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Comment by jliptzin | Hacker News Reader

I have the same unit from them, it's great. But I am worried about how long it will last - is yours covered or did you add any protective coating to the outside wood?

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Just use it weekly and let the stove run hot an hour more after you’re done if there’s any hint of moistness in the wood. It’s better to never turn the heat off immediately after using. I’m a finn and the thing looks very proper with the harvia stove and all

This is such a great tip! Thank you!! I think this will make a big difference and I can't believe I haven't been doing this. I do run a dehumidifier in my basement where the sauna is located, but I think keeping the heat on for an hour after is a game changer for longevity.

A couple of the things that surprised me when I got my sauna was how gross it is. For me, I am lucky its a personal sauna. I sweat everywhere. And people think of saunas and they think of a spa, but its a workout and mental challenge for me every single time.

I would recommend to move it outside as there’s probably not enough ventilation for it to dry between uses. The sweat should vaporize without trace almost within minutes when the stove is hot. It doesn’t need cover outside and can handle rain and snow no problem. Just don’t let it get buried in snow for extended periods of time. The possible electric connections need to be protected from water though.

The sweat does vaporize, but I still think keeping it hot helps to clean it maybe? I also like the smell of a hot sauna. The main reason I don't do that and I run the dehumidifier is that I like to flip the power off to the sauna at the panel when I am done, just in case. The dehumidifier is heavy duty fwiw.

Sounds good then! I'd try running it hot after use -trick to see if it makes any difference. You could probably get good 50 years of use out of it if you treat the wooden parts inside with oil such as [1]. The sauna should be extremely dry before treating it and you can do that by running it couple of hours hot without using. The oil needs to be non toxic and non water soluble so high temperatures won't vaporize any toxins from it to your breathing air. It deepens the color of the wood a bit but should look even better.

[1] https://www.amazon.com/Liberon-003815-Finishing-Oil-Liter/dp...

Always shower beforehand, sit on a towel or a tissue, afterwards rinse the benches with some water. Wash the sauna more properly a few times a year or so.

It sounds like it's too hot if it's a workout and a mental challenge every time. It should be mostly relaxing. Get out when it starts getting painful.

Yes, it can be gross. Thats why there are rules in public saunas, like shower before. Use a towel. Shower after before jumping into the cold basin, ...

But I still would prefer my personal sauna

Outside wood? Is your sauna outside? Or the wood on the outside of the sauna?

I didn't protect mine, just put it together from the factory. But mine is indoors. I think the wood will need replacing within the next 4 years probably, but the heater seems like it will last forever.

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