Know before buying a steam generator
Know before buying a steam generator
Know before buying a steam generator
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1-800-336-9285
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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
Seating placement
Seating placement is another concern I have when sizing a steam generator. Many people have tall ceilings (above 7 feet tall) and at the seating level the 110 114 degree sweet spot window is actually above their head, often 12 to 36 inches over their head. People complain about why their steam room is not hot enough. It is because at the seating level if it is too low compared to the ceiling the body will never get full body vasodilation and the steam session can take 30 minutes to an hour if only heating the upper torso. There are ways to clear up the cold spots where the body is not in the 110 114 degree comfort zone. A marine grade fan (I like the Kona) when suction cupped to the wall to bring down the thermocline of steam at the ceiling to the floor is the best way I’ve found to mix thermoclines to bring steam down to the lower body.
Also, if the bench is too close to the steam head the steam can burn the feet or knees as it comes out. This can even happen when it is not oversized. Another thing is if your cubic feet is in the middle of two killowatt sizes and your bench makes up 50 cubic feet or so, that can bring you up to the next killowatt size. If the space of the bench is not accounted for you might get an undersized generator. There are other factors to consider that make minor adjustments in the sizing of the generator. When added up it can mean an extra killowatt size that many people are not aware of they needed to figure in.
I strongly urge people to get a hydrometer in their steam room and put it at the seating level to make sure you are always in the 110 114 comfort zone. The human body cannot always tell if it is. The hygrometer and a Kona marine grade water proof fan might be the best way to ensure you are in control of your steam room.
Note: Just being in the 110 114 sweet spot zone is not enough if the humidity is not at 100%. The difference between 90% humidity and 100% is exponential. It doesn't feel just like 10% more humidity.
See my page on Hydrometers - you will most likely want one of these if you read the page.
If you already know about hygrometers see my page on steam room fans. Having a marine grade fan to blow down the latent heat and increase the heat co-efficient on the body helps me get into full body vasodilation and keep my steam therapy sessions shorter without waiting for duty cycles.
Warning: if getting a generator that is sized just right but it has 1/2 inch pipes, the steam can come with too much force and burn your feet and legs. If you are lucky enough to have 3/4 inch pipes that will let you move up to the high psi and higher end generators that do not work with 1/2 inch pipes. If you are in a really tight space, the atmospheric steam generators work at such a slow burn that even if close to your feet they don't sting. It might take a minute and a half to put out the same grams of steam that the low psi pressure cooker models put out in 22 seconds. The slow burn is preferred by most people in tight steam room spaces.
I urge people who are upsizing in killowatt size who originally needed a 6, 7.5 or a 9 kw generator that have to upsize for ceramic or natural stone to get a slow burn generator so the steam bathing session is comfortable and doesn't burn you as it comes out.
See my page on 110 114 degree steam rooms here.
