The Basics
The Appeal of Sauna Tents
Frequently Asked Questions
Using Your Sauna Tent
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No, there are a few essential tasks you must complete before using your sauna tent and stove for the first time. Here's what you need to do:
- Unbox the stove and tent: Start by unpacking both the sauna stove and the tent.
- Attach the heat shields to your stove: Ensure that the heat shields are properly attached to the stove as per the manufacturer's instructions.
- Perform a factory burn / stove seasoning: Before enjoying your first sauna, it's crucial to burn off any manufacturing chemicals or dust from shipping that may have settled on the stove. Here's how to do it:
- Set up the stove OUTSIDE of the tent.
- Light a hot fire in the stove and let it burn for at least 1 hour.
- Allow the stove to cool down completely before setting it up inside the tent.
- For the best results, consider performing a second factory burn inside the tent.
- Enjoy your sauna tent: Once you've completed these steps, your sauna tent and stove will be ready for safe and enjoyable use.
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We do not recommend leaving the sauna tent up for extended periods. If you plan to leave it up for a short period of 2-5 days, please follow these precautions:
- Ensure the tent is well pegged: Properly secure the tent with stakes or pegs to prevent it from being easily knocked over by wind.
- Cover the tent when not in use: Use a tent cover or tarp to protect the sauna tent from UV exposure when it's not in use. This helps prolong the life of the material.
- Keep vent panels open: Maintain good airflow by keeping the vent panels open. This helps minimize moisture buildup inside the tent.
- Clear heavy snowfall: Heavy snowfall should be cleaned off to avoid overloading the roof.
- Please note that leaving the tent up in windy or rainy weather is not advisable. Wind can potentially damage the tent, and prolonged exposure to moisture can lead to mold growth on the tent material. For longer-term storage, it's best to disassemble and store the sauna tent in a dry location inside.
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Clean your sauna tent once a year or as needed by gently scrubbing the interior with a dish soap and warm water solution. Rinse, air dry, and store. You can optionally wipe the stove with a wet cloth, avoiding chemical cleaners. Always clean when not in use and never when the stove is hot or burning for safety.
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Yes, the sauna tent and stove can easily fit in the trunk of most cars. Additionally, they can also fit on a large bike trailer, providing portability and convenience.
As an example, we successfully packed a Honda CRV with 3 sauna tents, stoves, and accessories, allowing us to offer free saunas and open water cold dips to numerous friends along Toronto's beaches during the past winter. This demonstrates their compact and transportable nature.
The Sauna Experience
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No, the sauna tent does not come with a floor. It is designed to be set up directly on the ground. You have the flexibility to place the sauna tent on various non-flammable surfaces, such as a stone patio, sandy beach, or live grass.
However, it's important to note the following safety precautions:
- Avoid placing the stove above plastic or flammable materials: Ensure that the area where you set up the sauna tent is free from any plastic or flammable materials to prevent potential fire hazards.
- Setting up on a wooden deck: If you intend to set up the sauna tent on a wooden deck, always place a non-flammable material like a patio stone between the stove and the deck. This additional layer acts as insulation, preventing the radiant heat from burning the wooden deck.
By following these guidelines, you can safely enjoy your sauna tent on various surfaces while minimizing the risk of accidents or damage.
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You can use any wooden bench or chair in the sauna tent, but it's important to avoid using plastic or fabric chairs for safety reasons. For the best sauna experience, we recommend using cedar benches with foldable legs. You have two options for acquiring benches:
- Purchase cedar benches with foldable legs: You can find suitable benches for your sauna at Inner Harbour Goods here (coming soon).
- Build your own benches: If you prefer a DIY approach, you can build your own cedar benches for the sauna tent. Please note that the sauna tent can accommodate two benches oriented in an L configuration —one that is 5 feet long and another that is 3 feet long.
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Sauna rocks play a crucial role in your sauna experience, as they are essential for heating the sauna space and creating the steam that contributes to the overall ambiance. Here's what you should know about sauna rocks:
- Placement of sauna rocks: Sauna rocks can be placed on top of the sauna stove and/or in the rock basket. The stove heats the rocks, creating a thermal mass that generates a smooth, deep heat for your enjoyment. When water is poured onto these hot rocks, the heat is transferred to steam, which in turn warms your body when it comes into contact with your skin.
- Purchasing sauna rocks: Sauna rocks can be purchased from local sauna suppliers. You can explore options for purchasing sauna stones from sources like bsaunas.com
- Collecting sauna rocks in nature: Alternatively, you can collect your own sauna rocks from nature. If you choose to do this, it's important to research and select the right type of rocks. Here are some tips for choosing the best rocks for your sauna:
- For optimal results, it's advised to use igneous rocks, which are generally dense and non-porous. Some commonly used stones include olivine diabase, peridotite, vulcanite, basalt, granite, and gabro.
- Ensure that you clean the rocks thoroughly before using them in your sauna.
Additional resources:
- You can find more information and tips on choosing the right sauna stones in articles like [Adam Range's tips on Medium]() and videos like Justin Juntunen's Instagram video, where he collects his own rocks and shares some helpful insights.
Understanding and selecting the appropriate sauna rocks will enhance the performance and enjoyment of your sauna sessions.
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While all you truly need for a great sauna experience are the sauna tent, stove, rocks, wood, and water, these accessories can enhance your enjoyment:
- Stone basket: You can purchase stone baskets from companies like NSS or even repurpose an old metal mesh bike basket to place more stones on top of the stove.
- Water bucket & Ladle: Many sauna companies offer water buckets designed for holding water to be spooned onto the stove. Alternatively, you can use an old pot and ladle from around the house as a thrifty option.
- Thermometer: To monitor the sauna's temperature, consider getting an inexpensive thermometer (around $15-$30) and hang it in the top corner of the sauna. Make sure it's not made of plastic.
- Ax: For splitting wood to the required size for your sauna tent, you'll need an ax.
- Essential oils: Enhance the sauna experience by adding essential oils to the water you pour onto the sauna stones to emit pleasant fragrances into the steam. Popular options include eucalyptus, cedar, and pine. We recommend avoiding essential oil mixes or floral oils.
- Cold plunge: Adding a cold plunge to your sauna set up can be a game changer, allowing you to do the full heat - cold cycle. Our recommendation is to purchase a 4 ft steel stock tank from home depot or to repurpose an old claw foot bathtub.
These accessories can add comfort and enjoyment to your sauna sessions, but the basic elements of the sauna itself are the core components for a wonderful experience.
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While many people sauna naked for the traditional experience, we recommend the following clothing and gear for added comfort and hygiene:
- Swimsuit
- Flip flops or crocs
- Sauna hat
- Towel
- Robe or towel poncho
- Water bottle (1L is best)
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When embarking on a sauna tent adventure we recommend packing the following gear:
- Sauna tent and stove
- Bench or folding chairs
- Sauna rocks (small batch)
- Wood (if unsure about collecting it)
- An ax (if wood needs chopping)
- Personal gear - Sauna hats, Towels, Robe or towel poncho
- Essential oils
- Water or water filter
- Snacks
- First aid kit
Managing The Stove
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Hardwood is the best choice for your sauna stove. It burns efficiently and provides a steady source of heat.
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It's crucial to use fully dry wood because burning wet wood burns cooler and produces more smoke than dry wood. Wet wood can release more pollutants and small particles into the air, which can affect your sauna experience negatively.
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Logs that are 16-20 inches in length are ideal for your sauna stove. They ensure a consistent source of heat and help maintain the desired sauna temperature. For the best results, chop the logs to 2-3.5 inches in diameter. This size ensures that the wood burns with a hot flame, preventing it from turning into coals or embers.
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- Set up the tent on flat ground well away from buildings and other flammable objects.
- Before starting a fire in the stove, ensure the tent is properly set up and pegged. Make sure the stove is not touching the side of the tent, and ensure the stove pipe is properly attached and the chimney pipe damper is fully open.
- Ensure there is no flammable material directly under the stove during operation.
- If smoke comes out of the stove inside the tent, immediately exit the tent to avoid inhaling smoke. Leave the tent door open to allow the smoke to exit. The most common cause of this issue is having the chimney pipe damper closed.
- Avoid using the sauna tent in winds above 10 km/hour. High winds can pose a fire hazard and compromise the stability of the tent.
- Never leave the tent unattended with an active fire. Always have someone present to monitor the fire while the sauna is in use.
- Do not touch the stove when there is an active fire. The stove can become extremely hot when in use, so exercise caution and avoid direct contact. When touching the door handle to refill firewood use a poker or firegloves.
- Only burn clean firewood. Never burn pressure treated wood in the stove as it can release toxic chemicals and is dangerous.
- Avoid using plastic furniture or flammable materials in the sauna tent.
- Refrain from using the sauna tent under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Refrain from entering the sauna tent with more people than capacity, as this increases risk of coming in contact with the stove when entering or exiting.
These safety measures will help ensure a safe and enjoyable sauna experience while reducing the risk of fire hazards.