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In the “How to change the stove stones” article, I explain how to change the stove stones step by step. What should everyone know about replacing stove stones? Does it matter what order the stones are placed in? Is there a difference between changing the stones of an electric stove and a wood stove?

You will find the answers to these questions in this article.

How to change the stove stones

Changing the stove stones is quite a quick procedure. Usually, getting started is what takes the most time. When you decide the day when to wash the sauna, you can change the sauna stones at the same time.

Before changing the stove stones, remember to check that you have the required number of replacement stove stones. Depending on the stove, you may need 20-100 kg or more of stove stones.

Especially for us ex-pat Finns, the availability of stove stones in our own country is not a given, so prepare for a long time frame.

Miten kiuaskivet vaihdetaan — How to change the stove stones

Here’s how to start changing stones:

Remember to disconnect the heater from the circuit at the beginning so that nothing happens.
I recommend wearing gloves, the stones can be sharp, and there can be tin plates inside the stove that are sharp.

Empty the stove of stones:

Empty the stove of stones. Put the stones in the buckets. You can think about when is the best time to check the stove stones’ condition.
You can visually check the stove’s condition or by knocking two stones against each other.
After checking the condition, you can sort the stones into good and bad. The ones in poor condition should be put away.

Is calcareous water a problem?

This is how you can soak stove stones:

We have soaked stones that are otherwise in good condition in either acetic or citric acid water. Sometimes you must soak those stones for quite a long time, and sometimes, brush a little more with a root brush.
However, remember to rinse the stones carefully after soaking so that no vinegar or citric acid remains on them.
At this stage, sort the stones into large and small and maybe a third size while the stones are drying.

This is how you clean the stove:

Empty the stones and stone dust from the bottom of the stove. You can use a vacuum cleaner if there is a lot of stone dust; otherwise, brushing is enough.
You can wipe the stove inside and outside with a wet rag if necessary. And especially if calcareous water is a problem, clean any traces of lime. You can use acetic or citric acid water.
However, remember to rinse well; soaking the rag in clean water is sufficient.
At the same time, check the condition of the resistors of the electric stove and that there are no holes in the stove.

This is how you put the stones in the stove:

The stones don’t have to be completely dry when you start putting them back on the stove. But I wouldn’t put them in soaking wet.
Remember to rinse the new stones when you need more new ones. Stones get dusty quickly, so rinsing them immediately is better.
Start stacking with the biggest stones and move up layer by layer. You should use stones of the same size for one layer.
You should leave a suitable air gap between the resistors of the electric stove and the stones. For better air circulation: Better saunas.
The long stones should be placed vertically, so the air circulates better and the sauna heats up faster.
Go layer by layer, and the size of the stones should decrease the higher you go. However, do not overfill the stove because the upper stones may not heat up.

Finally:

When you have placed the stones and washed the sauna, you can turn on the sauna. Especially when you use new stones, the stones may create smoke at first.
So for the sake of your health and the health of other sauna users, it is worth throwing a few buckets without anyone in the sauna to remove all possible unhealthy substances from the air.
Now that you have a clean sauna and freshly replaced stones in the stove, it’s time to enjoy.

I wish you a good sauna! I hope that this article on how to change stove stones was helpful to you and that you now know how to change stove stones yourself. If you still have questions, you can leave a message or comment.

Best regards, Sauna-Kati

***Paid partnership with Kupilka***

The “What is a Kupilka Cup” article introduces Kupilka products and their many uses. I will also tell you how to best care for the dishes. I also talk about my own experiences. At the end of the article, I share a recipe for a vegan paprika filling suitable for sauna evenings.

What is Kupilka

The name Kupilka has its roots in an old Karelian expression for a favourite cup. Do you have a favourite cup or mug from which you drink tea or coffee? I dare say that we all have one.

The first magpie-shaped wine tasting cup was made and designed already in 1775.

Kupilka dishes are made from Kareline natural fibre composite, which is 50% pine pulp fibre and 50% polypropylene approved for food use. Kupilka products are manufactured in Finland in Kontiolahti.

Kupilka-dishes can be recycled, burned for heat energy, or ground up for reuse. Kupilka’s packaging materials are recycled cardboard.

Kupilka products patina beautifully over time. When new, the dishes smell of wood, although the smell disappears with use.

You can enjoy both hot and cold drinks or food from the dishes. Boiling tea or coffee in a cup will not burn your hands.

All dishes are available in five colours: Original, pine, cranberry, Deadwood and blueberry.

Note this:
Kupilka dishes are not recommended in the microwave, stove or open fire. This is how you ensure that the dishes will last a long time.

How to use Kupilka dishes

Many people are familiar with Kupilka dishes from camping or hiking. They are durable and light to take with you. And the best thing is that you can wash them in the dishwasher after the trip.

And who prevents you from using dishes at home? Well, no one. You can use them at home as usual, and the best thing is that you can put the dishes in the dishwasher.

I tried Kuplika dishes in a slightly different environment. From time to time, I organize Finnish sauna evenings here in Germany. I decided to try the products to see how they work in my sauna evenings as serving dishes.

How do you take care of Kupilka dishes?

Taking care of the cup dishes is easy. You can wash the dishes either by hand or in the dishwasher. There is no rush to wash the dishes because neither the taste nor the smell sticks to the dishes.

Cup dishes as serving dishes

The Kupilka series includes a variety of dishes and sizes, and all of them can be used as serving dishes.

With Kupilka dishes, you get a great-looking serving table, and your guests will surely admire the great appearance of the dishes.

I myself have also experimented with Kupilka’s serving trays Kaarna M and Kaarna S. I served salmon pie, salmon toast and vegan rye crisps in them.

In Kupilka 21 cups, you can serve tea, coffee, nuts, berries or even desserts. You can conveniently squeeze the dessert directly into the cup. Only the sky is the limit here if even that.

Kupilka 14 also works as a serving tray and, of course, as a plate. The plate is a handy size and stacks well with other plates of the same size. The small plate is suitable for small portions, fits well in a backpack, and doesn’t take up too much space in the cupboard.

The plate is also available with a larger plate, Kupilka 44, from which you can eat a larger meal.

Serving dishes bring atmosphere

Putting food on display in Kupilka dishes brings a great mystical forest atmosphere. I think the dishes are great for promoting Finnish know-how and design in sauna events both in Finland and abroad.

The Kupilka series also includes larger, deeper and wider dishes from which you can eat, for example, soup or stew.

Kupilka’s selection of cutlery also includes spoons, sporks, i.e. fork and spoon in one, as well as forks and knives.

I also tested the spoons, and they were also good to use as serving spoons, for example, for taking nuts so that you don’t touch them with your fingers.

In my opinion, Kupilka dishes are perfect for Finnish sauna evenings, and the dishes have received praise from customers. I have told many people the story behind Kupilka and what raw materials the products are made from.

The cup fits both large and small hands well; the handle is good to hold.

My own experiences

I have used Kupilka dishes a few times now in the sauna evenings I have organized here in the German Alps. In the sauna evenings, I offer water, herbal tea, nuts, berries, salmon pie or pressed rye chips with vegan or salmon filling, toast or sourdough bread.

In my opinion, the food and drinks look much better when served from Kupilka dishes. The best thing is that you don’t have to worry about the dishes breaking when they fall on the floor. They do not shatter into dangerous pieces of glass when dropped.

Customers can take a drinking mug with them to the sauna, and they don’t have to worry about the cup getting too hot.

Customers have also commented on the appearance of the dishes and asked what material the dishes are made of. I am proud to tell you about the material and the fact that the products are made in Finland.

I plan to continue using Kupilka dishes in sauna events.

You can use cup dishes: