AVOIDING-LONG-DUTY-CYCLES---STEAM-GENERATORS-STEAM-ROOMS-GENERATOR

Avoiding Long Duty Cycles

Back in the days, people used to put their cold towel on the thermostat or splash ice water on it to kick start the steam to turn back on again. The single tank steam generators only have one tank so when it is heating up, there is no steam. Duty cycles can range from 30 seconds on commercial models up to 3 to 7 minutes on residential models. No one really likes to spend 45 minutes in their steam room while using 18 minutes of that time just waiting for steam to kick back on.

I urge people who don't have a condition where they need to let their heart rate go back down to have these long duty cycles. Continuous does not mean the steam is going to stay on the entire time till you cut if off. Continous means it will stay around the temperature you set it at. The most continous is a 6 degree variance. If the ceiling height is over 7 foot tall, the bigger the variance the room will fluctuate in temperature. The wetter the steam the bigger the differences. For those that want continous steam, you will not get that on single tank steam generators.

The dual tank systems are one of the ways to avoid long wait times for steam in between cycles. With single tank generators, more grams of steam come out at once creating a steam trap at the ceiling (8 foot and over ceilings). Because so much steam comes out at once (fast burn steam), the ceiling gets so hot and traps the steam. With single tank models, there is a lot of work needed to avoid the steam trap so your lower body feels the steam. Splashing water is not enough. Splashing cold water on the ceiling can help bring the steam cloud down but if the steam generator makes a wet steam from the start and the walls and ceiling are porous, the steam is going to wick to it and it will be drippy and the steam will feel muggy. I do not like humid, heavy steam. I like a dense steam cloud that is hot but not sticky.

I also like my steam continuous. Some generators keep the steam continuous within 6 degrees and others cool down too much and make a 20 to 30 minute session become a 30 to 45 minute session to fully heat up my body.

Most of the people that buy the single tank models are elderly people that need that longer duty cycle break so their heart rate can go down so they can stay in longer. Also, gyms and spas tend to use this type so it is safe for older people. For someone who is maybe 75 years or older or has health issues, this is when I don't have a problem with the single tank models. But, the dual tank models where you can control the temperature is always a better choice. Constant continuous steam is preferred by almost everyone under 75 years old.

Beware: Don't just go by a recommendation from a friend. They may prefer duty cycles and like to stay in an hour, you might want 20 to 30 minute session. Not everyone likes the same steam.