6 solid reasons to buy an IKI wood-burning sauna stove or electric heater

FINNISH HANDICRAFT
IKI sauna stoves and electric heaters are handmade in Finland. Our factory is located in Pieksämäki, where each IKI stove is crafted by hand from high-quality materials with uncompromising professionalism. Our factory staff has over 40 years of experience in welding stainless steel and black iron. “These we are proud to declare we’ve made all by our selves!” is one of the favorite statements made by our production manager Jarmo.

MEMORABLE STEAM EXPERIENCE
The characteristic IKI steam is formed by having a large quantity of sauna stones in our stoves and heaters. The memorable and pleasant steam is produced after a relatively short heating time. IKI wood-burning stoves and electric heaters deliver the kind of soft, moist, exuberant and oxygenated, concentrated and lingering steam that people have sought after for thousands of years. The pleasurable sauna-bathing experiences can be replicated in saunas of any size, in cities as in the countryside, on weekdays and holidays alike.

ORIGINAL DESIGN
IKI-Kiuas Oy is the first company to manufacture open-structure sauna stoves and heaters. The durable and simple shape. The innovative fireplace and elegant mesh frame that allows air to freely circulate. These characteristics kicked off an entire collection of IKI stoves and heaters in the mid-1990s and have since then come to redefine sauna heater design in the global scale. Initially, the solution that was so entirely different from established thought patterns met with quite some resistance and took a while to become recognized as truly remarkable. It has been worth all the effort as the end result is sauna stoves and heaters par excellence.

DURABLE
IKI wood-burning sauna stoves and electric heaters are made of stainless steel and have AISI309 resistors, that are designed for commercial use. The robust RST mesh frame and the thick steel pipe commonly used in power plants guarantee the longevity and safety of IKI stoves and heaters. Due to the round shape, thermal expansion does not cause stress to the metal eliminating the cause of premature rusting and burn-through.

ENERGY EFFICIENT
IKI stoves and heaters are ideal for communally used saunas in apartment buildings, swimming halls and other shared facilities, such as saunas-for-hire. Based on a study conducted by Lappeenranta University of Technology, IKI electric heaters have been proven to save energy in commercial use. Thanks to the large quantity of stones, the power can be switched off at times: Once heated, the stones transfer heat to the steam room very slowly and thus maintain the idea bathing temperature for a long time. A much lower energy consumption can be reached than with standard model heaters of a similar power capacity.

CLIMATE FRIENDLY
All IKI wood-burning stove models have been tested to comply with the requirements of the EU standard (EN 15821: 2010) in the KYAMK University of Applied Sciences laboratory in Kouvola, Finland. The tests include carbon monoxide (CO) emission testing, which indicates how cleanly the stove burns wood. The test result for the best-selling IKI model, the Original IKI, was 0.10%, which is 9 times below the limit (1%). IKI-Kiuas has also conducted tests for its wood-burning stoves at the German TÜV testing institute in Munich in 2011. In Germany, the standards set for wood-burning appliances are much stricter than the EU standard. IKI stoves’ fine particulate emissions were about 0.020 grams per cubic meter, with the limit set at 0.075 grams/m³.

Avoid Climate Change – Choose IKI Wood-burning stove

The cleanest combustion sauna stoves on the market

There’s been plenty of discussion in the media about emissions related to wood burning, particularly their effect on the climate and health. The amount of Carbonmonoxide emissions varies greatly when different stoves are concerned, and it is likely there will be stricter controls put into place during the next couple of years.

All IKI Kiuas wood-burning stoves have been tested at the Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences (KYAMK) in Kouvola to ensure they are in accordance with the EU directive EN 15821:2010. One of the tests relates to CO emissions, which indicates cleanness of combustion. The results for the most popular model in the IKI Kiuas range, the Original IKI, are 0.10%, which is 9 times less than the 1%-limit set for sauna stoves.

Listed in the chart below are the CO emissions by different stove manufacturers. It shows how the Original IKI compares to other open frame sauna stoves of similar size. The results are provided by independent, standardized and approved test facilities. The stove manufacturers are obliged to show these figures in product signs and stove installation instructions.

‐ carbon monoxide emission 13 % O2
‐ CO‐emission 13 % O2

Original IKI (10-25 m³)0,10%1242 mg/m3
Harvia Legend 240 (10-24 m³)0,65%8310 mg/m3
MISA Kiviset 11220 (8-20 m³)0,75%9375mg/m3
Narvi Stony (8-20 m³)0,14%1750 mg/m3
Harvia Legend Green Flame (10-24 m³)0,23%2856 mg/m3

Fine particle emissions also tested

In 2011, IKI Kiuas had its wood-burning stoves (BImSchV 1) tested by a German test facility, TÜV in Munich. Germany has set much more strict emission controls for wood-burning stoves than EU’s general standards. The tests measuring fine particle emissions showed IKI stoves emitting 0.020 grams/m3, when the limit is 0.075 grams per cubic meter. The TÜV tests also showed that the efficiency ratio for IKI wood-burning stoves was above 74%, well over the required 50% limit.

Tips for reducing fine particle emissions yourself:

  • Use only dry wood for burning.
  • Avoid burning trash.
  • Sweep the hearth regularly.
  • Light the fire from the top of the hearth.
  • Avoid overheating; learn to use the hearth as efficiently as possible.
  • Do not crowd the hearth with too much wood, as this increases emissions.

Löyly Helsinki

Löyly Helsinki is a popular public sauna in Helsinki offering exceptional architecture in a unique location. Unique custom IKI-stove weighing 600kg is at the heart of the sauna.

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Stylish Float Sauna Heater Launched – designed by Eero Aarnio

The Float electric sauna heater, designed by Eero Aarnio and manufactured by IKI Kiuas, in co-operation with Ilkka Harju and Cariitti Oy, has just been launched to the market. The stylish, futuristic shape of the heater is illuminated to create the effect that it is airborne.
– Eero Aarnio designed his first sauna heater back in the 1960s, so in a way the circle has been completed in this jubilee year, says Samuli Kerrman, CEO of IKI Kiuas.

The distinct appearance and mighty power make the Float heater well suited for classy public saunas and for large private saunas. The novel shape reflects the communal aspect of sauna bathing as it is reminiscent of the circle of people around a camp fire. The 160kg of stones that go into the heater and the 13.8kW output deliver smooth and plentiful warmth for the bathers.

For further information, please contact:

Samuli Kerrman, IKI-Kiuas Oy
tel. +358 40 621 5730
ikikiuas@ikikiuas.fi