Hukka Elli: a Finnish soapstone sauna elf with a handle hat
The Hukka Elli is a small sauna elf carved from Finnish soapstone. In Finnish folklore a sauna elf lives in the sauna and watches over the people who bathe there. Elli has a friendly smile and wears a hat shaped like a little handle. It stands just under 3 inches tall and weighs less than half a pound. Hukka carves it in Tuupovaara, Finland, from the same soapstone many sauna stoves are built from, so sauna heat does not bother it.
Set it on top of the stones of your sauna heater, electric or wood burning, and it sits there smiling through every session. It also works as a small massage stone. Let it warm on the stones, lift it off, and wait until it is comfortably warm to the touch. Then press the handle hat into a tight spot on your shoulders, or roll the smooth head over your neck. It comes as one solid piece with nothing to assemble, and it makes an easy gift for anyone with a sauna. Elli is one of six Hukka elves, each with a different hat. Want the one in a bucket hat? See the Hukka Lyyli sauna elf. The Hukka Elli ships free from My Cozy Outdoors with No Sales Tax (except WY) and the full manufacturer warranty.
FAQ
What is the handle hat on the Elli elf?
Elli’s hat is shaped like a small handle, which is the feature that sets her apart in the Hukka family and the reason the page calls it a pressure point reliever: the ridge gives you something to hold while you use the smooth head as a gentle massager on tight neck and shoulder muscles. Warm her on the stones, let her cool to a comfortable temperature and test on your forearm first.
Can a stone figure really sit on the sauna stones?
Yes. Elli is carved from 100 percent authentic Finnish Carelian soapstone, the same kind of stone used for sauna stones and stoves because of its high heat capacity and its ability to withstand harsh environments. Set her on top of the stones as decoration, clear of the heating elements and any air gaps your heater manual asks you to keep open, and she will keep her cheerful smile at any temperature.
How tall is Elli compared with the other elves?
Elli measures 1.77 inches (45 mm) wide and 2.79 inches (71 mm) tall at 0.44 pounds, a hair shorter than Tahvo, Jolle and Sulo at 72 mm and taller than Lyyli at 65 mm and Reiska at 63 mm. Hukka Design lists her at 45 by 71 mm and 0.2 kg, which matches the specification tab. All six share the same footprint, so they line up evenly on the stones.
Is Elli made in Finland?
Yes. The Features tab states the elf is 100 percent authentic Finnish Carelian soapstone made in Tuupovaara, Finland, and Hukka Design’s own listing adds that the stone is natural Karelian soapstone with no chemicals added in manufacture. It is a solid carved piece rather than a cast or coated novelty. Complete the set from our Hukka collection.
How do I clean and look after the elf?
Barely at all. Soapstone is a natural stone that lasts, so a rinse or wipe with plain water whenever you clean the heater stones is enough; avoid detergents and never drop her on a tiled floor. Let her cool before handling after a session, since she holds heat like a sauna stone. Kept on the stones or on a shelf, Elli needs nothing else for years of sessions.