Bath stove "Varvara": review of models, reviews of them + example of brick lining

Owners of private estates, cottages, and country houses sooner or later begin to build the walls of their own bathhouse. By the time design work begins, the question arises of choosing the basis of the entire building - the stove. “Varvara” is one of the most common brands of sauna stoves. They are found in buildings of different designs and sizes, located both in the central part and in the Russian outback. Each sample in this series has its own characteristics and is adapted for specific operating conditions. "Varvara" is produced in Tver. Demand for products has been stable for over ten years, which indicates the quality of the product.

2 Model Volzhanka
3 General characteristics
4 Furnace design
5 Main advantages
6 Disadvantages of Varvara stoves
7 “Varvara” with brickwork
8 Reviews of stoves of the “Varvara” series

Model Terma-Skazka

There are currently 8 models of sauna stoves available. The most popular medium-sized stove is the Terma-Skazka stove with a closed heater. A distinctive feature of this model is that the stove heater is lined with soapstone stone. This allows you to obtain soft steam by heating the stone to higher temperatures. Main characteristics:

Height x Width x Length - 1120 x 500 x 800
Weight - 245 kg
Steam room volume - 12-24 cubic meters
How many stones can you put - 60-70 kg
Firebox length - 76cm
What to heat with - wood
Manufacturer's recommended price - 49,500 rubles

Illustrative examples in the interior

Heating structures from the Varvara brand can be used in any stylistic image. Let's look at some variations that are most popular at the moment.

Classic style

The interior of a bathhouse in a classic style involves the use of natural wood. Regardless of the size of the room, the design is characterized by basic elements.

Current accessories: handmade bast shoes on the walls, amulets, a wooden bucket with a ladle, runners on the benches. The effect of antiquity is created precisely due to such elements.
Shelves, which are made from solid wood, can be of different designs.

A heater stove is the main attribute of a Russian bath. It is mainly made of brick, and the cladding is made using natural stone. The best option is to buy a ready-made stove made of steel and have the lining made of stone.
Lighting. To create a warm atmosphere in the room, it is better to use spotlights or sconces with lampshades.
Furniture set. In this case, massive wooden tables with benches are used.
Fragrances. A real Russian bathhouse is characterized not only by its wooden structure, but also by its specific smells. To relax and calm the body, use aromatic oils from lavender, eucalyptus, and the aroma of steamed birch broom will have a calming effect on a person.

Modern style

Modern baths have large room sizes. Additionally, there are relaxation rooms, a shower room, a swimming pool, and a veranda. The lounge room is equipped with additional furniture (plasma TV, armchairs, sofa, table). The outdated brick stove is being replaced with a portable metal structure.

The walls of the steam room are lined with wooden clapboards, which must be located in a vertical position. Thanks to this, there is less accumulation of condensation in the cracks. The floor in a modern bathhouse can be not only wooden, but also tiled. The modern look suggests installing lighting fixtures anywhere, even at the edges of shelves.

Sources

https://bane.guru/pechi/harakteristika-pechi-dlya-bani-varvara-i-otzyvy-o-ney.html
https://baniwood.ru/pechi-dlya-ban-varvara-obzor-i-otzyvy.html
https://TeploRes.ru/ustrojstva-i-pribory/pech-varvara-kamenka-otzyvy-vladelcev.html
https://mr-build.ru/newteplo/pec-varvara-mini.html
https://balashiha.teplomarket-m.ru/dlya-bani/drovyanye-pechi-dlya-bani-i-sauny/bannye-pechi-varvara
https://1-teplodom.ru/pec-varvara-polnyj-obzor-plusov-i-minusov-otzyvy-vladelcev/

Published: 04/11/2021

Model Volzhanka

Volzhanka is designed for large steam rooms. The water tank is made of stainless steel. Main characteristics:

Height x Width x Length - 1000 x 510 x 820
Weight - 150 kg
Steam room volume - 24-35 cubic meters
How many stones can you put - 60-80 kg
Firebox length - 72cm
What to heat with - wood
Manufacturer's recommended price: 24,700 rubles

In addition to the described models, the company’s product line also includes the so-called Mini Panorama Ovens. They are very compact, come in various sizes, and have a panoramic door. There are models with an extended firebox or a hanging tank.

"Kamenka-Mini"

The stove, the body of which is made of high-strength steel 6 mm thick, is excellent for installation in miniature steam rooms. The firebox can fill the atmosphere of the bathhouse with the desired notes of primordiality. In addition, it will serve faithfully for many years, as it resists the destructive effects of negative environmental factors and has first-class technical characteristics. They are:

dimensions – 66×47.5×71 cm;
power – 12 kW;
weight – 85 kg;
fuel type - firewood;
steam room volume – 16 m3;
weight of stones – 100 kg;
glass parameters – 23.5×25.5 cm.

The cost of the heating device is from 13,000 rubles.

General characteristics

There are currently 8 models of sauna stoves available.

A well-thought-out design allows us to limit ourselves to the production of a small number of models that can be configured to meet the specific requirements of the buyer:

Standard oven without tank and heat exchanger.
Modification of the same furnace with a water heating circuit .
A stove with a water tank mounted on its side.

It’s just that a stove, which does not have a heated container included, is used in cases where it is only necessary to create the desired atmosphere in the room and steam room. The water heating functions are performed by other devices (gas water heater or electric boiler).

The built-in water heating circuit allows you to equip the stove with a capacity of up to 120 liters.
Most often, it is installed at the top, acting as a matching element, between the hot pipe and the ceiling. The user receives a double benefit - the pipe heats the liquid in the tank, which eliminates the need to use protective materials to isolate the pipe from the floor and ceiling materials. The number 120 cannot serve as the final characteristic of the model; when purchasing a stove complete with a tank, its size can be limited to 50 or 60 liters. This model allows the installation of a water tank in another location (outside the steam room).
The second feature of this model is the possibility of using the stove as a boiler as part of a water heating system using batteries (registers). The use of liquid heating or the presence of a tank with large dimensions is a consequence of the use of an external water supply for filling them.

Typically, the side tank has a capacity of up to 60 liters . This allows you to get the optimal amount of hot water and meet the specified time interval for heating it.

All of the listed stove options are designed for a steam room volume of up to 24 cubic meters. meters. There are smaller options - “Varvara-mini” , which, having its own weight of 82 kg, can heat a steam room up to 12 cubic meters. meters. These babies are designed for a spacious heater and are complemented by a side tank of 39 liters.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of the Varvara stove:

compactness and light weight. Even the largest “Varvara” device weighs no more than 120 kg (without fuel, stones and water). This is one of the main advantages of this heating device. The stove can be installed even in a small bathhouse, and the construction of a particularly powerful foundation is not required. Sometimes just a good layer of insulation is enough;
Possibility of additional equipment upon request. Upon purchase, the device can be equipped with a mirror casing, a glass door, and a shortened firebox;
Possibility of equipping with a mounted or remote tank. The remote tank can be installed on the second floor or used as a passage through the ceiling. The location of the tank can be top, bottom or side, and if an autonomous water heater is installed in the bathhouse, an additional tank is not required;
the Varvara furnace has an afterburning chamber, which ensures its high efficiency;
the presence of a special hole for cleaning the chimney. The back wall of the oven has a special window covered with a lid. Inside the firebox there is a metal sheet (the so-called “smoke tooth”), where soot accumulates. This, together with the afterburner, must be cleaned at least twice a year;
uniform heating of all zones; good air circulation occurs due to the arched arch of the combustion chamber;
low price.

All Varvara heating devices are equipped with a remote firebox, that is, it is possible to add fuel from an adjacent room (dressing room or rest room).

Disadvantages of the Varvara stove:

It takes too long to heat up the water in the tank. But this problem can be solved very simply: an additional heat exchanger is installed on the chimney pipe, which will provide you with hot water (70 °C) within an hour after lighting the stove. True, in this case, it is necessary to carefully monitor the operation of the device, since after 3 hours the water in the tank may boil;
abundant condensation. The Varvara sauna stove has an afterburning chamber, that is, it operates in a slow burning mode. In this regard, the temperature at the outlet of the chimney is very low, which leads to generous formation of condensation. This happens if the chimney was assembled “by smoke”, so when installing the device you need to familiarize yourself with the correct installation diagram and strictly follow it. It is recommended to install a pipe with a height of at least 1.7 m, which should pass through the entire tank. This way the resulting condensate will not come into contact with the smoke and will flow down the pipe absolutely clean;
unreliability of the design. If wood is used as fuel, the welds may come apart. But stove models are constantly being improved and now their design has fewer seams, which have been replaced by bends, which, of course, has increased the reliability of the device.

Furnace design

The simplicity of the “Barbara” design is the basis of its attractiveness. Structurally, it is represented by a set of key elements:

Stove firebox . This is where wood combustion takes place. The released energy is communicated to the main structure in the form of heat.
Next to the firebox there is a chamber where the final decay of the resulting gases (smoke) occurs.
The system of ash pan and cast iron grates allows you to regulate the fuel combustion process (its intensity), creating an air flow into the firebox. Another function of the unit is the collection of solid combustion products (ash and coals).
Thoughtful design of chimneys .
A casing that transfers its own heat to the surrounding air masses and heats the heater.

A significant difference between the furnaces is the use of a special opening on the back of the main body to clean the combustion zone from soot.

For models equipped with a heating circuit, a tank is used, for the manufacture of which a stainless alloy is used, the sheet thickness of which is at least 1.5 mm.

"Kamenka-Mini"

dimensions – 66×47.5×71 cm;
power – 12 kW;
weight – 85 kg;
fuel type - firewood;
steam room volume – 16 m3;
weight of stones – 100 kg;
glass parameters – 23.5×25.5 cm.

The cost of the heating device is from 13,000 rubles.

Main advantages

When choosing a stove from the “Varvara” series for their bathhouse, the average consumer pays attention to a number of its distinctive features, which favorably emphasize the correctness of the choice . These include:

Simplicity and reliability of execution.
Favorable location in the price space.
Ease of installation.
The weight of the complex allows the installation of a furnace without installing a reinforced foundation.
Good case design.
Overall dimensions that make it possible to successfully fit the design into any interior.
The vapor removal pipe located on the tank makes the air in the steam room similar to the air in a good sauna with a brick oven.

Additional but important parameters

In addition to the performance of the furnace itself, when choosing it, it would not be superfluous to pay attention to the following details:

Material of manufacture

Its service life depends entirely on the quality of the brick, steel or cast iron of the stove and the thickness of the walls of its firebox. But which sauna stoves are better in terms of materials? Today, the most durable are modern chromium steel units, which have the greatest structural reliability and produce “clean air” - they do not oxidize chemically inert material, and therefore do not burn out the oxygen in the room. This is the kind of steel used by domestic and Feringer, Swedish Tylo and Finnish companies Kastor, Harvia and Helo.

If we talk about how to choose a stove for a steel bath, then the highest quality ones are produced by Finnish companies. Their assembly, processing of seams and the metal welding itself are deservedly considered exemplary.

But stoves with a real cast-iron firebox are already a rarity today, although cast iron is actually an excellent material. So far, its only option on the modern market is “Sudarushka M”, produced by the Russian plant Inzhkomcenter.

As for brick stoves for baths, it is worth noting that their laying in Rus' at all times was a real art. Even in those days, not many people knew the secrets of building a brick stove, and today it’s hard to find a real stove maker with a fire. You can, of course, using our website as a guide, build such a stove yourself. But it is better to familiarize yourself with its disadvantages in advance - it is difficult to melt it, it takes a long time to heat up, and even before starting construction you need to take care of a high-quality separate foundation - and yet the zero cycle is considered the most difficult and costly in construction. In addition, to generate steam on such a stove, you also need to splash water, and wet brick does not smell particularly fragrant. That’s why, if the design of the steam room initially included only a brick oven, you can go this way: purchase a modern compact metal one - wood-burning or electric - and equip it in the form of a screen with beautiful decorative bricks of various colors.

Firebox location and fuel type

Today, heater stoves are produced with only two firebox options - elongated, for installation in a wall opening, and regular. The first option is used so that the stove can be heated from an adjacent room - this is much better in terms of the microclimate of the steam room and its fire safety.

As for the type of fuel, firewood is far from the only option for modern sauna stoves. Oddly enough, and despite the warnings of particularly meticulous specialists, more convenient gas and electric designs are increasingly becoming fashionable. The main thing is that the result of their combustion does not depend at all on the quality of the available firewood or the skill of the stoker. On the other hand, the installation of a gas furnace can only be carried out by specialists and with a special permit, but an electric one, on the contrary, is much easier to install than the construction of heavy brickwork with a serious foundation.

Steam source

The answer to the question of which stove to choose for a sauna also depends on such a factor as the steam it produces. For a real Russian bath, you need really high-quality dry steam - this is its most important recognizable attribute. But not all heater stoves are capable of producing it exactly like this - modern models are still closer in design to sauna stoves. But there is a way out: as a last resort, you can additionally purchase an electric steam generator for a bath - that’s the whole solution to the problem.

Disadvantages of Varvara stoves

The process of long-term use helped to identify certain shortcomings of such installations:

The heating time of a large water tank is longer than in similar types of stoves from other manufacturers. As a justification, we should mention the existence of containers whose reduced dimensions reduce heating time. Another way to combat the problem is to install an additional heat exchange circuit on the pipe . The problem is solved, but there is a need to constantly monitor the temperature of the liquid, which can actually boil.
The slow burning principle used and the presence of an additional chamber for the complete disintegration of all gases, together with improper installation of the pipe, leads to the accumulation and flow of condensing water drops along it . For the stove to function properly, the pipe must be long and protrude beyond the upper boundary of the tank.

Dimensions

The “Varvara” and “Mini Varvara” stoves are available in 2 variations, which have different doors in the combustion chamber:

cast iron door;
door made of steel (4 mm) with heat-resistant glass.

Door window parameters:

“Varvara” – 290 mm x 310 mm;
“Mini Varvara” – 220 mm x 260 mm.

It happens that the size of the room does not allow installing the device so that the oven door is located in the next room. To alleviate this problem, there are models “Kamenka”, “Skazka”, “Woodpile” with 3 parameters for the removal of the fuel structure:

short combustion chamber – 4 cm;
standardized firebox – 16 cm;
elongated fire chamber – 30 cm.

Varieties of mini-ovens have the following combustion chamber dimensions:

short firebox – 2 cm;
standardized combustion chamber – 14 cm;
elongated fire chamber – 28 cm.

"Varvara" with brickwork

The usual body of representatives of this series has a very attractive appearance, but for lovers of the Russian spirit of the bathhouse, it is proposed to use the method of creating an additional brick screen.

The advantages of this improved design will be:

increased thermal capacity of the structure. The brick will accumulate the energy received and release it gradually as it cools;
a special design that differs from analogues (especially if natural stone is used instead of brickwork);
along with the appearance, another filling of the space with dry heat , characteristic only of the steam rooms of Russian baths.

The main disadvantage of this installation method is the large mass of bricks , which, when added to the weight of the stove, leads to the need to install a new stove foundation.

The second problem is finding a qualified stove master who will make high-quality masonry based on a composition suitable for high temperatures from a mixture of clay (preferably fireclay) and sand.

The reason for the wide popularity of the manufactured bath heating units was a detailed acquaintance with all the problems that arose during the operation of similar systems in the past. A detailed study of the demand for stoves and the possible market for their sales has led to a high level of use of their products by the population.

The resulting model range has many positive qualities that the consumer needs, and possible disadvantages are minimized.

Distinctive features

He develops bath units and supplies them to Russian markets from Tver . The manufacturer has created a whole model range, which includes budget and high-performance models.

To better describe the product and identify its features, we should consider the simplest design.

The design of the stoves is quite typical and simple.

Consist of the following elements:

combustion chamber for burning fuel;
afterburning systems in which flue gases disintegrate;
grate and ash scoop;
chimney;
a protective casing that ensures heat transfer from stones into the room.

The operating principle is as follows:

Cold air enters the convection channels (they are located between the stove and the casing) and is heated under the influence of draft. Then it rises and enters the steam room through the holes.
Hot air circulates in the internal convection channel. Due to this, rapid heating of the stones is observed.
Additionally, the combustion intensity is adjusted. All a person needs to do is open or close the ash scoop.

IMPORTANT!

The self-cleaning system is an important component of this brand of ovens.

It is a hole with a plug on the back of the unit . It is easy to clean with a regular brush.

Instructions

To create the climate of a real Russian bath, the Varvara stove is lined with brick.

Here is the most economical variation of the foundation for the Varvara stove made of logs and proper cladding:

Only one side of the foundation is brought under the wall so that the stove screen extends into the recreation room. It must be covered with waterproofing material, and cutting the wall begins with 2 crowns. As a result, the foundation will be as close as possible to the wall. The brick screen is combined with the other side of the oven, which is located in the steam room.
Before you begin installing the stove, you need to heat it outside. This is necessary in order to get rid of the unpleasant factory smell. The first row of bricks is laid on the mortar in accordance with the building level.

Fire bricks are used in the area near the combustion chamber. In other areas, the use of facing bricks is permitted. Its sinuses are filled with ordinary sand.
The brick screen is made from fire-resistant clay mass. It can withstand temperatures up to 1500 degrees. You can purchase it at any hardware store.
A piece suitable for the screen is cut out of a metal sheet, which can later be used to cover the area of the heater.

Creating a brick screen has its advantages:

accumulates the received heat, and will release energy gradually as it cools;
appearance – for a modern style you can use natural stone;
dry heat appears in the brickwork, which is characteristic only of Russian steam rooms.

Kinds

Currently, the company produces three types of heaters:

a device with a tank on a pipe located at the top (volume 120 l);
equipment without a water tank;
a device with a water tank located on the side (volume 50 l).

The first type is perfect for baths that are connected to a central water supply. The second is good for saunas in which water is heated using an electric heater. And the third is great for steam rooms that are not connected to the central water supply.

Furnace accessories

Varvara stoves are characterized by minimal equipment. Therefore, they can be equipped with the following additional accessories:

external combustion chamber - for "Fairy Tale", "Palenitsa", "Kamenka" - shortened 4 cm, standard 12 cm, extended 30 cm, and for the "Mini" models - shortened 2 cm, standard 14 cm, extended 28 cm;
hanging tank made of stainless steel – for regular units 55 l, for “Mini” stoves 40 l;
panoramic door made of steel or cast iron - for standard stoves 29x31 cm (price 3500 rubles), and for Mini models 22x26 cm (price from 2600 rubles);
tank 60/120 l;
heat exchanger

In addition, baskets for firewood and stones are appropriate next to the stove.

Yes, the Russian manufacturer did their best! The stoves will certainly appeal to the owners of steam rooms, both to their liking, their liking, and their budget.

An off-topic joke: My husband gets so tired at work that he can’t feel his arms, legs, or horns.

I would be very grateful to the owners of these stoves if you write a real review about your heater. And to those who are still in thought, I wish you a successful purchase and see you again, bye!

Wisdom Quote: The best keeper of a secret is the one who doesn’t know it (Cardelson de La Barca).