This is a way interesting sauna.  The only major issue that I see with the barrel sauna is that you step right out from your ‘hot room’ to the outdoors.  If you go with one of these, and you live in a colder climate, be sure to position the barrel sauna so the door opens away from the prevailing winds.  Nothing worse than being in a 180 degree sauna, and someone opens the door to say hi, and ice cold 5 degree winter wind comes blowing on your sweaty face!  A cool look, but I prefer the conventional free standing stick frame 8×12 ’shed’ type sauna.  8×12 is an awesome dimension as:

1. 8×12 = 96 square feet, and under any building code restrictions i’ve ever heard of.  (Some municipalities require permits for structures larger than 100 or 120 square feet).
2. 8×12 allows for an ample size sauna room, say 6′x8′, as well as a 6′x8′ nice sized changing room.
3. An outbuilding can be customized to match your house: same siding, pitch, roof, even a cool out-patio for chilling out.
4. The 6′x8′ changing room can double as a home office, party space, or doghouse (figuratively) away from your primary residence.

There are three types of sauna stoves out there.  I happen to be a nut for the wood stoves, you can pick whichever ones are best for you but here’s my list.

1. Wood – wood stoves are more “green” especially the efficient ones.
2. Electric – A relatively new development, great for indoor: small areas or in basements.
3. Infared – Reminds me of when Joe Strummer of the Clash first went into the recording studio.  The band members began setting up their instruments as usual, and the sound engineer comes barging in, insisting the band members set up instead in separate rooms.  Joe asks why, and the sound engineer responds something about needing separation.  Joe responds: “I don’t know what separation is, but I don’t like it.”  This is my opinion exactly: I know nothing about infared saunas and don’t like them.

Minnesota Fats, the famous pool player, said that there are two ways to hit a good pool shot: soft and softer.

This concept applies to adding water to sauna rocks: “there are two ways to add water to sauna rocks… slow and slower.

Walking into a sauna and throwing a big splash of water on sauna rocks is like walking into a nice restaurant and belching.