One of the reasons why most of us here wouldn’t recommend a barrel design... it’s a major design flaw unfortunately
If you swing a towel in a sideways helicopter motion you will move the air from bottom to top and vice versa.
Kinda expected of the design, and why they're best used at a *summer* cottage. All the insulation amounts to barely half inch of wood planks all around, a thin glass door straight into the cold outside, and not enough height to fit a proper hot air pocket.
In a best case scenario there would be insulation on every side, and the hot room door would lead into a similarly insulated vestibule/room that prevents a lot of cold air leaking in.
I had the same issues in my sauna, cold and hot spots. I got a battery power fan and push air from the floor to the ceiling. No more issues, evens out the whole space.
Raise your benches and add ventilation. I have a 6.5’ barrel.
Air inlet is on back wall above heater (near ceiling) and exhaust is front wall under a bench (near floor). Helps create stronger convection to lessen the temperature difference but there will always be heat stratification in a barrel (or any sauna for that matter).
This is the best modification I made to my barrel, OP. Do this. Cut a 4 inch hole and add an inline fan. PM me for details, it’s been suggested elsewhere on here.
I put a heat powered fan(no electrical needed) on top of the heater. When the base gets warm enough it turns on. Works great, moves the air around nicely and doesn’t make a sound!
https://ecofan.caframobrands.com/812amxbx.html
Thanks for the recommendation. I tried a heat powered fan when I still had a 6kw heater and it wouldn't really get going. I wonder if it would work better with the higher powered heater I now have. Worth a try...
I have this exact sauna and moved my heater lower and my benches higher at the advice of this sub. It worked perfectly. I think a battery operated fan on the floor might be worth testing. (Btw you should have the vent open while using the sauna, to let air circulate.)
The inline fan is the way to go. Since I am the only one who uses mine, I built a bench that’s goes across where his speaker is on one side. It’s great for lying down.
Mechanical fan exterior of sauna like stated above.
Are the vents below the stove or above? If below, cover and change to above so fresh air is mixing with stove heat and not just coming in from the bottom and freezing up your floor.
There are vents at the bottom that are designed not to be closed and two vents at the top with a rotatable cover. Should I keep those top vents open? I'm also looking at an external fan. Looks pretty straight forward if I can find a waterproof fan.
I would cover the bottom, and keep the top open.
That bottom is just bringing cold air in, where it’s staying at the bottom of your sauna. The ones at the top mix with the heat and the fan will pull it all in and push it down. We made a little wooden box to weather proof our outdoor fan. It’s worked great for 1.5 years of almost daily use.
If I keep my legs on the bench, like in the pic, it isn't too bad. The heater is only 6 inches from the bottom to the floor. I think the manual said 5-7 inches was recommended.
It was about the same in MN today too. Definitely look into: 1. adding a battery powered fan or mechanical fan. 2. lowering your stove and maybe raise your benches if possible.
I think those are your best first steps.
I bought a cheap rechargeable fan from Amazon and I kick that on when I get in. It definitely seems to keep the temperature gradient lower than it was. I do notice that the digital thermometer reduces by about 5 degrees C when I turn the fan on. I guess it's bringing the cold air up from the floor. I may install an external fan this summer.
One of the reasons why most of us here wouldn’t recommend a barrel design... it’s a major design flaw unfortunately If you swing a towel in a sideways helicopter motion you will move the air from bottom to top and vice versa.
Got somebody else to fan the hot air down for you, and you're halfway to an Aufguss ;)
NORTH CAROLINA COME N AND RAISE UP! TAKE YO SHIRT OFF, TWIST IT ROUND YOUR HEAD, SPIN IT LIKE A HELICOPTER!
Haha! So glad someone else recognized the reference 👍 “This one's for you? This one's for who? Us, us, us!”
Lol bro
Kinda expected of the design, and why they're best used at a *summer* cottage. All the insulation amounts to barely half inch of wood planks all around, a thin glass door straight into the cold outside, and not enough height to fit a proper hot air pocket. In a best case scenario there would be insulation on every side, and the hot room door would lead into a similarly insulated vestibule/room that prevents a lot of cold air leaking in.
I had the same issues in my sauna, cold and hot spots. I got a battery power fan and push air from the floor to the ceiling. No more issues, evens out the whole space.
Which fan are you using?
I got it off amazon, this is the description dymuzic Camping Fan - 10000mAh Battery Powered Fan
That’s a great idea. So you’re blowing the cold air toward the stove?
Where do you place it for best effect?
On the floor in front of a small vent I recently added. Point it up at a 45 degree angle
Unfortunately it’s a limitation of barrel designs.
Raise your benches and add ventilation. I have a 6.5’ barrel. Air inlet is on back wall above heater (near ceiling) and exhaust is front wall under a bench (near floor). Helps create stronger convection to lessen the temperature difference but there will always be heat stratification in a barrel (or any sauna for that matter).
Exactly. The barrel design works perfectly with the right adjustments to the kit.
You are using the term 'perfectly' very generously.
Put a mechanical fan exterior of the sauna and cut a hole into the barrel opposite the stove below the bench. That’ll help pull hot air downwards.
This is the best modification I made to my barrel, OP. Do this. Cut a 4 inch hole and add an inline fan. PM me for details, it’s been suggested elsewhere on here.
I use a small fan. It has 3 speeds, quiet and nicely evens out the temp.
Do you have a battery powered fan or plug in? Do you have a link?
It's an electric rechargeable fan. I hang it on my door pointing down to the floor.
The fan I use is a 7” metal fan that runs off AC. Usually theyre used for cooling server farms. it’s not perfect but sure helped.
Stick a high powered fan on the ground pointing up towards the ceiling at an angle. Or spin your towel over your head with loyly
I put a heat powered fan(no electrical needed) on top of the heater. When the base gets warm enough it turns on. Works great, moves the air around nicely and doesn’t make a sound! https://ecofan.caframobrands.com/812amxbx.html
Thanks for the recommendation. I tried a heat powered fan when I still had a 6kw heater and it wouldn't really get going. I wonder if it would work better with the higher powered heater I now have. Worth a try...
I set mine on the top corner of the heater, right above the rocks. By the time the sauna is warmed up it’s spinning!
Yes, let it heat up for 15 minutes longer. Also, move the bench as high as possible, move the heater as low as possible.
I have this exact sauna and moved my heater lower and my benches higher at the advice of this sub. It worked perfectly. I think a battery operated fan on the floor might be worth testing. (Btw you should have the vent open while using the sauna, to let air circulate.)
The inline fan is the way to go. Since I am the only one who uses mine, I built a bench that’s goes across where his speaker is on one side. It’s great for lying down.
Can you elaborate/share photos of the inline fan you're talking about? would the fan blow air from inside to outside? u/Limit67
I am building a barrel sauna this next year. Where did you get your door? I like it!
It was part of a kit from almost haven saunas. You could probably reach out and they could sell it to you a la carte.
Awesome thanks much
You need insulation but perhaps a circ fan will hold you over. https://www.reddit.com/r/Sauna/s/AMkUWW7IOG
Mechanical fan exterior of sauna like stated above. Are the vents below the stove or above? If below, cover and change to above so fresh air is mixing with stove heat and not just coming in from the bottom and freezing up your floor.
There are vents at the bottom that are designed not to be closed and two vents at the top with a rotatable cover. Should I keep those top vents open? I'm also looking at an external fan. Looks pretty straight forward if I can find a waterproof fan.
I would cover the bottom, and keep the top open. That bottom is just bringing cold air in, where it’s staying at the bottom of your sauna. The ones at the top mix with the heat and the fan will pull it all in and push it down. We made a little wooden box to weather proof our outdoor fan. It’s worked great for 1.5 years of almost daily use.
Sounds like a great setup. Thanks for the advice. I'll block those lower vents.
I have a similar set up. Do you have a pic of the stove height? Are your legs cold in the image you posted? If so, your stove is probably too high.
If I keep my legs on the bench, like in the pic, it isn't too bad. The heater is only 6 inches from the bottom to the floor. I think the manual said 5-7 inches was recommended.
Mine is 5”. I don’t have much of an issue yet. It is cool by my feet, but still super hot overall with my 8Kw. What temps outside?
It was about 20 F this morning so that was the worst it's been.
It was about the same in MN today too. Definitely look into: 1. adding a battery powered fan or mechanical fan. 2. lowering your stove and maybe raise your benches if possible. I think those are your best first steps.
Raise benches, get little cedar foot stools to raise your feet, also a little hand fan will do wonders to even out the temperature
There are even some sauna stove models with added air circulation, like Saunum Base. Use google translate https://saunologia.fi/testi-saunum-base/
I put a cheap blanket folded over double on the floor in the cold months. It definitely makes a difference.
Toes above stove. Get a block to sit on and put feet on bench.
Any resolution to your cold feet issue?
I bought a cheap rechargeable fan from Amazon and I kick that on when I get in. It definitely seems to keep the temperature gradient lower than it was. I do notice that the digital thermometer reduces by about 5 degrees C when I turn the fan on. I guess it's bringing the cold air up from the floor. I may install an external fan this summer.