Build Your Own Sauna or Sweatlodge

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MEDITERRANEAN BATHS

Visiting the modern Hammam in Ankara and lstanbul
Early Greek and Roman Batths
Mass Bathing in the Balnea and Thermae
The Islamic Hammam is Born
The "'Turkish Bath" Visits Europe and
America
Private Sweat Bathing Cubicles

FINNISH SAUNA

A Visit in the Dead of Winter
History of the Nordic Bath
Sauna in Europe
Sauna in Japan
Sauna in America

NATIVE AMERICAN SWEAT LODGE

Joining Running Foot in a Navajo Sweat
Lodge
A Guest at an Oglala Sun Dance Ceremony
History of Sweat Lodges
Hot Rock Sweat Lodge
Direct Fire Sweat Lodge
Sweating Without a Sweat Lodge
Origin of the Temescal
The Temescal Today
The Sweat Lodge Joins the Modern World

RUSSIAN BANIA

A Boisterous Bath in Leningrad
History of the Great Russian Bath
Bannik, the Spirit of the Bania
The Birth Bania
The Wedding Bania
The Death Bania
Health & the Bania
The Bania after the Russian Revolution
The Spreading Influence of the Russian Steam Bath

SAUNA & HEALTH

Sauna & Health
Sweating
Skin
Heating & Cooling the Inner Body
Positive Effects of Negative Ions
Spirits of the Sweat
Social Sweating

USING THE SAUNA/ SWEAT BATH

SAUNA/SWEAT SPICES

PRECAUTIONS

SPECIAL SAUNA CONCERNS FOR WOMEN

BUILD YOUR OWN

Build Your Own Sauna or Sweatlodge
©1997 Mikkel Aaland All Rights Reserved

Sweat, the book, included 50 pages of detailed information on how to build and use your own Finnish Sauna, American Indian sweatlodge, and private sweat bathing cubicle. Unfortunately the book is out of print. However, I've reprinted this Build Your Own section and you can order the reprint by contacting me directly. The cost is $20, plus $3 shipping and handling. (Outside of the US shipping and handling is more.) Either email me for further information or send a check to:

Cyberbohemia
attention: Mikkel Aaland
539 Greenwich Street
San Francisco, CA 94133

An excerpt from the How to Build Section in Sweat COPYRIGHT 1997 MIKKEL AALAND:

The Sauna

Whether to use an electric, gas, or wood burning stove is the first decision in sauna building. Geographic location may influence your choice. If you live in the country where firewood is plentiful and fires have minimum of environmental impact, the wood burning stove is the best performer and must be considered first choice.

Electric or gas stoves hardly match the pleasing aroma and smoothness of the wood stove. But in cities, electric and gas heated saunas are the most practical. No preparation like cutting and carrying wood and priming the fire is needed; they are easy to clean and leave no ashes. Although electric stoves outsell gas stoves by far, gas is three times cheaper than electricity in most parts of the country.

Local building codes may also determine the type of sauna you build; for example, ordinances, which vary from community to community, may restrict the use of wood burning stoves. Some times they require specific types of stoves, fire insulation, flues and chimneys. But generally, since most saunas are not used as habitual rooms, building regulations are minimal.

After you have chosen a stove begin planning for the following:

Size of the sweat room where the heater will be placed. Size depends on the number of bathers, the capacity of stove and bench arrangement. Specific dimensions are discussed later.

A provision for washing. A separate washing room is preferred, but space or budget limitations may necessitate washing inside the sweat room (a common practice in Finnish countryside saunas.) In either case, plan a means of producing hot water.

A dressing/relaxing room or some protection against the elements. This can be a simple placement of wind breakers or even an open porch adjoining the sweat room.

A clean, simple design using wood. This warm, friendly material inspires quiet socializing, meditation and a retreat from the rigors of the day.

Location. Since a place to cool the body after a session in the sweat room is needed, the ideal place for a sauna is near a lake, river or an ocean. However, a swimming pool or a simple shower will serve well. Be considerate of your neighbors. Locate your cooling area (where you don't want to be hampered by clothes) with discretion.

Orientation. Know the course of the sun and moon and plan your windows, doors and porches to catch their light. This will beautifully enhance the mood of the sauna.

Here are a few Finnish words which apply to the sauna and I use throughout the text. They are easy to learn, at least as easy as cappuccino.

Kiuas (ke-wus)-sauna's stove or heater.

Loyly (lou-lu)-super-heated vapor that hisses off hot sauna rocks.

Vihta (veh-ta)-a bunch of broad leafed twigs for flagellation.

Sauna (sow-na)-now part of the English language. Often pronounced saw-na in America.

KIUAS

A perfect sauna depends upon the proper rocks and a source of heat that will make them red hot.

The kiuas is the sauna's heart.
A good kiuas, be it electric, gas or woodburning, will pour heat evenly all through the sweat room. If hot enough, water will explode off the rocks and fill the room with short bursts of loyly and create the right bathing humidity.

Since the beginning of this century, many types of kiuas have been introduced, and all of them use rocks to store and radiate heat.

ROCKS

Each heating of a sauna rock equals thousands of years of natural erosion. only the strongest rocks can survive constant heating and cooling, and even they will eventually crack and crumble. When this occurs, they lose their capacity to hold heat and in time they disintegrate and clog the kiuas.

The best sauna rocks are those least exposed to weather. Certain quarried rocks are therefore the strongest. Glassy rocks of high quartz or iron content are not recommended. Iron is a fast conductor of heat and when water is poured on, it becomes trapped in a shell of vapor and tends to form beads. As the beads slide of the rock a weak loyly is produced. obviously, rocks that produce poisonous gases or offensive odors should not be used.

One of the best sauna rocks is peridotite, a quarried Finnish rock that kiuas manufacturers ship across the world. Certain North American rocks work as well. Freshly quarried basalt, black and fine grained, from the Cascade and Sierra ranges, is excellent. So is hornblende, found in many parts of this continent. It's a textured rock which has been re-crystalized at a high temperature making it ideal for the sauna. Locations of these types of rocks can be found on geological surveying maps available from any Bureau of Mines or through the Government Printing office in Washington, D.C.

TESTING THE ROCKS: Exploding rocks are dangerous. Perform a simple test to guarantee their safety. Thoroughly heat a sample for two hours or more. Drop it into a pail of cold water, then look for cracks. When the rock is cool, test it further by hitting it with a hammer or against another rock. If the rock cracks or makes a soft grinding sound when rubbed against another rock, discard it and find another source. If it survives you have a safe sauna rock. A more elaborate test can be made by your local metallurgical laboratory. It costs a few dollars.

THE AMOUNT AND SIZE OF THE SAUNA ROCKS: The best sauna rocks are the size of large potatoes. With sufficient heat replenishment, the amount of rocks can be as little as 25-35 kilos (55-75 pounds). Heat storage kiuas, which are only heated once, need at least 120 kilos (264 pounds) of rocks. A savusauna takes anywhere from 250-500 kilos (600-ll00 pounds) of rock depending on the size of the room.

Too large or too many rocks take an unnecessary amount of time to heat. Too small or too few rocks will cause the sauna to cool after a few splashes of water. Rocks, in order to heat properly, must not be packed either too tightly or too loosely.

HOW HOT SHOULD THE ROCKS BE? 5OO-800 degrees C (950-1500 degrees F). Wood burning kiuas often heat rocks until they turn brilliant red. It's not necessary to measure their temperature. If water thrown on the rocks makes a sharp crack, like the opening of a carbonated drink, and one or two seconds later an invisible loyly fills the room, they are hot enough. Water tossed on tepid rocks will bubble slowly and turn the sauna into a steamy bath.

ORDER A REPRINT CONTAINING MORE HOW TO BUILD INFORMATION




		Site Contents \| Search \| All about digital imaging \| Favorite Projects \| Sweat The Sword of Heaven \| County Fair \| Portfolio \| Links \| Your Comments

Return to main Sweat page MEDITERRANEAN BATHS Visiting the modern Hammam in Ankara and lstanbul Early Greek and Roman Batths Mass Bathing in the Balnea and Thermae The Islamic Hammam is Born The "'Turkish Bath" Visits Europe and America Private Sweat Bathing Cubicles FINNISH SAUNA A Visit in the Dead of Winter History of the Nordic Bath Sauna in Europe Sauna in Japan Sauna in America NATIVE AMERICAN SWEAT LODGE Joining Running Foot in a Navajo Sweat Lodge A Guest at an Oglala Sun Dance Ceremony History of Sweat Lodges Hot Rock Sweat Lodge Direct Fire Sweat Lodge Sweating Without a Sweat Lodge Origin of the Temescal The Temescal Today The Sweat Lodge Joins the Modern World RUSSIAN BANIA A Boisterous Bath in Leningrad History of the Great Russian Bath Bannik, the Spirit of the Bania The Birth Bania The Wedding Bania The Death Bania Health & the Bania The Bania after the Russian Revolution The Spreading Influence of the Russian Steam Bath SAUNA & HEALTH Sauna & Health Sweating Skin Heating & Cooling the Inner Body Positive Effects of Negative Ions Spirits of the Sweat Social Sweating USING THE SAUNA/ SWEAT BATH SAUNA/SWEAT SPICES PRECAUTIONS SPECIAL SAUNA CONCERNS FOR WOMEN BUILD YOUR OWN
	Build Your Own Sauna or Sweatlodge ©1997 Mikkel Aaland All Rights Reserved Sweat, the book, included 50 pages of detailed information on how to build and use your own Finnish Sauna, American Indian sweatlodge, and private sweat bathing cubicle. Unfortunately the book is out of print. However, I've reprinted this Build Your Own section and you can order the reprint by contacting me directly. The cost is $20, plus $3 shipping and handling. (Outside of the US shipping and handling is more.) Either email me for further information or send a check to: Cyberbohemia attention: Mikkel Aaland 539 Greenwich Street San Francisco, CA 94133 `An excerpt from the How to Build Section in Sweat COPYRIGHT 1997 MIKKEL AALAND:` The Sauna Whether to use an electric, gas, or wood burning stove is the first decision in sauna building. Geographic location may influence your choice. If you live in the country where firewood is plentiful and fires have minimum of environmental impact, the wood burning stove is the best performer and must be considered first choice. Electric or gas stoves hardly match the pleasing aroma and smoothness of the wood stove. But in cities, electric and gas heated saunas are the most practical. No preparation like cutting and carrying wood and priming the fire is needed; they are easy to clean and leave no ashes. Although electric stoves outsell gas stoves by far, gas is three times cheaper than electricity in most parts of the country. Local building codes may also determine the type of sauna you build; for example, ordinances, which vary from community to community, may restrict the use of wood burning stoves. Some times they require specific types of stoves, fire insulation, flues and chimneys. But generally, since most saunas are not used as habitual rooms, building regulations are minimal. After you have chosen a stove begin planning for the following: Size of the sweat room where the heater will be placed. Size depends on the number of bathers, the capacity of stove and bench arrangement. Specific dimensions are discussed later. A provision for washing. A separate washing room is preferred, but space or budget limitations may necessitate washing inside the sweat room (a common practice in Finnish countryside saunas.) In either case, plan a means of producing hot water. A dressing/relaxing room or some protection against the elements. This can be a simple placement of wind breakers or even an open porch adjoining the sweat room. A clean, simple design using wood. This warm, friendly material inspires quiet socializing, meditation and a retreat from the rigors of the day. Location. Since a place to cool the body after a session in the sweat room is needed, the ideal place for a sauna is near a lake, river or an ocean. However, a swimming pool or a simple shower will serve well. Be considerate of your neighbors. Locate your cooling area (where you don't want to be hampered by clothes) with discretion. Orientation. Know the course of the sun and moon and plan your windows, doors and porches to catch their light. This will beautifully enhance the mood of the sauna. Here are a few Finnish words which apply to the sauna and I use throughout the text. They are easy to learn, at least as easy as cappuccino. Kiuas (ke-wus)-sauna's stove or heater. Loyly (lou-lu)-super-heated vapor that hisses off hot sauna rocks. Vihta (veh-ta)-a bunch of broad leafed twigs for flagellation. Sauna (sow-na)-now part of the English language. Often pronounced saw-na in America. KIUAS A perfect sauna depends upon the proper rocks and a source of heat that will make them red hot. The kiuas is the sauna's heart. A good kiuas, be it electric, gas or woodburning, will pour heat evenly all through the sweat room. If hot enough, water will explode off the rocks and fill the room with short bursts of loyly and create the right bathing humidity. Since the beginning of this century, many types of kiuas have been introduced, and all of them use rocks to store and radiate heat. ROCKS Each heating of a sauna rock equals thousands of years of natural erosion. only the strongest rocks can survive constant heating and cooling, and even they will eventually crack and crumble. When this occurs, they lose their capacity to hold heat and in time they disintegrate and clog the kiuas. The best sauna rocks are those least exposed to weather. Certain quarried rocks are therefore the strongest. Glassy rocks of high quartz or iron content are not recommended. Iron is a fast conductor of heat and when water is poured on, it becomes trapped in a shell of vapor and tends to form beads. As the beads slide of the rock a weak loyly is produced. obviously, rocks that produce poisonous gases or offensive odors should not be used. One of the best sauna rocks is peridotite, a quarried Finnish rock that kiuas manufacturers ship across the world. Certain North American rocks work as well. Freshly quarried basalt, black and fine grained, from the Cascade and Sierra ranges, is excellent. So is hornblende, found in many parts of this continent. It's a textured rock which has been re-crystalized at a high temperature making it ideal for the sauna. Locations of these types of rocks can be found on geological surveying maps available from any Bureau of Mines or through the Government Printing office in Washington, D.C. TESTING THE ROCKS: Exploding rocks are dangerous. Perform a simple test to guarantee their safety. Thoroughly heat a sample for two hours or more. Drop it into a pail of cold water, then look for cracks. When the rock is cool, test it further by hitting it with a hammer or against another rock. If the rock cracks or makes a soft grinding sound when rubbed against another rock, discard it and find another source. If it survives you have a safe sauna rock. A more elaborate test can be made by your local metallurgical laboratory. It costs a few dollars. THE AMOUNT AND SIZE OF THE SAUNA ROCKS: The best sauna rocks are the size of large potatoes. With sufficient heat replenishment, the amount of rocks can be as little as 25-35 kilos (55-75 pounds). Heat storage kiuas, which are only heated once, need at least 120 kilos (264 pounds) of rocks. A savusauna takes anywhere from 250-500 kilos (600-ll00 pounds) of rock depending on the size of the room. Too large or too many rocks take an unnecessary amount of time to heat. Too small or too few rocks will cause the sauna to cool after a few splashes of water. Rocks, in order to heat properly, must not be packed either too tightly or too loosely. HOW HOT SHOULD THE ROCKS BE? 5OO-800 degrees C (950-1500 degrees F). Wood burning kiuas often heat rocks until they turn brilliant red. It's not necessary to measure their temperature. If water thrown on the rocks makes a sharp crack, like the opening of a carbonated drink, and one or two seconds later an invisible loyly fills the room, they are hot enough. Water tossed on tepid rocks will bubble slowly and turn the sauna into a steamy bath. `ORDER A REPRINT CONTAINING MORE HOW TO BUILD INFORMATION`