. I stand it in front of the stove once it gets to the temp I desire. Problem solved. I am also going to order the heat deflectors made by HUUM for my stove and add them to the sides so the radiant heat is less of a problem for my feet when lying down. Temps are now in the 20-30degF and it takes about an hour to get my sauna to 180F. No problem. I plan my evening around this, and add wood to the stove after half an hour and once again right before I shower and then enter the sauna. My sessions usually last about and hour, but often longer, staying in the sauna 20min or so, then cooling off outside for 5-10, then back inside for 15min or so, cool off again, and then 10 min inside for my last time inside. I drink A LOT of water before, during and after my sessions. And probably my favorite part is my final cooling off outside. I wear a robe and a big towel over my head and shoulders. Very uncovered at first but covering up as I cool off. It’s amazing to me that I can sit on my deck couches for so long, even w temps in the teens. It’s sublime, especially when it’s snowing and you feel the flakes landing and melting on your skin. It’s a great experience that ends up taking about 2 hours in the evening. And it’s one of those things that I do and cannot wait to do it again as soon as I’m showering before going to bed. I hope you’ll have similar experiences!! By the way, Veeti helped me adjust my ventilation layout. He is a great resource!!! Thank you, Veeti!!

[@thesaunaheater]

Thank you for watching! Happy to hear you enjoy your sauna :)

[@csuszi11]

I am confused if they complain about the cold air plummetting and hot air in the top doesn't that happen in normal saunas as well? :D or physics don't apply in normal saunas inside a house/gym? :)

[@thesaunaheater]

In a traditional sauna, you sit higher than the sauna heater, not at the same level with it. That's why it doesn't matter that much in a normal sauna, there's no one at the floor level where the cold air is. Also, in a normal sauna it's easier to get the ventilation going correctly that mixes the air :)

[@csuszi11]

@@thesaunaheater but that's matter of number of levels of the benches, you can have the same set up as a traditional sauna that's my take, that is just an outside form whether It is barrel or normal suana. nothing else. :)

[@andrewsenour]

Nice video, it’s funny to see my sauna at my house in your video 😂 I’m guessing you watched the wifi control video I posted. ?

[@HHermans1]

I had my bench raised another 12 cm, and will have the other one done as well. And added more rocks to the stove. Take time to heat up properly. Makes a big difference. Best experience when second or third wood has burned completely.

[@DrHinge]

Barrels are also super popular in Denmark. I’d choose a proper/better design though.

[@thesaunaheater]

Thanks for the info!!

[@CC-gv6us]

Thanks for this great intro. If I do get a barrel i'll get a fan

[@thesaunaheater]

Sounds like a great plan. Barrel saunas can be great if constructed right. They're just not the most optimal.

[@darrylthomas4306]

Great information. Thanks. Any opinion about the SaunaLife Cube Luxury 3 Person Sauna?

[@thesaunaheater]

Since SaunaLife is made in Europe, I think they have thought about things a bit further than most made in other parts of the world. Great benches, room for even taller people like me (I tried, I can fit in well and I'm 6.4), good price/quality ratio in my opinion.

[@AtlanticwayExplorer]

I live in Ireland (Europe) Barrel Saunas are hugely popular

[@thesaunaheater]

Interesting! Thanks for the comment.

[@NPow94]

As an American who has never truly been in an actual sauna other than ones at the gym, I’ve got to wonder what is the real difference between barrel and a cabins experience. As another mentioned, Costco offers the least expensive barrel option with heater shipped for around 3k. Many cabin kits run about 3x that price. So for someone who hasn’t been in either. Does it make sense to pay the extra money for a cabin sauna that is agreed to be better, or just go with a cheap hot room and pocket the extra money?

[@thesaunaheater]

That depends. It's a sauna you can get started with, so much better than no sauna. However, Costco barrel saunas are pretty much the worst barrels (smallest diameter resulting in the tightest arc, the roof is not covered with anything meaning bad water management, heater with least rocks so radiant heat, etc.). But again, if you have never been in a proper sauna, you will likely be happy with this so I can't really give a direct answer. In general, you want to be looking at sauna that is as close to fulfilling the best practices of sauna construction as possible: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKW2qmmNhMyXpaMsi=2SSE0HTPPZLtI_zg

[@mrrberger]

Barrels are poorly insulated, poorly layed out (heater central minimal convection) and perfect for maxamising production profit. That's why they are cheap, yet expensive in the long run, they use more energy and get less use than cabins. Having a newly minted carpenter build one is about the cheapest you'll get quality and durability from. They'll care about their work yet arn't experienced in charging high enough for that care.

[@ShareTheSphere]

Barrel Saunas is popular in Sweden.

[@thesaunaheater]

Disagree, there are some barrels everywhere but I haven't seen any in Sweden and I travel there a lot and go to saunas. Obviously, there are no official statistics so might be hard to say and define the truth in Sweden.

[@cbingham40]

So, it sounds like a fan solves everything

[@thesaunaheater]

Probably just getting a higher barrel with Saunum sauna heater makes it as good as barrel can be 🔥

[@cbingham40]

@thesaunaheater I'm looking into a 6 person barrel sauna from Costco. (Almost Heaven) has a 8k harvan heater. I've seen people say adding a fan worked great. What heater would you recommend for that size barrel sauan if no fab was added ?

[@thesaunaheater]

​ @cbingham40 What about EE8G from SaunaLife with Saunum Air10? More expensive but better sauna: thesaunaheater.com/products/saunalife-model-ee8g-sauna-barrel For Almost Heaven Costco barrel Air 7 with Stainless Steel cage, that requires 71.48 in. ceiling height and that barrel seems to have 80" heigh ceiling: thesaunaheater.com/products/saunum-air-7-wifi-sauna-heater-package-1@@cbingham40

[@cbingham40]

@@thesaunaheater what’s the wait time for one to be delivered in the USA?

[@thesaunaheater]

These are warehoused in the US, so typically few weeks if we have stock. Message us to [e-mail] and we will check the exact times for you based on your location and product@@cbingham40

[@marcusaetius9309]

Controversy? Wtf?

[@BobSmith-s7j]

What are you surprised/confused about?

[@mitchellprice3730]

1st!

[@thesaunaheater]

🙌