In this article “How to light a wood burning sauna”, I explain step by step how to light the fire in the sauna heater.
Actually, the purpose of heating a sauna is to heat the stones, not the sauna. The stones are the ones that need to be hot enough.
Check the chimney first
The first thing to check is whether the flue is open and in good condition. You can only check this when you light the fire. If the sauna is used in winter or after a long break, you should check that the chimney is not too cold. A cold or frozen chimney can crack if it heats up too quickly.
The chimney is in good condition if light gray or “invisible” smoke comes out of the chimney after lighting the fire.
If black or dark gray smoke rises from the chimney, the chimney is not drawing properly or you have lit the sauna with wet wood.
It is not worth heating with wet wood because it burns badly and causes much more fine dust emissions. The chimney and stove also suffer as a result, they can decay prematurely and soot builds up in the chimney. The soot can ignite spontaneously and cause a soot fire.
How do you light the fire in the sauna heater correctly?
- First check that the extractor hood is open.
- Place logs in the heater that are as thick as a man’s wrist.
- Place a pile of small sticks, firewood, matches, newspaper, etc. on top of the wood and light it. The heat from the firelighter causes the lower parts of the wood to gasify and ignite into a fire. In this way, less smoke is produced when the wood is lit.
- At the start, the firebox should only be ⅓ full.
- Close the stove flap and slightly open the ash pan underneath. This gives the wood more oxygen.
- When the wood is burning properly, wait a while (about 15 minutes) and add more wood. You can now almost fill the stove.
- When the wood is burning properly, you can almost close the ash pan.
- Gradually add a little more wood.
- Burn the stove full two or three times and then take a sauna in the resulting heat. However, don’t forget to add more wood later if you are going to be in the sauna for a long time.
According to old folklore, the fire is lit from below. Nowadays, however, it is known that lighting the fire from above is better for the environment. Unfortunately I couldn’t find any research results on this, if you have any information please send it to me, I would be very happy to receive it.
Modern fireplaces can only be lit from the top.
After the sauna
Put a few more logs on the fire so that the sauna dries out and the sauna gnome can go into the sauna.
Only close the extractor hood when the embers in the heater box are completely black. You can also leave it open.
Empty the ash from the ash box and place it in a non-flammable container. Emptying the ash pan will make it easier next time. The wood gets more oxygen and ignites better.
Read more: What to do after a sauna session?
Have you learned anything new about lighting a wood-fired sauna correctly or did you already know everything? Write me a message in the comments field, I would be delighted!
Love,
Sauna-Kati
