We have never used this since we bought the house almost 3 years ago. But I sure plan on using it this winter !!!
There is nothing like standing naked in the snow and dumping a bucket of water over your head at -4F, and it feels refreshing.
Having never used it, my simple advice is go slow with wood addition till you learn your stove. Remember it's between 300-600F depending how it's running. That's a lot of heat in a little room. I stoke mine hard, get all the rocks and interior warm then add a couple more blocks, turn the air down a bit then grab a beer and in I go. You need lots of loyly if the stove is in the room, it'll dry the air quick. The best ones I've ever had are so hot that you can't think, your body is in survival mode. Every worry, problems, concern is gone. Just know your limits, don't pass out.
ha, even though I'm German I speak Finn. Loyly is what the steam coming off the rocks is called in a sauna.
bearhunter, I gotta ask. With those strap hinges designed right into the bench of your souna, do you have a brand of them on the bottom side of your leg? I'll bet those suckers get hot, no? Upper or lower? I would be able to tell if I heard you pronounce "sauna" !! And with the Finn-well I'll just guess that it's upper and you pronounce sauna correctly!
