Why does some steam in a sauna feel harsher than other steam?

[DTQ]

TL;DR Summary

Same temp & pressure but very different feeling.

The steam in some saunas feels much harsher, hotter, burning or 'biting' than in other saunas. The sauna temp is the same at 90°c, pressure is the same or very similar. The amount and temp of water used is the same or similar.

The only obvious difference is that the with the harsher feeling steam some or all of the steam is created from water on steel while in the more comfortable or gentle saunas it is created almost exclusively from water on stones.

I assume the temp of the steam itself is the same, ≈100°c, given the same atmospheric pressure?

Could it be that the steel produces steam much faster than the stones to there's a more sudden or quick burst of steam than with that created by stones?

Other?

Here's a chart of steam creation from stones:

Thanks all,

 

[Baluncore]

Welcome to PF.

Steam is water saturated, but air within the sauna can be less than 100% relative humidity, because it has been heated without the addition of water. Maybe you are sensing the hot, dry air as being harsh because it dries out your body when you breathe it in.