Which bath stones are best to choose and why??

Selecting the appropriate stones for your bathhouse is essential to achieving the ideal sauna atmosphere. The right stones enhance the ambience and longevity of your bath in addition to ensuring efficient heat retention. Knowing where to begin can be overwhelming due to the abundance of options available.

The best kinds of bath stones and the reasons they’re the best options will be discussed in this article. Every kind of stone, from classic favorites to cutting-edge substitutes, has special qualities that meet a range of requirements and tastes.

We offer a wide selection of stones that can be used for various purposes, such as producing a pleasant aroma when wet or holding heat for extended periods of time. Together, we will explore the world of bath stones and assist you in selecting the best option for your bathhouse.

Why are there stones in the bathhouse?

A block or fragment of hard, non-metallic rock is called stone. It resolves the following issues when put in the oven:

1. generates steam – main function. Hot water, falling on hot stones, almost instantly changes its state of aggregation, passing from a liquid to a vapor state. At the same time, the microclimate in the area of ​​the shelf depends on the rate of evaporation: the steam is clean, light or waterlogged, damp;
2. accumulates heat – the second most important responsibility. After all, the amount of accumulated energy determines the time spent on the shelf (little heat – steam will very soon cease to bring pleasure or will not be formed at all, too much – you can steam with friends for a couple of hours) and the effectiveness of ventilation (a large number of well-heated stones helps dry the wooden elements of the steam room) ;
3. has a therapeutic effect – a secondary task. When heated, many rocks can have a positive effect on the respiratory, genitourinary, cardiovascular and nervous systems, as well as improve the condition of the skin.

Requirements for stones

Extremely harsh conditions are encountered when using stone laying: it is heated until reddened and then subjected to a thermal shock using hot water. Not every rock is resistant to these kinds of temperature swings. Thus, it is important to consider the qualities of the stones when selecting them for a bathhouse stove. The most significant characteristics consist of:

• heat resistance – the ability to withstand high temperatures without changing the chemical or physical structure;
• resistance to sudden temperature changes – hot water poured onto the stones should not lead to the decomposition of the rock into parts: cracking and/or dusting;
• heat capacity – ability to accumulate heat. Depends on density (massive stones accumulate more energy and release them slowly, which avid vapers like) and the uniformity of the structure – extraneous inclusions reduce the indicator (denser pieces of rock always have a better heat capacity);
• environmental Safety. There are three problems here:

• some rocks emit radiation, albeit in small doses. But this point still needs to be taken into account when purchasing;
• stones may contain harmful impurities, such as sulfur, which is released into the air when heated. In contact with water, it forms hydrochloric acid (the first calcinations do not always eliminate the problem);
• Almost all rocks, despite their apparent density, actively absorb various substances from soil, water and air into their micropores, albeit in small quantities. When a stone is heated, it begins to release what it contains into the environment. And it is not always safe for a person;

Types of stones for a bathhouse

The aforementioned specifications apply to two categories of rocks: metamorphic (primarily sedimentary rocks that have undergone physico-chemical changes) and magmatic, as well as man-made rocks like cast iron and porcelain. The most often utilized natural heat accumulators are:

• raspberry quartzite;
• talcohlite;
• Olivin;
• diabase;
• Gabbro-diabaz;
• Gabbro;
• quartzites;
• dunit;
• jade;
• nephritis;
• basalt;
• basalt porphythitis;
• jasper et al.

Jade

A true expert in steam and broom will tell you without hesitation or hesitation which stone is ideal for a bathhouse in a steam room: zhadeite.

Humanity has long been familiar with this semi-carcinated rock that comes in a variety of colors, including pale greenish, emerald green, white, pink, brown, lilac, blue, yellow, gray, and even black. It’s true that jade was also known as jade until the 19th century; the stones are extremely similar. Their distinction only really started to emerge recently. Jadeite is less common than jade in nature. For this reason, its value is higher.

Copper, selenium, silver, zinc, sodium, calcium, aluminum, magnesium, iron, chromium, and manganese are all present in the stone. It has several special qualities due to its abundance of chemical elements:

• high level of heat capacity – the next morning will be hot regardless of the intensity of steam supply;
• resistance to temperature changes – does not crack or become dusty when watered;
• long service life;
• the ability to release metal ions into the air, which has a positive effect on many human organs.

• relatively low melting point, which does not allow it to be laid on the bottom of the backfill;
• high price.

Numerous diseases are thought to be aided by the stone. On the other hand, no medical research has been done on this subject. It is therefore challenging to determine if this is a myth or the real deal. The one thing that can be said with absolute certainty is that jadeite has a strong tonic effect; this is based on the experiences of individuals who have taken steam baths at various times and locations, not on conjecture. After feeling the force of a stone, a person will never trade it in for any other kind.

Jadeite is used in Chinese medicine to help the patient’s energy field recover. Contemporary lithotherapists advise using stones in baths to treat lung conditions, nephritis, prostatitis, cystitis, and urological issues.

Soapstone chlorite

Soap chloride is listed as the TOP stone for the bathroom stove in numerous reviews. The breed has an opaque, gray color that can occasionally be red or dark cherry depending on impurities. It can also be white, brown, greenish or yellowish in tint.

Stones are viewed with ambiguity by bath lovers. While some firmly believe it to be among the best and only slightly inferior to jadeite, others do not agree. Surprisingly, both sides are correct. This is because of the rock’s chemical makeup, which is composed of 40–50% talc, 40–50% magnesite, and 5–8% chlorite.

Soap chloride produces the best steam and gentle heat, on the one hand. However, talc becomes powdery when the temperature changes, which causes a dusty layer to continuously form on the stones’ surface. Mineral particles are dispersed throughout the steam room after steam is supplied. Issue with chlorite as well. With a structure akin to mica scales, it ascends to the ceiling in streams of steam along with talc. Furthermore, the stone’s service life is limited to approximately three and a half years due to its porous and brittle nature when heated.

The following are some benefits of the stone:

• high level of heat resistance;
• versatility – suitable for all types of ovens;
• can be used anywhere in the bookmark – easily withstands contact with an open flame;
• the length of the emitted heat rays coincides with human waves (about 9 microns), which has a positive effect on health. It is believed that the breed has a beneficial effect on the respiratory system, helps with muscle strain and/or damage, and normalizes metabolism.

Its use is not prohibited in any way.

Some myths require special consideration. Manufacturers’ and vendors’ advertisements suggest that soap chloride is an effective treatment for osteochondrosis and radiculitis. In this instance, the conventional approach to treating the diseases on the list is mentioned. Indeed, the breed is applied to a sore lower back and worn for several days in Spain and several other Spanish-speaking countries. Aids. However, in this case, soapstone’s unique characteristic of rapid heat accumulation is at play. The stone’s heat from the human body relieves aching muscles. As a result, things improve quickly. It’s unclear what this has to do with the bathhouse. A hot cobblestone shouldn’t be carried on your back.

In summary, soapstone works well as tiles for chimney pipes, surrounding walls that prevent fires, and stove linings.

Gabbro-diabase

Gabbro-diabase is the most affordable option for bath stones. Only collecting in fields, by rivers, or by the sea is less expensive. Furthermore, there’s no guarantee that expenses will go down. Ultimately, the breed needs to be transported to its intended location. These also include the cost of gas and the car’s depreciation.

Let’s be clear from the start. There is no rock known to geologists as gabbro-diabase. Under this name, dolerite is marketed. There are roughly 35 different varieties. They are indistinguishable from one another only by experts. In order to avoid confusing buyers, we will henceforth refer to this stone as gabbro-diabase; however, please note that it is slightly different.

Gabbro-diabase has a dark gray or greenish-black color. Because the structure is made of tiny, elongated plagioclase crystals, the rock can easily withstand extreme temperatures.

The stone has very few drawbacks and many benefits.

• heats up relatively quickly;
• keeps warm for a long time;
• withstands sudden temperature changes without changing the chemical composition and structure;
• can be placed anywhere in the stove – does not crack from an open flame;
• low price, affordable to all segments of the population. But this is not the option when cheap means worse than expensive;
• there are no financial difficulties when replacing;
• safe, does not contain harmful impurities.

• low strength – easily splits;
• short service life – about 2 years;
• no healing properties;
• according to connoisseurs of the Russian bath, the steam is “flat” in quality and lacks sophistication. The problem is solved simply – about 20 kg of rock with medicinal properties and high-quality steam is placed on top of the dolerite backfill.

Raspberry quartzite

The welcome addition to the steam room is quartzite, also known as porphyry. This rock has hues of crimson, white, or gray. consists of different amounts of impurities and quartz (70–98%). As a result, its chemical formula is not precisely known.

The primary stone used in the bathhouse is a red variety that is extracted from the world’s only deposit, which is located in Karelia on the western edge of Lake Onega. It also goes by the unofficial moniker "royal stone," as Russian emperors have decorated their baths with it since the 18th century. There aren’t many drawbacks to the stone, only lots of benefits.

• durability. In the absence of direct contact with flame, can last up to 10 years. Therefore, it is advisable not to use bookmarks at the bottom;
• high level of resistance to temperature changes, which is facilitated by the fine-grained (microscopic) structure of the stone – there is no internal stress when the temperature changes;
• resistance to chemically active substances – adding essential oils and herbal infusions to water does not lead to changes in the structure and chemical composition of the rock;
• high heat capacity – stones remain hot for a long time;
• high-quality, according to some sauna lovers, “delicious” steam;
• there is no radioactive background, unlike some rocks;
• aesthetically attractive;
• no dust.

• it takes considerable time to accumulate heat;
• extremely difficult to process – it’s unlikely to be possible to split at home.

Doctors, or litotherapists, think that using the breed in a steam room facilitates:

• relieve spasms;
• increase the mobility of muscles and joints;
• accelerate the removal of harmful substances from the body;
• improve blood flow;
• increase potency;
• strengthen the immune system;
• clear mucus from the airways.

It’s also intriguing to consider the breed’s variety of magical abilities:

1. helps you make the right decisions;
2. protects from dangers.

In passing, we observe that an amulet broadens the impact of the stone on its wearer.

Jasper

Jasper is not very well-liked by bath and sauna enthusiasts. The word is translated from Greek and means bright, speckled, variegated. There are multiple causes. First of all, a lot of jewelry and crafts are made from this semi-precious stone. As a result, the cost is high. Second, not all jaspers are suitable for use in steam rooms, and it can be challenging to learn about the many varieties of this stone on your own. Thirdly, unlike jewelry, there is no medical proof of the advantages of using jasper in the bath. Because of this, the stone is mostly found in steam rooms among jasper enthusiasts.

Wax jasper is the only type of jasper that can survive the harsh operating conditions found in the bathhouse. comprises impurities of magnesium, calcium, aluminum, iron, hydrogen, sulfur, and manganese, with quartz making up the majority (85%). has a striking dark red hue that is easily identifiable, occasionally with tiny blue or purple dots. The stone has many benefits because of its uniform, fine-grained structure.

• gives soft steam, which is pleasant to steam in;
• has high strength;
• easily tolerates sudden changes in temperature;
• takes a long time to cool;
• does not collapse when steam is supplied;
• does not emit radiation.

• high price. Therefore, the rock is mainly placed at the top of the backfill, and gabbro-diabase is used for the substrate.

In traditional medicine, the body’s stored negative energy potential was eliminated by taking a bath with jasper. Numerous comments indicating that one feels a surge of strength and a "light" head after a steam room with jasper are not unfounded.

According to lithotherapists, the breed in the bathhouse helps patients with mental health issues and eases nightmares and insomnia.

Experts in steam suggest that jasper:

• stabilizes blood pressure;
• accelerates the healing process of wounds;
• reduces the number of attacks of cardiac arrhythmia;
• strengthens the immune system;
• normalizes sleep;
• relieves muscle pain;
• improves mood;
• improves the functioning of the sweat glands.

It’s important to remember that this is just an opinion. The Russian bath itself may have contributed to the body’s activity improvements mentioned above.

In the bathhouse, our ancestors employed jasper for somewhat different purposes: to eliminate "infection" from the air, cleanse the blood, and restore normal blood clotting.

Jade

Jade is the "bathroom attendant’s dream"—expensive. This is the rock known to lovers of steam and a broom. costly due to the difficulty of processing and mining. Furthermore, because the stone is semi-precious, its operational characteristics raise the price. "Bathroom attendant’s dream": the jade mineral has numerous therapeutic qualities that, in a spa, are enhanced by the addition of steam and, some experts claim, are enhanced by three times.

Dolomite or serpentine form the mineral’s base. They undergo a chemical reaction when covered in hot lava, which causes many tiny crystals to fuse together very tightly. This type of structure is very hard to split.

Jade has very few drawbacks and many benefits.

• has the largest operational resource among rocks;
• perfectly tolerates extreme external influences;
• heats up quickly;
• keeps warm for a long time;
• hardens even more with sudden temperature changes;
• produces soft, pleasant steam;
• protects wooden structures from mold and mildew (the steam contains antibacterial substances);
• has healing properties confirmed by time (Chinese healers have used stone to treat various diseases since ancient times).

• high price;
• complex processing – only sawn rectangular stone is on sale;
• many fakes.

Among the therapeutic qualities, it’s important to mention the following:

• improve the body"s tone;
• relieve stress, fatigue, overwork;
• reduce the symptoms of nervous disorders;
• relax muscles, blocking the possibility of spasms;
• eliminate insomnia;
• normalize blood pressure;
• cleanse the kidneys of sand and stones;
• reduce the number of bacteria on the skin and in the organs;
• strengthen the immune system;
• treat colds;
• accelerate wound healing.

However, despite its advantages, using a steam room with jade can also be harmful to people:

• with cancer;
• tuberculosis;
• purulent skin rashes and sinusitis;
• heart pathologies.

Important: In light of the numerous fakes, we offer suggestions based on the selection of jade, when an artificial substitute for a natural mineral is offered for sale.

1. Request a certificate.
2. Test for strength – real rock will not crack when stones hit each other, and it will not be scratched by a metal object, such as a nail file.
3. Listen to the sound of the stones after being struck – jade makes a ringing sound. Synthetics – flat, dull or no sound at all.
4. Natural stone is extremely difficult to chop. In this regard, only sawn wood with smooth sides is on sale;
5. Square or rectangle shape. All other varieties cost a lot of money due to the high cost of processing. Therefore, stones with a unique shape at an affordable price indicate one thing – they are selling fakes.

Chromite

At some point in their lives, people who live in both cities and villages have come across this particular rock. Common cobblestone, known by two names: chromite or chromium iron ore (steam and broom enthusiasts also refer to it as "black bath stone"), is abundant in the fields of Russia and the CIS countries. is primarily composed of iron (32%), and chromium (68%). Manganese, magnesium, aluminum, zinc, and titanium (which is only found in meteorites without additives) may be included. The hue is primarily gray with a hint of metallic color. A tone of dark brown is also present.

The stone is a great asset; its only drawback is its unremarkable appearance.

• high level of fire resistance;
• high specific gravity, which allows you to: accumulate a large amount of energy and release heat for a long time;
• fast heating;
• low coefficient of thermal expansion – the cobblestones do not split during repeated watering;
• does not emit harmful substances when heated;
• affordable price for all segments of the population;
• can be assembled independently with minimal cost;
• has therapeutic properties.

• unpresentable appearance.

It’s important to remember the following among the therapeutic qualities:

• relieve stress;
• treat different types of nervous diseases;
• improve sleep quality.

Dunit

Dunit validates an age-old principle: advertising serves as the catalyst for commerce. Despite having strong performance metrics, its application in baths has been limited to the margins of sales. The rationale is simple: because the stone is so inexpensive, the profit from selling, say, five tons of stone is equal to the profit from selling five hundred kilograms of white quartz, which isn’t even supposed to be in the bathhouse.

The breed’s affordability and resistance to open fires are its main advantages. Experts advise against it for placing a pile of stones underneath because of this. The ability to release heat rapidly, however, necessitates placing jasper, jade, or jadeite on top.

Serpentine impurities are another disadvantage that could go unnoticed by a buyer (a geological formation is required), hastening the cobblestone’s decomposition.

Table 1 displays the primary attributes of the stones mentioned above.

Table 1 lists the fundamental operational and technical indicators for bath stones.

Jade	Soap chloride	Gabbro-diabase	Raspberry quartzite	Jasper	Nephritis	Chromite	Dunit
Hardness, kgf/mm2	6.5-7	1-5.5	7	7	6.5-7	5.5-6.5	5.5-7.5	6.5-7
Density, kg/m3	3250-3360	2980	2970	2680	2700	2950-3040	4500	3280
Melting point, oC	1040-1060	1630-1640	1250-1260	1770	1400	1030-1120	2180	1700
Specific heat capacity, kJ/kg*оС	0.88	0.98	0.8-0.9	0.7	0.7-0.8	1.0-1.2	0.92	0.6-0.8
Thermal conductivity, W/m*°C	2.30-3.60	3.3	1.7-3.3	2.6-7.6	No data	1.6-1.9	6	1.1-1.9
Thermal expansion, 1/°С	0.35-0.46 (10-6)	0.001	0.001	12-13 (10-6)	10-12 (10-6)	0.35-0.46 (10-6)	0.332	0.24-0.36
Durability, years	4-7	3.5-4	2-3	4.5-5	3-4	10-25 (depending on the variety)	5-7	6-8

Artificial stones for baths

Along with natural rocks, you can also find porcelain in the shape of balls or insulators from high voltage power lines, as well as cast iron ingots (cores, cones, etc.) in the heater.d.

Cast iron

There is a long history of bath customs. Cast iron has its place in them. Because of its 30% higher heat capacity and 30 times higher thermal conductivity than rocks, this filling accumulates heat more quickly, which causes the steam room to warm up more quickly. It is not advised to pour water directly onto metal, so take your time filling the container to the brim with this material. Thus, having stones on top and cast iron bars on the bottom is the best choice.

• durability – withstanding sudden temperature changes, it can last for decades;
• actively accumulating heat (less loss with smoke) warms up the steam room approximately 1.5-2 times faster than laying stones;
• perfectly regulates humidity and temperature in the steam room;
• maintains a high temperature of the top layer of the bookmark, which allows you to increase the time spent on the shelf with good steam;
• environmentally, chemically and biologically safe.

On the Internet, detractors list a few drawbacks:

1. saturates the steam with an “iron taste”;
2. rusts, causing scale particles to spread throughout the steam room.

One fact alone disproves such claims: the well-known Sanduns in the heaters are made entirely of cast iron rather than stones. Has anyone heard any complaints regarding the microclimate and steam quality in these public areas?

Porcelain

Porcelain insulators for high voltage power lines are common in rural bathhouses. Recently, balls that are made specifically for these uses have been added.

Artificial material has very few drawbacks and many benefits.

• service life of 20 years or more (various tables indicate up to 10 years, which is not true);
• high hardness, close to diamond (8-9 points on the Mohs scale);
• tolerates sudden temperature changes well: does not crack, does not become dusty and does not change color;
• high heat resistance (withstands heating up to 1650 o C) – can be used at the bottom of the bookmark;
• holds heat for a long time (heat capacity about 1.1 kJ);
• produces fine steam.

A lot of Russian bath enthusiasts top the porcelain with stones that are said to have therapeutic qualities.

What stones are not advisable to use?

We examined the most intriguing possibilities for adding stones to a sauna stove. However, there are some rocks that should be avoided. Let us enumerate the stones that are not suitable for use in baths.

Serpentinite, also known as serpentine

A magical stone with numerous therapeutic qualities is serpentinite. It’s therapeutic value notwithstanding, it has no place in the bathhouse. There are various causes:

• very fragile. During installation, if handled carelessly, it may crack;
• is quite expensive;
• quickly accumulates negative energy and dirt, which requires regular cleaning of the pond at least once a month;
• lasts no more than two years – falls apart.

The editors of the website view the purchase as questionable.

Quartz

An elegant heater option that looks fantastic. However, there are only drawbacks in other cases:

• ultra-short service life – up to a year;
• destruction occurs in the form of an explosion with a sharp bang and fragments flying in different directions.

Therefore, despite quartz stone’s aggressive advertising, we will most definitely not recommend it.

Granite

Granite is not the ideal material for a heater. First of all, because it is composed of minerals with varying expansion coefficients, temperature variations cause it to collapse rapidly. Second, there’s a good chance that the material extracted from a quarry has a high radiation background.

Marble

There are veins in marble all the time. They break when heated. Because of this, they attempt to avoid using it anywhere, even in fireplaces, where the temperature is significantly lower than in a heater.

Using soft rocks, such as limestone and sandstone, is also not recommended. They decompose rapidly and, because of their low thermal conductivity, do not generate steam of a high caliber.

The use of stones gathered from roads, railroads, and other locations is forbidden because they are contaminated with dangerous compounds found in exhaust fumes, as well as by road dust and creosote.

Those taking baths should be cautious around cracked stones and uneven structural lattices. They occasionally "explode," throwing a hail of fragments around themselves when temperature changes.

What to look for when choosing

You must consider a few details when selecting stones for a steam room:

• the rock must be homogeneous. Any impurities in the form of inclusions or veins lead to rapid destruction due to different expansion coefficients when heated;
• crushed stones produce rich, abundant steam due to their larger surface area. They are the best option for avid vapers;
• polished, more suitable for saunas – they produce dry steam;
• for stoves using wood, pellets or briquettes, the optimal cobblestone size is 10-15 cm, for electric stoves – about 7 cm;
• place of extraction or collection. Some fields have quite high levels of radiation. Therefore, without the appropriate certificate or background radiation check with a dosimeter, it is better to postpone the purchase;
• the surface should not have cracks or other defects. Remember, the more monolithic the stone, the longer it will last;
• the weight of the breed must correspond to the official specific gravity. If this rule is not observed, there may be voids (cavities) or an admixture of another substance inside the stone, in large quantities. In this case, the best solution is to change the type of mineral or avoid purchasing altogether. You can check the density in several ways: knock with a hammer or hit the stones against each other. In both cases, the sound should be clear and clear. Another way is to heat the rock and put it in cold water. Stones with defects will crack.

Collect it yourself or buy it

You can gather the stones yourself if you’d like to save money. Such a bookmark will frequently be just as good as one that is bought. After plowing, suitable rocks can be found on a river or sea bank (pebbles). However, keep in mind that savings can take different forms. For example, you might have saved some money by choosing not to buy, but you might have also spent more on gas. However, you can separately gather a deposit from a variety of rocks, enabling you to obtain superior steam that has a restorative effect on different kinds of "sores."

And lastly, some advice:

1. do not collect stones near railways and highways – they accumulate harmful substances and then, when heated, release them into the air;
2. check each stone for uniformity by tapping it with a hammer (or against each other);
3. take cobblestones about 15 cm in size (two fists of an adult man).

Rules for laying in a heater

Half the battle is knowing which stones are ideal for a bath. The laying out of the rocks is the second step in a process as significant as placing them in the oven. And this place has a lot of underwater reefs. First, there are contradictory suggestions for stones with varying sizes. Large cobblestones should go at the bottom of the bookmark, while tiny ones should go at the top, according to some experts, but vice versa. Additionally, each person has their own logic. The second reef: the proper use of various rocks. Third: Does the kind of fuel, etc., need to be considered?

Let’s solve it together. Here are the general guidelines for adding stones to the stove in order to do this:

• Proponents of the idea of ​​putting a large stone on the bottom and a small one on top argue their proposal as follows: a large cobblestone will accumulate heat, and then, as the top of the backfill cools, warm it up. But they lose sight of the fact that after applying steam two or three times, the small stone will cool down to about 150°C and you can forget about good steam formation. It will be produced only by the bottom of the water that seeps through the fines. The advice to turn the pyramid over (small rock at the bottom, large rock at the top) also does not stand up to criticism. Having a large area with a small volume, the lower stones will quickly give up their energy to the metal with which they come into contact or to the surrounding air, and will draw heat from the top.

Suggestion: the stones ought to be roughly the size of two adult male fists, each of the same size. In this instance, the issue of how to install cobblestones within the heater goes away on its own.

• Different rocks can be laid in layers or mixed. True, you need to take into account their melting point so that when they come into contact with a hot fire or the metal ceiling of the firebox, they do not collapse. In passing, we note that the use of several types of stones allows:

• optimize cash costs by using inexpensive materials for the lower layers.
• extend the service life of the installation by placing the most durable and heat-resistant rocks below.
• create an aesthetically attractive composition, which avid steamers do not pay attention to, but in elite private baths.

Table 2: Suggested Stone Selection and Location.

Perfect option	Recommended	Allowed
Stones come into contact with fire (laid in a closed heater)	nephritis chromite cast iron	quartz porcelain dunit	soapstone porphyrite
Stones in contact with metal (open stove)	quartzite porcelain cast iron	jasper dunite	nephrite jadeite porphyrite gabbro-diabase
Stones in contact with water (placed on top, where water is poured)	nephrite	jadeite jasper dunite	chromite talc chlorite porphyrite gabbro-diabase
Stones around the stove in grid	nephrite jasper	jadeite porcelain	chromite dunite quartzite gabbro-diabase

• The weight of the stones should be as large as possible – as much as the stove can withstand. After all, the duration of the bath procedures and their quality depend on the amount of cobblestones. It is considered optimal to put at least 300 kg of rock in the heater. But such a weight is destructive for cast iron and steel.
• If there are oblong cobblestones, they must be placed vertically. There are two types of benefit here:

• flames and smoke gases will give off more heat to the stones, and, therefore, less will have to be heated outside;
• water will seep deeper into the stone pile, causing more moisture to be converted into fine steam.

• Salt rocks (Himalayan salt) in the bath are not intended for placement in the heater. Their place is on the wall.

It’s crucial to take into account the health advantages, longevity, and heat retention of bath stones when selecting them for your sauna. Natural stones that release beneficial minerals when water is poured over them, such as basalt, peridotite, and jadeite, are popular choices because they heat up quickly and retain heat well. Stones that can break easily in intense heat should not be used. The correct bath stones guarantee longevity and safety in addition to improving your sauna experience.

Recommendations for use and care

If you heed the advice of experts, you can use rocks placed in the heater for an extended amount of time.

Prior to placing stones:

• sort through, throwing away those with defects;
• cleaned from foreign deposits;
• wash;
• dried.

When the backfill is placed in a special lattice and has a low weight, the laid rocks are watered with warm water, moved into a shaded area, and allowed to dry for roughly five hours. They then placed it inside the oven.

Sorting, washing, cleaning, and replacing cracked stones is advised once a year while the machine is in operation. The necessity of such a procedure is ascertained through an evaluation of the steam quality. It is time to replace or rebuild the material if it has grown heavy and damp.

It should be noted that occasionally changing the heater’s cobblestones after a while is quicker and easier than doing anything with them. The bathhouse’s owner has the final say in this matter.

Stone Type	Why Choose It?
Jadeite	Excellent heat retention, produces a pleasant aroma
Basalt	Durable and provides even heat distribution
White Quartz	Enhances the aesthetic, releases beneficial ions
Gabbro-Diabase	Affordable and resistant to cracking
Raspberry Quartzite	High heat capacity, beautiful color

Selecting the appropriate bath stones is essential to achieving a relaxing and productive steam session. Knowing the characteristics of different stone types can help you choose the one that will work best for your needs. Different stone types have different benefits.

Because of their superior heat retention and uniform heat distribution, peridotite and jadeite are well-liked options. These stones will last longer and function consistently in your bath because they can tolerate high temperatures without cracking.

Even though they look good, river stones might not be the greatest choice for retaining heat. Extreme temperatures can cause them to crack, necessitating frequent replacement and possibly posing a safety risk. Avoid these at all costs if you’re looking for efficiency and longevity.

Offering a good mix between durability and heat retention, olivine and gabbro-diabase are also excellent choices. They are a sensible option for many bath enthusiasts because they are frequently less expensive than peridotite and jadeite.

The ideal stones for your bath ultimately come down to personal taste and financial constraints. Your bathing experience will be improved and long-lasting performance will be provided by choosing stones that take into account factors such as heat retention, durability, and affordability.

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