Best Wood Stove Fans

A wood stove fan operates like most fans - air is forced from the front of the fan out from back as the blades move. Wood stove fans are powered by the heat from the stove's surface and do not need any electrical energy to work.

Wood stove fans are normally sold as a single device with no loose pieces. A wood stove fan is frequently ready to use right out the box.

This article will discuss the best wood stove fans on the market to help you choose the best one for your home.

What Does A Wood Stove Fan Do?

A wood stove fan's job is to help distribute heat generated by the stove more evenly around the room.

A fan can reduce hot air from becoming retained around the stove and on the ceiling by creating a warmer environment closer to the floor level as heat rises.

The heat from a wood stove can easily rise upward and become contained just at top of the room if there isn't a fan.

Many wood stoves are installed in pre existing fireplaces or alcoves, meaning that warm air can become trapped and not circulate around the room.

This heat may be blasted around the room before rising to the ceiling with a wood stove fan, allowing you to get the most out of your wood burning stove's heat.

How Does A Wood Stove Fan Work?

A Peltier gadget creates electricity that fuels the motor that powers the fan blades in a wood burning stove fan. 

A Peltier can produce a voltage by measuring the temperature differential between two objects. The Peltier device separates the bottom portion of the fan from the upper portion of the fan in a wood stove.

Heat drives the fans on wood stoves fans. The heat from a wood stove is carried through the lower half of a wood burning stove fan, which generates electricity due to the temperature difference with the upper half.

Because wood stove fans do not have a designated electricity supply (no power cord or outlet), they are self-sufficient and depend on the electrical motor to drive the fan blades to generate the necessary electricity.

If a wood burning stove fan is positioned on top of a stove and a fire is lit, the heat is absorbed by the stove's body and distributed towards the lower part of the fan via conduction whenever the fan is placed on the stove's surface.

This is why most stove fan makers recommend placing the fan on a smooth, flat surface to ensure optimal heat distribution from the stove to the fan. As a result, wires will protrude from this Peltier device on a wood burning stove fan.

Wood Stove Fan Temperature Ranges

Wood stove fans can usually only operate within a limited temperature range, and the warmer the stove is running, the more air the fan can typically distribute.

Our stove fans, for example, are rated for temperatures between 175 and 650 degrees Fahrenheit (80 and 345 degrees Celsius). Until the stove reaches a specified temperature, the fan will not switch on.

The fan can be damaged if the burner is operating too hot. Fans usually include a built-in safety feature at the bottom that raises the fan lightly off of the stove and cools it down when the temperature becomes too high.

Where To Install A Wood Stove Fan

Wood stove fans can be installed on a smooth and flat surface just atop of a wood stove, near the back. The fan should be set towards the rear of the stove and to the side of the stovepipe with the flue protruding out the top.

The majority of wood stove fan suppliers recommend placing fans rear of the stove rather than near the front.

They'll also suggest that the fan be positioned on a smooth surface so the heat may be absorbed more effectively.

A stove fan should not be put at the front of a stovepipe and should really be situated as far away from it as feasible. If the manufacturer suggests an alternative location for your fan, always follow their advice.

Should I Use A Wood Stove Fan? 

A fan isn't always necessary when using a wood stove, but it may help make your space feel warmer in cases where the wood stove isn't putting out as much heat as it should.

Whether or not you could use a fan for your wood burning stove is determined by your situation, stove, and arrangement.

A fan might not be necessary for new, more powerful wood stove types that can transmit large amounts of heat to the room efficiently, and employing a fan might only make a minor difference in the heat you can feel.

A wood stove fan can make you feel the heat more efficiently in a single room heating situation.

A regular stove fan may not be enough to move the air about the home for whole-house heating, thus a floor fan or other ways may be more suited.

When a wood burning stove is sunken into the wall, positioned inside an alcove or preexisting fireplace, and the stove isn't as effective as more contemporary stoves at distributing heat further into the room at floor level, a wood stove fan may be worth it.

Wood stove fans could be a useful accessory in instances when the stove's heat output is limited, either due to poor positioning of the stove in the room or due to the stove's age and efficiency being old and poor, respectively.

If you’ve decided that a wood stove fan is right for your setup, keep reading to learn about the top 6 wood stove fans we have identified.

Ecofan UltrAir 810CABBX

The Ecofan UltrAir 810CABBX is top of our list because of its distinctive, scientifically-proven design. It is small yet highly effective. It will evenly distribute heat across the entire space.

It is suitable for rooms up to 240 square feet and can heat the space 31% faster than standard fans. The fan is made of extremely durable metal. Its glossy surface provides it a rich look that can go with almost any interior design style.

Pros

• Functionality - The fan's ability to signal speed and whether the stove is burning effectively or not is the most intriguing aspect. Whenever the stove cools, it will slow down, signalling that you should add more wood.
• Quiet operation - In comparison to others in its range, it is quite quiet. Because of the air movement, it only generates a gentle whisper.

Cons

• Not suitable for large spaces - Medium size, suitable for spaces measuring up around 240 sq ft, which may not be suitable for rooms that are larger than this, however is completely adequate for most purposes.

Voda 4-Blade Wood Stove Fan

This is the greatest option for free-standing stoves. It isn't the cheapest stove fan on the market, but it ensures consistent hot air movement.

It works with almost all types of stoves, including coal and wood-burning stoves, as well as pellet and gas.

The fan features a unique and long-lasting design. It's made of aluminium and has four blades that are designed to circulate air efficiently.

The Vova 4-blade is enviromentally friendly and super quiet, much like all other heat-powered stove fans. It is incredibly cost-effective because it does not utilise batteries or electricity.

Pros

• Powerful warming - The fan has a powerful 240 CFM, this means it can quickly warm up any room. It actually circulates 2.2x more air than traditional fans. It also has a large operating temperature range, ranging from 185 to 660 degrees Fahrenheit.
• One-year warranty - This fan is a good buy because it comes with a one-year warranty. You won't have to delve deeper into your wallet to get superb build quality and a system that keeps your home warm all year.

Cons

• Manual hand spin required - Before the fan is fueled by the warmth from your stove, it requires a small kick start with a manual hand spin.

Ecofan AirMax 812AMXBX

This is another Ecofan treasure, with the broadest operating temperature range. It also has a strong CFM output of 175, allowing it to warm up a broad area. This is one of the biggest stove fans available, yet it can be used in any size room.

Because of its sturdy aluminium construction, the fan is both lightweight and durable. It is cost-effective because it is powered by a thermoelectric unit. It also boasts a silent motor that helps customers save upwards of 18 percent on fuel.

Pros

• No cold air - This fan’s rotational speed is proportional to the heat generated by the stove. When your stove creates a large amount of heat output, the fan spins faster to distribute the warmth throughout the room, but when the heat level drops, the fan slows down.
• Quiet operation - The fan is cordless and whisper-quiet. It won't bother you if you're using it at nighttime or if you want to watch Television.
• Cost-effective - The quality of this fan is excellent, and it heats up to 38% quicker than ordinary ones. It is inexpensive and requires little to no upkeep. It's made to evenly heat any size room without producing a lot of noise.

Cons

• No color choice - This Ecofan is only available in one color.

GalaFire Stove Fan N429

Another expertly crafted and high-performing wood stove fan which will efficiently warm up your environment. The fan has an 8-blade dual blade mechanism that works wonderfully to bring in and distribute air evenly across your space.

This fan boasts a distinctive design that allows it to fit into tight locations thanks to its extremely long height. It stands out thanks to the magnetic stove thermometer, which indicates whether or not your stove is operating properly.

Pros

• Great temperature range - The fan may be used on any type of fireplace and has a range of temperature spanning 122 degrees F to 662 degrees F. It can also generate a large airflow capable of warming upwards of 125 cu ft. This is a good size for a medium or small room.
• Quiet operation - This fan operates in an extremely quiet manner. The fan effortlessly cuts through heated air without making any distracting noises.
• Lifetime support - For this fan, the manufacturer offers lifetime technical support.
• Comes with a thermometer - This fan also includes a magnetic stove thermometer, which is uncommon in the stove fan market.

Cons

• CFM could be better - The fan's CFM could have been greater due to its double blade arrangement.

Ecofan BelAir 806CAKBX

Because of their unsurpassed quality, here’s another Ecofan model. This model is a small but tough wood stove fan. It works with both pellet and gas stoves.

This is due to its limited operating temperature of 167 to 392 degrees Fahrenheit. A wood burning stove would easily surpass this temperature range, causing the fan to malfunction.

Metal and nickel plates are used to construct the fan. However, for best performance, you will need to upgrade the motor at some stage.

The fan is quite useful for improving the efficiency of your wood stove. It distributes air at a rapid rate and can easily heat an area up to 240 square feet.

Pros

• Energy-efficient - Ultimately, this fan will cut your fuel use by 12%. It is solely powered by heat. You won't need an additional power source because the thermoelectric generator is capable of converting heat to electricity.
• Great durability - Because of the sturdy metal and nickel plated construction, it will last a long time. Even the blades are CE certified.
• Quiet operation - The BelAir, unlike so many other stove fans, does not make a lot of noise. So you can easily use it at night or at times when you’d rather not hear the roar of a noisy fan.

Cons

• More limited use than other fans - Only pellet and gas stoves are compatible with the fan, and the temperature range is not as wide as other models so it may not be suitable for certain setups.
• Motor replacement - The motor will need to be replaced at some point, whereas other models require little to no maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out some of our FAQs before you purchase your new wood stove fan.

What Is The Best Location For A Wood Stove Fan?

The need for adequate room is one of the most important elements to consider when positioning a fan. To improve its power, the fan has to suck colder air out from behind.

The possibility of an inefficient system exists if the back is obstructed or pushed near the walls. You can place the fan near the back of the stove, about 15 cm away; this should enable the fan to efficiently spread warm air around the room.

Can The Wood Stove Fan Get Too Hot?

Yes, it is possible. When the fan gets really hot, it could overheat and cause harm. We advocate using a fan with thermometers to avoid such an occurrence.

This will alert customers whenever the temperature is too high for the fan to handle. Because fans exist in a variety of temperature ranges, it is important to read the model specifications before purchasing one.

What Are The Different Types Of Wood Stove Fans?

Stove fans which are powered by heat are divided into two categories:

Thermoelectric Generator: This device uses the temperature difference between the stove and the fan to generate a small quantity of electrical current that operates the fan.

Stirling Engine: This sort of engine generates no electricity whatsoever, instead relying on the transfer of hot air from a tiny, compressed chamber into a wider space to turn the fan.

The Stirling engine is somewhat more costly, and thermoelectric generators are far more widespread.

What Are The Benefits Of Wood Stove Fans?

The huge boost in the warmth you get from your stove is one of the main benefits a stove fan will provide you with. Having greater heat flow all around the room also means you'll pay less for fuel because the heat is flowing more effectively.

You won't be tempted to add another log to the fire if the room cools down; instead, you'll be able to enjoy a constant temperature throughout the duration of the stove's operation.

You risk losing a lot of the warm air produced by your stove if you don't have a stove fan.

Final Thoughts

Wood stove fans can be a great addition to your home and can help you save a lot of money on energy bills every year.

It’s important to make sure you check out the manufacturer’s website for the fans specifications and any warranty information before you make your purchase, so that you can ensure you’re choosing the right fan for your needs.

Hopefully, this article has helped you decide whether a wood stove fan is the right choice for your home.