Thermory Barrel Sauna Kit | 60 Series with Optional Porch and Panoramic Window

How do we think about sauna heater selection in a Thermory Barrel Sauna?

If you think you'll be really pushing the temperatures then HUUM is the way to go.  They can be set to 230°F, while other heaters are limited to 194°F.  Keep in mind these are the maximum temperatures in the sauna at the ceiling level.  Bench levels are drastically lower in barrel saunas.

The 7.5KW or 9KW HUUM DROP packages are the most popular with Thermory Barrel Saunas.  They mount on the back wall, don't take up a lot of space, and keep the floor clear which is nice for cleaning.  

Heaters with high rock capacity (like HUUM) produce a softer, more gentle heat.  The tradeoff is heatup time (1hr is normal), so we recommend Wi-Fi enabled controls with all barrel saunas.  

The Harvia Virta is a sleek black heater with a build in heat shield.  This is becoming a go-to heater for us for safety and reliability.  Like it really humid?  All of our sauna heaters can handle water on the rocks to create humidity, but only the Virta Combi can create steam automatically (not recommended for freezing climates).  

Saunum heaters actually redistribute the hottest air from the ceiling and blend it at floor level for the most comfortable, even temperatures possible.  Sauna Marketplace has been testing Saunum heaters in barrel saunas for over two years, and our feedback helped Saunum create a new 'barrel sauna mode'.  

We recommend a call or planning session with one of the Bens at Sauna Marketplace if considering a Saunum in your barrel sauna, to make sure all of our latest learnings are applied.  

Heater FAQ

Do I need to upsize for lack of insulation, climate, or glass?  No, we factor in insulation, glass, and potential for below zero weather when we size these heaters.  We've tested these in Northern Minnesota, -20°F weather and are comfortable with our sizing recommendations in any climate.  

I found bad reviews of HUUM heaters online, should I be concerned?  It's true that the HUUM DROP has had issues in the past.  During the time of Covid especially, some bad were sent out.  When they crumbled they allowed the heating elements to touch and burn out.  HUUM has improved the design, and the 7.5KW and 9KW DROPS now come with a heating element retainer to prevent this from happening.  The HUUM HIVE never had these problems. 

If you want to avoid HUUM but like the look, check out the Harvia Spirit.  

Homecraft Revive is another rock basket heater, Canadian-made with exceptional heating element protection.  

What are the power requirements?  Regardless of the heater selection, you will need a 240v heater to the site.  Most likely 30amps but that will depend on the heater.  Some heaters have the ability to power a 120v lighting circuit but we recommend running an additional 120v circuit to the sauna location to keep your options open.  

Power must be hardwired to the heater (if it has built in controls) or the included power box (if it has wall-mounted controls).  The power box, also called the main module, or contactor box is like the central hub of the system.  We recommend placing it on the exterior side of the back wall of a Thermory barrel sauna.  

The electrician supplies the main cable to the power box, and from there to the heater.  The heater manufacturer will provide low voltage cables that go from the power box to the temperature sensor, controller, and door sensor.  

Is this really DIY friendly?  Can you build it for me?  Thermory barrel saunas really are DIY friendly.  Most of our customers build it themselves in a day with two people.  Ben at Sauna Marketplace built one (almost) by himself last summer, you can find that video below.  It's a fun project, and we're available to guide you through it.

If you choose to hire a contractor, a sauna specialist is not required, but we have a list of recommended contractors (ask us for a builder in your area).  Our customers have successfully hired deck builders, contractors, shed builders, and handymen for the project.  

Will it heat fast if I oversize it?  We wouldn't recommend oversizing a sauna heater to improve heat up times.  Too much can create a 'harsh', uncomfortable heat coming directly from the heating elements.  It's also possible to heat the room before the rocks are hot enough to produce steam.  Properly sized, a sauna will take 45 minutes to an hour to heat up.  We recommend pairing your heater with Wi-Fi so you can schedule your sessions, or turn it on remotely.  

What's the simplest, cheapest heater?  Harvia KIP-B is a great, reliable option for Thermory barrel saunas.  Everything is contained in the heater, including controls so your electrician only needs to run power to the heater itself.  It's about half the price of any other option.  

What's the best heater for Airbnb owners?  We've helped several Airbnb owners bring Thermory saunas to their rentals.  Simple controls and safety are critical.  We've found the built in controls on the Harvia KIP-B and the simple wall-mounted display on the Homecraft Revive to be the easiest for customers to figure out.  

The integrated heat shields on the KIP and Virta are the safest design.  

If this is for an Airbnb, make an order note that 'Ben is comping the sauna safety sign'.  We can also provide some graphics to include in your guide, and even help promote your rental on SaunaShare.com.