Finnish sauna accessories

Accessories for the Finnish sauna

The 5 accessories on this page are not decorative additions: the bucket and ladle are what you use to pour water onto the stones, meaning they carry out the central act of a Finnish sauna, and the thermometer and hygrometer are what tell you whether conditions are right. Without them the cabin still works, but you give up both the ritual and the control.

Bucket and ladle: why wooden

Wood withstands the heat without becoming hot to the touch and releases no odour into the cabin, which a plastic container would do at 90 degrees. The ladle has a long handle because the water has to be poured onto the stones from a distance: the steam that rises is immediate and very hot. The right quantity is a little water at a time, repeated, never a generous stream.

Thermometer and hygrometer: reading the conditions

A Finnish sauna works between 80 and 90 degrees at low humidity, typically under 20%. The two values go together: the same temperature at different humidity feels completely different, which is exactly what happens when water goes onto the stones. Having both instruments in the cabin lets you tell when the room is ready and dose the löyly rather than working by feel.

Frequently asked questions about Finnish sauna accessories

Can the bucket be left inside? Yes, it is made to stay in the cabin. Empty it after use: standing water in a hot humid environment encourages mould.

How much water goes on the stones? A little at a time, one or two ladles, repeated if needed. Too much water cools the stones and lengthens recovery.

Are a thermometer and hygrometer really necessary? They are not compulsory, but they are the only way to know whether the sauna is in the right condition. Judging by eye is very imprecise.