The difference between a sauna and a banya?

Question by bassman104: What’s the difference between a sauna and a banya?
I know its like a sauna but what is the difference?

Answers and Views:

Answer by ChrisP
A sauna is a traditional Finnish dry heat bath. The humidity is kept low, though it can be raised for a few minutes at a time by sprinkling water on the exposed stones on the top of the sauna stove. With this, the humidity is typically less than 30%, most times it is less than 10%. The all-wood construction of the sauna helps maintain this low humidity.

The banya is a traditional Russian style steam bath. It typically has a much higher humidity than the sauna: It can be in the 40-60% range. This is achieved through the use of stones or bricks contained in a closed stove. The stove and stones are kept at a much hotter temperature than in the sauna. This, combined with the small openings in the stove produces a clear steam that exits the stove at a higher temperature, and does not result in the fog that is typical of most steam rooms.

Banyas and saunas operate in the same general range of temperatures: From 170 to 220 F (77 to 105 C), but the higher humidity in the banya leads to a much greater perception of heat. Many frequent banya users wear felt caps to protect their hair from this heat, which is not required in the sauna. Also many banya users douse themselves with cold water while in the banya to keep their body temperature low – something that would never be done in a sauna.

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