The sauna has been part of human wellbeing for thousands of years. From the wooden huts of Finland to the steam rooms of Japan, the idea is the same: heat the body, rest the mind, and come out feeling renewed.
In recent years, the rise of infrared saunas has introduced a new approach to heat therapy. They promise convenience, faster setup, and lower running costs. Yet, something about them feels different. More and more people are now turning back to the traditional way of sauna bathing.
At PortaSauna, we build portable wood fired saunas because we believe in the value of real heat, real fire, and real connection. Here is why.
Understanding the Difference
Infrared saunas work by using heaters that emit infrared light, directly warming the skin and muscle tissue without heating the surrounding air. The experience is mild, usually around 45–60°C, and often marketed as more comfortable or efficient.
A wood fired sauna, on the other hand, heats the air itself. The stove burns wood, heating stones that radiate warmth throughout the space. When water is poured over the stones, the sudden burst of steam lifts the humidity, wrapping the body in deep, even heat.
That difference might sound technical, but it completely changes the feeling, the rhythm, and the result.
The Sensory Experience
An infrared sauna feels clinical. You sit in a dry, quiet room, often alone, waiting for the heat to do its work.
A wood fired sauna is sensory and alive. You hear the fire crackle. You smell the pine smoke and steam. The air feels heavy and cleansing. It encourages you to slow down, to breathe deeply, to connect.
Our customers often tell us the same thing: that a PortaSauna session feels real. It feels elemental. The sound of the fire, the texture of the wood, the moment you throw water on the stones and see the steam rise – it becomes a ritual rather than a routine.
Why Heat Quality Matters
Infrared heat warms the surface of the body. Wood fired heat surrounds it. In a traditional sauna, the air temperature reaches 80–100°C, forcing the body to respond naturally by sweating, regulating temperature, and releasing endorphins.
That process is what delivers the full range of health benefits linked to sauna use – improved circulation, reduced stress, better sleep, and faster recovery.
Infrared heat can help with relaxation, but it lacks the intensity and humidity that trigger the body’s deeper reactions. The feeling after a wood fired session is different. You come out light, flushed, calm, and clear-headed.
Connection Over Convenience
Infrared saunas are often marketed around convenience. Plug it in, turn it on, and sit for twenty minutes. For some, that simplicity is appealing.
But convenience can come at a cost. When everything becomes instant, we lose something of the ritual. A wood fired sauna takes time and intention. You gather the wood, light the fire, and wait for the heat to build. You step inside knowing that you created it.
That small act of effort is part of the reward.
In a world that moves too fast, this pause – this grounding – is powerful.
A Natural Choice for Home Wellness
For UK homeowners, the portable wood fired sauna offers something that infrared cannot. It connects you to nature. You can set it up in the garden, by a lake, or even on the beach. It needs no electricity, no wiring, no permanent installation.
The PortaSauna is made for the outdoors. Built with durable, weather-resistant materials, it sets up in ten minutes and heats up in twenty. It gives you all the intensity of a Finnish-style sauna, anywhere you want it.
Many of our customers tell us that it becomes a focal point for family and friends. A space for stories, for laughter, and for quiet. Something shared, not just consumed.
Sustainability and Simplicity
Infrared saunas rely on electricity and complex parts. Wood fired saunas rely on nature. A simple stove, clean-burning firewood, and water. Nothing else.
There are no chemicals, no plastics, and no ongoing running costs. When you heat a PortaSauna, you feel the fire’s energy directly. You see it, smell it, and know where the warmth comes from.
It is honest heat – and that matters.
Why We Believe the Wood Fired Sauna is Better
It is not about trends or technology. It is about authenticity.
Infrared saunas can be useful for relaxation, but a wood fired portable sauna gives something more profound. It is immersive, sensory, and shared. It connects body and mind in a way that an electric panel never can.
It is fire, water, and air working together. It is tradition meeting modern design. It is wellness that feels real.
At PortaSauna, we are proud to build saunas that bring this experience home. We want more people to rediscover the power of natural heat, honest materials, and simple connection.
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