Choosing a furnace for a bath - cast-iron alternative
Although important constructive and space, the main element in the bath furnace is - it will depend on and temperature and humidity in the steam room, and the speed of warming up the room, and the costs of energy. In recent years become increasingly popular cast-iron wood-burning stoves, which is why many puzzling problem of choosing a unit. What are the modifications which characteristics has metal, and what parameters to pay attention when selecting the furnace - try to deal with the expert.
metal Features
Iron as steel - an alloy consisting of several components that differ only in the mass fractions of input, and the result is a material with different properties. To produce special furnaces are used, the heat-resistant gray cast iron or alloyed, with improved strength and durability.
Alexei Belyaev (representative of Vesuvius - manufacturer of furnace and related equipment):
Cast iron is not subject to intergranular corrosion. In addition, thanks to the special alloy composition, can withstand large temperature changes. After contact with the water surface, it is not broken, and does not lose its properties, so the life of the iron furnace of bath can exceed 30 years.
However, cast iron - brittle metal, whereby parts of it or the whole cast, or collect from several molded elements on the tongue and groove or bolts, and the seams are sealed by special, heat-resistant sealants. This provides structural strength, since the welds less hardy and overloads can fail.
Cast iron - increased ability to transfer heat, ten times more than that of brick or stone. Therefore, the bulk of the heat generated by the fuel be immediately given to the pair and not evaporate in the chimney. Therefore, the units - High efficiency against the background of economical consumption of firewood.
Alexey Belyaev:
Due to the increased heat transfer from the cast iron furnaces sufficiently high coefficient of performance (COP) - more than 80%, to achieve a predetermined mode for a lesser period of time and with a minimum consumption fuel. Relevant power able to heat the steam oven of 12 mᶟ a couple of hours at freezing rates outside. In this case one tab missing at least one hour of work.
Modification of cast iron stoves
In saunas set cast iron stove - construction consists of a grate furnace, heater (steam-heat accumulator) and ash. Some models can be equipped with built-in water tanks, but most furnaces are available for connecting the removable heat exchanger. Cast iron stove are of two types:
- Upcoming: around the firebox - ventilated convector (mesh) of the rod, strip or forging or a metal casing for the stones, it It may be rough, calculated on the subsequent trim or decorative - metal, stone cladding (Talkomagnezit).
- Closed: closed heater (metallic closed casing accommodating the large mass of stones, heated to 500 degrees).
Issued iron stove in two versions of the method the furnace - a flue tunnel for heating of the adjacent areas, without flue Tunnel - for heating of the steam. When you do not want to mess around in a pair with the wood and once again to open / close the door - suitable furnace with an external combustion chamber. For Sale - model with tunnels of different lengths can be matched to the thickness of its walls. Door inserts are solid, cast iron and with a glass insert. In the second case, provided the air blowing, clearing the screen - no need to constantly wash the glass soot. Practical function glass can not be held, but the fans watch the fire may come to mind.
Criterias of choice
For sale - a large assortment of cast-iron bath furnace domestic and imported - is, to choose from. A few basic factors to be considered for the right choice.
As analogues, cast iron stoves are distinguished performance, size and functionality - they are able to heat both small and large areas and operate in different modes. Choosing oven, initially repelled from the cubic capacity of the pair - each unit is designed for heating a certain space. Do not take the oven with a large "reserve", but little power is undesirable. As the finishing materials in different baths, as well as the walls, it is recommended to buy the unit for up to steam a little more volume. Considering that the oven manufacturers produce large power range - from 6 to 30 and even 40 cubic meters, actually choose the most appropriate model.
It is also important and the number of stones to fall asleep. Although the bulk of the manufacturer recommends a value of 4-6 kg per 1mᶟ steam, moderator of our portal suggests some increase this value.
NickB (FORUMHOUSE Moderator):
Although usually we are talking about the need to have a minimum weight of the stones in the heater 4-5 kg per cubic meter steam rooms, I recommend 6-8 kg per cubic meter, it will not much sink temperature stones at sacrifices. This is especially true for more steam rooms 15 mᶟ volume.
As for the floating mode, the effect of the Russian bath with a soft, smallest steam heaters provide closed - they heat up stones 500⁰S. To avoid short-wave infrared radiation is lined metal box - it makes sense to choose a stove with draft heater, a liner or already trimmed stone.
Open the stove is not in a position to give a soft, wet steam, as the content is heated to a temperature in 250-300⁰S and turns hard, dry steam - like a sauna.
Alexey Belyaev:
If you want to be able to combine the modes saunas and Russian baths - fit a closed stove, in which the stone mass and the heating occurs in a closed container, and the grid. The stones themselves shield metal radiation, so cladding is not required and the mode is selected by supplying water onto the rocks inside or outside.
The durability of the furnace will depend not only on the correct operation but also on the quality of cast iron from which the cast elements. Alloyed cast iron is considered to be stronger than the gray, though he recently produced a worthy performance. Equally important is the metal thickness - the average is 10-12 mm, but the thicker the wall, the furnace will last longer. Given the fragility of the iron stove in the selection should pay attention to the "ears" of the combustion door: what they are heavier and thicker the more reliable - flimsy elements can damage the accidental impact, and they are worn faster.
installation
Mounting furnace presents no particular difficulties. When it comes to small models for paired small volume, weighing around 60 kg, then under them does not require a special foundation, only the substrate of flame-retardant material. Even with the stone backfill their stand and wooden floor. If the oven is more powerful and more volume, its weight when empty - around 100 kg, and with backfill will increase as much or more - you need a foundation. However, if the overlap in the bath - of reinforced concrete or RC slab, additional foundation is not necessary.
Most iron furnaces have a standard diameter of the chimney - 115 mm, therefore, to find a suitable proprietary pipe or tube of another producer - no problem. But for the models with an enlarged combustion chamber, which should provide heat a larger mass of stones required thrust harder and chimney have wider - 120 mm. It should take into account when buying, so you do not have to look for adapters.
Care
To cast iron stove has served correctly estimated period of time, it does not need special care - enough to be used in a permitted operation.
Alexey Belyaev:
Cast heater sufficiently undemanding, they are not afraid of high humidity and temperature surges, but also undesirable to overload them. No oven does not come out the promised time, if to drown her long days and heats the room, its cubic capacity in excess of the upper limit.
Reliable, versatile, efficient - cast iron stoves can be a great option for your bath, the main thing - to choose a decent manufacturer and model to suit your needs.
The mass of useful information and advice from pros and amateurs in the forum section "Ovens for bathhouse". ABOUT wood varieties useful to read those planning to trim paired with clapboard. An interesting bath complexin our video.
Discuss the article and read other materials devoted to country life you can on the websiteFORUMHOUSE.
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