There is lots of discussion about sauna temperature.  Some like their sauna at around 200 degrees f.  Others enjoy their sauna around 145 degrees f.   That can be quite a range, but a friend of mine said it best:

“The perfect sauna temperature is one that gives you 10-15 minutes of comfortable relaxation.”

That about sums it up.  I find that a 10-15 minute round is ideal.  It gets your body temperature up, you start sweating, can feel the release of toxins, your muscles relaxing, and your pours opening up.

There is this machoness to sauna temperatures, where some try to drive others out with overwhelming heat.  But a sauna is all about what makes you comfy, not Sven with a silly grin tossing water on the rocks to try to drive you out.  However, sometimes Sven gets it right, a nice blast of water on the rocks and riding it out is as exhilarating as that jump into a cold lake.

Above is my favorite sauna thermometer.

• It looks nice and is easy to read in the dim light of a sauna.
• It has a hydrometer: fun sometimes to know where you’re at humidity wise.
• It shows temperature in both Fahrenheit and Celsius, good for both you and Sven.

To get your sauna area ready, in your backyard:

1. Stake off the area. Mark off your 8′x12′ rectangle area with carpenter string.
2. Prep the area. Pull off the sod and try to level off the area as best as possible.  If your sauna is going to go on uneven ground, don’t worry about it, you can level the area with block.
3. Prep the perimeter. Dig around the perimeter, extended out a few inches from your perimeter.  Back fill the area with some gravel to assist drainage and to give your frame a nice resting area.
4. Use a level. With a long board, check your bedding to get it as level as possible.  Here is where you can use block to level out the ground where you’ll be building your sauna.

I suggest building your backyard Finnish sauna right on this grade.  If you move or want to drag your sauna to a sauna party, who knows, you may just want to back up a trailer and take it with you.  Chances are, you’ll fall in love with your own authentic Finnish sauna.

I would like to organize an American delegation to join the 6,000 plus Finns that will be at the 2010 Mobile Sauna Festival.   If anyone has a lead on sponsorship or airline tix, shoot me an email.. here’s the scoop:

“In tiny Teuva Municipality in the West Coast of Finland, mobile saunas get together at beginning of August. There are only two rules for the saunas. First they have to be mobilised and secondly they have to be so big, that one person can bath in the sauna. Every year there shall be some new sauna participators. There are no tickets, so you are welcome to join us. However for car park there shall charge of 2 euros.

In year 2008 there were 37 saunas and about 2000 persons. In year 2009 there were even more: 47 saunas and about 6000 persons. This event for all sauna friends was first time in the center of Teuva in year 2006 with 18 saunas and second time in Parra in year 2007 with 37 saunas.

Please bring your own towel and swimsuit and entire family along with you! One should be old enough to enjoy a sauna on their own to avoid any mishaps. However it becomes ones own responsibility in case of any mishap. ”

Glenn’s note: In the Finnish translation, they call it ”mishap” i call it “escort guests to the property line.”

By popular demand, here is a complete list of what you’ll need to build your own sauna.   Life is short: you deserve your own authentic Finnish sauna!!

Step one: Go out to your backyard with some string and mark off an 8×12 space.  You can build your own sauna by sticking it against your garage, or tucking it in a quiet corner in your backyard.  When you choose the location for your backyard sauna, keep in mind that you may want to allow for a nice courtyard or patio space.  Bring a couple patio chairs and maybe a picnic bench to complete the simulation.

Step two: Before you build your own sauna, imagine what your own sauna party will be like.  Family, friends, business associates or the whole hockey team?  When you build your own sauna, consider inviting your sauna party friends to help frame it up.

Step three: Go for it, and start enjoying your own authentic Finnish sauna.  Click here to learn how to prep your area for the sauna