For any do-it-yourselfer, building a wood-fired sauna boiler can be a satisfying project. It’s not only a great way to feel accomplished, but it’s also an economical and effective way to heat your sauna. We’ll walk you through the process of creating your own wood-fired sauna boiler from scratch in this guide, using readily available materials and simple construction methods.
The simplicity of a wood-fired sauna boiler is one of its main advantages. A wood-fired boiler produces heat by using the fundamental concepts of combustion and convection, as opposed to sophisticated heating systems. This implies that building one doesn’t require sophisticated technical knowledge or pricey tools. Anyone with some basic do-it-yourself skills can successfully build their own sauna boiler with the right guidance.
It is crucial to comprehend the operation of a wood-fired sauna boiler before beginning construction. The basic components of it are a firebox for burning the wood, a water tank or coil for absorbing the heat from the fire, and a network of pipes for circulating hot water into your sauna. By utilizing the energy released by burning wood, you can create a constant supply of hot water for your sauna by transferring the heat from the fire to the water.
You can also customize a wood-fired sauna boiler to fit your unique requirements and tastes by building your own. The boiler’s dimensions and design can be changed to suit the size of your sauna and the desired level of heat. You can also choose the kind of wood you burn, which can have an impact on the effectiveness and aroma of your sauna experience. You can customize your boiler to your preferred temperature, whether that is faster heat production from softwoods or crackling warmth from hardwoods.
Boiler for a bathhouse from a metal pipe scrap
The easiest method for building a wood-fired bathhouse boiler is to use a large diameter, robust piece of metal pipe. There are two ways to construct a boiler out of metal pipes: the vertical and the horizontal, each with pros and cons.
To begin production, make sure you have enough of the following tools:
- Electric machine for welding metal,
- Angle grinder with a set of disks for cutting metal.
Horizontal boiler
The first method involves laying a section of metal pipe on the ground and installing a blind plug on one side of it. The stove door is organized on the other side of the plug. Another jumper that forms a hot water heating tank can be installed in the vicinity of the blind plug. Additionally, you can construct a water tank for the stove’s upper section. In this situation, you can set up a continuous water heating system in which freshly arrived cold water will periodically replace the used hot water.
Boiler’s design, but the wood in the pipe
The power of the stove can be further increased by installing a sauna heater, which is essentially a shelf filled with river stone, in the side portion of the horizontal pipe or in its upper segment!
Vertical construction
The pipe piece can also be positioned vertically on the opposite side. The water heating tank will be located in the upper part of the pipe, and the furnace itself will be located in the lower part of the entire internal volume. When constructing such a structure, the side can be used to accommodate a stone shelf.
It is possible to construct the firebox and the water heating tank independently if the metal pipe’s wall thickness is substantial. You will be able to manage large constructions more easily as a result. Remember that thinner metal can be used on the heating tank, but thick metal is only required for the furnace. The firebox’s service life is directly correlated with the thickness of the metal used to build it; the thicker the walls, the longer the trouble-free operation period.
It is also possible to position the sauna heater—that is, the stone shelf in this design—between the furnace and the heating tank. The chimney pipe is fixed firmly in the firebox’s center. The point where the chimney pipe connects to the furnace and heating water tank needs to be welded with extra care. It is advised to build an adjustable damper for the stove’s pipe in order to ensure efficient operation.
Such a solid fuel boiler’s chimney can be constructed from a combination of materials, such as asbestos and steel. Because metal and asbestos pipe have different coefficients of thermal expansion when heated, be sure to consider this when joining the two materials during installation.
These boilers, which are made from leftover thick-walled metal pipe scraps, will obediently serve you for a number of years, or until you choose to replace them with a more substantial and costly structure. Yes, everything will work flawlessly even if you decide against replacing!
We’ll walk you through the steps of creating your own wood-fired sauna boiler in this article. You can make an inexpensive and environmentally friendly heating solution for your sauna with a few simple supplies and a few useful tools. Everything will be covered, from selecting the appropriate materials to putting the boiler together securely and effectively. This guide will assist you in creating a comfortable and soothing sauna experience in your own backyard, regardless of your level of experience with do-it-yourself projects.
Boiler for a wood-fired sauna from a metal barrel.
This is arguably the most efficient and cost-effective method for building a wood-fired bath boiler. An old metal barrel should serve as the boiler’s base. Because they are constructed of extremely thin metal, almost foil, modern barrels are not appropriate for this use.
To remove the top lid from an old barrel, use an axe or chisel. Next, trim off a 15 centimeter-long section of metal pipe, which will serve as the chimney’s base.
Sauna boiler made out of a barrel
Next, we take another big barrel that holds roughly 200 liters. There, you are going to cut the cover that is at the bottom. We will drill a hole in the middle of the cut-out cover, about 10 centimeters in diameter, for the chimney pipe. The chimney pipe itself will be a little bit taller than the barrel, with a 10 centimeter cross-section.
Weld the chimney pipe to the barrel’s cut lid, and attach the four channel bar pieces to the back.
Wood-fired boiler apparatus
Placed on top of the boiler, a metal sheet boiler lid was cut out. You drill a circular hole in it that is 10 centimeters in diameter for the chimney. Once the boiler has been assembled and insulated with non-combustible materials like asbestos, connect it to the chimney.
A typical loading for one of these stoves’ tests will be roughly one-third of its volume. The firewood is covered with a pipe and cover. It can be adjusted in accordance with the barrel’s height. The construction is sealed off from above by a top cover.
Materials Needed | Step-by-Step Instructions |
Steel Barrel | 1. Obtain a steel barrel of appropriate size. Clean it thoroughly. |
Insulation Materials | 2. Acquire insulation materials such as ceramic fiber blanket or rock wool. |
Firebox | 3. Cut an opening in the barrel to serve as the firebox. |
Door and Hinges | 4. Attach a door to the firebox opening using sturdy hinges. |
Chimney | 5. Create a chimney at the top of the barrel for smoke ventilation. |
Ash Tray | 6. Install an ash tray at the bottom of the barrel to collect ashes. |
Grate | 7. Place a grate inside the barrel to hold the wood and allow airflow. |
Water Tank | 8. Add a water tank to the side of the barrel for heating water. |
Anyone looking to improve their sauna experience can find great satisfaction and fulfillment in building their own wood-fired sauna boiler. You can build a sauna heating system that not only generates plenty of heat but also gives your sauna sessions a charming rustic feel by using the power of fire.
The ease of use and low cost of building a wood-fired sauna boiler are two of its key benefits. You can construct a working boiler that effectively heats your sauna using wood fuel if you have some basic do-it-yourself skills and readily available materials. This provides a more ecologically friendly heating option while also lowering the dependency on gas or electricity.
More control over the sauna experience is also possible with a wood-fired sauna boiler. You have the freedom to design the ideal sauna atmosphere that suits your tastes by varying the amount of wood used to regulate the temperature. Furthermore, the ambience created by the natural heat released by burning wood gives your sauna sessions a distinct feel that improves the overall experience.
A further advantage of building your own wood-fired sauna boiler is the satisfaction and sense of achievement it provides. In addition to saving money, creating something by hand gives you a sense of accomplishment knowing that you have successfully designed and built a heating system for your home sauna. It can also be a talking point, showing off your inventiveness and originality to loved ones.
In conclusion, any homeowner looking to enhance their sauna experience should take up the project of building a wood-fired sauna boiler. It not only gives you more control and an authentic feel to your sauna sessions, but it also offers economical and eco-friendly heating. So why not get your hands dirty, gather some supplies, and begin constructing your own wood-fired sauna boiler right now?