Between a rock and a hard place

April — the (unofficial) Month of Sauna Stones

My sauna stones — mostly quarried peridotite rocks — are wearing out. When I swept out recently, many tiny rock crumbles were under the kiuas (the sauna heater), and I noted a few pinholes had been burned into the duckboards by hot falling chunks.

Occasionally, upon sprinkling a dipperful of water, I hear a pop. Oops, another rock just cracked.

Research indicates that each reheating weathers the rocks as the  natural elements do, that they eventually lose their heat-holding qualities. Rocks may need replacing in as little as two years, depending on how often people heat up their sauna. I suppose I’ll be needing new ones soon.

What’s your suggestion — quarried or round? Purchased or found?

Nikki