Traditional Sauna Usage
A traditional sauna is heated by a wood-fired, gas or electric sauna heater with a wood interior.
Generally, a traditional sauna should heat up in 25-30 minutes (outdoor saunas in the winter a bit longer) and will be warm enough to comfortably relax. Most like to enter when the temperature is 140°–170°F. or 60°–82°C.
This is enough time for the sauna rocks to provide a soft heat and/or soft steam. The cedar interior will be comfortably heated, too.
If you want to get into your sauna nearly immediately and feel direct penetrating heat, consider adding an infrared sauna light.
We have a longer article that tackles some of the aspects of taking a sauna, see: How to Take a Sauna, Enhancing Your Dry Sauna Experience.