House of Fans is closing its retail location end of this month (Jan. 31, 2015 ish). The new owners of their building have other plans for the building, so all the tenants need to go. The company does plan on continuing to sell its existing stock of NOS Emerson Pryne fan covers. They have a goodly amount of inventory left — a couple of hundred even maybe. They likely will sell in some kind of online fashion — ebay or some such. As soon as they figure it all out — they will call me. I will do an update story.
UPDATE: This was a 2013 story — the fan covers are long gone. Watch ebay…. I will keep this story up for historical reference.
2013 story continues:
Meanwhile, I think it’s always wise to JUMP on this stuff while the bird is in your hand. Which is like NOW. Come on. These beautiful puppies only cost like $35. Hoard yours NOW!
Thanks, Cara, for this tip!
And this was the story the original 2013 story updated:
I love vintage and retro-style exhaust fans — the round kind that you install into the ceiling or on a wall. You can still get these fans from Broan.
The authentic, New Old Stock chrome cover is available from House of Fans. It was made by Emerson/Pryne (navigate to that page on the House of Fans website) — a famous maker back in the day.
It is 12″ wide, costs $35, you need your own knob, and House of Fans told me last week they had lots of stock. Reader Scott says the cover will fit Broan/Nutone fan 504. And he gets major snaps for this hot tip — thanks, Scott!
Also be aware: Check specifications of the various models of fans for guidance on where exactly they and for what usages they are specified to be installed. Also check your local codes.
I asked about the grills and they said that when Emerson Pryne went out of business, House of Fans bought up their stock and so these covers have been sitting around their warehouse for a long time. I did not ask how many they have left.
joyce says
I reused mine from one bathroom to another 1/2 bath that needed a fan. they are so sturdy that it was still working well. transported fine.
Carl says
Another awesome find from Retrorenovation.com and their sharp readers! Our kitchen has no exhaust fan above the stove either, and the window in back of the stove provides some ventilation, but also prevents the installation of a vent hood. Soooo, this is THE perfect solution for our situation, and the chrome grill looks amazing, to boot! Thanks for this!
Kate HM says
This is great information. We look at old houses to buy all of the time here in Connecticut and none of them have fans above the ranges. I was shocked as I think it’s the law where I come from in California. This is a big deal for me since I cook (sauté, fry, braise, etc) all of the time and want a big vintage range/oven or a commercial grade set. I know that it will be hard to find a time capsule with the original 40 inch oven so we know that there will be some remodeling involved.
stacey says
There was an original, painted over, drafty one that I took out of the wall and covered over. Anyone else have drafty issues with these?? I only have a lousy microwave/ range hood now, but it totally useless and a sticky mess that needs to be replaced.
Jay says
Yes please, more of that secret sauce. Ha ha! Anyone contemplating installing a new exhaust fan where none existed should go with the 10″ fan. I had an original to house 8″ thru-the-wall fan which I replaced with similar because I did not want to go to the expense of enlarging the opening; the house is block construction. The larger fan will pull more air and be more effective. When I boil a large pot of water, the moisture from rolling steam tends to collect inside instead of being drawn off.
Scott says
Wow, what timing! The House of Fans package just arrived today. The Emerson covers are simply stunning and mate up perfectly with the all-thread and cap parts that come with Broan 504 fan. I also ordered a few aluminum filters that fit behind the fan cover. Beyond being functional the look of the filters are pure Lost in Space. I can’t wait to get these installed!
One thing I hadn’t thought of is that the cap (the part that screws onto the all-thread which holds the fan cover in place) that comes with the 504 is white plastic and has the Broan logo on it. But no worries, I just called House of Fans again and they have a solution for that too! Although plastic, they have an inexpensive chromed part that can be used instead. Or, if you wanted to get creative you could also paint the 504 cap to match or contrast your interior. Lots of possibilities.
By the way the Broan 504 has been around awhile (I found the best price at Home Depot online) so it’s not going to be quiet like the newer models. In fact 6.5 Scones will probably be a bit like having a Boeing Stratrocruiser in the kitchen but after life with an underpowered fan I wanted super duty this time around. On the plus side the insane 350 CFM (cubic feet per minute) means I should be able to make my Mom’s Salmon Patties recipe anytime without worry. 🙂
Mary Elizabeth says
OK, Scott. I think your wonderful new fan will pull out the fried fishy smell as well as the smoke. But what about sharing the recipe for salmon patties? My mom’s recipe involved mashed potatoes, a fresh egg or powdered egg equivalent, canned salmon, chopped onion, salt, pepper and a dash of Tabasco. I think the recipe came from a post-World War II pamphlet for Crisco, in which all the recipes used at least a half cup of Crisco shortening. The measurements for the rest of the ingredients are forgotten, but I could make these by eye by the time I was 10 years old.
And Pam will have to come up with her secret “sauce” to go with them. 🙂
Summer says
Thank you so much for this post. I just bought my home a few months ago and have a few of the Emerson Pryne Fans in my bathrooms. I was thinking of having them replated..but it is good to know I can get a new motor or cover if needed!!!
Robin, NV says
All this talk about fans (Kate’s bathroom fan and now this) has got me thinking that I don’t have any fans in my house. I guess I’ll have to add this to the list of remodeling projects.
MsKittyMuses says
This story is so timely for us! Our kitchen in our 1955 ranch has no venting what so ever. We’ve been using a box fan in the kitchen window, which has been cumbersome, to say the least.
We had been looking into getting a hood vent, but we have the problem that the house originally had a 40″ stove, so the upper cabinets and decorative shelf over the stove are all that size. We currently have a vintage 36″ GE stove, and since we couldn’t find any 40″ vent hoods, were were going to go with a 36″, and try and figure out a way to deal with the awkward 4″ space left over.
I had originally discounted installing a fan like you’ve posted because we’ve only ever seen them in walls, and the wall with the stove goes directly to an enclosed porch, so no dice there. Now I’m wondering why I was such a doofus to not think of one directly in the ceiling above the stove like you have. It’s such a great solution for us! Thank you so much!
Is it pretty loud, Pam? Not that it matters a great deal, since it will probably still be quieter than a box fan! But it helps to know from someone who uses it.
pam kueber says
Yes, it is somewhat loud. But I don’t use it all that often… only when I really start burning stuff!
MsKittyMuses says
Great, thank you! I’m so excited to do this project now. And I agree with Scott, I never would have figured this out on my own. Retro Renovation saves the day again!
Ann says
Don’t forget the power of re-plating. If you have a metal object that isn’t to your desired finish, I would strongly suggest looking for a local company that offer replating services. They may be able to take your brushed to polished for a small fee. Right now, I’m going back and forth between powder coating or plating for my heater vent and return covers that have seen better days
pam kueber says
Yes – but I find it very hard to believe anyone can match a $35 price tag for that NOS vs. replating!
Gail says
You’re right – I had a piece for my recessed over-sink light (like this https://retrorenovation.com/2008/12/30/a-stash-of-new-old-stock-square-recessed-lights-in-iowa/ – replated and it cost $75 – worth it to me though!
BlueJay says
It can also be more expensive depending on the state you live in; some states have stricter environmental laws which affect the cost of replating. Some states have banned replating altogether, meaning it would need to be sent out. Either buying NOS or replating though is worth it to me, because the base metal is of superior quality than today’s metal.
BlueJay says
House of Fans is the only supplier of parts for Emerson-Pryne fans and hoods, if I’m not mistaken. You can also get replacement motors/parts for these as well through them.
pam kueber says
Yes, they seem like a great resource!
René says
Wow Pam, thanks so much for your speedy reply!