Using fan grills is a great way to save energy and cook your food faster. But, before you buy, make sure you know which type of fan grill is right for you. You can choose from countertop, wall, or stovetop models.

Airflow

Using the proper grill on your fan can help improve performance and reduce fan noise. The trick is finding the right grill for your specific needs. The following test compares a few common designs of fan grill to find out which is the best.

The wire grill is the best overall performer, although it did have a few points where it failed. The mesh grill is also a good choice, especially when placed on the side of your fan. It may be more effective at improving performance than the wire grill, but it is a bit less effective at improving airflow.

The best grill is the one with the least restrictions. A grill with too much raw material can limit airflow. In addition, you may want to consider a design that can be cut into a window panel.

Noise

Whether your fan grill is made from metal or plastic, there are certain factors that can contribute to the level of noise produced by your fan. These include the size and shape of the grill, the amount of raw material that is present, the geometry of the guard openings, and the distance between the fan and the grill.

Mostly, the noise is produced by turbulence. Turbulence occurs when air is not moving fast enough to keep the airflow smooth. Generally, faster airflow will cause more turbulence and hence more noise. Turbulence can also occur when the grill openings are placed close together, causing air to bounce back against the grill.

The size of the fan's intake vent is another factor. Increasing the size of the vent can reduce the static pressure drop across the fan filters, which in turn reduces the speed of the airflow. In addition, all air moving through electronic systems passes through an exhaust vent, so increasing the size of the vent will also reduce the amount of noise.

Mounting

Generally, the fan grill encloses all sides of the heat exchanger. The outer ring is dimensionally structured to provide greater airflow and diffusion. The inner ring is dimensionally structured to establish a clearance between the fan blade tip and the outer ring. This allows for tighter blade spacing, improved safety, and an efficient package. In addition, the improved fan grill construction results in an increased NEMA CFM.

The molded plastic grill does not require welding, painting, or other maintenance, which means it is inexpensive to produce. It also allows for easy design variation. Aside from providing a cover for mounted fans, the grill also serves as a cover for mounted cables.

Testing

Buying a fan grill can be a daunting task. The number of grills on the market is virtually limitless, but which one is the best? What type of grill will provide the best performance and noise reduction, and which one is a waste of money? Fortunately, we did the legwork and tested the top-rated fan grills for ourselves. Here's what we found.

First, the best and most expensive grill is the one that gets the best performance and the lowest noise. It's also the easiest to install. Some grills can be stamped directly onto the chassis, while others require cutting into window panels. Lastly, the fan grills that are the best for performance are those with the least obstructions.