Steam & Oak Barrel Sauna 1.8m (Electric & Gas option)

Steam & Oak 1.8m Barrel Sauna – Choose Your Heater

Bring the Finnish sauna ritual into your own garden. The Steam & Oak 1.8m Barrel Sauna combines natural Scandinavian spruce, warm alder benches and classic curved design to create a welcoming space for everyday relaxation, recovery and time away from the noise of daily life.

Designed for two people to enjoy regularly, with room for three to four for occasional shared sessions, this compact outdoor sauna makes a dedicated space for unwinding more accessible, even in smaller UK gardens. Its curved barrel shape encourages even heat circulation, sheds rain naturally and brings traditional sauna design into a practical outdoor footprint.

Choose the cabin on its own, an electric Harvia heater or the gas-heated FinSteam configuration. Each option offers a different way to enjoy the warmth of a sauna at home.

New: Gas-Heated Barrel Sauna

The Steam & Oak 1.8m Barrel Sauna is available with the FinSteam Aurora 81 R11S gas heater, offering an alternative to conventional electric heating. Select + FinSteam Aurora 81 R11S Gas Heater at checkout to receive the cabin with purpose-designed gas ventilation and the complete heater package.

The gas configuration is designed for people who want sauna heat without relying on a mains electrical supply. The heater connects to an external UK propane bottle, with a warm-up time of approximately 15–20 minutes. No dedicated electrical circuit or chimney is required for this configuration.

The Aurora 81 is described as the only CE-marked electricity-free sauna gas heater on the European market. It is also used in FinSteam NOIR Signature packages.

Gas, Wood or Electric: What's the Difference?

Gas vs Electric: Understanding the Total Cost

The price of an electric sauna is only part of the overall cost of getting started. A 6.8–9 kW electric heater requires an appropriate dedicated circuit, installed by a qualified electrician and signed off under Part P where applicable. Electrical installation may cost approximately £800–£1,500, depending on your property and the work required, and you'll need to arrange an installation appointment.

The FinSteam gas configuration connects to an external UK propane bottle and does not require a dedicated mains electrical circuit. This can be an appealing option for gardens where electrical installation would be expensive or inconvenient.

Once electrical installation is included, the difference between the two configurations narrows. Based on these estimates, the gas option costs approximately £395–£1,095 more overall, rather than the full difference in the initial cabin prices.

A standard UK 13 kg Calor propane bottle is estimated to provide more than a dozen sessions, depending on usage. For fixed gas installations, a Gas Safe registered engineer is required. Portable use and gas connections must comply with the applicable installation instructions and UK safety requirements.

Purpose-Designed Ventilation for the Gas Configuration

The gas version includes wooden louvre vents built into the cabin at the specified sizes for the FinSteam heater. The arrangement provides fresh air to the heater and allows exhaust air to discharge directly outdoors.

• Low-level air intake: At least 350 cm², positioned low beside the heater to draw fresh air directly from outside.
• High-level exhaust: At least 250 cm², positioned in the opposite corner and discharged directly outdoors.
• Wooden louvre vents: The gas configuration does not use plastic disc or twist valves.
• Matched configuration: The ventilation arrangement and FinSteam heater are specified together under EU Gas Appliance Regulation 2016/426.

Choose an electric configuration and the cabin is supplied with the standard ventilation arrangement for an electric heater. The ventilation build is matched to the heater option selected at checkout.

What's Included with the Gas Heater Package?

• Barrel sauna shell: The same cabin construction used for the electric versions of this model.
• Alder bench: A single-level bench for comfortable sauna sessions.
• 8 mm tempered glass: Glass door and window construction.
• Gas-ready ventilation: Built-in wooden louvre vents in the specified sizes.
• FinSteam Aurora 81 R11S gas heater: 8.1 kW heater with an EU Type-Examination Certificate and AENOR testing under Regulation 2016/426.
• Safety features: Oxygen-depletion sensor (ODS) with automatic shut-off and flame monitoring.
• Orbis 11 stone cage, Halo safety rail and Njord heat shield: Included as standard with this configuration.
• UK propane regulator and gas hose: 1.2 m CE-marked hose, I3P 37 mbar, with a 27 mm clip-on connection for standard Calor 13 kg propane bottles.
• 40 kg of FinSteam sauna stones: Pre-washed and sized for the heater's stone cage.

The FinSteam Aurora 81 R11S has a standalone retail price of £2,295. With the gas configuration, the heater and engineered cabin build are bundled together at £6,190 including VAT.

Discover the FinSteam Aurora 81 gas heater.

What You'll Need to Source Locally

• Propane bottle: A standard UK 13 kg Calor propane bottle, available from local BBQ, camping and petrol-station retailers. The included regulator and hose connect to a compatible bottle.
• Gas installation: A Gas Safe registered engineer is required for a fixed gas connection under UK requirements.

Choose Your Heater

Every garden and sauna routine is different. Choose the setup that best suits your space, installation requirements and preferred way of heating the cabin.

• FinSteam Aurora 81 R11S Gas Heater: The gas-heated option, with an 8.1 kW heater, engineered gas-ready ventilation and the bundled accessories described above.
• Shell only: Purchase the cabin without a heater if you intend to source your own compatible heating system.
• Harvia PC70 Electric Heater, 6.8 kW: An electric option sized for the interior, requiring an appropriate single-phase supply of approximately 25A.
• Harvia PC90 Electric Heater, 9 kW: A higher-powered electric option for faster warm-up and heat recovery.

Wood-fired heating is not available for the 1.8m model. Its approximately 4.5 m³ interior is too small for the wood-fired stove stocked for this range. For a wood-fired sauna, explore the 2.4m and larger models.

Warm-Up Times and Running Costs

Running costs depend on the selected heater, energy prices, outside temperature, how often the sauna is used and the temperature you prefer. The figures below are estimates and will vary with individual use.

FinSteam Gas Heater

• Warm-up time: Approximately 15–20 minutes from cold to 70–75°C.
• Estimated running cost: £2.00–£2.50 per 60–90 minute session.
• Estimated propane consumption: Approximately 0.6 kg per session, based on a typical £47 refill for a 13 kg Calor bottle.

Harvia 6.8 kW Electric Heater

• Warm-up time: Approximately 30 minutes.
• Estimated running cost: £1.75–£2.25 per 90-minute session, based on the 2026 energy price cap assumptions used for this estimate.

Harvia 9 kW Electric Heater

• Estimated running cost: Approximately £2.00–£2.50 per session.
• Performance: Higher power for faster heat-up and recovery between löyly sessions.

Read our UK sauna running-cost guide for a closer look at the ongoing cost of enjoying a sauna at home.

Designed for Everyday Life in UK Gardens

At 1.8m, this barrel sauna is designed to make regular sauna use feel achievable without taking over your garden. It's well suited to couples or individuals who want a dedicated place to unwind after a surf, a walk, a workout or a busy day.

The cabin comfortably accommodates two people for everyday use, with space for three to four for occasional shared sessions. Its curved walls encourage even heat circulation, while the rounded roof helps rain run off naturally.

The compact design also helps simplify delivery and assembly. The cabin arrives flat-packed across three pallets and can be carried by two people, provided the site and access route are suitable.

Natural Materials and Thoughtful Construction

Simple materials and practical details give this sauna its classic Finnish character. Scandinavian spruce forms the main structure, while alder benches provide a comfortable seating surface designed for high-temperature use.

• Walls: 44 mm Scandinavian spruce, kiln-dried to 14% moisture content for heat stability and weather resistance.
• Benches: Single-level alder benches. Alder has relatively low thermal conductivity compared with many common woods used in saunas, helping the seating remain more comfortable at high temperatures.
• Door and windows: 8 mm tempered glass, specified for safety and thermal-shock resistance.
• Roof: Bitumen shingles for outdoor use.
• Heater: Choose the FinSteam Aurora 81 R11S gas heater, Harvia 6.8 kW or Harvia 9 kW electric heater at checkout, or select the shell-only option.

What's Included with the Sauna?

The standard cabin package includes:

• Sauna shell.
• Base beams.
• Pre-cut and numbered wooden panels.
• Stainless steel tension bands.
• Alder benches with backrests.
• 8 mm tempered glass door.
• Ventilation valve and grill, with the vent type matched to the selected heater.
• Stainless steel floor drainage grid.
• Bitumen roof shingles.
• Fastener kit and assembly manual.

The selected heater and stones are included with the gas and Harvia heater variants. The shell-only option is supplied without a heater for customers using their own compatible system.

Warranty: 24 months.

Delivery and Site Preparation

A little preparation before delivery helps make installation smoother. Ensure your base is ready, your access route is measured and the selected heater's installation requirements have been considered.

• Delivery: Free standard UK delivery on all configurations.
• Estimated transit time: 2–10 working days.
• Packaging: Three pallets, each measuring 2.4 × 1.2 × 1.0 m.
• Site preparation: A stable, level outdoor base is required before delivery. Suitable options include slabs on a sub-base, a concrete pad or an engineered deck designed to support the load.
• Access: Measure gates, turns and doorways carefully to accommodate a pallet width of 1.2 m.
• Electrical configurations: Harvia variants require a dedicated 32A single-phase or 16A three-phase supply, installed by a qualified electrician. Confirm the exact requirements for your chosen heater before installation.
• Gas configuration: Requires a locally sourced UK 13 kg Calor propane bottle. A Gas Safe registered engineer is required for a fixed gas connection. No mains electrical supply is needed for the gas heater itself.
• Assembly: A self-assembly, interlocking kit designed for two people. Allow approximately 4–6 hours of work spread over one to two days, with a standard cordless drill and jigsaw among the tools required.

Technical Specifications

Need Help Choosing Your Sauna?

Choosing a sauna involves more than the cabin itself. Your available space, preferred heat source, installation requirements and running costs all play a part.

Explore our complete UK sauna buying guide for a closer look at gas, electric and wood-fired heating, indoor and outdoor saunas, running costs and installation requirements. The guide was written by founder Sarb Gill.

Looking for more room? Explore the 2.4m Outdoor Barrel Sauna with Porch or the 3m Barrel Sauna with Anteroom. Prefer a more contemporary silhouette? Discover the 1.8m Cube Sauna, offering the same stated capacity in a modern design.