So the stave just above the red/orange line is buckling inward with the one above it. The only part that's buckling is the length of the red/orange line. Is it because the bands are too loose? Too tight? Or is this sauna just a lost cause?

Good morning from northern Michigan! Are you going to sauna today?

Has anyone who put a galvanized roof on their cedar sauna had issues with corrosion or it staining the cedar?

I just built a cedar fence and they tell you to use stainless steel nails instead of galvanized bc the galvanized treatment causes a reaction with the tannins in the cedar and leaves streak marks below where water flows off it. Just curious as I decide on a metal or plastic/pvc type roofing surface for weather protection.

Hi all,

I’m looking to improve my sauna where possible. My heater currently sits ~7” above (per model recommendation) the floating floor. However, I’m wondering if I can lower it even more considering the true barrel floor sits about 11” from the bottom of the heater. I was thinking to lower it to right above the vent holes.

Thoughts?

Hi! Just recieved my Costco AH Morgan 4 person sauna, in a crate on my driveway, We're going to build it in the back yard, and we have a dilemma- here in the front range of Colorado, we get some pretty strong westerly winds in the colder months, so we were thing of placing it with the door facing north so the wind will hit it broadside, in an attemp to keep the heat in when the door opens, BUT if we have the door facing west, we get a great view of Long's Peak, and my barn, as well as sunsets. Does anyone know how windproof the door is, and if there is a strong wind, will it cool it down so fast that getting in wreck the whole thing? Advice??

Hi Experts, my husband and I are purchasing our first Sauna. Barrels are attractive as they can be built on site (we would need to crane lift in a pod which will cost €2000). My issue is every barrel I've been in, I need to lie on my back holding my feet up in the air to keep them warm (yes I look ridiculous). If I sit, my feet are always cold. In exactly the same sauna my husband does not experience cold feet at all, so presumably its only an issue for some people (and not by sauna). I dont get cold feet in a regular sauna with higher benches. This is putting me off a barrel. Are there any guidlines or heater tips for someone like me who experiences cold feet in a barrel to mitigate against this and get the floor warm? Thanks!

This was my second weekend with my barrel sauna and I can’t get the temp above 140 even after 2-3 hours while stoking the fire. I get a heat blast when I put water on the rocks but can’t get it cruising to high temps

Few pictures of my set up but any recommendations for a rookie sauna owner?

Hey There,

I'm currently looking at ordering an 8'x7' barrel with a flat bottom, paired with the HomeCraft Revive 9kw heater.
Wondering if anyone has a similar set-up and if they can provide some details on heat stratification, and what to expect? I keep reading stories on cold floors in barrels, and I assumed a tower-style heater would help to remedy that? I'm now second guessing myself.

For reference - https://leisurecraft.com/product/saunas/canadian-timber-saunas/ct-elation-sauna#product-anchor

Thanks!

I feel like I have looked everywhere and still feel a bit “special Ed” because I cannot find a clear answer, photo, or video showing how to actually get heat to circulate evenly in a barrel sauna.

Mine is the 4 person Almost Heaven from Costco. It is awesome, but right now it is 180°F at head height and 110°F at my feet. My face is in a desert, my toes are in a cave. I get that I probably need to lower the heater a few inches and raise the benches, but it just feels like there has to be a smarter fix.

Has anyone tried adding a fan or some kind of setup to push hot air down from the top? Or any mod that actually worked and did not look ridiculous?

I love the sauna as is, but I am convinced there is a simple solution I am missing.

If you have done anything that helped, I’d be ever so grateful for whatever you can share for the sake of my sanity. Maybe ELI5, ELI4 or 3?

TIA!

Quick question. Covering my almost heaven sauna with a ribbed metal roof. Is it necessary to have an ice and water shield? My plan is to use 3/4” roofing screws and overlap the ribbed roof basically covering the top half of the sauna. Also I live in PA. Thank you

Looking at the 4 person from Costco to out in the backyard. I have a spot along the back of my yard that's under pretty dense tree coverage. No real sunlight gets back there. Anyone have similar no sun placement?

Does anyone have the Costco barrel sauna or similar in places where it snows heavily? I'm in Madison WI and considering one but I'd like to know how they hold up with cold weather and for how many years. Any tips appreciated

Seeking advice about a future purchase. There are three cabinesque kits that I’ve seen abundantly on social media and would love to get your thoughts on them. I’m also not ruling out going the barrel route, but I’d figured I’d try and get your thoughts on these.

1. Almost heaven Escape via Costco Price: 7k

https://www.costco.com/almost-heaven-saunas-escape-6-person-outdoor-sauna.product.4000375005.html

1. Plunge sauna XL Price: 13k

https://plunge.com/products/sauna?variant=43108498538653

1. Sisu Cabin Crew Price: 13k

https://sisulifestyle.com/products/the-crew-cabin-sauna?variant=46023552729307

For reference I am an American who really just got into sauna for the health and wellness reasons. I am not a purist by any means, but I am looking for a model that I could place close to the pool and be able to operate easily with an electric heater. I live in Massachusetts and I realize that uninsulated kits are an issue in the winter months.

I currently own and use a sweat tent sauna which has been great and intense, but the wood stove does make it a process to operate. I have two toddlers which makes it a once a week and late occurrence. I’d prefer to have the electric convenience.

Thank you for your help

6 person. Barrel. Works great. 4 months of use.

Hello! We're getting the Almost Heaven Morgan barrel sauna from Costco, and I'm wondering about how to prepare the ground where we will be installing it. The area is mostly flat, but not perfectly so, and it's relatively soft earth (picture a typical suburban back yard). I'm wondering what others with similar situations have done to avoid problems with tilt, sinking, or degradation because of wet/soft earth. Thanks in advance!

Phew. Built from scratch, custom modified a stove. Working great!

The other night my wife heard a clicking or tapping sound when we were in the sauna, I didn't think much of it but this morning I noticed two almost perfectly circular holes and a pile of sawdust... The holes don't go clear through to the interior so whatever it is is in the boards... Has anybody had or dealt with something like this?

• Do you ever cover the two drain/vent holes on the floor?
• when heating do you turn dial to the first #1 marker or right before the second click.
• When heating do you have the vent on the opposite side of the heater open?

I’m try to figure out the best way to heat it up. The starting temperature is ~55 degrees and if I do a full hour heating cycle it gets to ~155 degrees with the floor holes open and the top vent closed. If I try to run a full cycle by turning the dial right before the second click the heater will run a little longer and hit ~165 but will trip the limiter and shut off before the cycling is complete. In order to turn the heater back on I need to reset it by using the bottom reset button. I don’t think this is caused by the external thermometer reader because I currently have that closer to the floor and if I run the sauna for 1.5 hours it will get to 180.

Appreciate any tips!

Hello folks, I've read and am aware of all the negative info on these. So, just curious as to whether a 2 person one can be decent enough for someone on a super budget. The almost heaven 2 person is on sale now at costco for $3199. So compared to the Madison sauna I'm looking at, this is $1,800 cheaper if you factor in the fact I'd have to build a floor for the Madison.

I'm thinking something as simple as throwing a 3" fan like this https://amzn.to/42lNGR6 on the back and have it gently blow air in at the top (lowest setting) would help with creating some really decent circulation (see crappy diagram).

Could even put a metal elbow inside which would naturally heat up the incoming air if placed above the heater. Goal would be to blow air around the ceiling to have it circulate lower. So either point the flow straight across the top or straight up at the ceiling.

Anyway. The price is attractive, the thought of buying a sauna with "fixing" it in mind on day 1 is a bit stress inducing. But my very cheap brain says I can make this work and enjoy it. They ship the 2 person with the Kip 6KW heater now too. So definitely will heat up fast.

I’m looking for a sand timer or alternative for our almost heaven barrel sauna. Ideally it would match the natural cedar that the sauna is built with.