I was in the local TSC the other day and saw one of those self propelled stove top fan dohickies. Anybody have one and how well do they work? My stove is in the basement with a fairly open floor plan. I don't really have a problem heating the upstairs, just always looking at ways to improve what I got.
I looked into it some time ago (there are some discussions already on this forum I believe). They seem to be more of a gimick, but cool ones in that. There is the cheaper peltier (electrical) based one and the more expensive (and cooler & more powerfull) stirling engine based one. Both are not very powerfull though so I did not buy one at the end. There are quite some movies on youtube on them. But in no way they are anywhere near aS effective as a normal (grid tied) fan. But a great conversation piece...
We use this one, works pretty good with how our layout is. Some say it's a gimmick, but I rather use these then have a plug in fan behind the stove like we did when we first moved in
I have two of them on my stove. One is a 2-blade and the other a 3-blade. Had them for over 15 years. One now needs a nudge to get it going. Pricey, but amortized over 15 or 20 years it isn't bad. Really works well. They're dead quiet. I sure like them. If the one dies, I'll replace it for sure.
There is another thread about them as well. Anyone use a Caframo Ecofan? | Firewood Hoarders Club I have one, I know that Stinny has a couple, and there are a few others' comments on that thread, both positive and negative. I really like mine. Greg
I have a three blade one. I use it to blow across the tea kettle of water to help humidity the room a bit better...otherwise for me it's more of a toy....a cool toy....but a toy
In addition to moving air, I find it is an excellent visual indicator of stovetop temperature, that can be seen from across the room. Greg
I installed a ceiling fan in the room with the stove, on low it does more than any fan I tried behind or over the stove. Best part was getting a $200 fan for $40.
That looks pretty cool. Does sound pretty handy for alerting the wife that it's time to clamp down the stove. As far as moving air around goes, in my house I go the other direction. I've found that setting up the fans to return the cold air to the stove is much more effective at drawing the heat to the other side of the house, than trying to push the hot air the other way. That might not be the case for all houses and all floor plans, so it's probably a good idea to test it out and see what works best. Just my .02.
Many moons ago I finally gave in to my wife's want of one. We had it one day and sent it back. For a conversation piece it is okay but it won't move much air. Furthermore, as Shawn stated, if you really want to move the air, move the cool air rather than trying to push warm air into the cooler air. It does sound backward but it works and there is a good reason why it works. In addition, all one needs is a small desktop fan running on the lowest speed moving the cooler air toward the warmer stove room.
Dennis, I currently have an old spare box fan running , blowing OUT from our back unheated bedroom. Despite 30' + from the the warm room, it still works like a charm!! Thanks for the awesome advice
I have a magnetic Rutland thermometer on the stove top to monitor the burn. We have 13' ceilings so the fan gets the heat down where we are, and out to the farthest corners.
I have both, a fan behind the stove (Black n Decker oscillating) and ceiling fans. However, as BW Savage and Shawn have said the key is moving the cool air towards-I have an open floor plan and my great room peak is 23'-I have 2 Hunter Original 90lb cast iron fans on 6'downrods-the one nearest the stove I have drawing down-the one on the far side drawing up-my house is only 1400 sq ft and the loft above has another Hunter Original fan on a 3'downrod blowing down...it is unbelievable even heat-push the cold out towards the heat source where you can and if you can, suck it back up to be pushed down again...did I make sense?
Jet, I had one that was tipped over and fell onto the hearth and knocked a blade or two slightly off balance, it wobbled too hard to stay put after that. Expensive toy that is kinda fragile might be a consideration with 3 young kids.
Cold bedrooms is not a problem for us, two story house with open central stairs, we have to shut the bedroom doors at night and during the day or all our heat goes there. (Too hot to sleep) The stove is in one corner of the house, the other downstairs rooms were cold with the stove cranking. The ceiling fan moves the hot air to those other rooms, even through doorways. Our living room, dining room and kitchen are open, the heat all stayed in the living room before the ceiling fan. The joys of a drafty old colonial with poor insulation. I'm the caretaker, if it was mine it would be much better.
