The reply came shockingly fast. Within minutes, in fact. I couldn’t find the fan’s model number on the box so I emailed Vornado customer service for help, even asking if there was another Vornado model equivalent to the mystery machine I’d bought at BJ’s. Ms. Starr kindly informed me that “All of our Circulator model Numbers start with CR1-.”
Further, she wrote that all stock of the 710 model (CR1-0063-06 on the box) had been sold to BJ’s Wholesale Club. Thus this particular model is only available at BJ’s. Despite the wording of the Epinions listing, I was also advised in no uncertain terms “Vornado have NEVER made a Box fan and never will.” This review is of a whole room air circulator manufactured by Vornado, maker of the world’s “finest whole room circulators.” It may have been shipped in a box, but the 710 is not by any stretch of the imagination a box fan in form or function.

Vornado
Even though the company has been inexistence for sixty years, I’ve never owned a Vornado product until my recent purchase. In addition to their hallmark air circulators, Vornado offers lines of vintage fans, vortex heaters, Zippi fans, heavy-duty shop fans, air purifiers, and air softening humidifiers.
Vornado states that its fan/circulators are engineered to provide whole room circulation through something called “Signature Vortex Circulation.” The swirling currents of air created by the circulators purportedly evens out the cool and warms spots in the room resulting in uniform temperatures throughout. Vornado tells us that that air circulators can be used in winter or summer as winter air destratifiers or air circulating air pumps.
This all sounds wonderful , but despite the persuasive information offered on the Vornado web site, the product packaging, and a review by someone I’ll call dianapunions, I still wasn’t totally convinced. Is all this talk of moving air and vortex action, so much mumbo jumbo or smoke and mirrors parlor trick? I was about to learn the answer firsthand.

The 710

He’s a handsome little guy, short in stature being only 16 inches tall and 16 inches wide on his stylish tubular metal stand. The blade assembly itself is only about 12 inches wide. Although the fan is capable of rotating 360 degrees on its stand, there’s no practicality in actually doing this because of the fan’s cord and the silliness of positioning the fan due south. It is easy to position the fan, however, and like an obedient puppy it stays put. The 710 has three speeds controlled by a knob on the back of the fan. It has no carrying handle, but a recess design on its black, plastic frame, can serve as a handy carrying mechanism.
Save for its distinctive Vornado faceplate, the 710 is entirely black, from its rugged looking frame, to its blades and bolts. Two large knobs can be removed to detach the fan body from its supporting frame.

Removing the grill for cleaning purposes can be a tedious procedure involving multiple grill clips and a flathead screwdriver. The blade itself can be removed (an uncommon need) by pulling it straight out from the shaft. Vornado advises the owner not to use a hammer for this procedure because “it could result in damage to the motor.” I’d have to agree.

To the Test
The Vornado came out of the box on one of those hot, humid, oppressive, Baltimorish days, sort of like the kind I grew up with and suffered through. With an even roar the mighty Vornado circulated the air around to kitchen and to the dining room. The air moved, but it was just as hot and uncomfortable with or without the fan. It reminds me of the days teaching middle school in that brick, hotbox and the two noisy box fans in the classroom that seemed to appease the suffering students to some degree, perhaps just psychosomatically. However, in the cool of the evening, set in front of a large window, the Vornado works wonders.

After a day of stoic endurance the air conditioning came on, but set a couple degrees higher than our normal comfort level. One Vornado was placed in the kitchen and positioned to blow air all the way across the long kitchen and into the dining room. Twenty feet away one can feel the air moving with the fan set on its lowest speed. Notch it up to the highest speed and with closed eyes one can imagine an ocean breeze. Coming inside from the outdoor oven is absolutely delightful. We were so pleased with the performance of the Vornado that I bought a second one for the living room.

The second fan is positioned to circulate air up the stairs to the second floor, more accurately a loft or half floor. Normally the air upstairs is stagnant and warm even with the air conditioning running. The Vornado’s circulating abilities have genuinely made a difference in the comfort level of the upper floor. It’s still warmer in the upper rooms, but decidedly more comfortable. We can actually feel the air moving on the landing at the top of the stairs.

Verdict

The Vornado is an expensive fan, but even this notorious tightwad doesn’t regret purchasing the pair of 710’s. I don’t know if they could cool off a seven eleven, but they’ve made a big difference in the Spud House.

And
I always thought Vortex was the material used to make George Costanza’s new, heavy coat.
Guess you can always learn new things.



Recommended: Yes