Listening to this discussion is a gem. It also makes me appreciate my experience and sense of the sauna experience. Starting about 70 years ago I was introduced to sauna, one built by my Finnish immigrant grandfather who emigrated from Finland in 1916. It exists still today in the Iron Range region of northern Minnesota literally on the edge of a lake. The birch and poplar firewood has always been taken from the trees growing on the property. The firebox is loaded from the dressing room portion of the sauna. The hot room has space for only 3 people on the higher bench. A lower bench perpendicular is a bit below the top of the firebox is for youngsters and much cooler than the high bench. Water is tossed on about 3 dozen 2 to 3 pound rocks which were collected from the lake shore. Early recollections include a ladle of water almost exploding off the hot rocks and becoming invisible. As it curled around behind us there was a sensation that almost felt like skin was coming off your back. The tips of your ears might start to feel like they were burning, breathing had to be shallow and deliberate to control inhaling too much heated air. Sweat would quickly form on your chest and then drop from your forehead. At the tipping point we would burst thru the hot room door and dive into the lake to cool down for a few minutes. Sauna was always associated with our visits which included a fair amount of chores, cutting down trees, splitting and stacking wood for next year, fresh fried fish, new potatoes from the garden and homemade bread. And like Eero said, after a busy day, dinner and a couple rounds of sauna…sleep was blissful and came quickly… Hyvä sauna on aina suomalainen…. Hyvä Suomi!!!
I appreciate Lassi's comments about each individual's experience--What works for them shouldn't be judged. In my Tribe (Dakota-Sante (Sioux)), we have Inipi ceremony (sweat lodge)--A lot of relatable things with Finns. However, we need to remember this is a gift from the Creator and we need to share with each other. AND, like Lassi believes, judge no one's experience.
Great discussion. Once we talked about the most important thing in building a sauna, namely ventilation. I've watched American videos on TH-cam and in all of them the air conditioning is limited to one small valve in the ceiling. It's the same thing in many Finnish saunas as well. Of course, a good heater is important, and together with good air conditioning, a good sauna experience is built. Kiitos!
I am SO GLAD I found you all! Currently binging my way through your videos and taking mental notes while quilting on this freezing rainy day in NoDak. My husband and I just purchased a 14x20 OLD grainary we are hoping to make into a sauna for our farmstead. I've listened to a few videos, but starting at your beginning! Wonderful!
@@theupperbench Absolutely!!! The entire space will not be sauna, we are trying to incorporate a lounge space, and a loft with a bed for guest space. It has 9.5 ft side walls, we are thinking of an 8x8x8 sauna. We just need to bring it home! 🤪
Hi there, love the podcast. Very informative. I'm in the process of building an indoor sauna and I'm using 1 intake vent next to the heater near the floor and 2 passive slider exhaust vents on the opposite wall. Can any show me a picture of the actual vent design. The company has drilled holes through the wood and then I've seen other other. People use a circular drill to actually cut a hole through the wall for the vent. What is is the correct way?
I am currently sitting in SoDak and planning a outside sauna build- I am very lucky to have a lot of folks in the nearby county that have had saunas most of their life. I am struggling for the placement of building. Any tips or unsaid rules. I have several acres no pond. Also any tips on rock or brick on the walls around the stove. I am binge watching and enjoying every minute - thanks guys, glad I found this.
If you have Finns around you, they can provide good advice. Some people like to have a window facing the sunset. And shielding against the intense heat of the stove is a good idea. - Risto
I wonder why Lassi mentioned problems with the tent sauna (much stress to keep the heat or relaxing but loosing the heat). I used a tent sauna several times for several hours and I didn't feel stressed to continously put wood into the stove to keep the heat (it was not THAT much work...).
I am currently researching and planning an outdoor wood burning sauna for my yard in Alberta Canada. I want to build as much as possible an authentic Finnish sauna. What are the most common interior woods (walls, bench ) used in your experience? Thank you
Here in Finland the most common interior woods in my experience are Populus tremula(aspen), Alnus glutinosa(black alder) and Pinus sylvestris(pine). Also seen some spruce(Picea abies) panels. Some are heat treated, some not. My personal preference is aspen as it is a great insulator, looks clean and it does not drip hot resin on your back from the roof like pine.
No disrespect to Sam…but knowing some Finnish would help…I’ve felt The clue for natiive English speakers is that The first syllable is ”sow” as in a female pig…not saw as in chainsaw…
Listening to this discussion is a gem. It also makes me appreciate my experience and sense of the sauna experience.
Starting about 70 years ago I was introduced to sauna, one built by my Finnish immigrant grandfather who emigrated from Finland in 1916. It exists still today in the Iron Range region of northern Minnesota literally on the edge of a lake. The birch and poplar firewood has always been taken from the trees growing on the property. The firebox is loaded from the dressing room portion of the sauna. The hot room has space for only 3 people on the higher bench. A lower bench perpendicular is a bit below the top of the firebox is for youngsters and much cooler than the high bench.
Water is tossed on about 3 dozen 2 to 3 pound rocks which were collected from the lake shore. Early recollections include a ladle of water almost exploding off the hot rocks and becoming invisible. As it curled around behind us there was a sensation that almost felt like skin was coming off your back. The tips of your ears might start to feel like they were burning, breathing had to be shallow and deliberate to control inhaling too much heated air. Sweat would quickly form on your chest and then drop from your forehead. At the tipping point we would burst thru the hot room door and dive into the lake to cool down for a few minutes.
Sauna was always associated with our visits which included a fair amount of chores, cutting down trees, splitting and stacking wood for next year, fresh fried fish, new potatoes from the garden and homemade bread. And like Eero said, after a busy day, dinner and a couple rounds of sauna…sleep was blissful and came quickly…
Hyvä sauna on aina suomalainen…. Hyvä Suomi!!!
I would love to see some photos of that old sauna!
Thank you so much for sharing those memories. - Risto
I appreciate Lassi's comments about each individual's experience--What works for them shouldn't be judged. In my Tribe (Dakota-Sante (Sioux)), we have Inipi ceremony (sweat lodge)--A lot of relatable things with Finns. However, we need to remember this is a gift from the Creator and we need to share with each other. AND, like Lassi believes, judge no one's experience.
Well said. A big motivation for our podcast is to share this wonderful practice with others.
Great discussion. Once we talked about the most important thing in building a sauna, namely ventilation. I've watched American videos on TH-cam and in all of them the air conditioning is limited to one small valve in the ceiling. It's the same thing in many Finnish saunas as well. Of course, a good heater is important, and together with good air conditioning, a good sauna experience is built. Kiitos!
Thank you! We agree. Ventilation is very important.
I plan on building one overlooking our river in Wisconsin;))))
That sounds wonderful! We'd love to see some photos once it's built.
I am SO GLAD I found you all! Currently binging my way through your videos and taking mental notes while quilting on this freezing rainy day in NoDak. My husband and I just purchased a 14x20 OLD grainary we are hoping to make into a sauna for our farmstead. I've listened to a few videos, but starting at your beginning! Wonderful!
Welcome to the tribe! Sounds like it is a generous space, which is good for sauna. :-)
And feel free to reach out to us with build questions. We'd love to see build photos.
@@theupperbench Absolutely!!! The entire space will not be sauna, we are trying to incorporate a lounge space, and a loft with a bed for guest space. It has 9.5 ft side walls, we are thinking of an 8x8x8 sauna. We just need to bring it home! 🤪
@@theupperbench and thank you for the warm welcome 😁
Hi there, love the podcast. Very informative.
I'm in the process of building an indoor sauna and I'm using 1 intake vent next to the heater near the floor and 2 passive slider exhaust vents on the opposite wall.
Can any show me a picture of the actual vent design. The company has drilled holes through the wood and then I've seen other other. People use a circular drill to actually cut a hole through the wall for the vent.
What is is the correct way?
Thank you for the feedback!
What heater brand and model are you using?
I am currently sitting in SoDak and planning a outside sauna build- I am very lucky to have a lot of folks in the nearby county that have had saunas most of their life. I am struggling for the placement of building. Any tips or unsaid rules. I have several acres no pond. Also any tips on rock or brick on the walls around the stove. I am binge watching and enjoying every minute - thanks guys, glad I found this.
If you have Finns around you, they can provide good advice. Some people like to have a window facing the sunset. And shielding against the intense heat of the stove is a good idea. - Risto
Thank you!
I wonder why Lassi mentioned problems with the tent sauna (much stress to keep the heat or relaxing but loosing the heat). I used a tent sauna several times for several hours and I didn't feel stressed to continously put wood into the stove to keep the heat (it was not THAT much work...).
it does require more steady tending to keep hot, but it doesn't have to be stressful... just more busy
I am planning a back yard sauna.
I read that the top bench should be about
45 cm from the ceiling.
What do you think about that?
Thanks!
centimeters or inches? I would say 42-45 inches
I am currently researching and planning an outdoor wood burning sauna for my yard in Alberta Canada.
I want to build as much as possible an authentic Finnish sauna.
What are the most common interior woods (walls, bench ) used in your experience?
Thank you
What are some soft woods in your area that are affordable and dry?
Spruce & pine would be the cheapest and then fir and cedar I think.
Im not sure where aspen or alder would rank.
Here in Finland the most common interior woods in my experience are Populus tremula(aspen), Alnus glutinosa(black alder) and Pinus sylvestris(pine). Also seen some spruce(Picea abies) panels. Some are heat treated, some not.
My personal preference is aspen as it is a great insulator, looks clean and it does not drip hot resin on your back from the roof like pine.
47:05 - "I'm flexable..." -Lassi // He thinks like a Dakota (Sante--Sioux).
When is Sam going to learn how to pronounce sauna? 😊
😆 time will tell... - Risto
No disrespect to Sam…but knowing some Finnish would help…I’ve felt The clue for natiive English speakers is that The first syllable is ”sow” as in a female pig…not saw as in chainsaw…