It is necessary to constantly maintain a certain temperature in the steam room, especially since its changes have peculiarities. It is necessary to take into account not only high degrees, but also high humidity in the room. Therefore, they use a special thermometer for baths and saunas, which not only decorates them, but is useful and necessary.
In the photo - a dial thermohygrometer and an hourglass
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When choosing them, pay attention to the material from which they are made. Most often it can be wood or metal. To withstand high temperatures, the flask is made of special heat-resistant glass.
Requirements
A bath thermometer should be:
- Safe.
- Resistant to mechanical stress.
- Moisture and heat resistant.
The accuracy of reading indicators is also important. The permissible measurement error is +/- 2 °C.
The materials from which the device is made must not emit harmful substances during operation. It is better to choose a device with a low thermal conductivity. This will reduce the risk of getting burned from touching it.
Features of choosing bath stations
In order for the readings of the sauna station devices to be as accurate as possible and the design to be durable, you need to take its choice as seriously as possible.
Pay attention to the housing: it should be made of environmentally friendly, moisture-resistant materials with low thermal conductivity. The best option is deciduous wood. Often the wooden base is made in the form of an original figurine or a drawing of a corresponding theme is minted on it.
It is important to choose each component of the product correctly. In general, the device should be easy to use, safe and durable. It should not contain harmful substances (plastic, mercury).
Please note that a full set of high-quality meters will not be cheap. On average, the price of such devices, depending on the configuration, starts from 1 thousand rubles. The cost of electronic bath stations is high.
Kinds
There are different types of bath thermometers on sale, which differ in design, operating principle, and the substance located inside the device.
Liquid
They are also called capillary. Externally, they look like a tube that is filled with liquid. Alcohol, toluene, and kerosene can be used as a filler. Liquid devices can measure values between 0–+160 °C.
Some products are filled with mercury, but they cannot be used inside a steam room. If the flask is mechanically damaged or cracks appear, mercury under the influence of high levels of humidity can cause irreparable harm to the body.
Switch
This is a bimetallic device that looks similar to a classic wall clock with a round dial. Peculiarities:
- Possibility of measuring indicators from 0 to +120 °C.
- Work on the principle of spring compression when the temperature changes.
- The measurement error is lower than that of liquid ones.
Dial thermometer
Electronic
Suitable for any interior style. Peculiarities:
- Capable of measuring temperatures up to +235 °C.
- The permissible error is 0.5 °C.
- Housing made of heat-resistant plastic or stainless steel.
- Equipped with a sensor for convenient measurement of indicators. It is installed in steam rooms and connected using wires. It transmits information remotely.
- Availability of sound notification function. It triggers when a certain temperature level is reached.
Disadvantages: high cost, regular replacement of batteries.
Elements of a sauna station
Traditionally, a sauna station consists of a thermometer and a hygrometer. The first is intended to measure temperature, the second is to control air humidity. Some models are additionally equipped with a barometer that measures the pressure in the steam room. Also, a timer or hourglass is often built into sauna stations to control the duration of stay, which is also very important for health and well-being. Before you buy a sauna station, decide which appliances you want to combine in it.
Thermometer in the sauna station
Both in a traditional Russian steam room and in a dry Finnish sauna, temperature control is required.
If in the first case +60 degrees is enough for a comfortable rest, then in dry heat this figure should be +100-110 degrees. In a Turkish hammam, the range of recommended temperatures is the same as in a wet Russian bath. There are several types of thermometers that can be used in a sauna station:
- Liquid
. They are a sealed vessel made of heat-resistant glass, the flask of which is filled with an expandable liquid (alcohol or galinstan). For contrast, it is most often painted red. Under no circumstances should bath stations with mercury thermometers be installed in the steam room. This is hazardous to health and there is a risk that the device may break. The maximum error of such devices is 1 degree. - Switches
. The design is based on an iron-nickel spring in a brass tube. It can expand and contract depending on temperature. The error of these products is the greatest - 2-3 degrees. - Electronic
. They are distinguished by high accuracy. The maximum permissible error is only 0.5 degrees. Typically, bath stations with an electronic thermometer are equipped with a remote sensor, since it is prohibited to install electronics in a steam room. Because of this feature, such designs are considered not very convenient to use. To check the temperature and other indicators, you need to leave the steam room.
When choosing a bath station with a thermometer, you must first of all pay attention to the accuracy of the thermometer and its safety.
Hygrometer in sauna stations
In order to monitor the humidity regime, a hygrometer is installed in the bath station.
It is important to control air humidity in any bathhouse. In a dry Finnish steam room, this figure should usually be 30%. In Russian - up to 85%. At the same time, the humidity in the washing department is traditionally about 95%, and in the rest room it should not exceed 60%. Typically, a hygrometer in bath stations is presented in the form of a frame made of galvanized metal with a vertical axis, through the center of which runs a synthetic thread or human hair.
One end of it is rigidly fixed to the upper frame crossbar. A weight is suspended from the other end. The thread (hair) can shorten or lengthen with a corresponding increase or decrease in humidity. Due to the mechanical connection with the pulley, the pointer moves.
The disadvantage of the device is the gradual decrease in accuracy. However, in this case, it can be reconfigured.
Barometer in sauna measuring stations
This device is used to monitor pressure drops in a steam room.
The mercury product is considered the most accurate. However, it is strictly prohibited to install such devices in sauna stations. This is due to the aggressive conditions of high temperature and humidity that are present in the steam room. Bath stations usually use a simpler design - an aneroid. It consists of a metal box with elastic corrugated surfaces. This base is completely sealed, and therefore expands and contracts with changes in pressure. Changing the dimensions affects the spring, and it already turns the arrow along a round scale.
A barometer is a very useful device, especially if the bathhouse is visited by hyper- or hypotensive people. They have special indications for being in the steam room, and with the help of a barometer you can easily create the necessary conditions for them.
Hourglass in the sauna station
The length of time spent in the steam room must be controlled.
Only the first 10-15 minutes will be beneficial. Continued exposure to high temperature and humidity may make you feel unwell. Electronic timers as part of a steam bath station work in a similar way to electronic thermometers, and such devices are usually installed in auxiliary rooms. Therefore, the most common are bath stations with an hourglass that measures the required time.
They are made from heat-resistant glass. For convenience, the glass flask is fixed on a wooden rotating base in the center of the bath measuring station. This way you won't get burned on the hot glass when turning the case.
Criterias of choice
When choosing a device for a bath, you need to consider:
- Capabilities of the measuring scale. There is no point in buying a device that will show temperatures above 120 °C.
- Your own wishes for the design of the device.
- Temperature measurement accuracy. It is better to use electronic models. They have minimal error.
Advantages and disadvantages
Positive aspects of pointer (mechanical) instruments:
- simplicity of design;
- harmlessness;
- reliability, durability;
- low price.
The only drawback is the low measurement accuracy.
Advantages of liquid devices:
- reliability, durability;
- small measurement error;
- measurement of indicators up to 160 °C;
- low price.
If mechanical damage occurs, the glass capsule may break.
Advantages:
- Minimum level of error.
- Capable of measuring temperatures up to 235 °C.
- Durability, reliability, resistance to aggressive factors.
- Availability of additional functions.
The disadvantage is the high price.
Manufacturers and models
Manufacturers:
- Sawo - Suomi;
- Harvia - Finland;
- Rento - Finland;
- Sentiotec - Austria;
- EOS Werke Gunter GmbH - Germany.
Russian, "Feringer".
Rules for installing a bath station
In order for the indicators on the devices to be as accurate as possible, you need to take care of their correct placement in the steam room.
Choose a place away from doors and windows, since the temperature near them is always slightly lower than in the rest of the room. You should also not place the sauna station near the stove due to inflated indicators. The best option: a distance of 1.5 meters from sources of heat and cold and 1.6 meters from the floor. Recently, electronic devices for remote control of bathhouse indicators have become very popular. If an evaporator is placed in the steam room, then they are able to control the level of humidity. Electronic devices provide automatic switching on and off of the electric oven according to a set timer. Such remote controls can be used to control room ventilation and lighting. Devices are installed outside the steam room.
How to choose a bath station for a bath and sauna - watch the video:
Correct selection and installation of control and measuring instruments in the steam room will allow you to create and maintain the most favorable microclimate. Compliance with optimal temperatures, humidity conditions and duration of stay in the steam room will ensure a comfortable pastime, good health and a positive healing effect.
Where should the device be hung?
It is important to choose the right location and height for placing the thermometer. In this case, several features and the size of the room should be taken into account.
Place
Principles for choosing a location:
- It should not be hung near the door, because if it is opened frequently, it will not be able to show the exact temperature.
- It is prohibited to place near the stove. This will compromise the accuracy of the measurement.
- Mercury and mechanical products must be installed inside the steam room.
Electronic devices should be hung inside the dressing room or any recreation area. A temperature sensor should be placed in the steam room. It can connect to the main device via a wire or work remotely. The second option is easy to install, but may cause some errors.
Why do you need a thermometer in a bath?
There are some people who do not understand why a thermometer is needed in a bathhouse. In the old days they steamed without it and nothing bad happened. It should be noted that the conditions of today are radically different from past centuries.
Studies have shown that high ambient temperatures create extreme conditions for our body that not everyone can cope with. For example, it is almost impossible to withstand more than 100˚C in a Russian bathhouse, and it is also very dangerous.
In this case, it is necessary to reduce the degrees of wet steam to 60-70˚С. It is almost impossible to do this without a thermometer, which can affect the health of the steamer.
How to choose the right thermometer
If we talk about the cost of the device, open thermometers for baths and saunas with an arrow can be considered the most inexpensive, but their readings should not be completely trusted; there is an error, although not critical. In a steam room, it is usually recommended to install equipment made of steel and wood.
Advice: for personal safety reasons, you should not purchase mercury thermometers for the steam room, even if they are protected by fireproof glass.
Currently, there is an increased demand for equipment that contains both a thermometer and a hygrometer, which is purchased by lovers of Russian baths. Many people prefer a beautifully designed accessory to quality.
Advice: do not use thermometers made of synthetic materials.
And yet – what to choose
Let's try to summarize what was said above.
In this way we can come closer to understanding choice.
- Accuracy. All devices, including digital ones, have errors.
For this indicator you can bet on:
- I place – electronic thermometers;
- II place – capillary;
- III place – switches.
It should be fairly noted that the error is not that big.
- Cost and personal preferences. When choosing a bath thermometer, many people pay attention to the appearance of the equipment so that it matches or at least harmonizes with the surrounding environment. However, you will have to pay extra for exclusivity.
- Measurement scale. When choosing, pay attention to this component, since there is no point in paying extra for unnecessary degrees. Very often there are thermometers with a top mark of 180˚C, but there are also lower ones.
- Two in one. Thermohygrometer is a new type of measuring equipment for baths. After purchasing it and installing it correctly, you will be able to control two important components - humidity and temperature.
Bath atmosphere
Installation recommendations
The accuracy and durability of the equipment directly depends on its installation.
Follow the rules provided by the thermometer instructions, and you can reduce the measurement error to a minimum.
- Install dial thermometers from the floor at a distance of about 160 cm, which is approximately at eye level.
- Do not mount the thermometer with your own hands near the door or close to the stove, otherwise the readings will be incorrect.
- The electronic version of the thermometer makes it possible to control the temperature of the steam room from another room by installing a sensor there. But, think about it, will it be convenient for you to constantly leave the steam room to find out the temperature?
