Best Heat Powered Stovetop Fans

[upthecrik]

Hi all,
I’ve been shopping around for one of those little heat powered fans. Per usual, all of the brands claim theirs move more CFM’s than all the other brands and the reviews from buyers at places like Amazon seem like they’re all over the map as well.

Soooooo ... I figured I’d ask the experts.
Anyone on here have an opinion? And if so, could you include the CFM rating?

Thank you!

 

[EatenByLimestone]

I don't know that a cfm number would be accurate. The Stirling engine powered fan works off the difference in temperature between the sides. If that became the selling point, they'd test with a stove that was overfiring and have a block of dry ice on top. Not very realistic for real world use.

 

[firefighterjake]

Are you looking to move the warm air around the house . . . or an interesting, decorative piece on top of the stove?

Some folks say the little fan works OK . . . but I would say most folks who want to move the heated air around the home use an electric fan placed on the floor, aimed towards the stove to set up a convection loop with cool air being pushed towards the stove, warm air up higher near the stove is displaced and moves outward until it cools and falls and the process is repeated.

 

[Sawset]

A wood stove can put out say 30,000Btu/hr.
That is the equivalent of around 9000 watts.
It’s a significant power source. Some of which is used to “passively” move air.
(just try pushing warm air down stairs and you'll find out how "passive" it is)

"The Ecofan AirMax Model 812 produces it’s own electricity and has a maximum draw down of 1 [one] watt"
(broken link removed)

A ceiling fan on low draws about 50watts.

Math good. Reality bad.

You can’t get something from nothing, no power draw, no air movement.

An incense stick goes a long way to determine air movement in the house. It's surprising how much and how fast that can be with a stove alone as the driver. Placing box fans in strategic places can boost all of that. The stove top fans may help some, but if you’re serious about getting air to move, there are better ways

 

[barnaclebob]

I have a vulcan sterling fan and i dont think it does very much to circulate the air. You can feel it push a little air but i think its mostly overwhelmed by the rising hot air off the stove.

 

[xman23]

If a great novelty, but not much else.