Caring for your cedar sauna.

Wood movement and when to call

Cedar can change colour and develop small checks or seasonal gaps. Knots and grain variation are part of the material. Some damp marking can occur in an exposed solid-wood structure, but a mark alone does not establish the cause.

• Send photos if you see persistent dripping, pooling water, widening gaps, a door that sticks or will not close, soft wood, or damaged roofing or flashing. These need assessment; do not assume they are only cosmetic.
• Light surface rust on a stove can occur. Use only the stove manufacturer's preparation and touch-up products, on a cold stove. Corrosion on a chimney, loose joints, smoke entering the room or heat damage needs a qualified professional.
• Stop using affected equipment if there is smoke spillage, wet electrical equipment or another safety concern. Isolate power or stop the fire only if safe. Contact the appropriate licensed trade; use emergency services for an immediate danger.

For a service request, send Burnwell your order number, installation date, model, heater/stove model, photos and when the issue started. Tell us whether weather or heating changes it and whether anything has been altered. We will review the cause and next steps; your signed agreement and applicable manufacturer warranty govern coverage.

First use and barrel bands

Before the first session, read the exact heater or stove's commissioning instructions. A stove coating or electric heater may need a specific first heat-up. Follow its ventilation and curing procedure without bathers; do not substitute a fixed number of fires for the manual.

For barrel models, check band tension about two weeks after installation, monthly during the first season, then each spring and fall or when gaps appear. Follow the instructions for your hardware; tighten evenly and snugly without crushing the cedar. Check that doors open freely outward and can be opened from inside.

Wood-fired care

• Use clean, dry, seasoned, untreated firewood in the sizes and loads allowed by the stove manual. Do not burn painted, treated, glued, wet or mouldy wood, garbage or cardboard. Never use accelerants.
• Operate the air controls as instructed. Avoid smouldering and overfiring. Keep required combustion-air openings clear and all combustibles outside the stove and chimney clearances.
• Remove ash when completely cold into a covered metal container. Keep it outside on a non-combustible surface, away from the sauna and anything that can burn.
• Arrange a professional appliance and venting inspection at least annually. Clean the chimney regularly at the frequency required by the manual, use and insurer; heavy use may require more attention.

Electric heat, stones and steam

• A Licensed Electrical Contractor completes and services the electrical connection. Hookup is separately quoted and arranged only as agreed in writing. Use the exact heater's controls, timer and operating instructions.
• Let equipment cool and isolate electrical power before maintenance. Keep guards fitted. Never dry towels or clothing on or above a heater, and keep the sauna clear of stored items.
• Use the stone type, size, amount and stacking method specified for your heater. Rinse new stones if directed. Inspect and restack or replace deteriorated stones as the manual requires; maintain its specified airflow and element coverage.
• If the heater permits steam, add small amounts of clean household water to properly heated stones as directed. Keep water off exposed elements, controls and surrounding wood. Use sauna aromas only when the manufacturer permits them, at its stated dilution.

Care calendar

• After every session: Remove wet towels and the water bucket; wipe moisture and let the room dry with the correct heat and ventilation routine.
• About two weeks after install: Barrels: check band tension. Check that the doors operate freely.
• Monthly, first season: Barrels: recheck bands. Watch for changing gaps, door movement and drainage issues.
• Spring and fall: Check the base, drainage, bands, doors, roof, flashing and visible fasteners. Clear leaves and debris.
• 1-3 times a year, or as needed: Give a family sauna a thorough interior clean and dry it fully. Increase cleaning with use.
• Once or twice a year: Inspect and renew paraffin bench treatment during cleaning, following the product label.
• At least annually, wood-fired: Arrange a professional stove/venting inspection and clean the chimney as the manual, use and insurer require.
• As condition requires: Inspect stones and heater parts per the manual. Recoat exterior CUTEK based on condition and its current instructions.

Cleaning and protecting the wood

Everyday cleaning and drying

Use a bench towel. After bathing, take out wet towels and the water bucket, wipe up droplets and let the room dry. Follow your sauna and heater's drying routine with suitable heat and ventilation. Cold outdoor air can slow drying; do not block ventilation or combustion air required by the appliance.

Clean a family sauna thoroughly 1-3 times a year, or more often with heavier use. Use a soft brush or cloth, a modest amount of water and a mild sauna-appropriate cleaner. Follow its label, remove residue and dry the room fully. Avoid pressure washing, harsh chemicals and soaking the wood. If a cosmetic stain needs sanding, test underneath and use fine paper gently along the grain. Persistent mould needs its moisture and drying cause corrected.

Interior benches: paraffin oil

Use a product labelled for sauna bench treatment, such as Harvia Paraffin Oil for Benches (SAC25060). It helps reduce moisture and dirt absorption. Harvia recommends treating new benches before use, then once or twice a year during cleaning.

Apply to clean, dry, compatible wood exactly as the product directs. Test the underside first: paraffin oil deepens the natural colour. Wipe away excess and allow the treatment and sauna to dry fully before use. Other interior wood does not automatically need oiling; use only a treatment intended for that sauna surface.

Exterior cedar: CUTEK Extreme

Burnwell's exterior care system is CUTEK Extreme Exterior Wood Protection Oil. Clear CUTEK permits natural silvering; a compatible CUTEK Colourtone helps retain colour. Apply to prepared, clean, dry exterior wood, following the current label for weather, thin coats, drying and safe disposal of oily cloths. Recoat based on condition, rather than a fixed twice-yearly schedule.

If an exterior has an existing coating, ask Burnwell or CUTEK about preparation before recoating. Do not layer products without checking compatibility.

Keep soil, leaves and standing water away from the base. Maintain drainage and watch for settlement. Manage unusual snow accumulation from the ground with a non-damaging tool and follow the roof instructions. Do not climb onto the sauna roof or rely on escaping heat to clear snow.

Use paraffin oil for sauna bench care and CUTEK for exterior cedar. Do not use boiled linseed oil. Keep exterior oils, stains, lacquer, polyurethane and fragranced oils out of the hot room.

Comfortable, safe sessions

Begin with lower heat and short sessions, especially if you are new to sauna. Take breaks, hydrate, and leave immediately if you feel dizzy, nauseated or unwell. There is no single temperature or session length that suits everyone.

Avoid alcohol and intoxicants before and during use. Never sleep in the sauna or lock anyone inside. Supervise children closely. If pregnant or managing a health condition or medication-related concern, ask your clinician for individual advice before using the sauna.