How to choose a grid on the pipe for sauna stones

A sauna stove consists of different elements, among which is a mesh heater. This is a useful device, which should not be abandoned. If you have purchased a stove without a basket for stones, you can make it with your own hands.

An uncomplicated device performs an important function. If the sauna is heated strongly enough, the chimney quickly heats up and heats up, giving off a powerful heat. This is fraught with serious burns for those who decide to visit the steam room. That is why a special grid is used on the pipe for the stones.

The basket is also needed for other purposes.

• Inside the lattice structure are placed stones that are heated and take the heat. If you splash water on them, you can get a sufficient amount of steam and properly warm the room.
• The grid of stones reduces the dryness of the air. This not only affects the comfort during the steaming, but also helps to protect the wooden finish in the room from overheating.
• Due to this design prolongs the life of the stove pipe, which is less in contact with air and water, and therefore slows the corrosion process.

Some sources suggest the use of insulating material instead of the grid. Although this will reduce the level of radiation, most of the heat will escape through the pipe, respectively, the room becomes poorly heated. Also, the burning speed will increase and more fuel will be needed. With this in mind, it is better to use exactly the grate or basket - the shape of the holder for the stones can be different.

The simplest option is a holder made of steel strips and bars, but craftsmen can make an unusual basket, decorated with patterns and ornaments. Although a beautiful lattice will look aesthetically pleasing, in terms of functionality all options are approximately the same.

Round designs are installed on the chimney pipe. Rectangular or oval grids can cover the entire stove. There are also non-standard shapes, collapsible, consisting of several knees - usually created by hand, to order.

• The wire mesh shell is easy to fasten and does not create additional stress that can deform the chimney, and it provides a large amount of steam;
• lattice structures with thick rods are used for powerful stoves in large baths, before installing it is necessary to strengthen the chimney;
• baskets made of sheet material are easy to make, but they give off less steam than grids and meshes.

The sauna stove can be closed, with a small door. This design keeps the air heated longer with a comfortable level of humidity, but the consumption of firewood increases. Open grids allow faster heating to higher temperatures - this is relevant for those who like a very hot bath.

Care must be taken when it comes to filling the grate. There are several of the most popular rocks that can be used to encase a pipe:

• Diabase;
• talcochlorite;
• Crimson quartzite.

You can find them in stores that sell bath or construction products. These stones are quite durable, they stand up well to temperature changes and heat exposure.

Laying begins with the largest specimens, which will go to the bottom of the structure. This is necessary so that the basket will not fail under their weight. It is desirable to choose stones of the same shape to achieve equal distribution of the load and exclude the subsidence of the grid to one side. Do not use material with sharp edges - it will quickly begin to crumble and crumble into the structure. Round stones are better suited for the stove grate.

When buying a grid, it is worth considering important criteria.

• The volume and weight of the stones. Designs can be designed for different loads. It is desirable to choose a variant with a reserve to avoid rapid deformation.
• Placement. The grate can be installed on the pipe or around the stove.
• Material. Stainless steel with increased heat resistance withstands long-term operation, but the cost is appropriate. Black metal is cheaper, but the product will be thicker, in addition, from time to time need to prime the grid with special protective enamel.

In addition, the choice can be between factory and homemade grid. Finished product is only to install in place, also in stores quite a large number of grids of different shapes and sizes. Homemade design will be relevant in the presence of the chimney of non-standard configuration. It is also an option for those who want to save money.

Basket has a lot of weight due to the stones, so it should be properly secured. This can be done with the help of self-tapping screws. At the bottom of the grid, holes are drilled for fasteners, and they also need to be made in the place where the structure will be attached to the oven. For better stability, special "ears" are used, which are tightened with bolts.

If the design is collapsible, the chimney does not need to be removed, the basket is simply attached around it. Then you can begin laying the stones.

It is possible to make a grid yourself. First of all, it is necessary to choose materials. For the assembly of the construction, you can not use:

• galvanized or painted wire coated with polyester resins or PVC;
• bronze and aluminum meshes that stand in industrial chimneys;
• materials that form a galvanic pair, such as copper and aluminum.

Mesh made of non-ferrous metals is susceptible to corrosion, it will quickly fall into disrepair. Zinc when heated emits harmful substances, which is unacceptable in the bath.

For the assembly you can use elements made of stainless steel:

• sheet as a base;
• wire to weave a mesh;
• strips to reinforce the structure;
• rivets.

The process of making mesh will require welding and locksmithing skills, as well as the availability of appropriate tools.

Previously you will need to do the following:

• Carry out the cutting of blanks in accordance with the necessary dimensions;
• Clean weld areas from rust and other contaminants;
• degrease the joints to avoid oxidation.

After that, you can begin assembling the mesh. Parts are welded together, according to the chosen scheme. When working, it is necessary to carefully weld all the seams, so that the basket can withstand the load and not deform. It will also be necessary to brush off the slag and scale after welding is complete. In hard-to-reach places, where you can not get with a grinder, you can manually go through with sandpaper. In some cases, the work has to be done directly around the chimney, if there is no opportunity to disassemble it. Then it is necessary to protect the pipe from the splashes of molten metal.

Grid, made with the observance of all calculations, in terms of functional characteristics will not yield to the factory product.

See below for a review of the grid for the stones in the bath.