Using rocket stove to heat sauna water

Hello All,

I have been following permies and the RMH stuff for awhile, but this is my first post. I would like to build a sauna this spring/summer and would love to heat it with a RMH without the mass so that I can use less fuel and be able to heat the sauna quickly. I grew up using a wood burning sauna where my dad had the water heated using the stove. It was an open system using an old water heater with a 1.5' water pipe used to cycle the cold water through the firebox of the wood stove and back to the water heater. I would love any information on how to incorporate this into an RMH. I am not sure of the best place to run the water pipe through. Initially I was thinking the burn tunnel but then I read that I would have issues with the water flashing to steam. I want to place it where the water would heat up as fast as possible, as this process is what delays us taking saunas because we have to wait for the water to get hot for bathing purposes.

Thanks

i have seen guys coil copper pipe around the barrel to get hot water. both inside the barrel and or outside of the barrel configurations. i think you mean a hot tub though. a sauna is a simple steam room. shouldnt need any plumbing for that.

Ronald,

I have seen the coil wrapped around the barrel and was hoping for a better/cheaper/more efficient solution. It is for a sauna, our sauna growing up had hot water in it as well for bathing purposes, this was our "bath" at least once a week, and it was/is amazing! I would be heating about 15-20 gallons of water in the old hot water tank. Thanks for the reply!