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.
Read more: Why should you change the stones in your sauna heater
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.
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
