Last updated on December 3rd, 2024
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I started testing stove fans around 6 years ago and in that time have been able to test quite a few of the best stove fans at varying price ranges. At first, I thought they weren’t much difference between them. However, after trying a few different models for longer periods of time it became clear that they do in fact make a difference, some more than others and it all comes down to the design of the blades.
Firstly, let me just clear up something that is often misunderstood. Stove fans don’t blow air as a standard cooling fan does. This would just blow air outwards in front of the fire. How a stove fan works is by creating a smooth airflow around the room or in my case, around my living room and kitchen as it’s open plan. This gives a more consistent temperature around the whole room and makes your stove much more efficient.
In terms of which I think is the best, my top recommended stove fan is the Valiant Premium IV 4-Blade Heat Powered Stove Fan. This model has all the features that you need to efficiently take advantage of the heat your stove produces. It starts its operation at the lowest temperature of all the models I tested and it seems to create the best airflow keeping a more consistent room temperature. Quality-wise, you can’t get much better either, you may pay a little more for this model but I think it’s worth investing that little more for.
Best Pick
Having trouble lighting your stove? Check out my review on the best firefighters here, where I’ve tested 4 different firelighters
The best wood burning stove fans:
- Valiant Premium IV 4-Blade Stove Fan – MY BEST PICK (The one I now use personally)
- Valiant FIR350 Remora Magnetic Flue Pipe Heat Powered Stove Fan – RUNNER-UP
- Voda 6 Blades Heat Powered Stove Fan
- VonHaus XL 4 Blade Stove Fan
- Caframo Ecofan 810 Ultra Airstove Fan
My Log Burning Stove Fan Review
My review looks at the best and most popular stove fans currently on the market for the winter of 2021, 2033 and going into 2023. I list the features of each model (all very similar to be honest) and explain what it is about them that makes them important and useful.
I don’t just reel off a list of stove fans. My Buyer’s Guide further down discusses what to look for in a stove fan depending on the shape of the room too and my FAQ answers some of the common questions about these types of fans.
1. Valiant Premium IV 4-Blade Stove Fan Review
Best Pick – The model I use on my own Burley log burning stove as pictured below
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The Valiant Premium 4 Blade stove fan is a popular choice and well-reviewed stove top fan on Amazon and other online retailers sites. This is why I decided it should be one of the models I try and do some real testing myself to see if it was as good as all the reviews made out. If worth noting stove fans can also be used on multi-fuel stoves too.
So I’ll get straight to the point, I feel it is probably the best stove fan currently available. Mine is still working after nearly 3 years and I feel a lot of the alternative models out there have just tried to copy this model but without success. I feel this is because they don’t really know how they work in terms of creating an airflow that circulates air. I think they’re simply trying to copy the design which is obviously easier said than done.
See the Valiant stove fan working in the video below
I have no way to test this myself but the manufacturer claims that it produces as much as 70% more airflow, at 128 cubic metres per minute. What I will say is that it certainly feels like it does a better job than some of the other models I have tried, so I have no reason to doubt this. To be transparent, I’ve tested about 4 or 5 models on my stove now, some borrowed some purchased myself.
Anyway back to this Valliant model, they achieve this by ‘using an advanced, innovative, unique radiating fin’ that drastically increases the efficiency of this fan. I have said this once, maybe twice but I’ll say it again. What you need to understand is that many models just copy other models, no testing done but Valliant is different, they test the CFM and lots of other things to design the best models, this is their business, this is what they specialise in. This is why they are always ahead of the game when it comes to stove fan designs, effectiveness and reliability, I really do believe that.
So in terms of performance, the fan kicks in at a minimum temperature of 50°C, which is lower than most other models, not much lower but it is lower. In reality, I don’t think this makes much difference as the other models would also kick in within a minute or two anyway, but it is worth noting.
Its optimum operating range is from 80°C to 250°C which is pretty standard. As with most other fans, the blades of this model spin faster the hotter the stove becomes.
Now, this next feature is something worth noting, the fan has a safety feature that cuts it out when the maximum air temperature is reached. What it actually does is raise itself up slightly from the surface of the stove automatically, it is features like this that most other models are unable to replicate. It basically stops the motor overheating if the stove gets too hot, but if you run your stove efficiently, this feature shouldn’t ever be needed but it is a nice feature to have just in case.
So, how all these stove fans work is the base of the fan conducts the heat from the stovetop and converts it to electricity, this is what powers the blades.
This model comes with a 2-year warranty for parts and labour, and that’s double the length of most of the warranties available from other brands so thats something to consider when choosing one.
Pros
- Starts working at a minimum temperature of 50°C.
- Optimum working temperature range is 80°C to 250°C to keep your surroundings cosy.
- Circulates air at 128m3/min to ensure your environment continually receives warm air.
- Integral protection system stops the fan overheating so you don’t worry about that.
- Four-blade fan made of anodised aluminium in a satin black finish to suit any stove style.
- Doesn’t need external power such as batteries or electric supply so it’s entirely self-sufficient.
- Dimensions including blades: 17.8cm (width), 10.2cm (depth) and 20.3cm (height).
- Two-year warranty for materials and workmanship.
Cons
- Needs a flat-top stove.
Our recommendation
The Valiant Premium IV 4-Blade Stove Fan is the one stove fan I would recommend to anyone. It’s been reliable and even after a few years, it is still going strong. I think it ticks two very important boxes when it comes to stove fans.
One, it’s very effective and actually does circulate the warm air around the room. It gives a nice consistent temperature around my living room and kitchen. Without the stove fan, the area in front of the fire was always really warm and whereas the edges of the room always feels cooler and the kitchen felt cold.
With the stove fan, the living room feels warm throughout and even the kitchen does too. To give you more of a perspective, my living room and kitchen combined create an L-shape, half in the living room with the fire in and the other half in the kitchen.
If I had to recommend just one stove fan, then it would have to be the Valiant Premium IV 4-Blade Stove Fan. I would say don’t be tempted by cheap copies, they are just not up to the job in most cases, this fan is the real deal.
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If you have issues with blackened glass, check out my guide on how to clean stove glass here, all you need is ash and newspaper and its super effective
Read next: Best stove gloves for operating a wood-burning stove
2. Valiant FIR350 Remora Magnetic Flue Pipe Heat Powered Stove Fan
Buy from Amazon.co.uk
The Valiant Remora Magnetic Flue Pipe Stove Fan is based on the design of the Valiant Premium IV, my Best Pick. But, the Remora Magnetic model is just as it says, a four-blade stove fan with a strong magnetic clamp that fits onto your flue pipe instead of sitting flat on the stovetop.
This makes it perfect for stoves with sloping, irregular surfaces or simply where you don’t have sufficient space above your stove. It is also suitable for flat-top stoves that just don’t come up to a high enough temperature (cool tops).
Assembling this fan is straightforward. Attach the blade part to the magnetic clamp and then attach the clamp to the flue pipe. Your flue pipe needs to have a 10cm to 18cm diameter for the clamp to securely hold on but this is a pretty standard flue pipe size.
Also check that your flue pipe has magnetic properties by using a fridge magnet to check if the pipe’s magnetic. This magnetic stove fan just won’t work on stainless steel pipes or those with double walls.
Speaking of starting, this stove fan takes a shorter time to start than many other models. The Valiant FIR350 begins operating once the stove temperature hits around 50°C. Many other stove fans start operating at 60°C to 65°C. Once it springs into action, the fan picks up speed as the temperature rises, just like my best pick stove fan does. When it comes to the optimum temperature range, this FIR350 fan operates properly once the flue gets between 80°C and 250°C.
The fan’s maximum temperature tolerance is 340°C and you can always raise the fan further up the flue pipe if the bottom of the pipe gets hotter than this (make sure you do this after it’s cooled!). Another major plus is that this Remora Magnetic Flue Stove Fan comes with a two-year warranty. As already mentioned in this review, many other brands offer a standard one-year warranty, so the extra coverage is really a bonus just in case your fan fails.
Pros
- Strong magnetic clamp that attaches to the stove’s flue pipe so you don’t need to have a stove with a flat top.
- Fan operates properly once the flue gets between 80°C and 250°C.
- Anodised aluminium with a satin black finish to suit most decors.
- Easy to assemble as you just connect the blade section to the clamp.
- Almost silent so no whirring noise to irritate you.
- Starts when the stove temperature is as low as 50°C so you won’t remain cold for long.
- 2 year warranty for full peace of mind.
Cons
- Limited to flue pipes 10cm to 18cm.
- Flue pipe needs to have magnetic properties.
Our recommendation
There’s as much to like in the Valiant FIR350 Remora Magnetic Flue Pipe Stove Fan as there is in my Best Pick, and more if your stovetop is irregular or a cool top. Its ability to magnetically cling to the flue pipe without any clamps solves many people’s problems who couldn’t use a stove fan before.
It’s the best model I found with this feature. I like the high-temperature tolerance of this stove fan (340°C) and the clamp itself can withstand up to 400°C. It starts running at low temperatures and the fans operate virtually silently.
The Valiant Remora Magnetic Flue Pipe Stove Fan is my Best, and only, selection for Flue Attached model. It has all the features that my stovetop Best Pick has plus the added ability to let people who have a cool top stove or just a non-level/irregular stovetop benefit from warm air circulating in their interior environment.
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Read next: 10 Essential Wood Burning Stove Accessories & Recommendations
Don’t forget to check out our top recommended firewood storage racks, some even include accessories
3. Voda 6 Blades Heat Powered Stove Fan
Buy from Amazon.co.uk
The Voda 6 Blades Heat Powered Stove Fan may be equipped with six blades but it’s just as quiet as the single three-bladed models. Many stove users consider the four-blade models the best choice for large rooms, but this 6-bladed stove fan takes performance to the next level: it distributes 6 cubic metres of air per minute. When compared with a three-blade circulation device, the 6 Blades Stove Fan increases heat distribution by 90%. There’s a general agreement amongst online reviewers that this model puts out more power than a three-blade model but there is some disagreement as to whether it is as powerful as a four-blade fan, which has larger blades. This is why I still think the 4 blade model I use is probably better.
Where it really helps though is that because the fan is not that tall, around 12.5cm, you only need 13cm clearance above the stove to use this fan. This compact model is perfect for those who have limited space above the stove, a significant advantage as many three and four-blade models are taller. This is really why I recommend this model in my review.
Both the blades and base of this stove fan are constructed from premium anodised aluminium, making the fan highly resistant to rust and corrosion. The fan begins to operate when the base reaches 65°C. The optimum operating range is a respectable 85°C to 350°C. The six-blade design provides impressively high power, offering twice the power of regular three-blade stove fans.
Thanks to a bi-metallic strip at the base of the fan, the edge of the fan will lift slightly when the maximum operating temperature is approached in order to prevent overheating and damaging the fan, this is something our best pick also features too.
Pros
- Premium anodised aluminium is rust and corrosion resistant, and durable for a long service life.
- Six-blades in the fan provide double the circulation power of a three-bladed model.
- Normal operating range is 85°C to 350°C with starting temperature of 65°C.
- Height is less than 13cm, so it fits into a low overhang above the stove.
- Powered by heat of the stove so it doesn’t need batteries or an electric outlet.
- Safety mechanism to slightly lift the fan off the stove when the maximum stove temperature is reached.
- Dimensions: 25cm (width), 12.5cm (depth) and 12.5cm (height).
Cons
- Needs a level surface to stand on.
- Vibrates noisily on some speeds.
- Handle not at centre of gravity.
Our recommendation
The Voda 6 Blades Heat Powered Stove Fan is certainly a powerful little stove fan that is designed to fit into small spaces. It certainly suits those who don’t have much clearance above the stove. Whilst its six blades (in two sets of three) result in a relatively wider design, this stove fan still fits on most freestanding stove styles, so you shouldn’t have any problems installing it on an average-sized or small stove. Some online reviewers say that this fan is noisy at some speeds/stove temperatures but others are okay with the sound level coming from it.
The Voda 6 Blades Heat Powered Stove Fan is a relatively powerful fan that is designed for a small space. Although it’s quite wide, it doesn’t need much headroom. This model is great if your stove is in an awkward place, perhaps in a fireplace without much overhead room.
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Read next: Get ready for summer with the best bladeless fan
4. VonHaus XL 4 Blade Stove Fan
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VonHaus is a well-regarded name in the home improvement field but they are certainly not experts in stove fans like Valiant are. Still, they have an effective heat distributing model in the VonHaus XL 4 Blade Stove Fan, which is for those with the space for a larger stove fan but is perhaps looking for a model that is a little more affordable.
As with the other fans I reviewed, this VonHaus model is self-powered and doesn’t require any batteries or electricity. Instead, a thermoelectric power generator module works with the heat from the stove to generate an electric current to start the fan’s motor. The stove fan works automatically between 50°C and 350°C.
This stove fan is pretty quiet and won’t distract you whilst watching TV, reading a book or chatting with someone.
The carry handles enable hassle-free portability. This is a useful feature on this extra-large fan. Finally, this product is covered by a two-year warranty which is in line with the Valiant stove fans.
Pros
- Four blade black anodised aluminium construction has both strength and durability.
- Air circulation rate of 4.5m3/min to 5.3m3/min to heat a large area quickly.
- Best operating range is 50°C to 350°C so your room is never very cold.
- Self-regulating design adjusts according to the temperature of the room so you remain at a comfortable temperature.
- No power source required, except for the stove itself.
- Carry handles make transporting this fan safe and easy.
- Dimensions: 22.5cm (height), 9cm (depth) and 19cm (width).
- Two-year warranty is amongst the best guarantees offered by any brand.
Our recommendation
The VonHaus XL 4 Blade Stove Fan stove fan really works (as stated) and is a great choice for those who have the space for a larger stove fan.
The model is well made and makes a huge difference in heat distribution. The fan takes a short while to start after you light your log burner and it will even keep working long after the fire goes out. The starting temperature is 50°C which is the coolest that any stove fan starts at.
If you have a large space to heat and are not too limited in the size of your stovetop, the VonHaus XL 4 Blade Stove Fan has the features to keep your rooms warm and comfortable to be in.
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5. Caframo Ecofan 810 Ultra Airstove Fan
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My final pick is the Caframo 810 which is made by a company in Canada called Ecofan. I can report that Ecofan has made an excellent stove fan that highlights that they’ve been making fans for cold climates for over a decade. The many positive reviews on Amazon UK, further confirm this but this is not a model I have tested but have done lots of research on.
The Caframo 810 works in the same way as many other stove fan models, by using the thermoelectric process. This converts the heat from the stove and cooler air from above to electricity which then powers the small fan. The fan is made from anodised aluminium, which means it is very strong and will not rust. The bi-metal strips on the base ensure the fan does not overheat, a common problem with cheaper models as previously mentioned. Basically, it has all the top features and from other reviews, I have read online, a premium build quality.
This fan is for use on wood and gas stoves. The operating range of this fan is 100°C to 345°C. This version means that your stove has to be pretty warm for the air to start circulating. What I did discover is this model is a good choice for longer, more rectangular-shaped rooms because of the two-bladed design.
Pros
- Ideal for large retangular rooms.
- Two blade compact stove fan in black anodised aluminium is tall and thin on your stove.
- Moves up to 3.5m3/min of air for excellent circulation of warmth in your space.
- Heat powered; your stove’s heat is all the power that it uses.
- Optimum operating range is in doubt: 100°C to 345°C.
- Two-year warranty is up there with the best brands.
- Dimensions: 12.7cm (width), 7.6cm (depth) and 22.9cm (height).
Cons
- Starting temperature may be higher than other models.
My thoughts
The Caframo Ecofan 810 Ultra Airstove Fan is not inexpensive, but it has impressed quite a few reviewers online. It has two blades and can heat a room up to 22m2 but it’s better suited to large rectangular rooms. This fan, from what I can tell is well built and constructed from high-quality aluminium.
If you have a smaller area to heat and want a small yet durable fan or have a more rectangular and long room, the Caframo Ecofan 810 Ultra Airstove Fan is definitely worth considering.
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Stove Fan Buyer’s Guide
The stove fans in our review have remarkably similar features, though I have identified what makes each of them unique in their individual reviews. My FAQs (see below) answer some of the most asked questions which also highlight some considerations for using the stove fan.
In my Buyer’s Guide, I look at some issues to consider when making your purchase decision.
Do you have cool touch stove top?
In the old days, if you didn’t have a flat stove top that conducted heat, your reading would end here as there wouldn’t have been a stovetop fan for you.
Fortunately, I review the Valiant FIR350 Remora Magnetic Flue Pipe Heat Powered Stove Fan. This stove fan has a strong magnetic clasp with which it can cling to the flue pipe.
You can have an irregular, sloping or cool-touch stovetop and still have a fan. That is, as long as your flue pipe has a diameter of between 10cm and 18cm, is not double-walled and is made of metal to which magnets can cling.
How much space above your stove
There should also be enough space above the stove for your stove fan to stand up into. The fans in our review are of a variety of sizes but usually about 19cm to 21cm tall. The Voda 6 Blades Heat Powered Stove Fan is wide but short at 13cm and is a good choice if your stove has limited headroom.
Space on your stove
As with their height (and headroom needed), the models of fans I review each have a different footprint. If the surface area on the top of your stove is limited, look for a more compact model. The Caframo Ecofan 810 Ultra Airstove Fan has the smallest footprint of the models I review, but it has only two blades.
Does the number of blades on a stove fan make a difference?
I review stove fans ranging from two to six blades. I found that more blades don’t necessarily translate into a proportionally larger amount of power or air circulation flow. It’s better to check out the size of the blades and the air circulation number (m3/minute of airflow) along with the number of blades.
What starting tempature do stove fans start at?
Heat sensitivity refers to the range between the starting temperature and maximum temperature in which the fan operates. Ideally, you want a low starting temperature so that the fan starts moving the heat around the room sooner.
Most stove fans will start to work at around 50° to 65°C, while the maximum temperature is usually around 340°C. Many stove fans give an optimum operating range that starts 25°C or so higher than the starting temperature.
How long is the warranty that the stove fan comes with?
I don’t write much about warranty and price in our Buyer’s Guides. The longer the warranty, the better. But always check the fine print to see if you have to register the product online to get an extended warranty or if you have to keep an official record of regular maintenance. And the price is entirely up to your budget and how you want to balance cost, features and quality. Cost-wise, I have found that over the last 5 years since I started testing stove fans, the price has come down significantly.
You can check the warranty information for the Valiant stove fans here
FAQs
Why don’t you need batteries or electricity for stove fans?
Stove fans don’t need batteries or plugging into a plug socket to work – they’re powered by the heat from the stove.
When you place a stove fan on the flat top of a wood-burning stove, the heat from the stove is conducted to the base of the fan and then up to the underside of the Peltier device in the fan unit.
The Peltier device generates electricity by having one side hot and the other side cooler. This difference in temperature creates a difference in potential, a voltage in the circuit and powers the motor which drives the fan. The lowest temperature that fans can start at is 50°C, although some in our review need 65°C of heat to create a voltage to start to operate.
Where is the best place to put the stove fan?
As stove fans need hot and cool air to operate and generate electricity, they need to be positioned near the side and towards the back of the stove. This is so cool air can be drawn in from the back of the stove and over the cooling fins on top of the fan. It’s important that you do not place the fan in front of the flue pipe or towards the front of the stove as the air in these places is too warm to create the temperature difference needed in the Peltier device.
The Valiant FIR350 Remora Magnetic Flue Pipe Heat Powered Stove Fan which attaches to the flue pipe also needs to have access to cool air. Don’t place this at the bottom of the pipe near the stovetop, but move it a little way up the pipe. You may need to experiment with the distance as the fan still needs to be near the hot spots of the pipe.
How do stove fan work?
Stove fans are designed to create a gentle airflow around the room so that the room will feel more evenly heated instead of being hot near the fire and colder the further away you move.
Stove fans do not work in the same way as cold fans by blowing gusts of air. They instead create a consistent airflow moment which you probably do not feel, but you notice that the room is much more evenly heated. This also means the room heats up in a fraction of the time it would take when not using a stove fan.
Can you use a stove fan if you don’t have a flap stove top?
Most stove fans need to sit on a flat stovetop that gets hot. So what do you do if you have a sloped top, an irregular surface or a cool surface top that doesn’t get hot?
I review one model that magnetically clings to the flue pipe (as long as it’s from a metal to which magnets can attach too). The Valiant FIR350 Remora Magnetic Flue Pipe Heat Powered Stove Fan has all the features of my Best Pick but has a strong magnetic clasp with which to cling to the flue pipe.
Can a stove fan get too hot?
If a stovetop gets too hot it can actually damage the stove fan and void the warranty. I recommend you use a stove-top thermometer to monitor the temperature of the stove. Most stove fans have a maximum temperature that they can handle which is usually around 350°C.
However, most good stove fans have a built-in overheating protector (in the form of a bi-metal strip) that lifts the stove fan up slightly from the surface of the stove to help reduce the risk of damaging the stove fan. I recommend removing and repositioning the stove fan later if it gets too hot. Always check the maximum temperature of your model before using it and use a stove-top thermometer.
Final Conclusion
Undoubtedly, stove fans efficiently and effectively distribute the heat that your stove produces throughout your living space. You and your home will feel warmer for longer on the wood that you burn and you save on your electric or gas heating bills. All of the stove fans I review will do the job; it’s more a matter of which one fits in with your stove and living arrangements.
My Best Pick is the Valiant Premium IV 4-Blade Stove Fan. This fan has all the features you need to work with your stove to keep your home warm at an affordable price and with style and quality. However, you need to have a stove with a flat top that conducts the heat to use this fan.
My Runner-up is also our selection for the best fan that fits on your flue pipe. The Valiant FIR350 Remora Magnetic Flue Pipe Stove Fan has all the features of my Best Pick but clings onto your flue pipe.
If your stovetop is uneven, sloped or doesn’t get warm, this model lets you have a stove fan the same as everyone else!
If stove fans have got you thinking about what else your stove may need, go over to my Essential Wood Burning Stove Accessories reviews for my recommendations.
Last update on 2024-12-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
