Today on the sauna bench we sit with Brian who is perhaps the most researched yet least experienced sauna aficionado in the world.
Connecting through consulting services
One of the things I do in the world of sauna is offer consultation services. I don’t offer this service to make money, but more to help others realize their authentic sauna dreams. And the other reason is that though I do love to help, my entire day may get sucked up by answering questions and helping guide.
I get to meet some great people through SaunaTimes consultations. And today you will hear from one of them: Brian from Austin, Texas (last name withheld as he is on witness relocation program).
Brian and I had a SaunaTimes consultation session. Then he came back with several additional sauna questions. And many of them were what I call “400 level thinking.” These consultations are often like tennis for me, where the harder the ball gets hit in my court, the harder I hit it back in the client’s court. I found myself engaged in long volleys with Brian. The more he researched, the more engaged I became with our dialogue.
Which way the sauna wind blows
Bob Dylan rightfully says that “you don’t have to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.” For when we feel good heat, it’s all over. So why should we listen to a guy who has done nothing but research about sauna, without much sitting on the sauna bench? Well, I’ll tell you why. Brian’s approach to his own backyard sauna is fresh. He has an uncanny ability to process information from multiple sources. Brian applies data points without prejudice. He can smell BS and can sift through pedantic chatter. Brian is a weatherman who has figured out which way the sauna wind blows.
We dive into the holy trinity of good sauna (heat, steam, ventilation). You’ll hear about his evolution from barrel saunas to kit saunas. How he graduated away from a custom sauna build in his backyard, and also away from hiring a local contractor in his area. You’ll hear about his conclusions of ceiling height and ventilation. All spot on, my opinion. My 35 year 3x a weak multiple sauna build with my own hands experienced opinion.
Our texts and emails went on and on
Most people come to me after experiencing good sauna, and then are compelled to make it happen for themselves. Not Brian. Brian is admittedly very sauna inexperienced. But I dare say that he is one of the most researched sauna person I know. He attacked the project of his own backyard sauna with vigor and inexhaustible energy. I think you’ll find his conclusions and choice for his own backyard sauna very interesting.
We got to sauna recently during my own trip to Austin Texas, where I was on my own version of witness relocation program. A lot of good things come out of conversation on the sauna bench. I’m happy to report that this conversation is one of them. I’m pleased to present to you Brian, the world’s most research least experienced sauna nut in the world.
Final note, as of this podcast, Brian is now becoming more experienced. He’s just taking delivery of his own backyard sauna, and is about to lose himself in his own thermal goodness. Three cheers to Brian, Thanks man, I’ve enjoyed getting to know you and playing sauna tennis!
3 thoughts on “Sauna Talk: Brian, the most researched, least experienced sauna aficionado in the world”
Hey Brian! What a beautiful sauna. I’m in Austin, TX as well and would love to connect over a shared love for sauna.
Ive got a sauna question, or rather a concern. I live in Alaska and I am about to start construction on an outdoor sauna which I have been planning for a few years. First delayed by covid and the rising wood and construction costs, and now delayed because there is still snow on the ground and I need the ground to thaw so I can dig footers.
My concern is this, because of the harsh environments we have in Alaska, I want to build my sauna on a pressure treated deck. I would build the external frame of the sauna also using pressure treated lumber. The plan would then be to use a pine frame for the sauna and cedar inner walls. Would you be concerned about the treated lumber in this construction? Someone told me that it wasn’t a good idea because of the heat causing noxious fumes to leak out of the wood. Thoughts?
Bryan,
I’d build it the way you’re talking about. The idea of spf walls is fine, and this pressure treated deck under your hot room: now here’s where i’d isolate this material from your hot room. I’d be thinking a cedar deck atop this deck. Yea, it’s some extra coin but the sf of your hot room is not megga. This is how i’d do it.