Humidifier with detachable fan assembly

A method of circulating air with a humidifier comprising a frame defining a plurality of slots therein, a moisture source connected to said frame and a fan assembly detachably mounted on said frame, said fan assembly having a power cord attached thereto and comprising a base having a bottom portion defining a plane, whereby said fan assembly can remain free-standing in a stable, upright position on a flat surface when said assembly is detached from said frame, said method comprising the steps of:

• attaching said fan assembly to said frame;
• positioning said power cord in one of the plurality of slots defined by the frame;
• operating said fan assembly so as to move air through said moisture source to pick up moisture from said moisture source, and subsequently out of the humidifier to circulate humidified air;
• detaching said fan assembly from said housing;
• standing said fan assembly on its base in an upright position;
• and
• operating said fan assembly detached from said housing to circulate unhumidified air.

A humidifier, comprising:

• a frame;
• a moisture source connected to said frame;
• and
• a fan assembly detachably connected to said frame and adapted to move an air stream to be wetted by said moisture source, said fan assembly comprising:
• a fan blade assembly having a front side and a back side;
• a front protective grille in front of the front side of said blade assembly;
• a back protective grille behind the back side of said blade assembly;
• and
• a base having a bottom portion defining a plane, said base of said fan assembly comprises a stabilizer that is positionable between first and second positions relative to said fan assembly, said stabilizer being located in said first position when said fan assembly is connected to said humidifier housing, and in said second position when said fan assembly is detached from said humidifier housing, wherein said stabilizer being in said second position increases the stability of the fan assembly while in a free-standing upright position.