Many stories have been told on the benches of Laattaja's smoke sauna – now it's your turn to tell yours.

The smoke sauna can be rented together with a booking of Loma-Laattaja or Laattajan Pirtti.

Guests are expected to have experience in heating a smoke sauna.

The sauna is mainly available during the summer season and is rented for an appropriate fee — provided the guest can demonstrate experience in heating one.

The History of Laattaja's Smoke Sauna

The smoke sauna is a converted old threshing barn (riihi) that was relocated from the banks of the Kiiminkijoki River to its current site.

The log frame was rebuilt on a new foundation and transformed into a traditional Finnish smoke sauna.

The stove was rebuilt in summer 2024. The lower part is made of firebricks, topped with heavy iron grates, and above them are the original sauna stones, with some soapstone mixed in. The entire stove weighs several hundred kilograms, ensuring a long, even heat — the true essence of a Finnish smoke sauna experience.

Heating the smoke sauna

Water:

Open the water tap for the sauna — it's located outside, at the end of the shelter, beneath a large metal cover on the ground.

Outside, there is a cauldron (muuripata) for heating water.

Before starting the fire, fill the cauldron with water using a hose from the sauna.

Preparations:

Open the ceiling vent, wall vent, and floor vent inside the sauna.

Remove bench towels, washing bowls, and soaps from the benches, as well as any water buckets from the floor — place them in the dressing room so they don't get dirty during heating.

Heating:

Light a fire in the stove.

Add wood each time a full load has burned down and the smoke has cleared — this means it's safe to enter the sauna again to add more wood.

Keep the door slightly open, supported by a small log or stick, to allow air circulation.

Keep all three vents fully open and the door ajar throughout the heating process.

Continue heating until the thermometer (mounted through the wall to the dressing room) shows 90°C.

Then carry the hot embers outside with a shovel to the campfire area — do not drop hot coals onto the wooden floor grates.

After heating the smoke sauna

Before bathing:

Close all the vents, brush any ash dust off the benches, and place the bench towels and washing bowls back in their spots. Don't forget your shampoo and soap.

Bring the water buckets inside.

Fill one bucket with cold water using the hose, and pour hot water from the cauldron (muuripata) outside into the other bucket.

If you keep a fire going under the cauldron, make sure it is always filled with cold water from the hose — otherwise, the cauldron may burn through.

Throw a few "häkälöylyt" (first purging steam throws) to clear out any remaining smoke, and let the sauna settle for a moment before bathing.

Light a campfire in front of the sauna while you wait — and then, enjoy your sauna.

While bathing:

Instruct bathers to behave calmly and watch out for boiling hot water.

Do not lean against the sooty walls, and be careful not to bump your head on the low ceiling beams.

Enjoy the steam — pour water onto the stove little by little to avoid stirring up ashes.

Between sessions, relax by the campfire and take it easy.

After bathing:

Leave the vents and doors open so the sauna can air out.

The next morning:

Return to clean up — remove all your belongings and take the trash with you.

Empty the water buckets, and close the water tap under the metal cover outside.

Drain the hose back into the well to prevent freezing.

Leave the vents open, keep the door between the sauna and dressing room open, and close the sauna's outer door.

Thank you!