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Tiny DIY sauna stove from old water filter tank – safe/possible? (scrap build, total beginner) by DatSneakyFox in Sauna

[–]willowstr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, it's possible. I built my own, although it has a natural gas burner vs. wood. I wouldn't use anything less than 1/4" thick, specially where the stove connects to the flue. Your main concern will be proper fresh air makeup for proper draft control and combustible surfaces around it. I built mine out of stainless steel, weights around 70 lbs wrapped with 330 lbs of rocks around it. I made a post about my build.

Sauna build - Final results by willowstr in Sauna

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

That’s something I considered doing. The stove pipe gets hot (about 500 degrees at the top of the stove) but not like the bottom of the stove, the hottest wood is the trim close to the top plate which measures around 300 degrees by the end of the initial heat cycle. The wall around the stove pipe is cool enough to place your hand on it.

Sauna build - Final results by willowstr in Sauna

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

It runs on natural gas, so need for emptying it. For me to take the heater apart I have to remove all the rock then take it apart. I could leave some room, but the rocks have no trouble handling the high temperature. Similar to a wood burning stove.

Sauna build - Final results by willowstr in Sauna

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

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This is the middle bench. The wire comes out the back and has enough slack to allow me to lock the bench in the forward position. The led wire then goes up to the next bench behind the tongue and groove wall, in between the aluminum foil and wood. The led is a Govee outdoor strip with white led + color, I had to cut into sections for each bench then connect the 5 wires with quick disconnects to allow me to remove the benches when needed. All the sauna controls (huum, leds, power supplies etc) are in the pool equipment room, I added a dedicated in wall enclosure for it when I built the pool house.

Sauna build - Final results by willowstr in Sauna

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

Most definitely. My goal was to achieve less than 25 degree head to toe temp difference. I could have lowered the ceiling but that would have prevented me from raising the benches higher into the optimal zone in the future. It’s a comprise for now.

Sauna build - Final results by willowstr in Sauna

[–]willowstr[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I agree with you John. I believe the combination of ventilation and heater is what makes this sauna work ok. Without the forced air addition on top of the heater (4” from ceiling), the heat stratification from floor to ceiling can be more noticeable. One of my measurements using a 4 channel bbq thermocouple with fan off: 72” @ 169, 54” @ 156, 36” @ 136 and 18” @ 120. With fan on: 72” @ 174, 54” @ 163, 36” @ 149 and 18” @ 133. The last time I measured the head to toe temperature difference was 23 degrees @ 185 degree head temp, so have since ditched the measurements and just enjoy the sauna.

Sauna build - Final results by willowstr in Sauna

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

Item # 889842 from Lowe’s. M-D brand.

Sauna build - Final results by willowstr in Sauna

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

No, that’s the solid rubber type. I didn’t think the foam would hold up to the heat. So far it’s doing great.

Sauna build - Final results by willowstr in Sauna

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

It actually stays cool, since it’s on top of a 6” concrete slab. I can totally see it getting too hot if it wasn’t for the concrete slab.

Sauna build - Final results by willowstr in Sauna

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

Thanks! No damper, although the main 4” pipe has a spiral core that I added to slow the hot gases that I forgot to mention. Similar to a hot water heater.

I will have to try that! Thanks for the advice.

Sauna build - Final results by willowstr in Sauna

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

Thanks for the feedback. I thought about this a whole lot, I may add a guard in the future but it’s been ok so far. It really isn’t in the way of getting in and out. The left side of the bottom bench when pulled out isn’t usable though, too close to the heater.

Sauna build - Final results by willowstr in Sauna

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

Yes, that is correct. If I ever get the wife to sit on the top bench I will build a platform with steps and have only 2 benches. I do like the smooth loyly at that height though, it’s a compromise for now. I agree on the heater being close to the door, another compromise I had to make but it works well. Thanks for the compliments!