Wood-Fired vs Electric Sauna

Most saunas you'll find in gyms, hotels and condo buildings are electric. Most saunas in Finnish lake country, and the original secret sauna on the Mamquam River, are wood-fired. Here's what's actually different.

How they work

An electric sauna uses a heating element under a pile of stones. You set a temperature and a timer, and it holds the room there.

A wood-fired sauna has a wood stove with stones on top, often with the firebox fed from inside or outside the room. You build the fire, feed it, and the heat rises and falls with the fire.

The heat

People who love wood-fired saunas often describe the heat as "softer" or "rounder." A wood stove heats a big mass of metal and stones, which radiates heat into the room, and a good fire keeps the stones very hot. Electric heat is steady and predictable, which is great for convenience, but some people find it flatter.

The steam (löyly)

The steam that rolls through the room when you throw water on the stones is called löyly in Finnish, and it's the soul of a traditional sauna. Hot stones on a wood stove usually give a big, satisfying wave of steam. Many electric heaters handle water too, but smaller or cheaper units may give less steam, and some aren't designed for it at all, so always check before pouring.

The atmosphere

This is where wood-fired wins for most people. The crackle of the fire, the smell of woodsmoke and cedar, the glow of the stove in a dark room, and the ritual of tending the fire between rounds. It's slower and more hands-on, and that's the point.

Convenience

Electric wins here: flip a switch, come back later, no wood to haul or ash to clear. A wood-fired sauna needs firewood, time to heat up, and someone to keep an eye on the fire. Wood-fired saunas also don't need a big electrical supply, which is why they're common at cabins and off-grid spots.

At a glance

• Heat: wood-fired is softer and variable; electric is steady.
• Steam: wood-fired usually gives bigger, more satisfying steam.
• Atmosphere: wood-fired, no contest.
• Convenience: electric.
• Where it works: wood-fired needs no power hookup and works almost anywhere.

Try wood-fired without building one

If you've only ever used an electric sauna at the gym, a wood-fired session is a revelation. Mamquam Sauna is the original hand-built barrel sauna from the Mamquam River, delivered with firewood and a cold plunge tub for a private 24-hour session anywhere in Squamish, Whistler or Pemberton. All you do is light the fire.

Questions

Is a wood-fired sauna better than an electric one?

Many sauna lovers prefer wood-fired for the softer, deeper heat, the crackle of the fire and the steam from the stones. Electric saunas are more convenient and consistent. Which is better depends on what you want.

How hot does a wood-fired sauna get?

A well-fired wood sauna can reach up to around 90°C or more. The Mamquam barrel sauna reaches up to about 90°C.

How long does a wood-fired sauna take to heat up?

It depends on the stove, the weather and the size of the sauna, but expect to light it well before you want to get in. On cold days it takes longer.

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