Company background
IKI-Kiuas Oy is a small Finnish company. Its founders started developing the stove in 1990 and the company was set up in 1997. "Kiuas" is simply the Finnish word for a sauna stove. IKI is independent and its stoves are made by hand in Finland.
The open stone cage
An IKI stove is easy to recognise. Instead of a closed steel jacket, the firebox sits inside an open steel-mesh cage that is filled to the top with stones. The stones are visible from every side and there are a lot of them, far more than in a typical box stove of the same size.
What a big stone mass means in use:
- Softer, longer löyly. More hot stone surface turns water into steam more gently and keeps doing so through a long session.
- A slower start. Heating that much rock takes longer than heating a light box stove, so plan to light the fire earlier.
- Heat after the fire dies down. The stones keep the room warm for a long time, which suits relaxed, long sauna evenings.
- More weight. Check that the floor under the stove can take the load, especially in a raised cabin or on a deck.
Models
| Model | Fuel | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IKI Original, Original Plus | Wood | The classic full-size IKI stove |
| IKI Mini, Mini Plus | Wood | Smaller version for compact saunas |
| IKI Kivi, Kivi Jr | Wood | Another wood stove in the IKI range; compare sizes |
| IKI Pillar, Corner, Wall | Electric | Electric heaters in the IKI style |
Most buyers come to IKI for the wood stoves. The electric versions are less common in North America; if you want one, confirm that the model carries a cUL, cETL or CSA mark before an electrician connects it.
Is IKI right for your sauna?
IKI suits people who heat with wood, have time for the stove to come up to temperature and want the deepest stone mass they can get. It is less suited to a quick weeknight sauna or a room where floor loading is limited. If that is your situation, a lighter stove from Harvia or Narvi, or an electric heater, may fit better. Our guide to electric vs wood-burning sauna heaters goes through the trade-offs.
Buying IKI in North America
IKI is sold through specialist sauna retailers rather than a large dealer network. Ask the seller who handles warranty claims and parts in Canada before ordering, and check the stove's listing against your local building and fire code. Stores are listed on where to buy sauna heaters in Canada.
Questions buyers ask
What is special about IKI sauna stoves?
IKI stoves hold their stones in an open steel-mesh cage around the firebox, so they carry a very large, fully visible stone mass. That gives soft, long-lasting steam but means a slower warm-up.
Where are IKI stoves made?
In Finland. IKI-Kiuas Oy was founded in 1997 after development work that began in 1990, and the stoves are hand-built.
Does IKI make electric sauna heaters?
Yes, the Pillar, Corner and Wall models are electric. The brand is still best known for its wood-burning stoves.
Sources
Last checked November 8, 2026. Facts come from the brands' own sites and documents. How we check