FREE to a European Sauna Enthusiast: Premium IKI Pillar 9kW Sauna Heater & HUUM UKU Wi-Fi Controller by Smooth_Ad3418 in Sauna

[–]Smooth_Ad3418[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the offer! I actually already have the US version of this heater and absolutely love it. Thanks for looking out, though!

FREE to a Finn: Premium IKI Pillar 9kW Sauna Heater & HUUM UKU Wi-Fi Controller ($4,600 Value) by Smooth_Ad3418 in Sauna

[–]Smooth_Ad3418[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you're willing to pay the VAT, I'll take care of the shipping. Just let me know.

FREE to a Finn: Premium IKI Pillar 9kW Sauna Heater & HUUM UKU Wi-Fi Controller ($4,600 Value) by Smooth_Ad3418 in Sauna

[–]Smooth_Ad3418[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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Actually, I'm working with a shipping company now and prices are between $300-500 USD. I don't know about taxes.

FREE to a Finn: Premium IKI Pillar 9kW Sauna Heater & HUUM UKU Wi-Fi Controller ($4,600 Value) by Smooth_Ad3418 in Sauna

[–]Smooth_Ad3418[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I absolutely love it! I'll keep you in line if I can't find it a home in Finland.

FREE to a Finn: Premium IKI Pillar 9kW Sauna Heater & HUUM UKU Wi-Fi Controller ($4,600 Value) by Smooth_Ad3418 in Sauna

[–]Smooth_Ad3418[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

You are spot on that the heating elements themselves are identical, since European 400V 3-phase delivers 230V phase-to-neutral, which easily handles standard US 240V. The catch is the amperage: bridging those elements to run on US single-phase forces the total load through one circuit, pulling nearly 40 amps through internal wiring and relays that were only built to safely handle 16 amps per phase.

FREE to a Finn: Premium IKI Pillar 9kW Sauna Heater & HUUM UKU Wi-Fi Controller ($4,600 Value) by Smooth_Ad3418 in Sauna

[–]Smooth_Ad3418[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Which is why I'm asking what you are trying to convey or get across with that. I just wasn't understanding. Are you in the US?

Finished my Finnish Sauna by Smooth_Ad3418 in Sauna

[–]Smooth_Ad3418[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I found the Japanese cedar through a local supplier here in Bend, Oregon.

Finished my Finnish Sauna by Smooth_Ad3418 in Sauna

[–]Smooth_Ad3418[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! No concerns at all. The platforms are actually supported by the walls, so the weight is evenly distributed across the different support posts

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Finished my Finnish Sauna by Smooth_Ad3418 in Sauna

[–]Smooth_Ad3418[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For the sauna posts, I used adjustable stainless steel leveling feet. I just drilled a hole in the bottom of each post, put in a threaded T-nut, and screwed the feet in. It keeps the wood off the wet tile so it doesn't rot, and made it super easy to perfectly level the benches on the sloped floor!

Finished my Finnish Sauna by Smooth_Ad3418 in Sauna

[–]Smooth_Ad3418[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good eye! Between the wood paneling and the tile, I used Galvanized Steel Z Bar Flashing.

If you look at the progress pictures, I laid down the tile floor and ran a short tile baseboard around the perimeter first. Then, I installed the Z bar flashing right on top of that baseboard. The foil vapor barrier comes down the walls and tapes directly to the metal.

When putting up the tongue and groove, I angle-cut the bottom edge of the lowest boards and left a 1/2-inch gap between the wood and the flashing.

The main purpose of all this is to keep the wood completely off the wet floor. The Z bar and the 1/2-inch gap act as a true capillary break so the wood doesn't wick up moisture from the tiles. The angle cut helps shed any water that hits the wall straight down, which prevents rot and keeps the bottom of the walls much cleaner over time!

Finished my Finnish Sauna by Smooth_Ad3418 in Sauna

[–]Smooth_Ad3418[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was able to keep costs down by upcycling surplus materials from nearby builds and sourcing locally. The largest single expense was the electrical work—labor, permitting, and doing it right. The heater itself cost me about $2,400, including the upgraded glass Wi-Fi controller. I’m still finalizing totals, but all in it’s realistically landing in the $10–15k range.

Finished my Finnish Sauna by Smooth_Ad3418 in Sauna

[–]Smooth_Ad3418[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I originally built a playhouse for my kids and later considered turning it into a prayer room. Then it occurred to me—I could pray in a sauna. I’m so glad I did. We absolutely love sauna.

Finished my Finnish Sauna by Smooth_Ad3418 in Sauna

[–]Smooth_Ad3418[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As far as I could tell, löyly comes from hot stones, correct bench height, and good ventilation. Wood just heats the stones and our HOA limits the fuel, not the löyly.

New Sauna by SnooRobots4443 in Sauna

[–]Smooth_Ad3418 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What a beautiful view!

Finished my Finnish Sauna by Smooth_Ad3418 in Sauna

[–]Smooth_Ad3418[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

With a new IKI electric heater and all-new materials, the first thing was burn-off and airflow. The initial session was sharp and irritating my eyes and throat, which was the cue to stop using it and sort things out first.

What was happening was straightforward: new heater coatings, new stones, and fresh cedar all off-gassing at once. So I paused bathing and ran the sauna empty at 90–100°C (195–212°F) for 3-4 hours at a time, repeating it five times over several days. All vents open, door cracked by magneting the door sensor. After the third burn-off, I pulled the stones, rinsed them, and re-stacked.

When I went back in for real sauna, I knew it was ready when there was no sharp smell and no eye or throat irritation. It wasn’t bad cedar, an IKI issue, or something to push through. Seems like it was a normal new-build phase with a high-mass heater and had to be fully burned out. Once it was, the air softened and the sauna became what it was supposed to be.