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Nordic bath: definition
A Nordic bath is a large wooden barrel installed outdoors. You fill it with water and use a wood stove to heat it. It's ideal for relaxing in the open air, even in winter. Unlike a hot tub, it has no electric bubbles. The only sound you hear is often the gentle crackling of the wood fire.
Going further, the wooden Nordic bath, also called Nordic spa, Scandinavian bath, Finnish bath or Swedish bath; is a large wooden basin filled with hot water, installed outdoors. Its principle is disarmingly simple: you immerse yourself to relax, alone or in a group, in water maintained at a comfortable temperature thanks to a wood stove.
It's not a hot tub. It's not a swimming pool. It's something apart: authentic, sensory, rooted in a tradition much older than one might think.
The origins of the outdoor Nordic bath go back to the Scandinavian countries where inhabitants had been heating massive wooden barrels for centuries to wash and warm up after long days spent in the cold.
How does a Nordic bath work?
The functioning of a Nordic bath is based on a proven principle, without unnecessary sophistication.
The basin
The basin is generally round, with a diameter ranging from 150 to 240 cm depending on the model. It can accommodate 2 to 10 people. Often, they have interior benches to sit comfortably, and a cover that closes the basin between uses to retain heat.
The heating system
This is the heart of the outdoor Nordic bath: an aluminum stove, particularly conductive, gradually heats the water. At Storvatt for example, it is specifically designed for Nordic baths and develops a power of 40 kW, allowing rapid and even temperature rise.
Depending on the model, the stove can be:
Internal (immersed in the basin): heats faster, slightly less space for bathers.
External: frees up all interior volume, heats slightly slower.
Heating time
This is the question everyone asks. With a large wood stove (40 kW), you need to count approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to go from 5°C to 39°C, and up to 3 hours in winter conditions or with an external stove. This waiting time is part of the ritual: you light the fire, you prepare drinks, you enjoy the moment.
What temperature for a Nordic bath?
The ideal temperature for an outdoor Nordic bath is between 37°C and 40°C. It's warm enough for muscles to relax and the body to unwind deeply, without risk of overheating for a healthy adult.
A few practical guidelines:
Profile | Recommended temperature |
|---|---|
Adults (common use) | 38 – 40 °C |
First use / sensitivity | 36 – 38 °C |
Children, pregnant women | 34 °C maximum |
Hot/cold practice | 38 – 40 °C, then cold water |
Once the temperature is reached, the water stays hot for several hours if the cover is in place. .
Nordic bath or hot tub: they don't offer the same sensations
The two are often confused. In reality, these are very different experiences.
The Nordic bath is about calm, massive wood, aromas, the crackling of fire. No bubbles, no jets, no humming motor. It's a silent immersion in hot water, in the open air, in connection with the nature around you.
The hot tub, on the other hand, relies on technology: massage jets, hydromassage, embedded electronics. It's more dynamic, but also more mechanical, noisier, and generally made of synthetic materials; except for Storvatt hot tub spas.
Nordic bath | Hot tub / electric spa | |
|---|---|---|
Heating | Wood (or electric/hybrid) | Electric |
Jets / bubbles | No (optional) | Yes |
Material | Solid Red Cedar | Acrylic, PVC most often |
Atmosphere | Natural, silent | Technological |
Maintenance | Simple | More complex. |
Can you use a Nordic bath in winter?
Yes, and it's often the most appreciated time. Immersed in water at 39°C while the outside air is near freezing, it's one of the most intense experiences a Nordic bath can offer.
The Red Cedar used by Storvatt resists frost, bad weather and temperature variations perfectly, season after season. The solid wood structure is even guaranteed for life against frost (excluding machinery). A Nordic bath should be usable all year round, without weather constraints.
How to maintain a Nordic bath: water treatment?
Water maintenance depends on frequency of use and the chosen model.
On Storvatt's wood stove models, the bath comes with a cartridge filtration system. Weekly maintenance is sufficient:
clean the cartridge;
add bromine tablets (included in the HTH starter pack provided at delivery);
and check the pH.
For private use, a complete drain should be planned approximately every 3 months.
On electric and hybrid models, the automatic filtration system keeps the water crystal clear continuously, requiring even fewer maintenance interventions.
The Nordic bath remains equipment with strong durability capacity. If you plan a long absence, the bath can remain empty without any problem, which is very convenient for a second home.
The Storvatt range: which Nordic bath to choose?
Storvatt offers several models of wooden Nordic baths, all manufactured in Red Cedar in the French Alps, available from 150 to 240 cm in diameter (for 2 to 10 people).
The Nordic Bath with Wood Stove
This is the most traditional and authentic model. This wood-heated Nordic bath is equipped with an immersed 40 kW aluminum stove. Zero electricity, zero motor, zero noise. It heats the water in 1.5 to 2 hours and can be installed anywhere, even without electrical connection. It's the Nordic experience in its purest form. From 7,250 €.
The Hybrid Nordic Bath (best seller)
The Hybrid Nordic bath combines the charm of wood heating and the convenience of electric power. A 3 kW Balboa electric heater automatically maintains the temperature between sessions, while the wood stove takes over during use for rapid temperature rise. An integrated filtration system guarantees crystal clear water over time. It's the ideal model for regular use, without management constraints. From 9,550 €.
The Electric Nordic Bath
The electric Nordic bath is fully automated: temperature is adjusted via a Balboa keyboard, filtration runs continuously, and water is always ready. Ideal for those who want a bath available at any time, without wood handling. Delivery is announced in 6 weeks versus 8 for other models. Price on request depending on configuration.
The Cold Bath
Designed to be paired with a sauna or hot bath, the cold bath allows you to practice the hot/cold cycle at home, in the purest Nordic tradition. It is also in Red Cedar, compact, and can accommodate 1 to 2 people for immersion at 5-15°C. The alternation between sauna or hot bath / cold bath is one of the most documented practices to stimulate circulation and recovery.
All Storvatt baths are delivered fully assembled, guaranteed 5 years on the solid wood structure and for life against frost (excluding machinery).
What are the benefits of a Nordic bath
For blood circulation and muscles
Immersion in water at 38-40°C causes vasodilation: blood vessels dilate, circulation improves, muscles relax. This is particularly beneficial after physical exertion, to reduce soreness and accelerate recovery. Heat also releases muscle tension accumulated, often in the back, shoulders and legs. A real solution for promoting body relaxation.
For mental health
20 to 30 minutes in a hot bath, in the open air, away from screens, the effect on stress is almost immediate. Immersion in hot water promotes the release of endorphins and serotonin. Combined with the natural setting and silence (real silence, not spa music), this experience acts as genuine mental relaxation.
The hot/cold practice
Nordic tradition encourages alternating between the hot bath and immersion in cold water: cold bath, cold shower, or simply the outside air in winter. This thermal contrast causes vasoconstriction that stimulates the circulatory system, strengthens immune defenses and improves muscle recovery. This is why Storvatt also offers a cold bath in its range.
A few precautions to keep in mind: despite these benefits, the Nordic bath above 34°C is not recommended for pregnant women and young children. People suffering from cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension or severe respiratory problems should consult their doctor before use.
Discover your future Nordic bath
A project, a question, the desire to see our baths with your own eyes? Our team supports you, and our Megève showroom welcomes you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nordic Bathing
Still wondering what it's really like to experience it daily? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.
Does a Nordic bath produce bubbles?
No. By definition, a Nordic bath does not have a jet or bubble system. However, some models allow you to add a hydrotherapy massage option.
Can you leave the hot water in a Nordic bath on permanently?
On an electric or hybrid model, yes. On a wood stove model, no. You heat on demand, which is more economical.
Do you need a building permit for an outdoor Nordic bath?
Generally speaking, no. A Nordic bath placed on a terrace or on the ground does not require a permit. However, check with your local town hall if you have any doubts related to your property's configuration.
What surface should you install a Nordic bath on?
A flat, stable and solid surface: concrete slab, wooden deck, compacted gravel. You must take into account the total weight (tub + water + bathers) which can reach several tons depending on the diameter.
What are the disadvantages of a Nordic bath?
It's a disadvantage if you're looking for immediacy: a wood-fired model requires 2 to 3 hours to reach temperature, but electric or hybrid versions meet this need. It's also a disadvantage if you want zero maintenance (regular water monitoring is still necessary) or bubbles and massaging jets, which are absent by nature from a Nordic bath. Finally, a full tub weighs several tons and requires stable ground, which can limit certain installations in limited spaces.
When should you change the water in a Nordic bath?
For typical private use, a complete drain every 3 months or so is sufficient, provided you perform weekly maintenance (filtration, bromine, pH). With more intensive use, this interval can be shortened. Signs that should alert you before the deadline: cloudy water, persistent odor, or pH that cannot be stabilized.
What is the electricity consumption of a Nordic bath?
A pure wood stove model consumes almost no electricity, except for a small filtration pump. For an electric or hybrid model, heating a tank of 1000 to 1500 liters requires on average 12 to 24 kWh for a complete heating cycle, or approximately 3 to 6 €. Maintaining the temperature afterwards costs less to operate, but represents 1500 to 2000 kWh per year with regular use according to market manufacturers, with the bill increasing in winter and decreasing with good insulating coverage.