All you need to know about sauna stones
Can you imagine that famous ladle of water being poured over the stones in a traditional sauna? Much more than an ancestral ritual, this gesture is essential for heating and creating steam. But which stones to choose? And how do you arrange and maintain them? Read on to find out all about them!
Types of sauna stones
Jadeite, steatite, quartzite… There are many different types of stone you can use in your sauna. Discover their characteristics below!
Jadeite
Jadeite is one of the most highly recommended sauna stones. Semiprecious, it is distinguished by its physical and healing properties. Solid, non-sharp and not very absorbent, it has and produces a in the sauna, pleasant and easy to breathe. It also has the advantage of being durable, needing to be changed far less frequently than other sauna stones.
In lithotherapy, it is said to have healing properties, strengthening the nervous system, normalizing blood pressure and improving blood composition.
Soapstone
Soapstone is a very dense, high-calorific stone of volcanic origin, commonly found in Finland. This sauna stone , which it diffuses by radiation, slowly and over a long period of time. It emits a . Highly textured, it maintains a stable level of temperature and humidity in the sauna.
In lithotherapy, it is recognized for its soothing and calming properties, helping to overcome excessive anxiety and fear.
Raspberry or white quartzite
Renowned for its durability, raspberry quartzite heats up very quickly and retains heat for a long time. Its high density and low thermal conductivity ensure in the sauna. According to lithotherapy, it fortifies the body and stimulates self-confidence and enthusiasm.
As for white quartzite, distinguished by its high density and low thermal conductivity, it produces a light, long-lasting steam while refreshing the air in the sauna. It is also highly resistant to high temperatures and temperature changes, and does not crumble easily. Finally, it is said to help cleanse the respiratory tract and relieve aches and pains by bringing healthy energy to the body.
Ceramics
Made from clay, ceramic stones are resistant to thermal shock and crumble with difficulty. They are characterized by their porous structure, enabling them to collect water, generating richer, softer steam and maintaining a pleasant level of humidity in the sauna.
Gabbro diabase
Gabbro diabase is a black organic stone, commonly used for sauna stoves. sauna stoves. Non-porous, it is evenly heated and , while retaining it for a long time. It gives off heat quickly and efficiently in the sauna, without emitting harmful substances.
How to place the stones in a sauna?
To generate dry steam, you need tospray the heated stones with water. You can repeat this operation several times during your sauna session. This also helps maintain a constant, pleasant heat, as the stones provide additional thermal mass.
But for this to work optimally, it’s essential to choose the right stones for your sauna and place them correctly.
Before placing them in the receptacle, we recommend cleaning the stones to remove any dust. Then :
- Carefully place them in the sauna heater (without dropping them);
- Arrange the stones according to size (large stones first, small stones on top);
- Be sure to leave plenty of space between the stones (stacking them too neatly will reduce the space available and hinder optimum heat diffusion).
Afterwards, simply sprinkle your stones with a sauna ladle during your session. This will add pleasant humidity to the dry sauna atmosphere, immediately generating steam (and preventing the heat from becoming stifling).
Sauna stone care
Although robust, the sauna stones require regular maintenance to ensure their longevity and to keep the sauna running smoothly. sauna operation operation.
Sauna stones of volcanic origin have the particularity of breaking up gradually, due to the variations in heat to which they are exposed. If you use your sauna more than 2 times a week, we recommend . This limits the build-up of residues, maintaining the optimum performance of your stones so that they continue to produce healthy heat and quality steam.
In addition to periodic replacement, it is essential to clean the stone pan and the volcanic stones themselves frequently. This removes unwanted residues and prevents scale build-up, while helping to preserve the integrity of your heater. An essential step insauna maintenance, to be carried out regularly.
In short: sauna stones are much more than just heating elements, they add an attractive aesthetic touch to your sauna. Jadeite, steatite, quartzite… There are a multitude of them, each with its own characteristics. It’s up to you to choose the ones that best suit your cabin! Place them harmoniously in the receptacle, sprinkle them with water using the ladle and… Enjoy all the sauna benefits ! And be sure to perform regular maintenance to not only extend their life, but also to ensure that your sauna runs optimally over time.
