Know before buying a steam generator
Know before buying a steam generator
Know before buying a steam generator
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DiscountSteamGenerators.com
We're open now
1-800-336-9285
Ask for Sharon
We're open now
1-800-336-9285
Ask for Alex
Getting the right size steam generator is what many people get wrong. Many people oversize an extra kilowatt thinking just a little more is better. This is the biggest mistake people make. Another mistake on sizing is when one manufacturer recommends one size and then the person gets that kilowatt size from a different manufacturer.
Things to take into consideration when sizing.
Height: 7 feet is what is optimal. 8 is good if it has low condensate. 9 is fair. 10 is poor. (any of these heights can be ok if a latent heat fan is used to bring down the thermocline near the ceiling.
Pipe size: 3/4 inch is optimal for residential. 1/2 inch can work but the smaller the pipes the louder it gets and it can shoot out steam with more force causing feet burn. Also, high psi steam generators usually require 3/4 inch pipes. (Never use an adapter on your 1/2 inch pipes to make it work)
Generator placement: If it is 25 feet away, always add 10%. If 50 feet away, figure in 20%
Glass doors: I always figure in 10% for a glass door. It gets tricky when people have 2 glass walls and 2 ceramic walls. If the steam is atmospheric or high psi with low condensate this should usually be fine.
Benches: some benches can take up a lot of space. With this, you take away cubic footage from the room once you know about how much cubic feet your bench takes up.
Materials used: I would avoid natural stone. Most people that use natural stone already have it there to start with. I strongly urge getting an atmospheric type if you have natural stone. Ceramic is the most common and wicks up about half of what natural stone does. If you want a thick steam cloud, make sure you use a steam generator that has the least latent heat and condensate. Or, just hose down the walls with cold water several times during your steam session. Most people want to relax and not do the extra work.
Session time: Do you like to stay in under or over 30 minutes. This can help us determine if you should size up or down.
Temperature: what temperature do you like to keep it at. 110 to 114 is the comfort zone. If you want to keep it at a 114 average and not go down to 110 that will help determine killowatt size also
Wall insulation: Some walls are very cold in the winter. Some are insulated. This is also a factor that determines killowatt size. Everything adds up and the more we know the more accurate we can recommend a size.
How fast do you want to heat up your steam room? Some people don't mind waiting 5 extra minutes and sacrifice more wait time for a steam that is drier and has less condensate.
Amperage: make sure your power supply can handle the killowatt size you get.
How far will your steam head be away from your legs. If you size up too much it can burn your feet as the steam comes out.
In the middle of 2 killowatt sizes: Do you go up or size down? This is a question that is hard to answer unless many questions are answered first. Please see my sizing questionnaire.
Notice for people looking at a 6kw or 9kw Thermasol:
I urge people to read below. Many people think they know what size they want. Most sizing charts are generic. On the below example, many people call in and say they need a 12kw and they actually need a 9kw. Those looking at a 6kw size generator are the people that get the wrong size the most. On the Thermasol, their 6kw is for up to 84 cubic feet. The Steamcore, for example, their 6kw can handle up to a 175 cubic foot room. I urge people to take the sizing chart quiz I made that will help me pick out the right size based on your answers. Please take this quiz AFTER YOU TAKE THE MAIN STEAM QUIZ ON THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE. The sizing quiz is at the top of the page.
One sizing does not fit all brands. So, the Thermasol 6kw model can work up to 84 cubic feet. MR. STEAM can handle up to 110 to 150 cubic feet (150 assuming when we tested it at 7 foot. If 8 foot then stay with 110 cubic feet. The Steamcore handles up to 175 cubic feet.
The Steamcore non pressure cooker type generator needs a 12kw generator for 525 cubic feet. If someone uses this information and wants dry steam with low condensate and chooses a 12kw Thermasol for 525 cubic feet, it can be the reason for a return since it is the wrong size.
NOTICE: SINCE THE 6KW SIZE IS OUR MOST POPULAR SIZE WE SELL TO RESIDENTIAL USERS.
THERMASOL'S 6KW MODEL GOES UP TO 84 CUBIC FEET WHILE STEAMCORE 6KW GOES UP TO 175 CUBIC FEET. Steamcore's same powered killowatt model handles double the size room. Mr. Steam is somewhere in the middle. The dryness fraction is what all this means to me. It takes a lot more energy to make steam if there is lots of condensate and it has to use 2.5 gallons of water while the dry steam brands use just over a gallon and a half.
A SteapSpa 6KW generator will only work with up to 63 cubic feet steam showers. A steamcore 6KW will work with up to 175 cubic feet showers. With SteamSpa, you would have to buy a 12KW generator (double the size) while a Steamcore you only have to use a 6KW. If you want a pressurized, very hot steam room instead of a milder most continuous with Steamcore, you have to get a more powerful generator to keep making enough steam and not just putting out an extra gallon of water in a 30 minute session to trick you into thinking its really hot and steamy. The wet steam models put out very little steam and an extra gallon to a gallon and a half per 30 minute steam session. SteamSpa might cost 15 to 20 more cents per steam session. We rate Steamspa as the best steam if you want it hot and super dense. Steamcore is super dense but doesn't get as hot and has less fluence.
Read below if choosing between
Mr. Steam, Steamcore, SteamSpa, and Thermasol
