Wood vs. Pellet: What’s the Best Fire for Your Sauna?
For the serious sauna-goer, nothing beats a real flame. But today, there’s more than one way to get there.
Should you choose a traditional wood-burning sauna stove? Or go with a modern pellet-fired system?
Let’s break it down.
🪵 The Classic Wood Stove
There’s no denying the charm. You split the logs, stack the kindling, strike the match. The crackle, the scent, the ritual — it all feels timeless.
Pros:
Deep, radiant heat with rich character
Smell and sound of real wood burning
Simple, off-grid, no electricity needed
Total control over fuel choice (hardwood, softwood, birch, etc.)
Cons:
Requires constant tending and attention
Heat output can spike or drop suddenly
Messy — ash, soot, creosote buildup
Takes time to light and bring to temp
Needs a steady supply of dry firewood
If you love the process as much as the sweat, a classic wood stove delivers the full experience. But for many people, it’s not the most practical choice — especially for regular use.
🌾 The Modern Pellet Stove
Pellet stoves use compressed wood pellets — made from sawdust and wood waste — to fuel a real flame. But unlike log-burning stoves, pellet systems can automate the burn, feeding fuel gradually for even heat.
Pros:
Real fire, consistent temperature
Fast ignition (especially with automatic start)
Cleaner burn, less ash, less creosote
Easier to load, no stacking or splitting
Pellets take up less space and store easily
Optional thermostatic or app-based controls
Cons:
Requires 110V power (for ignition and control)
Slight mechanical hum from feeder system
You’re committed to buying pellets (not logs)
Higher upfront cost (but less daily work)
Pellets offer an elegant balance: real fire, less hassle. They free you from constant tending without giving up the soul of sauna.
🔍 So Which One’s Right for You?
Go with wood if:
You love the ritual of building a fire
You have access to lots of seasoned wood
You're going fully off-grid
You don’t mind ash or uneven heat
Go with pellets if:
You want real fire with hands-off operation
You value consistency and clean burn
You want to heat up fast and relax more
You’re building a modern, low-maintenance sauna
🔧 What We Believe
At Tova, we love real fire. But we don’t think you should have to choose between authenticity and ease of use. Our pellet sauna stove gives you the primal heat of wood — with modern control and efficiency.
It’s not a compromise.
It’s the next step.