Which steam generator best serves You? I compile useful information to help you make a decision.
Steam Spa - Steamist - MR. STEAM - KOHLER - Amerec - STEAMBATH - THERMASOL -Whirlpool - ROMA - STEAMCORE
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Dry Steam VS WET Steam Generators
The Most important page on this site
How to choose between the 2 Types
Don't buy without reading this page.
7 Main Things to Know Before buying a Steam Generator:
1: Choosing the Heating element
The most expensive steam generators have very expensive heating elements. I am talking $400 dollars for just the element.. These are 3 times as big as the 29 dollar ones most generators have. The steam generators with the 5 lb elements last about 25 years while the smaller half pound elements usually last about 3 to 4 years.
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2: Choosing wattage
Most people buy the wrong wattage for their steam generator. If the wattage is too high it can cost more to have a 30 minute steam session. The cost for an average 30 minute session in the steam room is $1.50. Some of the cheaper models use more voltage and are not as energy efficient and raise the cost per session up to a 50 cents per session. Many steam generator brands have the same wattage but if the heating element is smaller and doesn't hold heat like a heavier element, it can also raise the cost per session. A heavier heating element takes more energy to heat up and don't overwork themselves like the smaller ones. I urge people to buy the right wattage for the size of their steam shower. If too little, the steam will feel like vapor and if too high of a wattage it can feel too dense and that is not the comfortable steam that people want continuously.
3: Autoflush
Auto-Flush is the most important thing to keep your heating element working efficiently
Calcium kills the elements so having the right autoflush is good to prevent corrosion from mineral buildup. Some use just a gravity drain and others have electric powered auto drains. Depending on the water source, it is better to have the steam generator drain itself after each session and if the water is no so bad, it can be done manually. On some brands, it automatically does it after every two hours of usage.
3: Vapor VS Steam
Some of these really cheap steam generators are made so poorly their steam has little to almost vapor like fluence.
Steam is always above the boiling point when it comes out of the steam generator. The hotter the steam, the more it will feel like steam. Vapor is the steam diffused in the air and not saturated like the steam. Vapor in steam rooms feels like those awkward times when you are like, "how long am I gonna have to sit in here until the steam kicks back on". This is usually the time someone throws cold water on the thermostat to jump start it. Vapor is always below the boiling point.
Some people want more of a vapor session and some want a more intense session that has more steam and the fluence fills up the steam room where you can barely see the person next to you. Depending on the temperature of the steam coming out, this will determine how quickly the steam condenses into vapor. If buying the wrong wattage, it can feel too steamy and if too little wattage it can feel too much like vapor.
4: Rust Proof Casings: If the cover rusts it can deteriorate. When the seal from the steam generator cover lets moisture inside the generator, the printed circuit boards can break. If the generator is going to be in a humid area, look for models that use 304 Grade Stainless Steel. Most of the problems happen with steam generators that have the stamped steel covers. Most of the calls I get when someone needs to replace their entire steam generator is usually from a problem where humidity got into the casing and the warranty doesn't cover that. If someone wants 304 grade steel, please let me know on my steam room quiz.
5: Duty Cycles: This is how many times the element goes from cold to hot and back to cold. The generators that are not built for high usage where the heating element burns out will cost a lot over time. (I strongly urge people who plan on never changing their heater element to get a heater close as possible to 5 pounds. Most people have to replace their heater at least 4 times with the 1/2 pound heaters. Buying the lightweight heaters can cost $200 each time you hire someone to fix it and the down time of getting a new element mailed to you.
6: Noisy Steam Generators VS Quality of Steam
Some steam generators are very loud and some are nearly whisper quiet compared to the very loud ones. Many people want high fluence steam but the steam generators that put out too much steam get hot too fast stay on so little time as the thermostat stops the steam too quickly. There are other people that want a more steady steam throughout the 30 minute session but will not have that dense rush of steam they want. If using one steam generator, I have to review what is most important as not everyone can always have everything they want. High fluence steam the entire session is not comfortable. As fas as noise, the fluence of steam will always create a louder noise so knowing this before asking for the most powerful steam generator is something to know. Most dealers will recommend steam generators that put out a medium flow, more steady steam. If someone wants "sweat lodge" type steam, definitely let me know upfront.
7: Steam Fluence/Steam Saturation
Medium fluence steam is the most common steam type from residential steam generators. Most dealers I have talked to are reluctant to bring up high fluence steam generator brands because the price usually turns people off. Nearly every brand says the same thing about their generator but what they don't talk about is the grade of components that don't have "marketable" names like auto or power flush. It is hard for the average person to value a company using twice the gauge of steel. Most people never get the steam saturation like a commercial steam room. Sure, they may fill the room up to 100% humidity but the saturation level is no where near what they will get at most day spas. If someone wants a super saturated steam, let me know on my quiz. Also, the fluence of steam is a big factor of the steam room. If its a steam room where the walls are very cold (I take a laser thermometer to see how quickly the wall goes back to room temperature after a session). If the rate of evaporation is the same as the rate of condensation, this can affect the type of steam session and how constant or pulsed the steam is. Always know the temperature of the steam before buying a particular model.
If you need help picking out a steam generator, take my steam questionnaire.
5 pound heating element - Most expensive type to use.
These cost around 400 dollars and can last 25 years
half pound, $29 dollar heating element
Most steam room generators have these types. Cheap upfront but every 2 to 3 years need to be replaced. These are not industrial grade heaters but not as bad as the lowest appliance grade heater.
These are the really cheap heating elements. If you see a really cheap steam generator, it can have these types. These are "appliance grade" heaters.
This is what some of these bunk steam generator steam feels like. The steam feels more like a vapor, kinda like a boiling pot of water type steam.
I had one of these back in college in my dorm room. I have some of my best memories from senior year in this :)
I urge everyone to find a place to try out a sweat lodge in their area. These set the standard on how I rate steam generators. Super heated steam from pouring water on red hot rocks is an experience that you won't forget.
1-877-310-8385
Open from 8am till 10pm
Ask for Sharon
I have found that the easiest way to conceptualize this product industry is by breaking it down into a tiered rating system.
About 80% of customers end up purchasing a steam generator from Tier 2 level. The rest choose a Tier 1 or Tier 3. Tier 2 is composed of companies that use very confusing marketing for their brands. The reason is because 90% of those brands in this tier are actually “Re-brands” coming from the same 2 manufacturers in China. So these brands are almost identical to one another and so each company just makes up claims and marketing hype to appear different than their competition.
For this reason I have divided up Tier 2 into two sub levels, A and B. The lower the tier the more drawbacks it has versus benefits. So Tier 2B would have maybe a limited warranty for example versus a Brand from Tier 2A.
Rating System based off the following:
Warranty, Fluence of Steam, steel components (304 surgical steel vs stamped steel), Cost per session, Noise, Start up times, Actual wattage used vs wattage manufacturer claims, Thermostat Accuracy, Wet vs Dry steam, lower or higher latent heat index, heat co-efficient (Does it feel like steam or vapor under boiling point), and most of all, customer service when problems arise.
If you want specific information on each brand and how it rates on each of these categories please ask.
Tier 1:
A --SteamCore, Thermasol (These have the highest grade components, lowest heat index, driest steam)
B --Mr. STEAM, L Series
Tier 2:
A -- SteamSpa, Roma Steam Generators, Amerec,
B --Steamist, Kohler Steam Generators, Whirpool Steam Generators, Steam-Whirl
Tier 3:
Series 63, Brands found on Ebay, Elite Steam
(90% of steam generators are re-brands from same two manufacturers in China and most steam generators fall into this Tier)
NOTE: I tell people 98% of the enjoyment of a steam room is the fluence balanced with constant steam. A bad generator will get too hot and then too cool. Make sure you get the right wattage for your steam room dimensions or the steam will NOT be steady.
I am of course happy to consult with you by phone, email, or text to help find the best brand and model for your unique set of needs. Please look to us to be the one stop solution to figuring out how to choose the right steam generator without getting a headache in the process.
Please know that we always seek to have the best sale price out there.
Speak soon,
--
Alex, Sharon, Jake
