Why Aren’t Barrel Saunas Popular In Europe (the truth)

This is everything you need to know about barrel saunas.

Sauna building can be complex process. Research everything well in advance before building yours. To clarify, barrel saunas are not bad, they can be very enjoyable when done right. As said in the video, this was just an explanation on where the controversy regarding barrel saunas comes from.

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[mmcanyt]

I have a barrel sauna (Thermory No. 62), and I love it. But I have experienced the issues mentioned by Veeti in this video. To overcome the cold feet, I closed an intake vent that was close to the floor at the front of the sauna and added intake vents behind my HUUM Hive 13 wood burning stove. I also added a “humidity release” vent high on the front wall. So the airflow is now back to front, low to high. It’s a noticeable improvement. I can literally feel the steam circulating and engulfing my body now. It’s a great feeling! I have used fans as well, running them under the benches from front to back. But I haven’t needed them since adjusting my ventilation. The radiant heat issue is real. The stove can get really hot and uncomfortable to sit next to. So I built a deflector out of the leftover staves, and lined one side w heat resistant metal to block the radiant heat. I stand it in front of the stove once it gets to the temp I desire. Problem solved. I am also going to order the heat deflectors made by HUUM for my stove and add them to the sides so the radiant heat is less of a problem for my feet when lying down. Temps are now in the 20-30degF and it takes about an hour to get my sauna to 180F. No problem. I plan my evening around this, and add wood to the stove after half an hour and once again right before I shower and then enter the sauna. My sessions usually last about and hour, but often longer, staying in the sauna 20min or so, then cooling off outside for 5-10, then back inside for 15min or so, cool off again, and then 10 min inside for my last time inside. I drink A LOT of water before, during and after my sessions. And probably my favorite part is my final cooling off outside. I wear a robe and a big towel over my head and shoulders. Very uncovered at first but covering up as I cool off. It’s amazing to me that I can sit on my deck couches for so long, even w temps in the teens. It’s sublime, especially when it’s snowing and you feel the flakes landing and melting on your skin. It’s a great experience that ends up taking about 2 hours in the evening. And it’s one of those things that I do and cannot wait to do it again as soon as I’m showering before going to bed. I hope you’ll have similar experiences!! By the way, Veeti helped me adjust my ventilation layout. He is a great resource!!! Thank you, Veeti!!

[Shep]

I got a barrel sauna for 6 people with a 9.5kw huum, they get plenty hot... i put the thermo sensor behind the seat so when its 159 F at the seat its about 200F by the ceiling wall thermo by the door. Its VERY uncommon to have a sauna in the US it was cheaper then a little cabin version but still surprisingly pricy. Compounded by the natural humidity of my area (40% humidity without adding steam). Mostly the issues I have with them is the air circulation... i added all metal fans to help with that.. We still use it year around and found its great on really hot days like 100F plus (remember its humid here) it helps you cool off. You bake a bit and step out and the oppressive heat is much cooler with all the sweat(mind you its best in the winter). Also If the barrel is larger cold feet aren't a issue, I can lay on the bench with room to spare, and i am over 6ft.

[csuszi]

I am confused if they complain about the cold air plummetting and hot air in the top doesn't that happen in normal saunas as well? :D or physics don't apply in normal saunas inside a house/gym? :)

[dcl]

I've had some great sauna in well designed barrels with wood stoves. Electric with a barrel just doesn't work well, they exacerbate each other's weaknesses. Your never going to get great heat stratification with a barrel obviously, but you can get even heat with a quality wood stove and having the intake vent low and behind the heater, and exhaust high on the opposite wall, opposite what you would normally do.

[finneganmagee]

I just ordered a Luna sauna which in Canada are almost as popular a design as barrels.I will get a few modifications. I will get the top bench raised as high as feasible and modify the ventilation. Standard bench is already well above the heater.
Will it be as good as a proper built Finnish sauna.? No.. but I don’t have the space or money for that. I think it will still be very enjoyable.

[HHermans]

I had my bench raised another 12 cm, and will have the other one done as well. And added more rocks to the stove. Take time to heat up properly. Makes a big difference. Best experience when second or third wood has burned completely.

[DrHinge]

Barrels are also super popular in Denmark. I’d choose a proper/better design though.

[CC-gvus]

Thanks for this great intro. If I do get a barrel i'll get a fan

[Ameliaegghart]

Does the glass doors/windows warp? I had a sauna builder tell me a panorama window interferes with the integrity of the structure?

[andrewsenour]

Nice video, it’s funny to see my sauna at my house in your video 😂 I’m guessing you watched the wifi control video I posted. ?

[alanhughes]

They look nice with the dome end but are they practical like your bent forward end up as a hunch back, I like a sauna were i can lay down with the heater on one side the wall sloping on one side with a lean to roof high up with two level's and full glass one end and with carbon panels for summer months were we have bush fire zones the out side will be color bond steel, inside pine lining insulated my heater will be totally covered with basalt plenty in Australia for free, I will build this with a steel frame wood heated as electricity is expensive in Australia at 40 cents a kw hour or more, it adds up if you use it every day. Those 4 kw heaters are to expensive to run 2 dollars a go 2 times every day its expensive.i have free run of dry hardwood at no cost .i also run my hot tub on free wood at present i have an old 3 seater infrared sauna which i run every day its cheaper to run at 1 dollar a shot but its also expensive at the end of the month its too short to lay down so i will cut a hole in it box it up so my feet can fit in their .
. I might forget about carbon panels and just use the wood sauna in winters .

[NPow]

As an American who has never truly been in an actual sauna other than ones at the gym, I’ve got to wonder what is the real difference between barrel and a cabins experience. As another mentioned, Costco offers the least expensive barrel option with heater shipped for around 3k. Many cabin kits run about 3x that price.


So for someone who hasn’t been in either. Does it make sense to pay the extra money for a cabin sauna that is agreed to be better, or just go with a cheap hot room and pocket the extra money?

[darrylthomas]

Great information. Thanks. Any opinion about the SaunaLife Cube Luxury 3 Person Sauna?

[cbingham]

So, it sounds like a fan solves everything

[lifesshortbs]

And then there was this guy who bought an infrared sauna. Radiant Heat sauna gets delivered in 2 days