Sauna stones

Sauna stones (or rocks) are one of the most important elements of a sauna experience. Hot rocks are the ones that increase the room temperature, and they create the pleasant “löyly” (heat) when water is being poured on them. The goal is to heat up and keep as many rocks as possible hot, instead of heating up metal and other materials. Stones bring the “good” heat to a sauna room, while hot metal brings radiation heat.

There are many different stones available. We only recommend proper stones to be used on any sauna heater or stove. Commercially, that means that the package must say that the stones are for sauna purpose. It is important that they are durable enough and will not break too early. Rocks should be replaced about once a year in case sauna is being used weekly. An easy way to test if the rocks are in good shape is to pick two and knock them on each other. If they crack, it is time to change them.

For electrical sauna heaters we recommend smaller stones (Ø 2–4 inches) and for wood-burning sauna stoves we recommend bigger stones (Ø 4–6 inches).

We at Sauna America recommend that if you use your sauna once a week, you are ok to use Olivinediabase sauna rocks which are commonly sold by all sauna heater providers. If on the other, you are a heavy sauna user or you have a commercial sauna heater that is used every day for several hours, we recommend that you use Olivine sauna heater rocks. This is simply because they are more durable. Olivine sauna rocks are exclusively sold in North-America by Sauna America Inc.

Please read more about difference between Diabase and Olivine sauna rocks.