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How to Make a Misting Fan

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Written By:

Lawrence Bonk
Updated July 21, 2022

If you are new to the world of indoor cooling appliances, you may want to learn how to make a misting fan. Some of the best fans, after all, can perform double duty as ad-hoc humidifiers. So, how do you even perform this feat, and why use a misting fan in the first place? Keep reading to find out.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • A fan with a misting function is a great way to add cooling moisture throughout your home and reduce the ambient temperature.
  • The process of creating one is rather simple, requiring just a gallon of water, a bucket of ice, and a fan. There is no need to worry about water pressure from a standard garden hose.
  • You can also purchase and use an evaporative cooling device or a swamp cooler for this same purpose. Portable misting fans are also an option.

What is a Misting Fan?

If you have ever tried to make a humidifier with a fan, you have essentially created a misting fan. These fans spray, or mist, moisture as they operate, which comes in handy when deciding on a properly sized fan for a patio. These fans come in many shapes and sizes and can help cool rooms in addition to assisting with airflow, even if you are conducting a Maxx Air Wall mount fan review.

Insider Tip

You can also purchase evaporative coolers that work using a similar functionality.

Here are the steps to create a simple misting fan out of some easily accessible components, though these steps won’t help you learn how to oil a ceiling fan.

How to Create a Misting Fan

This process is rather simple and appropriate for DIYers and experts alike.

  • Difficulty: Simple
  • Time Required: 5 to 10 minutes
  • Tools: Bucket 
  • Steps: 3

STEP 1 Freeze the Ice

  1. Fill a large bucket with water and place it in your freezer overnight or at least three or four hours until it freezes totally solid.
  2. You are going for a large surface area here, so bigger buckets are better for this purpose.

STEP 2 Place the Ice and Fan

  1. Take the bucket of ice out of the freezer.
  2. Fold a thick sheet of cardboard several times and place it under the bucket so that the ice tilts forward. You can also use a wedge for this task.
  3. Place a fan in front of the ice, adjusting so that the fan blows over the ice and not the bucket.

STEP 3 Strain Excess Water

  1. Thanks to the fan and ice, you should now have a steady stream of mist.
  2. Once a good chunk of the ice has melted, pour out the water or set it aside to be refrozen.
  3. Don’t let too much water accumulate, as this diminishes the misting feature.
  4. On average, a gallon of frozen water gets you two hours of mist on a hot summer day.

STAT: The science of thermodynamics identifies three ways in which your body can lose heat, or cool off: conduction, evaporation, and convection. Misting fans make use of all three methods. (source)

Misting Fan FAQs

How does a mist fan work?

Mist fans work in many ways, as some require a spray nozzle and a standard garden hose. The general idea is that the fan blows air over ice, which turns into mist.

How effective are they at cooling?

Mist fans are fairly effective at cooling the air temperature and body temperature, as ice turns to cold water, which then turns to mist. However, they pale when compared to air conditioners.

How to clean a Lasko tower fan?

Use a clean water supply and clean the blades first. Next, clean any other components, such as the pivoting head. Generally speaking, tower fans are easy to clean.
Lawrence Bonk Profile image
Lawrence Bonk
Lawrence Bonk is a copywriter with a decade of experience in the tech space, with columns appearing in Engadget, Huffington Post and CBS, among others. He has a cat named Cinnamon.