Do you dream of a wood-burning heater, but don't know which option is best? Many homeowners choose a wood-burning heater for their sauna, because of the unique atmosphere it creates and the soft glow. Sometimes the sauna even has a the wood-burning sauna heater and an electric heater side by side. But how do I choose the best wood heater for my sauna? Is a wood heater with a water tank necessary? When choosing a wood heater, important questions include whether you want a heater with or without a water tank, and what kind of space you have in your sauna for the heater. At the very least, consider the points outlined in this article when shopping for a new wood heater!
the best heater to suit your needs
The best wood‑burning sauna heater is one that has been chosen with its actual intended use in mind. A wood‑burning heater with a water tank is a good option when the sauna does not have a supply of hot water. In such heaters, the washing water is heated ecologically at the same time as the heater itself. A wood‑burning heater with a water tank also brings a genuine old‑time atmosphere to the sauna, as you can wash by drawing hot water from the tank into a basin and mixing it with cold water. If you choose a water‑tank model, take a look at your sauna and consider on which side of the heater the water tank should be located. For safety reasons, the heater must not be positioned so that the tap is difficult to reach. Instead, a water vessel should fit easily under the tap and be safe to lift away after filling.
Remember that the water tank of a wood-burning heater must always be filled with water when you start heating the heater! Read also: The cottage season begins - consider these before you heat up the sauna.
Take into account the size of the heater, the safety distances and the chimney connection
The best wood‑burning sauna heater for your sauna is one that is correctly sized. A heater that is too small will not be able to heat the sauna properly, while a heater that is too large can make the steam excessively hot and uncomfortable. Wood‑burning sauna heaters also have a rated output, and in most cases the suitable sauna size is specified as well. The best way to find the right‑sized wood‑burning heater for your sauna is to first calculate the volume of your sauna.
The volume of the sauna is calculated by multiplying the length, width and height of the sauna. Uninsulated walls, such as glass and brick walls, should also be taken into account, as they release more heat and increase the calculated volume of the sauna. Log construction also increases the calculated volume of your sauna and the power requirement of the heater. You can calculate the volume of your sauna using our heater calculator. Mondex wood heater Klapi suitable for saunas with a volume of 8-16 m³, and Motti for saunas with a volume of 12-22 m³.
Another size‑related factor to consider when choosing a wood‑burning sauna heater is the heater’s physical dimensions and the required safety clearances. Measure the space available for the heater in your sauna and compare it with the dimensions and safety clearances of the wood‑burning heater you are considering. A wood‑burning heater with a water tank requires more space than a heater without a water tank. You can read more on safety distances for sauna heaters.
The third factor to check when choosing a wood‑burning sauna heater is the location of the flue connection. In Mondex wood‑burning sauna heaters, the flue connection is always available both on the top of the heater and at the rear, providing greater flexibility when positioning the heater in the sauna.
As optional accessories for wood‑burning sauna heaters, stone basketscan be installed on top of the heater and around the flue, as well as protective wall platesinstalled beneath the heater. With a stone basket, the heat of the flue can also be utilized in the sauna, while at the same time increasing the amount of sauna stones used in the heater. A protective floor plate slightly raises the wood‑burning heater off the floor while protecting the sauna floor surface. Thanks to the adjustable legs of Mondex wood‑burning sauna heaters and the protective floor plate, the heater can also be installed on a sloped floor.
The best wood-burning sauna heater can be Finnish‑made
If a heater with a water tank is your choice, check out the Mondex Motti. Motti is a classic wood heater for even a larger wood sauna, but with small shelter distances. The Motti is available with or without a water tank, and you can choose the position of the water tank on either side of the heater.
If your sauna needs running water and you don't need a water tank, you can choose between Motti's water tankless version and the circular . Klapi heater . Klapi is a beautiful, round-shaped wood heater with small safety distances. It has an optimal size and small safety distances, making it suitable for smaller saunas. Both heaters are available in two colors, modern black and traditional stainless stell.
Like all our other heaters, Klapi and Motti are Key Flag products, and are manufactured in our own factory in Ylivieska, North Ostrobothnia. By choosing a Finnish-made heater for your sauna, you ensure that Finnish heater expertise will be available in the future. A domestic, high quality wood heater, made with decades of expertise, will provide you with enjoyable heaters for a long time!
If you are genuinely interested in domestic Mondex heaters, you can find your nearest retailer here.
This text was originally published on 21.6.2022. Last updated on 9.2.2025.