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Why should you change the stones in your sauna heater?

Have you ever wondered how often you need to change the stones in your sauna heater? Do you know why they should be replaced? And how do you know when it is time to replace them? How do you even change the stones in the sauna heater? What about the old stones, what should you do with them?

You will get the answers to these questions in this article!

*Why should you change the stones in your sauna heater*

A sauna heater is the heart of the sauna. That is why it is important to remember to take good care of it. Keep the stones in order and you can enjoy good steam for longer.

Why you should change the stones in the sauna heater

The stones in the sauna heater have a very important job. They heat up and thereby give heat to the entire sauna. One might think that stone is a material that can withstand everything unchanged, but this is not the case. Stone is malleable. Think about the rocks by the sea, little by little they have gotten rounder and lost their original shape.

This also happens in the sauna.

The stones work hard in the sauna. Stones are under a great deal of pressure as they get hot and water is thrown at them over and over again. In some saunas, this happens once a week and in other saunas every day. Heat fluctuations, heat, humidity, and water gradually begin to wear out the stones. Stones that have been in use for too long begin to weather and crumble little by little.

Dust from the stones and small pieces of stone drift to the bottom of the heater. They clog the air circulation but can also cause rusting. When the air circulation is blocked, it means that the steam is compromised. Even your electricity consumption may increase (if you use an electric heater). These are the reasons why the stones in the heater should be replaced and checked regularly.

How do you know when it is time to change and check your sauna stove stones?

Well, there are a few good rules or indicators for this. The first sign is that you notice the level of the stones in the stove dropping. We have a so-called pillar sauna heater at home and you can clearly see how the level of the stones has decreased. (See the image below.)

Miten kiuaskivet vaihdetaan — *Why should you change the stones in your sauna heater*

Another way to check the stones is to take two stove stones and knock them together. If and when the stones start to crumble, then you know it is time to replace them with new ones.

The third is, of course, that you do not even remember how long it has been since the last change.

The fourth indicator could be that the stove no longer heats up properly or heats up slowly.

And finally, when the stones turn light grey or start to discolour because of the water, it is time to replace the stones.

As a rule of thumb, check the stove stones once a year and replace them if necessary.

Mondex’s website says that the stones should be replaced every 100th sauna session. Thus, if you take a sauna twice a week, the interval between stone change is one year. I think this is a great rule of thumb.

If you take care of your sauna regularly (ie you wash the sauna two or three times a year) make a habit of checking your stones every time you wash it.

The lifespan of the stove stones also depends on the quality of the stones and how many stones you have.

Remember that your sauna and especially the heater need care. It is a small thing but lets you enjoy your 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 so that the heater stays in good condition.

Over the years, the stones will sink down and may start to press the resistors of the electric heater.

Dust and crumbs coming off the stones settle on 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 the stove stones

Start 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 inside and outside of the stove with a wet cloth.
Check the condition of the stones before putting them in the heater.
Start stacking with bigger stones.
Proceed one layer at a time.
Place the elongated stones between the resistors.
Check that there is enough air between the stones and the resistors.
Note that the stones move and find their position over time.

What should you do with old sauna stove stones?

The sauna stones have come from nature, and it would be best to return them back to nature. They can be used to delineate flower beds or decorate the side of your house.

I hope this article on why you should change your stove stones helped you. Please remember to pay attention to the heart of your sauna.

Love, Kati

As a source, I used many websites like Mondex and Saunology.

In the article “I feel sick in the sauna – what to do?” I give a few specific tips on what you should (and shouldn’t) do if you suffer from nausea in the sauna.

I take a sauna very often, but I don’t necessarily stay in the sauna for as long as other people. That is absolutely fine, the main thing is that I feel good and relaxed. German saunas often give you a recommended timeframe for your sauna stay, usually, it is between 10 or 15 minutes. I have tried to follow that recommendation twice and both times I felt nauseous.

So, I decided to write an article about the subject. I share my best tips and tell you why you might be feeling sick in the sauna.

I feel sick in the sauna – what to do?

Hydration

In a nutshell, hydration is the be-all and end-all when taking a sauna. Remember that the amount of liquid you consumed the day before is also decisive for your sauna day. Drinking two to three litres of water a day is ideal. On the day you go to the sauna, you should drink an extra glass (or two) of water. You can lose more than half a litre of water during a sauna session.

Alcohol

If you tend to feel nauseous in or after the sauna, you should avoid alcohol, both during and after the sauna. Beer, cider, and other alcoholic beverages are not suitable sources of hydration. Switch to water or sugar-free juices instead.

Food intake

The timing of food intake and the quality of food both have a major impact on your well-being. “You are what you eat” is true in this context. I recommend that you eat a high protein diet and lots of vegetables before taking a sauna. Forget the simple carbohydrates and opt for complex carbohydrates (e.g. whole grains).

You can get nauseous if you have not eaten and drunk well beforehand. If you combine that with a long and hot sauna session you might be in big trouble. In the worst case, you might even need medical attention.

You shouldn’t go to the sauna on a full stomach, but it shouldn’t be empty either. I always get sick if I take a sauna with an empty or almost empty stomach.

If you know your blood sugar drops quickly, you should always have something small to eat with you: an apple, banana, nuts etc. Something that you can easily take with you and can be stowed in your sauna bag pocket.

If you get so sick you can’t eat, you should still try to make sure your blood sugar rise (but not too fast!). Take a piece of banana and put it in your mouth and chew on it slowly. This helps raise your blood sugar levels slowly and safely.

Ventilation

Here in Germany, the sauna ventilation systems don’t always seem to work optimally. Some saunas are just too hot and too dry. You should be very careful with hot and dry saunas because they can really make you feel very sick. I speak from my own painful experience.

My tip is to opt for a mild sauna and not stay for too long. Do not stay until you start feeling uncomfortable, leave while you still feel good. And remember, if you get sick, leave the sauna immediately.

If you ever get the chance to help plan a ventilation system for a sauna, remember that getting enough oxygen is crucial. If the ventilation isn’t installed professionally, you will literally run out of air. This leads to nausea and headaches.

Cooling

Cooling down is an important part of any sauna session. Don’t forget to get some rest in between the sauna visits, sit down, take a shower and/or cool off in the fresh air. And drink a glass of water.

Blood pressure

Sometimes blood pressure can plummet during a sauna session. The typical symptoms are dizziness, headaches, and lack of vision.

If this happens to you, it is best to sit down and drink water to cool down. It might take a while, so it’s important not to rush back into the sauna right away.

If you take blood pressure medication, you should be especially careful. Do not push yourself to the limit!

Sauna hat

Can a sauna hat really help against nausea in the sauna? In my opinion, yes. And maybe you should just give it a try too, especially if you often suffer from feeling sick in the sauna. Of course, we are all different. What works for me might not work for you.

However, a sauna hat can help prevent or at least delay nausea. A sauna hat protects your head so you can enjoy the heat longer. It is a great help, especially if you have cardiovascular problems.

Read more: The best Sauna hat

Tips for sauna-goers:

Drinking water is especially important. Drink before, during and after the sauna.
The timing of the meal before the sauna and the choice of food affect your well-being.
The so-called “Finnish saunas” in Central Europe are often too hot and too dry. Leave the sauna before you start feeling too hot to avoid nausea.
A sauna hat can help you enjoy the sauna longer.
What if you still feel nauseous after a sauna?
Drink water. Mineral water is the best choice.
Eat something “proper”.
Rest and cool down.
Eat and drink as soon as possible.

Do this and you should be feeling better after a while!

All people are (luckily) different and you should listen to your own body’s signals. You do not need any sauna timers or recommendations. Some like to sit in the sauna for more than half an hour, others have enough after ten minutes. Listening to yourself is the best tip I can give you!

Tips to avoid nausea:

Stay hydrated.
Do not eat anything heavy before going to the sauna.
The sauna should not be too hot and dry.
Make sure the sauna is adequately ventilated.
Cool off between sauna sessions.
Try using a sauna hat.

If you have cardiovascular problems, listen to your body and do not push yourself to the limit!

I hope the article “I get sick in the sauna – what to do?” gave you some tips on how you can avoid getting sick in the sauna. Do you have any tips you would like to share? What has helped you?

Love,

Sauna Kati