Steam is what separates a traditional sauna from every other kind of heat. In Finland it has its own word, löyly, and doing it well is half the experience of owning a traditional sauna.
This article covers how to make löyly and how to look after the stones that create it. For the wider traditional sauna decisions, start with the traditional sauna buying guide.
Short answer: once the room is hot, pour a small ladle of clean water onto the stones, wait for the steam to settle, and repeat if you want more. Replace the stones about once a year with regular use.
What löyly does
Löyly is the burst of steam when water hits hot stones. It raises the humidity, which makes the room feel hotter and makes you sweat sooner. The temperature on the thermometer barely changes; the feeling does.
The Finnish Sauna Society recommends a sauna temperature of 80–100°C (176–212°F), and suggests increasing the humidity by throwing water on the stones, then cooling off with a shower or clean water after a few minutes.
How to pour
- Let the sauna reach temperature first, so the stones are hot all the way through.
- Use a ladle, one small scoop at a time, aimed at the stones, not the heater’s metal.
- Wait for the steam to roll through before adding more.
- In company, ask before you pour. Not everyone wants more heat.
My rule of thumb: you can always add another ladle. You can’t take one back.
What you need
A bucket and a long-handled ladle. Wood is traditional; stainless steel with wooden handles is easier to clean.
| Option | Price (Select Saunas, Oct. 1, 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dundalk cedar bucket and ladle | $119 | White cedar, mortise-and-tenon joints |
| Harvia 4L wooden bucket (SAC10003) | $31 | Plastic inner liner for easier cleaning |
| Harvia Deluxe Accessory Kit | $324 | Stainless bucket and ladle plus thermometer |
Caring for the stones
Stones crack and crumble as they heat and cool, and the crumbs block airflow through the heater. Harvia suggests changing them about once a year if you use the heater around twice a week, checking them at least yearly, and replacing any that break, crumble, or discolor.
Here’s what the spec sheet won’t tell you: stones aren’t always in the box. Check how many pounds your heater needs before your first session.
For more on buckets, timers, and other add-ons, see the sauna accessories buying guide.
Bottom line: small ladles, hot stones, and a yearly stone check. That’s most of what good löyly takes.
Sources
- thisisFINLAND, “Bare facts of the sauna in Finland,” accessed October 2, 2026: finland.fi
- Harvia Support, “How often should the heater stones be changed in a family sauna?” accessed October 2, 2026: support.harvia.com
- Harvia, “The easy guide to looking after your sauna stones,” accessed October 2, 2026: harvia.com
- Accessory prices: Select Saunas listings, checked October 1, 2026