There you are!

We’re thrilled you’d like to bring ALTÆR into your life more intimately. Here are some details that aren’t in the contract…

Your purchase supports our belief that Nature is our truest and most loyal companion. The more we invite people outside to entrain with her rhythms, the more they return to their original blueprint — their natural essence, their harmonized self.

From that place, care becomes instinctive. When we remember who we are, we naturally want to protect what keeps us alive and euphoric! We don’t just visit Nature — we become her most devoted companion.

We will continue guiding people into Nature’s most luxurious wild spa, where Nature shapes us back home.

 
 

Silky Sifaka

Translated into English as “Angels of the Forest” is named after the endangered lemur of Madagascar. Kayla would be happy to share the full origin story if you’re interested. 🙂

Silky has been with ALTÆR Sauna for two robust seasons. Part of our mission is to amplify thoughtfully crafted outdoor sauna experiences beyond our immediate community.

ALTÆR Sauna has traveled to National Parks, state beaches, distilleries, luxury spas, breweries, private residences, city parks, and even Indigenous burial grounds, where Chief Massasoit is said to be laid to rest.

When Silky was being built, we intentionally gridded the space with high-vibrational words, offered gifts to its four directions, and prayed that each guest would leave harmonized.

Silky is equipped with a fourth-generation Finnish family stove, made to order in Minnesota. The interior is cedar. The exterior is a blend of corrugated metal, cedar wood, and Skatelite (recycled paper composite). We prioritized sourcing materials made or found in the United States and hired local artists, craftspeople, and inventors throughout the build.

A neighbor even invented a custom light for Silky — it shifts from blue to red as the sauna heats, visually reflecting the rising temperature within.

Lighting the Stove

Here is the official KUUMA Stove Operating Manual

Directions:

  1. Start with a clean fire box. Pull the ash out of the firebox, down into the ash pan. Empty ash pan in metal bin with lid.

  2. Logs. Lay 4-5 logs into the firebox. Lay them in parallel like you would stacking your woodpile.  Ideally load firewood a bit higher on the sides, lower in the middle, creating a “U” or pocket. Sprinkle herbs from Earth as an offering to the flame, Sauna and the ones using the Sauna.

  3. Paper. Light a crinkled sheet of newspaper or handmade birch fire starter into the ‘U’.

  4. Kindling: Place kindling or smaller pieces of wood on top of #3, perpendicular to the larger foundational logs.

  5. Leave everything alone for 8ish minutes: damper up, main door closed and ash pan open slightly for some air. Keep an eye on the flame. Once the flame has momentum, close the ash pan door. NEVER LEAVE ASH PAN DOOR OPEN AND UNATTENDED. WHEN SAUNA IS ROARING THE ASH PAN DOOR SHOULD NEVER BE LEFT OPEN. (dramatic all caps because this can overheat and ruin the stove. :) )

  6. Tighten up. Make sure the ash pan and main door are tightly closed. Let the coals heat up.

  7. Pull coals forward. Then toss 1-2 logs on top of roaring flames.

  8. Damper down. When you see the coals becoming more red and leaning towards blue, then you’ve reached ideal Sauna. You can lower the damper, which will keep more heat in the stove rather than moving towards the stars. **The Damper is the middle lever on the stove. Call Kayla with ANY questions.

Cleaning Routine

Directions:

  1. Begin cleaning right after Sauna use. This is important because the wood needs time to open up its pores to accept the soap. Cedar is the most porous wood. Do not clean a cold sauna. This will not clean the wood properly.

  2. Sweep

  3. Vacuum

  4. Use warm water with the soap. Read directions on the soap container.

  5. Do not scrub. Use a soft rag.

  6. Apply ashes from the stove to a damp paper towel. This will clean the soot from the stove window.

  7. Use the stove broom to sweep the ashes to the front of the stove. Then empty out the ash pan below into a metal bucket with lid.

  8. Clean windows and vents.

  9. Sweep front porch.

Our Cleaning materials:

  • Wireless Vacuum

  • Sauna soap or Dr. Bronners

  • Rags

  • Glass Cleaner

  • Broom

You are alchemizing with ALTÆR
for yourself, your community, and Earth.

Thank you.

a Steward of ALTÆR