Sauna sessions are packed with physical and mental benefits. Sitting in a sauna increases your heart rate, and the blood vessels widen, leading to increased blood circulation. Other sauna benefits include overall relaxation, detoxification, improved skin health, easing muscle and pain, burning calories, and improved heart health.

Regardless of how a sauna is heated, the effects on the body are similar. However, maximizing the heat of your Forever Sauna can make it more efficient and help you get the most out of your sauna sessions. The primary purpose of a sauna is to relax and sweat out toxins while maintaining your inner-core temperature. This shows why maximizing the heat is crucial.

You can do a few things to get your sauna as hot as possible. The common ways of getting your sauna to a satisfactory temperature include covering it and enhancing the sauna heater. 

If you are thinking of maximizing the heat of your Forever Sauna, and you’re not sure where to start, you have come to the right place. This article will discuss ways to ensure your outdoor barrel sauna gets to the right sauna temperature. Whether using an electrical or wood-burning heater, these tips will work for both. Keep reading to learn more.

Preparing for Maximum Heat Efficiency

The following are tips for preparing for maximum sauna heat efficiency.

Choosing the Right Location

The location of your sauna is vital when preparing for maximum heat efficiency. For an electric sauna, you can place it inside a basement or garage if you have extra space in it. You will want to ensure that your sauna is away from structures that may be damaged by heat. Check for an electrical source nearby, or make sure you can install one if needed. Also, you will want to place your sauna in an area sheltered from the wind, which will help maintain its temperature and keep it safe from any damage.

If it is a wood-burning sauna, you will want to place it outside to ensure proper ventilation. This ensures there is enough oxygen for wood burning. When the fire burns inside the stove, it draws air in, thanks to the chimney. You only need to allow the air to get to the stove.

Covering Your Sauna

Since outdoor sauna barrels are built for the outdoors, they do not need insulation. However, covering the sauna's top is a good alternative. The following are some of the options you can consider when it comes to covering your sauna.

Rain Jacket

A removable rain jacket is one of the best options to cover your sauna. It can protect your sauna from heavy loads of rain and snow. This makes it easier for your sauna to heat up to high temperatures. They come in different colors, so you can choose your favorite or one that suits your sauna. They are easy to install and remove. In addition, they are waterproof, UV resistant, and keep moisture out.

Corrugated Metal Roof

A corrugated metal roof is a more permanent solution for covering your sauna. You can easily find them at your local hardware store. They also come in a wide variety of colors. 

Power-Up Your Heater

The heater is the main factor affecting the temperature of a sauna. Both electric and wood-burning heaters can reach a maximum of 195 degrees Fahrenheit. The ability of your sauna to produce and retain heat is affected by the size of the heater, the type of wood you use, and the type of stones. 

While a large sauna stove allows you to reach the right sauna temperature, it needs more internal space. On the other hand, a smaller heater takes longer to warm the sauna space but fits well. 

Electric Heaters

Electric heaters are more convenient because you can quickly turn them on with a flip of a switch. You can program your electric heater or use it with Wi-fi to heat your sauna space quickly. Some have a safety feature for automatically resetting them after an hour. When choosing the ideal electric heater for your sauna, be sure to go for one with a higher KW. Also, note that you will need a qualified electrician to help you fix it.

Wood-burning Heaters

A wood-burning heater is a better option for starters because it is cheaper than an electric one. It gives an authentic traditional spa feel and eliminates the hassle and cost associated with electric wiring and paying electric bills.

If you want to build a fire that maintains the right sauna temperature so your sauna is as efficient as possible, you must make sure you are using the best wood logs. When choosing wood logs for your sauna heater, you should consider those that are easily accessible, clean, and seasoned. Avoid wood logs that are freshly cut, painted, stained, or have broken knots.

Softwoods are ideal for starting a fire as they catch fire quickly. Some of the softwood options you can consider include cedar, pine, redwood, fir, and spruce. Harwoods offer a more efficient fuel source because they burn slower. Therefore, once you start the fire with softwood, you should fuel it with hardwood, such as oak, walnut, cherry, maple, or birch. This will ensure that you maintain a slow-burning fire with good heat output. Note that all types of wood should be well-seasoned before burning.

While a wood-burning heater is a cheaper option, it also has its downside. For instance, it takes longer to heat, and controlling the temperatures can be difficult. In addition, you will require a chimney kit.

Enhancing Heat Retention

The following are a few things you can do to enhance your sauna's heat retention.

Utilizing the Vents Properly

Having enough oxygen in your sauna is as important as the correct height of benches or the right number of stones on the stove. Some saunas have two vents; the first one is by the ceiling, and it is designed for exhaustion, while the second one is underneath the heater and it helps to pull in fresh air. 

When using your vents, be sure to warm up the sauna heater with the vents open to ensure the high-limit sensor is not activated. Your cold air from getting in the sauna's bottom by keeping the corks in the drain stave. Also, make sure the vents are closed during your sauna sessions. You can open them up if you feel the air is too stuffy.

The Sauna Stones

Your sauna heater will not work efficiently if you are using the wrong stones. For the stones to work effectively and retain the heat, they must be of a certain weight and a certain type. So, you should avoid using stones from your backyard.

Designated sauna stones are recommended because they are better at effective vaporization and disperse heat more quickly. In addition, they maximize the amount of heat distributed and can be easily and safely stacked.

Air Circulation

Since heat rises naturally, you can improve the sauna temperature by finding a way to ensure air is always in circulation. Hot air is likely to get stuck at the top of the outdoor sauna barrel. You can prevent this by using a small-sized fan or waving a towel overhead to ensure air is evenly dispersed.

Humidity

One of the benefits of using an outdoor wood sauna is that you can control the humidity levels. You can create a burst of steam by adding some water to the stones. Naturally, both dry and wet heat are the same when it comes to their temperature. However, wet heat tends to feel hotter to the body as compared to dry heat. Be sure to drizzle water evenly on the sauna stones instead of dumping water on them. 

Sauna Heater Maintenance

Most sauna heaters can serve up to 30 years. Regular maintenance will ensure they are more durable while ensuring they perform efficiently. Fortunately, sauna heaters do not have a lot of maintenance needs. You will only need to clean the outer casing regularly using water, a mild cleaner, baking soda, or a soft cloth. Also, you will need to wipe the sauna's interior regularly to prevent build-up caused by hard water.

Conclusion

There are several ways in which you can maximize the heat efficiency of your sauna. You can start by choosing the right sauna location and ensuring your sauna is covered with a rain jacket or corrugated metal covering. Ensure that you use the best heater and have the right amount of stones. For electric heaters, you should choose higher KW heaters, while for wood-burning heaters, you should consider wood types that burn hot.

Once you start your sauna sessions, close the vents and only open them when it gets too hot inside the sauna. For sufficient air circulation, be sure to fan hot air. Also, you can gradually add water to the stones to achieve high humidity levels.

If you are looking for the right sauna for your backyard, shop the collection of Forever Saunas now. Also, do not forget to contact our team for any questions.