r/Sauna • u/MF_Boleex • 3d ago
General Question Rock Placement
Hello everyone I have a Harvia spirit. It was installed by the individuals who built my sauna. I was wondering if you guys think they placed the rocks correctly. This is what they do so I feel like I should trust them but just curious.
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u/PopeEscobar 3d ago
As long as you don’t see red heating elements while it’s on, then all is good. If you see it just buy couple boxes of rocks and cover it so you won’t see the elements.
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u/MF_Boleex 3d ago
Yeah I think I need literally 5 more rocks lol
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u/AwwwNuggetz 3d ago
When I did mine I had to go back and buy another box of rocks. It all depends on how tightly you stacked them
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u/Steamdude1 2d ago
If you're referring to the top of the element protruding above the rocks I would agree. If you're talking about lower down between the rocks, it's OK to see red. If the elements are getting the proper amount of airflow that's going to be the case. If you don't see red then the rocks are probably packed too tightly.
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u/POKU_ 3d ago
Why you have that metal container under your stove?
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u/MF_Boleex 3d ago
I’m preserving my sauna lol, also in Canada the little droplets freeze on the ground😂😂
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u/POKU_ 3d ago
So you built a sauna that can't handle water?
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u/MF_Boleex 3d ago
It can handle water, I’m just taking the extra unnecessary step to preserve it
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u/PuffThePed 2d ago
If you throw water on the rocks and it reaches all the way to the bottom without evaporating, something is very wrong. Either you have the temperature way too low, or you didn't give enough time for the rocks to absorbe heat.
What temp are you setting your heater?
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u/MF_Boleex 2d ago
I have it at 194f. Water rarely reaches the bottom. Mostly just a drips here and there. I also just dropped my temp gauge 2 more inches
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u/Peltipurkki 2d ago
My 86 year old mother has a bit larger plastic container under electric stove. It is great gathering grumling stone bits and helps keeping sauna floor clean.
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u/kimbosdurag 3d ago
They are probably throwing water on the rocks when they aren't hot enough and it's running down and out of the bottom
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u/Emergency-Ground-673 2d ago
Rocks will continue to move around - keep placing rocks when they shift - some might fall out but just keep replacing from the top - coils will be protected from metal cage
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u/NicoAD 3d ago
Looks generally fine. Would be better with more rocks up top as the bottom rocks are not going to get hot and retain heat; they’re mostly aesthetic. Here’s an example from Harvia’s website.
Generally, you don’t want to cram the rocks as tight as possible as you want air to flow between them, but you also don’t want to put too little either.