Anyone use a Caframo Ecofan?

I have the exact one pictured, it works fine. I keep it on the back edge of my stove which is cast iron, pointing forward. I does move some air, you can put your hand in front of it and you can feel it. Is it blowing like an electric 120v blower? No, but it does move some air and that's a good thing. It also is pretty cool looking, lots of folks ask me about it and when I pick it up and show there is not wires to plug in they are amazed. So it has some novelty value to it. I can also tell how hot the stove top is from across the room by looking at how fast or slow the fan is spinning.

Great item to ask for as a gift for the holidays! That is how I got mine.

 

LOVE the stove! I probably helped build it

 

I'll bet you make Englanders, huh? I have a #12.

2 Questions on the fans, though:
1- I notice they move different amounts (of cu/ft) of air. Is it better, then, to get the maximum amount of heat moved, or is there a tipping point where too much velocity doesn't disperse heat but cool the heated air?
2- Also, with the Englander, the back shielding comes up over top of the front, I guess so air moves up the hot back between it and the shield then out into the room. In this case, the fan would be trying to blow heated air from the gitgo as well as across the top.

I don't know how many will see this post since the last one was in 2014! There are all kinds of fans, big, small, short, tall... different cu/ft of air movements.
Because the back of my stove does throw the back heat up, would I do better with a short fan right about the level of where that heat exits or better to get a tall one that doesn't blow across the surface of that short stove depth?

 

mike holton hasn't been around much lately, at least not that I noticed. But about the ecofan, I have one on my NC-30, and it works fine. I am not sure the height matter too much.

Velocity doesn't cool the air, and even if it did, that fan wouldn't have nearly enough. Mine stirs the air, but you will not feel it blowing from more than a short distance away.

 

Yup, as bushpilot said... the speed of the fan's air carrying the stove's heated air, won't cool off in the short distance it moves it. Single issue with the Eco fans is the difference in temp between the bottom of the fan's base, and the fins that are cooled by air being drawn in from the back... bigger difference and more fan speed.

 

Here's a clincher question: do they actually make a difference in distributing heat around the room? I've heard yes, no, don't waste your money, works like a charm. I understand the peltier effect and there are lots of different styles of fans out there now. They advertise as moving different cu/ft with the average being about 120. Would the highest speed (somewhere between 150-180) start cooling the air? I have read where people say they don't feel the breeze but notice a difference in the temperature of their living space.
I've also read that you're better off displacing the cold air on the floor with a small electric desk fan which will cause the warm air to circulate better (I understand this concept too) than trying to move warm air which would just cool it down. Quandary, anyone? LOL!

 

The fans move nothing near the CFM stated. Honestly, it is difficult to feel the air movement. That said, I believe it helps move the heat off of the stove surface into the room. Many will disagree, that's OK. Many will say there are more efficient ways to do the job, they are right.

I like my fan, you may not as I believe you are hoping for too much from it. So if you buy one, get it from somewhere you can return it.

Moving air does not cool it. In fact, it actually warms it minutely due to the energy added to it.

 

Yes... is the short answer on "can" the Ecofans make a difference. "If" the fan is running well from the placement being optimal. Then... it "can" push the hot air above the hot stove out into the room. We use 2 of them at our cabin. Fans are in good positions to get the most voltage for the best speed. The air moves nicely out and under our loft area. Our cabin is not very big though... 16' x 22'... and it's only about 10' from the stove to the loft. Without them... staying there in the winter... the heat goes straight up to the roof (no insulation) and cools fast... and the area under the loft is noticeably colder.

bushpilot is right... the air doesn't actually cool off from the push it gets from the fans. However, when air is moved across your skin, it can feel cooler than it really is. Think about hanging your arm out the car window on a 90 degree day... it feels a little cooler in the breeze. I also agree, if you could buy an Ecofan and try it... and then return it if it didn't do what you wanted... great idea.