150lbs!

Sometimes it's possible that the air pressure around the sauna cabin differs (meaning the air pressure is very different on the location of the intake vent than the exhaust for example), and the ventilation does not work because of that, the air won't circulate. There's no easy fix for this, would need to consult your local HVAC professional about it. It's also true that eliminating the temperature differences completely between lower and higher levels of the sauna is impossible without HVAC machines that force the air to circulate. There's many things that effect this, your sauna heater choice, and other sauna construction practices included.

The sauna is in my garage so no HVAC and the air circulation could be problematic - do you think if I open the side door to the garage the air ventilation would improve?

Or should I just put my air purifier / fan close to the intake?

@@tjwatkins8381 Try playing around with the fan and see if you can make it work, but as said in some sauna models you just can't eliminate the temperature differences completely. But yes, if you can get the air to circulate in the sauna that would fix the problem at least partly.

thanks!

That depends. It's a sauna you can get started with, so much better than no sauna. However, Costco barrel saunas are pretty much the worst barrels (smallest diameter resulting in the tightest arc, the roof is not covered with anything meaning bad water management, heater with least rocks so radiant heat, etc.). But again, if you have never been in a proper sauna, you will likely be happy with this so I can't really give a direct answer. In general, you want to be looking at sauna that is as close to fulfilling the best practices of sauna construction as possible: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-JtSy6WOgdoA.htmlsi=2SSE0HTPPZLtI_zg

Happy to hear that Jack!

You simply add more wood to the fire chamber when you want more heat. There's no way to control it very specifically.

Sounds like a great plan. Barrel saunas can be great if constructed right. They're just not the most optimal.

Since SaunaLife is made in Europe, I think they have thought about things a bit further than most made in other parts of the world. Great benches, room for even taller people like me (I tried, I can fit in well and I'm 6.4), good price/quality ratio in my opinion.

Thanks for the positive feedback!

haha thanks Nathan 🔥

When they say sauna creates relaxation, they mean after the sauna, once we've had a cold plunge or shower, that's when we can lie down and feel extremely relaxed. The sauna is a stressful place and is actually a good place to talk and socialise. In Finland where they invented it, they talk through the duration of the sauna. You're right though, the whole experience is a great break from the outside world, our kids and our phones.

Yes, it does have a drain under the benches in the middle! I don't have that measurement here, but I will ask that and comment it tomorrow :)

Mira L has 47” from top bench to the ceiling.

I have asked this and will get back to this comment once I have more information for you!

I enjoy it, you can get a more humid experience in lower temperatures which offers variety. I like having options and mixing things up with Saunum. You can either do a traditional sauna or have the Saunum air equalizer on in either of the 3 levels. Solves the ventilation problem nicely. The truth is that most saunas have very bad ventilation and with this, you don't have to worry about it.

True! I will film an updated version of this video soon, I have some new information about ventilation that I got after discussing the contents of this video with my fellow sauna experts.

Yes, prefab saunas are very expensive, mostly because these saunas are so well insulated and sturdy builds, take a lot of material, very heavy so expensive to move around etc. Have you looked into Auroom Mira L? It's not a prefab but the best DIY sauna kits, takes around 8 hours to put together from 2 people.

This video is about the best traditional Finnish saunas on the US market, not the most popular infrared sauna brands. I'm sure Sun Home has great infrared saunas, but as said this is not about infrared. Also, the saunas mentioned as the best saunas on the market in this video are not cheap, they cost 30k+ as a package, and that's why they can't be the most popular since most people opt for cheaper alternatives.

Thank you! I appreciate it.

I'm 23.

Very small saunas can do with one only, put it under the sauna benches.

Yes there's a standard old fashion radiator under the sauna benches. This sauna is located in very cold climate, so this just keeps that room at normal room temperature during the winter when the sauna is not used and it can be -10f outside this sauna room. When it comes to sauna going, this radiator has nothing to do with it. So, if you live in cold climate, and you want to keep the sauna room warm in the winter (meaning normal room temperature like 66f) you can have a radiator. It's not mandatory nor specifically recommended practice, this is just a part of overall construction and house heating function. Doesn't have much to do with the room being a sauna in this case. Let me know if that helps :)

Drain is included in this sauna, but I consider that obvious so I didn't mention it. It's not a common mistake or secret thing that people might not know based on my experience.

@@thesaunaheater it’s pretty common in North America to not have a drain (or not understand the need for a drain)

@@pigetstuck That's true, but in indoor saunas it's important!

@@thesaunaheater What do you recommend for drainage in outdoor saunas?

@@pigetstuck Yes I would!

Alder is very commonly used premium sauna wood in Europe. It does not rot easily when it's done by Thermory for sauna use.

I don't have any experience with Basswood in sauna use so I can't comment on it.

Thanks, glad you enjoy the videos! If air is taken from and vented back into the same room, it can indeed help maintain balanced air pressure. However, if you vent the hot air to the same room where you take the cold air from, you're basically circulating the same air around which is not optimal. In an optimal scenario, you want to have fresh air coming in and vent the hot humid air somewhere where it does no harm. I would consult a HVAC professional on specific advice on the situation.

Yes, indoor saunas do, with outdoor saunas it differs but separate outdoor sauna buildings are not so common in Finland.

@@thesaunaheater How does it differ with outdoor saunas?

@@pigetstuck Basically if you have something like a barrel sauna, it doesn't matter so much where the humidity or any liquid goes, because it will find it's way out of the barrel. With indoor saunas you don't want to ruin the structures of your house so you need to be very particular in making sure all the humidity and liquids go into the right place.

Yes, there are two types of control systems: Local control systems - you can only control through the panel on the wall outside of the sauna. WiFi control systems - you can control from the panel on the wall, and additionally through an app on your phone if you want to. The functionality of the outfacing panel itself is always the same, the difference in the panels themselves is the design only.

With a correctly sized sauna heater around 50-55 minutes.

Really depends on the sauna heater brand, if the ventilation is well done it doesn't matter since the temperatures are equal across the sauna. But each brand has their own guidelines you should follow!

Great to hear you have found an enjoyable recovery method for yourself!

Yes, exactly like you said. That's a good rule of thumb. Keep them closed when heating up and open when you go into the sauna. Then after sauna going, leave them open so the sauna will dry.