9 BENEFITS OF A WOOD BURNING SAUNA STOVE

The decision to invest in a sauna isn’t hard, considering the multiple benefits of sauna bathing, from reducing muscle pain to strengthening the immune system, relieving anxiety, and improving sleep. 

The real challenge is choosing between the wide variety of shapes, styles and types of saunas. For example, even just considering saunas stoves, you will need to decide between the two types of heat sources — an electric heater or a traditional wood burning sauna stove.

While they’re both popular choices, a wood burning stove is a classic option for a sauna since it’s actually how the great Finnish-style sauna bathing tradition began. But there’s more to it than that. Wood-burning sauna stoves are also more affordable and convenient and help provide an authentic sauna experience. 

Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of a wood burning sauna stove and why it might be the best choice for you!

1. Provides an Authentic Sauna Experience

An excellent option for a traditional outdoor sauna, most people consider the natural wood smoke element of a wood burning sauna stove to be an essential part of an authentic sauna experience.

You’ll typically find wood burning sauna stoves in the traditional sauna culture of the Scandinavian tradition. There’s nothing like the nostalgic and cozy feeling that comes with a natural wood burning fire source in your home.

Plus, the crackling fire in the wood burning sauna stove is incredibly relaxing and can amplify your overall sauna experience.

In addition to providing a softer heat than an electric sauna, a wood burning sauna stove can also set the mood by giving off a dim light and a pleasant fragrance. 

A few amazing scented sauna wood types for wood burning sauna stoves are cedar and eucalyptus, which can help add a natural aromatherapy component to your sauna bath.

If you aren’t a fan of aromatic wood, though, or are allergic to its phenols, consider opting for neutral woods like poplar and hemlock.

2. Helps in Pain Relief

There are several health benefits of using a sauna. A wood burning sauna experience can help you feel more relaxed, boost your energy levels, and aid in pain relief. Your blood flow increases as your blood vessels relax and dilate, which can help relieve sore muscles.

Studies show that saunas can help decrease inflammation and chronic pain associated with arthritis and other chronic musculoskeletal diseases like ankylosing spondylitis, reducing pain, stiffness, and fatigue.

Sauna sessions can also help decrease lower back pain, per a 2019 study published in Anesthesia and Pain Medicine Journal. Though, further research is needed to conclusively prove the link between sauna therapy and reduced lower back pain before including it as a part of any treatment routine.

3. You Can Install It Yourself

When it comes to installing a wood burning sauna stove, you’ll be glad to know that you can easily do it yourself — as long as your DIY skills are reasonable, of course. Granted, you have an adequately ventilated sauna room, installing a wood burning sauna stove is quick and easy.

Doing it yourself can help you save money as well. Installing an electric sauna heater, on the other hand, will typically always require a professional for the job because of the wiring involved.

However, keep in mind that a wood burning sauna stove will need a chimney. If you don't intend to DIY it, getting a chimney installed — if you don’t have one already — can increase the overall costs.

4. It’s Convenient 

A classic Finnish-style wood burning sauna stove is incredibly convenient. Since you don’t have to rely on electricity, you can install a wood burning sauna stove virtually anywhere, even in places with no access to electricity — perfect for an off-the-grid living!

You only need a source of wood logs to operate a wood burning sauna stove. Since you don’t have to rely on electricity, this can also be super helpful when the power is out.

While there’s no need for an electrical hookup, a wood burning sauna stove will need some maintenance. You will need to regularly clean out the coals and the ash, depending on how frequently you use your sauna. 

Don’t let this stop you from getting a wood burning sauna stove, though. Since you’re likely already getting your chimney and fireplace cleaned out, this shouldn’t be that big of a deal.

5. Helps Improve Immunity

Did you know that regular sauna sessions can help strengthen your immune system, making you more resilient against common diseases?

In fact, studies show that regular sauna bathing can lower your risk of getting a cold or influenza by a whopping 30%. If you haven’t yet invested in a DIY wood burning sauna kit for your home this winter season, consider this a sign.

So basically, sauna bathing raises your internal body temperature, mimicking an “artificial fever.” As your body temperature rises, your white blood cells, antibodies, and other infection-fighting agents count also increase, which can help kill any disease-causing bacteria and viruses. 

Besides strengthening your immune system, sauna sessions also help open your detoxification channels and rid your body of toxins through sweat.

6. It’s More Economical 

Perhaps the most significant reason one might prefer a traditional wood burning sauna stove is affordability. Installing an electric sauna means paying extra for an electrician to do all the electrical work. The best wood burning sauna stove, like the HUUM Hive Wood 17 (pictured below), on the other hand, doesn’t require any electrician as there’s no wire work involved. 

Wood is also a cheaper fuel source — even more so if you live in a rural area with an ample supply of fuel wood. Sure, you’ll need to chop and move the wood, but consider it just another workout.

Purchasing wood in the city, however, can get expensive. But the good news is that you won’t have to pay any increases on your electricity bill. The low running costs of a wood burning sauna stove can be particularly beneficial if you live somewhere with high utility bills.

To cut your costs even further, consider installing a wood burning sauna yourself using a prefabricated sauna kit. Though, keep in mind that while a wood burning sauna will require proper ventilation installed, it still won’t require hiring an electrician.

8. Helps You Sleep Better

There’s a reason sauna bathing is becoming more popular among people with sleep problems. And if you have trouble sleeping, a regular wood burning sauna routine might be just what you need.

Besides relieving aches and pain that can interfere with your sleep, the silence and solitude of a sauna session can help alleviate anxiety and increase your serotonin production. This can boost your mood and reduce stress, helping improve your sleep quality (via a 2018 study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine) 

Using a sauna before sleep can also help you get a more restful and deep sleep through the process of thermoregulation, according to a 2020 study published in the Journal of Current Opinion in Physiology. 

Your body tends to cool down in the evenings, signaling your brain that you’re ready for some shut-eye. As you relax in high heat, your body temperature rises. When you step out of the sauna, your body works hard to decrease your internal body temperature, increasing melatonin production and convincing your brain that it’s time to sleep.

You can also use sauna accessories like Hotass Himalayan salt lights for even better sleep, mood improvement, and pain relief, per Healthline.

9. The Heat is Better

Not every type of heat is the same. It’s true that the wood fire heats the room differently — something to do with thermodynamics, per How Stuff Works.

The resultant heat from a Finnish wood burning sauna stove, like the Harvia M3 Woodburning Stove (pictured below) or the HUUM , is of good quality because it has a better flow of fresh air.