The increase in humidity in the sauna is associated with water. During heating, the water begins to evaporate, due to which the "Russian bath effect" occurs. Think of going to the bathroom: after taking a shower, the mirror fogs up. The same thing happens in the kitchen if you cook something. A mechanical hood can compensate for this phenomenon, but you get the point. If you turn on only cold water in the shower, the mirror will not fog up. With these simple household examples, everyone can be convinced at home that hot water creates moisture. In a sauna, in the absence of any form of water, the heater will only dry the air, because in this case it will work as a heating device that raises the temperature. To create moisture in a steam room, you just need to allow the water to heat up and evaporate. There are tons of options for this. Let's consider everything.
1. Submit on the stones by hand.
Woodburning and electric heaters have a compartment for loading stones. By splashing a ladle of water on the stones, you can get a short-term increase in humidity. You knew for sure about this method. It is better to splash a small amount of water on well-heated stones. The water should be warm. Cold water will make more noise, but the effect will not increase. Our ultimate goal is to heat the water. And what kind of water is easier and faster to heat? Hot, of course. Cold water will cool the stones more strongly, or even contribute to their destruction. Insufficiently heated stones will not be able to evaporate water before it enters the firebox or heating elements. This will shorten the life of the heater. For the same reason, you should not pour too much water.
Here we explain why you can lean on stones in an electric heater:
There are cases when they give in not only to stones, but also to the body of the furnace, and even to the walls. This is not worth doing, because the heating efficiency is much lower. This can only spoil the finish and equipment. Consider how much hotter the stones are than the walls. The wall will never heat the water as much as the stones in the stove. And the body of the stove, although it heats up much stronger than the walls, is not at all designed to be doused with water.
2. Submit on stones. Not manually.
An autodosing device or a simple dispenser will do the job with little or no input. It is enough to press a button or pour water.
The device is connected to the water supply and can be mixed with fragrances.
In a simple dispenser, water and fragrance are added, which are then dripped onto the stones from a bowl suspended above the stove.
3. Use a bowl or water tank.
Models of heaters with a built-in tank are available for sale. With woodburning stoves, the tank can be located on the side or in the front. It has a tap for draining water.
The water tank can also be installed on the chimney.
Electric heaters can be sold with a water compartment built into the stones.
There is also a solution for ready-made saunas: a vaporizer that is inserted into the stones. This bulb will fit any heater. You just have to remove a few stones to build it in.
4. Evaporator, also known as a steam generator. Built in.
When choosing an electric heater, models with the words “combi”, “vapor”, “steam”, etc. come across. Such heaters are equipped with an additional compartment for water, in which it is heated from a separate heating element. On the remote control panel from the heater, not only the temperature, but also the humidity is set. The board has a software-based dependence of temperature on humidity. Those. at higher temperatures, lower humidity is required to achieve a comfortable sauna climate. At a temperature of 90 ° C it will be impossible to withstand 80% humidity, so you cannot set such parameters on the remote control.
For added convenience, the heaters can be connected to the water supply for automatic water supply through a flexible hose. Not all models have this feature, therefore, when purchasing, you need to clarify the availability of such a function.
5. Arrangement of the finished steam room with equipment.
For those cases where the sauna is already installed, you can install a separate device, similar to the one in the heater with a built-in steam generator.
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This solution is also suitable for a sauna with a wood-burning stove. You can set humidity on the remote panel. The device also has a temperature sensor, so the system will tell you what humidity can be limited at a given temperature.
The bathhouse is a real panacea for diseases. Bath procedures improve blood circulation, thereby accelerating metabolic processes. But for comfort in the bath, you need an appropriate microclimate. The optimal ratio of temperature and humidity is 60/60. At the same time, higher temperature and humidity values cause significant discomfort. And the lack of moisture makes the vaping procedure unpleasant. Therefore, many lovers of the Russian bath are wondering how to raise the humidity in it.
How to make your steam room comfortable
The Russian bath requires knowledge and the ability to steam: in order for the steam in the bath to be "light", you must be a master of the bath business
There can be many reasons for the lack of humidity in the steam room. The most common of these is the wrong selection of the stove. Modern stoves are designed for baths or saunas. The second option is dry heat at high temperatures. As the professionals say, if you increase the humidity in a hot bath (at temperatures above 70 ° C), you can simply boil. If you have a problem with the stove, then it is more advisable to change it.
Some people advise placing a brick screen around the stove, which will partially absorb the heat. In this case, in order to achieve the desired humidity level, you will have to pour a large amount of water onto the heater.
The ideal ratio of temperature and humidity in a Russian steam room is obtained when a heat-absorbing stove is made of bricks.
Another reason is the dry wood of the walls and ceiling. Dry wood quickly absorbs moisture. To prevent this from happening, pour water over the walls and ceiling during the heating of the steam room. While the stove is firing, the wood will absorb some of the water, and the rest will evaporate, increasing the humidity.
A leaky water tank attached to the oven will significantly increase the humidity. The water in the tank will heat up and evaporate. The amount of steam depends on the area of the open hole in the tank - the larger it is, the stronger the evaporation.
You can put a metal basin with water on the shelves in the steam room, which will evaporate during the vaping process.
Finally, before taking a bath, you can install a humidifier or steam generator in the steam room.
This is how the professionals advise to increase the humidity in the steam room to the desired level.
The main difference between a bath and a sauna is the temperature regime. There are several types of baths - dry-air (sauna), wet (public steam room) and Russian steam bath. The Russian steam room has high air humidity (40-70%), and the optimum temperature in the steam room is 50-60 ° C.
Good bath - hot steam
The air humidity in the steam room and outside has almost the same indicators. The Russian bath has a mild effect on the human body. The ideal ratio of temperature and humidity in a Russian steam room is obtained when the heat-absorbing heater is made of bricks. It is believed that even if a metal stove is faced with stone, there will be no such effect.
Steaming in a Russian bath
In order to maintain the required temperature in the steam room, the heater must be located in this particular room. Such an option is also allowed when the stove is heated from the rest room, and the other three walls are located in the steam room. Quite often, this is how the heater is positioned in the bath. It will not be possible to obtain the optimum temperature if the stove is not properly planned, when only one side of the heater comes out into the steam room.
In order for the steam in the bath to be "light", you need to be a master of the bath business. When the stones are not heated, and small droplets of water are felt in the air, the steam will be "heavy", while it should be close to saturated in all respects. This is achieved by heating the stones in a closed oven. The door is only opened to add water. In the Russian bath, steam is created independently, that is, it is removed from the stove.
The stove is the heart of the Russian bath
Steam is the gaseous state of a substance. When it is only in a gaseous state, the steam is dry and saturated. Wet saturated vapor is produced when the substance is in a biphasic state. This occurs when dry saturated steam and boiling liquid are combined.
Russian sauna heater
Such optimal humidity and temperature indicators can be achieved at home and in the bathroom, but the resulting steam will be harmful to the human body. It is even possible to burn yourself if you inhale the heavy vapor. Some people, trying to get the right temperature in the steam room, do not consider the importance of obtaining dry steam.
Thermal insulation of the ceiling in the bath
Undesirable in the Russian bath. When the stones are heated to 200-250 degrees, the air overheats. In the Russian bath, it is very important to get "light steam". That is why they choose those stoves in which the stones are closed. Only with this oven design can good steam be extracted.
In the bath, fatigue is removed, breathing is trained, the work of the heart is stimulated, the body is hardened and healed as a whole. However, we must not forget that exposure to high temperatures and humidity is a kind of shock for the body. As the temperature rises, the skin heats up for the first minutes. After this, the temperature of all internal organs increases.
In the Russian bath, steam is extracted from the stove by throwing water on the stones. Particles of liquid become smaller, and the steam is not scalding, but pleasant, the body easily tolerates it. It takes skill and concentration to make good steam. In the sauna, the conditions are stable during the entire stay there.
In the Russian steam room, on the other hand, conditions are constantly changing. You can't just lie in it, but you need to perform some actions. It is necessary to add and lower steam, as well as perform other actions. Therefore, a Russian bath requires knowledge and the ability to steam, as well as more time. It is necessary to invest not only the mind, but also the soul in the vaping process. The door in the oven is opened only to add water to the stones. The stove, which is installed in the bath, must have a minimum heat transfer from the walls.
Russian bath interior
In the Russian steam room, ventilation is also important. There is overpressure in such a bath. The steam that comes out of the oven rises and collects under the ceiling. Steam is made in different ways. Some put it down with sheets, towels, fans. Sometimes the steaming ones themselves wave brooms.
The steam that rises up settles on the wood. Since the wood is cold, condensation occurs. The wood first absorbs moisture, and then a film appears on it (1-3 mm). A steam bag or pocket is formed. Experts say that it should be 2.4-2.5 meters high. A threshold is also required to prevent steam from escaping. In the bathhouse, a low door is made so that steam does not penetrate from the steam pocket.
In order to keep steam in a pocket under the ceiling, it must be impervious to steam and sufficiently heat-absorbing. Such a ceiling is made as follows. First, reflective insulation (penofol) is attached to the floor beams. Then a board is installed that will absorb the steam, thereby preventing it from escaping. Such a board is called moisture-accumulating board. Its thickness is about 40-50 mm.
Covers such a ceiling, and high-strength wrapping paper (kraft paper) is laid on top and everything is poured with clay-sand mortar. The thickness of such a layer is usually 30-50 mm. After that, insulation is covered, its thickness should be at least 150 mm. The next layer is a windproof film. In order for the temperature regime in the bath to be maintained, it is necessary to make the ceiling correctly. Walls do not play a big role in the bath. Although, if you wish, you can insulate the walls, or sheathe it with wooden clapboard.
Steam room thermometer and hygrometer
A special stainless steel fan on a wooden handle, which looks like an oval loop, is used to lower the steam. The fabric is usually pulled over it. They move the steam to the closed door when everyone is already in the bath, so as not to lose some of the steam.
When preparing steam, one pours water on the stones, and the other disperses the air with a fan. They stop pouring water when there is already enough steam in the bath. For this reason, the ceiling in the bath is not made low so that there is a steam supply. In the bath, besides steam, there should be enough air.
In order for it to be pleasant and easy to breathe in the bath, the air must be infused. Water is poured onto the hot stones. The steam, mixing with the air of the steam room, interacts with it, and as a result, a good and light breath is obtained.
You can also lie down in the bathhouse. A floating broom can release steam. The Russian bath must take a long time to prepare and "stand". Over the course of six to seven hours, the temperature should rise gradually. During this time, the stones are heated to the required temperature, and after that you can start bathing procedures.
The bathhouse must be well and properly built so that it can be easily heated and ignited the stove. When it is necessary to take into account the fact that the recommended dimensions of the steam room are approximately 2.5x2.5x2.5. Planning smaller sizes is not recommended. Usually in a family bath 3-4 persons take bath procedures at the same time. The stove is located closer to the door. There should be a distance of 70-80 cm between the stove and the wall. Basins, brooms and benches can be placed in this place.
Biometric thermometers are installed in the steam room, alcohol thermometers, but they do not recommend using mercury thermometers. After a broken mercury thermometer, the steam room will be completely unusable. Of course, there is a special way of collecting mercury and reusable room treatments (demercuration), but this is a very long and expensive process.
Modern interior of the Russian bath
In the Russian steam room, it is necessary to determine the power of the unit. This is important to maintain a comfortable temperature in the steam room. Woodburning stoves are in the lead among sauna stoves. There is a large selection currently on the market. Buyers pay attention to such parameters as dimensions and stylish design of equipment. It is necessary to carefully study the technical characteristics of the units. For a Russian bath, the most common stove is a double-walled steel stove, which has both a firebox and a casing.
Having melted the stove, the steam room is heated until the temperature at the shelf level is 55 ° -60 ° C. After that, steam is extracted into the room. Then water is poured onto the stones three times, observing the intervals. Experienced bathers know what to do to eliminate unpleasant odors in the steam room. First, pour a mixture of vinegar and water (0.5 liters) on the stones. The air becomes light and pleasant. A similar procedure is carried out 2 more times, with an interval of 15 minutes, and the air "reaches". At the same time, they make circular movements, thus mixing steam and air. Deep, fragrant and warm steam envelops after the third steaming.
Straw is spread on wooden grates. Fir, juniper, spruce branches are laid on the shelves. On the stones you can splash the infusion of mint, and on the walls - a medicinal infusion of birch with thyme. Bath procedures are completed with brooms, which are pre-soaked in a vat of ice water. They lie down on the shelves and put one broom under their heads, shaking off the liquid from it, and on their face - the second. The body basks in the hot steam, while the soul enjoys the coolness. You can take turns taking out different brooms - oak, linden, and so on. To do this, it is not even necessary to get up from the shelf, but only to reach out and take out a cold broom from the vat.
Make two or three visits to the bath. In order to warm up the body well, the broom is periodically lifted up and shaken with it. After sweating well, you can plunge into the ice hole. After that, the body perceives 70 ° C, and even all 90 ° C. At the end, you can relax at 60 degrees. At the final stage, the body is massaged with birch brooms and soapy foam.
Steam room interior in the bath
The heat generated in the steam room should not burn, but only gently envelop the body. The intensity of the heat depends on where the stove is located and what material it is made of. The ripening time in each bath is individual. Different types of wood are used for covering the bath, which have different characteristics. Uniform heating of both surfaces and air creates coziness and contributes to the saturation with pleasant aromas of herbs. At the same time, comfortable sensations appear gradually while the person is in the bath. The warmth becomes more pleasant every minute.
The speed of air movement affects the microclimate in the bath. If the air is stationary, the evaporation on the body is minimal. When they begin to make whipping movements with a broom, thereby increase the evaporation. Feelings of discomfort may arise as the body warms up and sweats.
- heat the oven. The temperature is chosen individually, and the procedures begin at 40-45 degrees;
- going to the bathhouse, you need to sit down and relax;
- depending on preferences, the bath is for 20-30 minutes, or 3-5 visits are made;
- spray water (5-7 liters) on the walls for the first time, but not on the heater;
- the optimum temperature in the bath is created for a certain humidity;
- you need to rest after the second run.
- having entered the third time, pour water on the ceiling (2-3 liters), then you need to open the heater and warm up the humid air a little. After that, only 50-100 grams of water are poured onto the stones.
Compared to the sauna, the temperature regime in the bath is characterized by increased air humidity. You can increase the humidity and temperature for a short time by pouring stones in the steam room. gas ovens are used to heat stones. These are large structures that must store heat. Moreover, this warmth should be enough for a long time of work of a public steam room.
Wet steam in a Russian bath
For such a long period of operation of the bath, the temperature can be different at certain times. For example, in the morning the walls of the stove reach 100 degrees, and the stones are very hot. Opening the door to the steam room, the hovering person feels a strong warmth. During these hours, the ceiling and walls of the steam room become very hot, so in the bath it will more resemble a sauna. In the evening, on the contrary, the walls of the stove and stones cool down. This is also bad for a Russian bath.
The best temperature for a Russian steam room is 60 degrees, and the walls of the stove should not exceed 90 degrees. Otherwise, the stove will overheat the steam room.
There are two circuits in. The first is an internal high-temperature, the second is an external low-temperature. The material from which the inner contour is made is refractory fireclay bricks. The outer contour is made of red brick. The air gap reduces heat radiation and prevents overheating of the heater walls.
The outside temperature of the oven can be adjusted by opening the circulation doors. The required number of stones is determined by calculations, and on their basis, the heat balance of the steam room is compiled.
In order to preserve the heat accumulated by the stove, it is necessary that the stones be strongly, but at the same time and evenly warmed up. Therefore, a bell-type mode of heating stones is used. In this mode, not only the required warm-up time is reduced, but also the gas consumption.
The furnace of the optimal size of the furnace has divided furnace arches. This design of the firebox protects the supporting arch from overheating. It is also possible to carry out repairs without disassembling the entire oven. The firebox is not connected to the walls of the heat chamber, therefore it is protected from the formation of cracks.
There are sauna lovers who prefer temperatures over 100 degrees. Especially for them, it is possible to regulate the heating of the steam room, that is, to create conditions close to the sauna mode.
There are two ways to do this:
- In order to free access to the firebox, the firebox door is opened. Heat is radiated into the steam room and the temperature rises.
- The door for the water supply opens, and then the air dampers.
How to take a steam bath
The designers of the stoves have provided for the possibility of creating a normal temperature regime in the Russian bath. This is a very important point so that the steam room can be heated without heating up the oven walls. Thanks to this, in the Russian bath, you can create the optimal temperature and regularly maintain it at the desired level.
With light steam in a bath (for example, with a humidity level of 80%), the following happens: the mass of water breaks up into small droplets. With heavy steam, for example, humidity is 30%, water molecules stick together in one drop. This process in the field of physics is called the degree of dispersion of water, or moisture vapor. Some people confuse this concept with air humidity, but this is not true.
It can be concluded that the higher the temperature in the bath rises, and evaporation occurs from a large surface, the more dispersed the steam. This vapor is called light. Simultaneously with evaporation, another process occurs in the bath - condensation.
You can measure the temperature in the bath using a conventional glass capillary thermometer. In a bath, for example, a temperature of 40 degrees, the thermometer shows the same value. If you understand that the thermometer simulates the temperature of the human body, you can conduct an experiment. To do this, the thermometer should be wetted, the readings will begin to gradually decrease. This will indicate that the temperature of the human body will also drop.
In meteorology, the concept of a wet thermometer (an ordinary thermometer wrapped in a cotton damp swab) has long existed. You can see the temperature in the steam room on a dry bulb thermometer. What temperature the human body will strive for is shown by a wet thermometer.
It is very easy to explain why a thermometer shows different temperatures. When there is moisture on the surface of the body (living or non-living), it evaporates. Evaporation of the liquid will cool the object. The concept of a wet bulb thermometer is very important in meteorology. It is quite clear that speaking about the temperature regime in the bath, it is necessary to mention the humidity.
A person must adapt to each bath. Lovers of the steam room believe that the nature of the bath is best known not by the builder, but by the bath attendant himself. It will still need to be studied. It is necessary not only to build a Russian bath, but also to achieve the creation of steam in it. They say that there are no two identical Russian baths, but a truly Russian person will adapt and make good steam, even in a not-so-good steam room.
Russian bath - bath of health
Conclusion!
A number of factors affect the temperature regime in the bath. What is important is the temperature in the steam room, the humidity and the speed of air movement. The heat radiation from the oven and its intensity are of no less importance. The design of the stove, bathhouse and a number of other factors affect the climatic parameters.
Many people love to go to the steam room. But in order to relax, get a positive result from the procedure, and at the same time not harm your health, you need to know what is the optimal temperature in the bath. It is also necessary to take into account the degree of air humidity and the quality of the steam.
Types of baths
The human body feels the heat more strongly when the air humidity is high. In different types of bath buildings, the microclimate is different, so it does not hurt to understand their features, as well as find out how best to steam. Consider the main types of baths that are popular.
Finding out how many degrees the bath should be, take into account the type of steam room:
- Russian sauna... The air here has high humidity, but the heat is insignificant. To adjust the humidity in the steam room, water is poured onto the hot stones that are heated in the oven. The higher it is, the more difficult it is for the body to cope with such a microclimate. The temperature in the Russian steam bath reaches 60-70 degrees with a humidity equal to 90%. But high humidity has its own advantages, for example, a person's muscles and joints, internal organs warm up qualitatively. In the Russian version of the bath, it is also customary to use brooms, which are like a massager. When visiting a steam room, blood circulation improves, the pores on the skin open, the muscles relax and, as a result, harmful metabolic substances are excreted.
- Turkish bath... It will be interesting to know how many degrees are in the hamam. In it, the temperature and air differ markedly from the conditions of stay in a Russian bath. The body gets tired here less and the atmosphere is better tolerated. The air warms up to 50 degrees, and the humidity reaches 100%. Despite the absence of extreme heat, the steam is thick. You can stay in such a bath for a longer time compared to a Russian wood-fired bath.
- Finnish sauna... In this place, the air humidity is noticeably lower than in other types of baths. The temperature is high and the air is dry. Such an atmosphere is not well accepted by everyone - dry mouth appears, and a burning sensation occurs in the nose. On average, the temperature approaches 90 degrees, but sometimes it can even exceed 110 degrees, and the humidity is only 10-15%.
The effect of heat on the human body
As the blood circulation accelerates, the pressure rises. A bath is useful for people who suffer from blood congestion in the extremities. However, for those who have problems with the heart and blood vessels, the steam room can be harmful.
But from some diseases, you can, if not get rid of, then significantly facilitate their course, provided that procedures in the steam room are regularly taken.
These include:
- frequent colds;
- obesity;
- allergy;
- circulatory disorders.
Temperature and humidity
The bathhouse consists of three zones: a dressing room, a dressing room and a steam room. In the first of them, the temperature is about 25 degrees, and the humidity is 60%, in the dressing room, respectively, 27-29 degrees and 80%. The temperature in the steam room of the Russian bath is 50-90 degrees, the humidity is about 70%. The degrees grow gradually and the body has time to get used to the heat. The water in the reservoir should be cool, in the range of 10-25 degrees, so that you can feel the contrast with the steam.
A study was conducted to find out what temperature and how long the body can withstand.
According to him, they came to the conclusion that the higher the temperature, the less time a visitor can be present in the steam room:
- 71 degrees - 60 minutes;
- 82 degrees - 49 minutes;
- 93 degrees - 33 minutes;
- 104 degrees - 26 minutes.
In the sauna and steam bath, it is imperative to monitor the temperature and humidity. For this purpose, appropriate devices are installed in the room. If there is not enough moisture, you can pour water on the stones, when there is a lot of it, open the door slightly. In the event that it gets hot, it is recommended to sit further away from the stove and preferably on the lower shelf.
With a humidity level in the range of 90-100%, the temperature should not be more than 70 degrees. If the steam room is visited by the elderly or those in poor health, it is recommended not to exceed 55 degrees. This is the maximum temperature in the bath for them. At low humidity levels, this parameter may be higher. More intense sweating occurs in dry, hot air.
How to visit the bathhouse
Having found out what temperature should be in the steam room of the bath, you need to pay attention to how to properly attend the procedures. First of all, you need to do this regularly, and not sometimes.
- A person who visits the steam room for the first time should not stay in it for more than 5 minutes. There is no need to use brooms right away. When at the first visit there were no problems, gradually, each time, the stay time can be increased by a couple of minutes.
- Those who often visit the bathhouse know that it is highly undesirable to stay in the steam room for more than half an hour. But this does not mean that you need to sit to the end - if you feel uncomfortable, you should get out of it.
- You should not stand in the bath, as you can get heatstroke. The position of the body should be such that favorable conditions are created for the outflow of lymph - you need to lie with your legs raised. This reduces the load on the heart. If it is impossible to lie down, it is recommended to sit so that the legs are at the level of the body.
- To warm up the body, you should change the posture. You only need to breathe through your nose.
- You do not need to get up suddenly, as you can lose your balance and fall.
- Regardless of the temperature of the Russian bath, it is allowed to enter the steam room 3-4 times. Moreover, after each visit, the time spent in it or in the locker room should increase.
- Between entering the steam room, contrasting procedures are needed. It is better to start patting with brooms after the second visit to the steam room.
- When the body warms up, massage can be done. But before that, it is undesirable to go to other rooms or drink cool drinks. After completing the massage, take a warm shower and wash.
- The visit to the bath ends after the body has dried and cooled down - you do not need to immediately go outside.
Moreover:
- visit the steam room after at least 1.5 hours after eating;
- no need to steam at high temperatures or unimportant health;
- no smoking;
- remove metal objects from yourself to avoid burns;
- no need to wash your hair in the steam room;
- you need to remain calm and not make sudden movements;
- you cannot go to the bathhouse on an empty stomach and take alcohol;
- cool and rest before going outside;
- you should use a broom only on a steamed body;
- you need to wash only after the steam room;
- when visiting the steam room, you should not immediately go to the top shelf;
- you don't need to create a lot of steam on the first run.
You must take bath accessories with you:
- sheet and towel;
- soap and shampoo;
- brooms;
- a hat on the head and slippers;
- robe;
- comb
- drinking water.
Arrangement of ventilation and thermal insulation
The level of heat and its safety depend on how well the thermal insulation is performed and how the bath is built. To keep the heat longer, a heat insulator is placed between the walls during construction. Only then can the optimum temperature for the Russian bath be maintained.
The steam room should be built in such a way that the heat cannot escape. For this purpose, the doors are made low and the thresholds high. It is better to place the stove near the door, then the steam room will warm up evenly. To keep the floor surface warm, the floor covering is laid in several layers.
Ventilation in the sauna is necessary in order to maintain the same pressure inside and out. As for the Russian version of the bath, the air pressure in it is increased, so the steam must be supplied carefully so that the doors are not carried out. A bath with high humidity leaves condensation on all surfaces, therefore, after a visit, dry cleaning and long-term ventilation are required.
The most successful combination of temperature and humidity can be considered the option in which you feel the best, as comfortable and relaxed as possible. Much, but not all, depends on physical well-being and the ability to carry hot steam in a Russian bath. Steam quality is largely determined by how the humidity and temperature in the steam room are managed.
How steam in a Russian bath differs from a sauna
It is generally accepted that a sauna is just a hot and dry stove in which a person quickly loses moisture, dries up, overheats, and, as a result, jumps out of the steam room just a few minutes after crossing its threshold. Standard sauna conditions are temperatures below 100 ° C and humidity up to 15%. With an increase in humidity, the so-called threshold of tolerance sets in, when a person, even being in normal health, begins to suffocate from the scalding effect of hot moist air on the mucous membrane and lungs.
The Russian bath is simpler and softer in many ways. The optimum temperature in the steam room of a Russian bath rarely exceeds 65-70 o C. If we compare the conditions, we will see that the temperature of a Russian bath and a sauna is equally necessary, although it differs by 20-30 o C, despite the fact that the humidity differs by two or three times. Therefore, the main problem in a Russian bath is not the high degree of air in the steam room, but its excessive waterlogging.
The correct touch of light steam in a Russian bath, according to experts, is done something like this:
- First of all, the walls of the steam room are heated, what air temperature is needed in the steam room - the owners decide, but most often up to 50 ° C, no more. Thoroughly warm up the wood trim of the steam room, thereby increasing the efficiency of thermal insulation. The heated walls are a guarantee of light steam in the Russian bath;
- In a warm, but not hot Russian bath, a small container with boiling hot water is placed on the stove in the steam room, which gradually fills the steam room of the bathhouse with light and non-hot steam over an hour;
- After obtaining the necessary humidity, the stove is bred to the maximum and heated on one tab of firewood until they are completely burned out. The atmosphere is heated to 65 ° C and stably held together with the necessary dryness of the steam for an hour.
This steam will be the easiest and most useful.
Advice! To get a light heat in an ordinary Russian bath, it will be useful to use a steam generator, which gives a stream that is not hot, but saturated with small droplets.
The heat in a Russian bath rises slowly and is easily discharged by opening the ventilation valve or a regular window.
How to steam in a Russian bath without mistakes
The best option would be not to let the organization of steam in the Russian bath go by chance, but competently heat the bathhouse and steam yourself or with a company, while in the steam room there is a real light steam of the Russian bath. It is also quite possible to visit the steam room several times, but before each time the procedure for equalizing the humidity and temperature will have to be repeated in a new way. How quickly the steam in the steam room will be "tweaked" for a new entry depends on its design and competent control of the heater and window.
After entering the steam room, after 20-30 minutes, the body adapts to the temperature and humidity, and the feeling of the steam room cooling down appears. With good thermal insulation of the walls and a solid stone stove, good steam will last for an hour or two. In a bathhouse with a steel stove stove, the real steam of a Russian steam room will last no more than half an hour.
Common mistakes
A common mistake in steam management is that the heater is flooded with excess water. In this case, something like a Turkish hammam is formed in the Russian bath for a short time. After another ten minutes, the steam room will begin to cool down quickly, due to the high humidity, dampness and discomfort will appear. Even worse, if you heat the stove white, add water to the stove and fill the steam room with a hot, humid cloud, from which it is impossible to breathe.
In the first case, you should leave the steam room, correct the operation of the stove and remove the water from the heater. After filling in a new portion and warming up the oven, as the steam room warms up again, it is recommended to open the valve and remove most of the steam with cooled air from the steam room. Thoroughly giving the heat to the atmosphere of the steam room, they enter the room and in small portions increase the water content in the air of the room.
Sometimes the work of pouring hot water onto the stones is replaced by an aluminum flask with a volume of a couple of liters of water, from which, through an unscrewed cork, water drips onto the hot stones of the stove.
Advice! It will be especially effective to combine watering the stones with water and fanning the hot stove with a towel or a piece of plywood. Some masters are able to organize a real light steam, typical for a Russian bath, in 10-15 minutes.
In the second case, it is better to weather part of the humid and boiling atmosphere from the steam room. The temperature in the Russian bath will drop and the humidity will even out. You can open the doors to the dressing room and wait until the dry air from the bathhouse expels the hot cloud into the ventilation.
The secret of light steam
One of the most popular options is the combination of a sauna and a Russian bath in one steam room. Not everyone likes this way of steaming, but in many cases it is suitable if people in the company like different temperature regimes.
The essence of the method is as follows. Initially, the steam room warms up to the highest possible temperature and low humidity. Those who love the Finnish brazier can take a steam bath in such a sauna. During this time, the bulk of the stone in the stove warms up to the maximum, then you need to open the ventilation of the steam room while adding moisture by watering the stove with small portions of hot water.