VC Encore Defiant 2140 Appears Dead – Need Replacement Options

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Jimxj2000

Member
Aug 14, 2008
52
SE NH
VC Encore Defiant 2140 Appears Dead – Need Replacement Options

We have been running a VC Encore Defiant 2140 for six winters – 24 X 7. It was in the house when we bought it, and was not running correctly at the time, but it took a couple years and a major rebuild – new fire back, new refectory, new damper door, new damper door frame, etc.

Well during the rebuild we found the lower left (when looking at the rear of the stove) screw hole that hold the entire back to the body of the stove was broken – the cast iron had cracked through the screw hole. There wasn’t room to add a nut or anything in place of the missing threaded section. So we used the 5 remaining screws. Stove worked great for all of last season.

This fall I replaced the cat – it was replaced several years ago and was a bit degraded when I replaced it this year.

I think the old cat was hiding an increase in primary air flow. So this fall with small fire of OK wood (cherry, maple) we were getting griddle temps of about 700F with the primary air door closed. I got behind the stove to check that it was really closed – and it was.

Back there I noticed the left side is opening up at the bottom. I think the screw hole above the missing one has failed as well, so I have an air path from the back/bottom into the primary air passage. The fix would be an entire disassembly and replacement of the internal side panels. I would guess that some other parts are going to need replacement as well and that taking apart the 20+ year old joints will reveal some new issues.

I don’t feel overly safe running the stove knowing that the sides are, more or less, falling apart.

The stove is in an old fireplace/hearth (house is from the 1740’s) with a stainless steel flex liner in the chimney which sets the stove exhaust height. So I don’t want to change that, so I have limited room.

I like the VC look, so options would be a newer Encore/defiant – I don’t want to try the 2-1 technology, so I would be limited to dealer stock of older new stoves.

The Woodstock Progress seems interesting – anyone try one yet?

Stove has to “look good†- no stamped metal or black boxes…needs to have some character.

This is our primary to only heat source for a 2,000 sq ft cape – so need a stove with a similar heat output and burn time as the current stove.

Any other thoughts, options or good ideas?
 
Quadrafire Isle Royale would be one to look at in comparison and maybe a Hearthstone Bennington and Jotul F600..
 
We bought a second Encore because my wife likes the look and because of some some really bad advice. Our experience with the first one nearly identically mirrors yours and guess what the second one did too. We heat 24x7 as well, no furnace. I think there are much better options for your application. Good luck with your search.
 
My opinion is the 2in1 stoves are better constructed than the older ones. The feedback we read last season was that the refractory on the new 2in1 stoves are much stronger. You will still have cat operation with the 2in1 too. Long term, we don't know, but hopefully things are looking up for VC.

Good luck,
Bill
 
JimJ said:
VC Encore Defiant 2140 Appears Dead – Need Replacement Options

We have been running a VC Encore Defiant 2140 for six winters – 24 X 7. It was in the house when we bought it, and was not running correctly at the time, but it took a couple years and a major rebuild – new fire back, new refectory, new damper door, new damper door frame, etc.

Well during the rebuild we found the lower left (when looking at the rear of the stove) screw hole that hold the entire back to the body of the stove was broken – the cast iron had cracked through the screw hole. There wasn’t room to add a nut or anything in place of the missing threaded section. So we used the 5 remaining screws. Stove worked great for all of last season.

This fall I replaced the cat – it was replaced several years ago and was a bit degraded when I replaced it this year.

I think the old cat was hiding an increase in primary air flow. So this fall with small fire of OK wood (cherry, maple) we were getting griddle temps of about 700F with the primary air door closed. I got behind the stove to check that it was really closed – and it was.

Back there I noticed the left side is opening up at the bottom. I think the screw hole above the missing one has failed as well, so I have an air path from the back/bottom into the primary air passage. The fix would be an entire disassembly and replacement of the internal side panels. I would guess that some other parts are going to need replacement as well and that taking apart the 20+ year old joints will reveal some new issues.

I don’t feel overly safe running the stove knowing that the sides are, more or less, falling apart.

The stove is in an old fireplace/hearth (house is from the 1740’s) with a stainless steel flex liner in the chimney which sets the stove exhaust height. So I don’t want to change that, so I have limited room.

I like the VC look, so options would be a newer Encore/defiant – I don’t want to try the 2-1 technology, so I would be limited to dealer stock of older new stoves.

The Woodstock Progress seems interesting – anyone try one yet?

Stove has to “look good†- no stamped metal or black boxes…needs to have some character.

This is our primary to only heat source for a 2,000 sq ft cape – so need a stove with a similar heat output and burn time as the current stove.

Any other thoughts, options or good ideas?


If you are going to get another Encore I would go with the new 2-in-1 over a recent older model as some of the issues with the recent older models are claimed to have been remedied. I can not tell you that from first hand experiences as I do not own one.

In regards to other stoves that have the look of the Encore, BeGreen's recommendations are very good. Just be sure to get the blower with the Bennington if you get it. Otherwise, feel free to choose from any of the three that BeGreen listed.

Don't try to size down to match claimed BTUs between the Encore and your news stove as BTU ratings are inaccurate. The Encore is a 2.3 cu ft box without burn tubes, which means it is an honest 2.3 cu ft stove. The three stoves BeGreen listed are technically larger, but this should not cause you a concern in terms of 'too much heat.'
 
It's really tough to answer a question like this one, mostly people's opinions are what go on an answer. I guess if I went to buy another stove I would seriously consider a soapstone stove such as the fireview(though it's only rated to heat 1600 sq ft,) progress(new but the company is probably the best customer relations out there,) a hearthstone mansfield or heritage may work for you. Heck a phoenix or a keystone may even work, though probably a bit smaller they would certainly provide a more even heat and easier operation than the encore. I never did get to use my Encore, had to sell it and move before installing it. The questions about it will be on my mind untill I see it in action at my in-laws place (they took it.) The IL's recently bought a pellet stove for a primary heater and will use the Encore in case of a power failure, but I think I can convince my father in law to burn a fire in it so I can finally see it in action.

The new 2n1's are supposedly better all around heaters and more durable. The technology certainly sounds more flexible. But I'm not convinced that they will provide ease of operation as some other stoves do. Easy operation was not a concern for me, so I bought my 1994 Encore in blue enamel 2190 model for $400 used. It needed a new cat but all insides were in great shape, refractory included. If I went to buy a new stove, paying full price I highly doubt the encore would be my first choice. Too many users with bad results, though personally, I think largely due to lack of knowledge of operation. Those hidden cats get really hot on an encore and without a probe thermometer, there's very little sign of an extreme temperature in the secondary burn chaimber, thus all the parts around it end up deteriorating over a short period of time. If you do end up with a cat stove, I'd highly recommend some sort of cat probe thermometer.

There are so many stoves out there, it just depends on taste and what you find that will fit your needs. One thing I know is don't get a smaller stove or you won't be happy with the results.

Good luck!

Edit: I sort of contradicted myself by recommending a Keystone and saying don't get a smaller stove. My opinion may be swayed by the positive results people around here have had with that stove. It's hard to recommend a new stove like the progress, but with a company like Woodstock backing up their product how can you go wrong? I'd certainly have it in the top of my list!

A stove like the Encore may have been streching its capacity to heat 2000 sq ft in NH, though it is rated for 1900.
 
Look at the Pacific Energy Alderlea T5 or T6 too. It's a steel stove inside a cast iron skin. Sort of gives you the best of both worlds. PE stoves are super easy to use and great heaters.
 
fredarm said:
Look at the Pacific Energy Alderlea T5 or T6 too. It's a steel stove inside a cast iron skin. Sort of gives you the best of both worlds. PE stoves are super easy to use and great heaters.


If you go with the T-Series, go with the T6 over the T5.
 
Looks like you may be close enough to take a drive up to Woodstock? The Progress Hybrid is their new stove and if you sign up for one it may be a month or two before it's ready. If you can baby your current stove for a couple months it may be worth the wait.
 
I think BeGreen offered up a decent list . . .

I would say if you could wait that the Woodstock PH might be a contender . . . even if it has only been played with by folks at the Open House a few weeks back . . . it looks like a real contender . . . but if this is your primary heat source you probably want a woodstove yesterday and not in a few months.

Personally, I've often thought some of the Jotul stoves have a similar look to the VC line up . . . then again so do the Harmans, Quadra-fires, Hearthstones and PEs . . . if you take a look at the Jotul line I would take a close look at the F-600 . . . I have a 1,800 square foot Cape and I think here in New England I would jump up to the larger stove if I was over 1,800 square feet myself.

As for long burns . . . it will be hard to beat a stove with a cat . . . and since you want a pretty stove I would guess the Blaze King is out . . . which would leave just a few contenders . . . I'm not saying you can't get a decent burn with a secondary burn stove with a large firebox . . . but it seems that the stoves with the legendary burn times are mostly cats . . . FIREVIEW owners . . . would a Fireview be too small in this situation or would it work?
 
We had a Defiant Encore that was 14 years old but got rid of it last year. Loved the look and it gave us great service over the years but needed some repairs and a new catalytic converter so we gave it up. We hated to do it but bought an Isle Royale and really like that stove as well. Starts easy, heats great, easy to operate, looks great...my basic requirements! Can't wait for the temperature to go down here so we can have our second fire of the season.
 

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Sierra Guy said:
We had a Defiant Encore that was 14 years old but got rid of it last year. Loved the look and it gave us great service over the years but needed some repairs and a new catalytic converter so we gave it up. We hated to do it but bought an Isle Royale and really like that stove as well. Starts easy, heats great, easy to operate, looks great...my basic requirements! Can't wait for the temperature to go down here so we can have our second fire of the season.

+1 We're also former Defiant-Encore users who (eventually) switched to an Isle Royale. We had a gorgeous Midnight Blue enamel D/E with the warming shelves--truly a gorgeous stove and a good heater, but maintenance costs were just too high...

We had an Oslo that we used for two years, but it just didn't work out for us, so we switched again to the IR which so far we really, really like a lot!


NP
 
I have had the encore and resolute and they have served me well at the time. My dad still runs the defiant and it has worked for him as it should. It is due for new gaskets and a cat.

I now have a T6 and it has been wonderful. I like the top load and ash pan feature of the Vermont but now I have one gasket, one door and one lever to deal with. Everything has a trade off.

I do really like the looks of the I/R stove. The dealer I bought the PE from carries them and they are great looking stoves.
 
firefighterjake said:
As for long burns . . . it will be hard to beat a stove with a cat . . . and since you want a pretty stove I would guess the Blaze King is out . . . which would leave just a few contenders . . . I'm not saying you can't get a decent burn with a secondary burn stove with a large firebox . . . but it seems that the stoves with the legendary burn times are mostly cats . . . FIREVIEW owners . . . would a Fireview be too small in this situation or would it work?

I would think a Fireview would work if he has good insulation, but it's right at it's upper limit. I heated 2000 sq ft from a finished basement install with mine but the upstairs tended to be a little cooler. Heck, he could always try it out and if it didn't work out trade it in for the PH.
 
Your situation is remarkably similar to mine except the old house. I'm strongly considering replacing my cat 0028 Defiant Encore and searching high and low for options, leaning towards a new 2-1 or an older encore. My stove is an '86 and she's tired. Maintenance means broken bolts and pains in the ass almost every time. I'm in a fireplace conversion on a short hearth so my limitations are many. I want and in some cases need the top load feature. My 0028 has been great but is just burning hot this year and i'm not sure why. I'm replacing gasket after gasket and tonight will be another test. of course, another bolt broke and this one is the back ash pan assembly, tough to get to, ugh.

Wondering what kinds of options you come up with. Hearthstones and Woodstocks are great local options, but won't work for my application and perhaps yours too. (shape, depth, side load only)

I'm open to ideas but for now, the good old (new) encore seems like the best option. I want a cat stove.
also, i don't think the 2-1 is any different technology, just a new name to help sales. it's always been a 2-1 IMO, open damper non cat, close damper cat. correct me if i'm wrong...pretty sure it's the same stove with some design tweaks in the new model.

While there are certainly some past issues with VC and the encore requires some maintenance, i feel that most complaints are due to operator negligence. These stoves are for burning and efficiency enthusiasts, not for yahoos that want to torch some green wood b/c it looks cool and have no idea what temp the stove is running at.

good luck, post what you find.
 
Free Monomoy said:
Your situation is remarkably similar to mine except the old house. I'm strongly considering replacing my cat 0028 Defiant Encore and searching high and low for options, leaning towards a new 2-1 or an older encore. My stove is an '86 and she's tired. Maintenance means broken bolts and pains in the ass almost every time. I'm in a fireplace conversion on a short hearth so my limitations are many. I want and in some cases need the top load feature. My 0028 has been great but is just burning hot this year and i'm not sure why. I'm replacing gasket after gasket and tonight will be another test. of course, another bolt broke and this one is the back ash pan assembly, tough to get to, ugh.

Wondering what kinds of options you come up with. Hearthstones and Woodstocks are great local options, but won't work for my application and perhaps yours too. (shape, depth, side load only)

I'm open to ideas but for now, the good old (new) encore seems like the best option. I want a cat stove.
also, i don't think the 2-1 is any different technology, just a new name to help sales. it's always been a 2-1 IMO, open damper non cat, close damper cat. correct me if i'm wrong...pretty sure it's the same stove with some design tweaks in the new model.

While there are certainly some past issues with VC and the encore requires some maintenance, i feel that most complaints are due to operator negligence. These stoves are for burning and efficiency enthusiasts, not for yahoos that want to torch some green wood b/c it looks cool and have no idea what temp the stove is running at.

good luck, post what you find.


For top loading there is the already mentioned Isle Royale and you should also look at the Jotul F 50 TL Rangeley. When compared to the Encore, both should equal or or surpass the heating output due to each of them having a bit larger of a firebox. Burn times may not be any different as they are non-cat stoves.
 
For top loading there is the already mentioned Isle Royale and you should also look at the Jotul F 50 TL Rangeley. When compared to the Encore, both should equal or or surpass the heating output due to each of them having a bit larger of a firebox. Burn times may not be any different as they are non-cat stoves.[/quote]


The Isle Royale is nice looking and probably well made but I'm not eager to give up 13% efficiency. It's also a bit large for my application. Jotul is nice as well and worthy of more research....although I do like a cat. The Jotul is rated 8hr burn and the VC 12 hr. ??
 
Free Monomoy said:
For top loading there is the already mentioned Isle Royale and you should also look at the Jotul F 50 TL Rangeley. When compared to the Encore, both should equal or or surpass the heating output due to each of them having a bit larger of a firebox. Burn times may not be any different as they are non-cat stoves.


The Isle Royale is nice looking and probably well made but I'm not eager to give up 13% efficiency. It's also a bit large for my application. Jotul is nice as well and worthy of more research....although I do like a cat. The Jotul is rated 8hr burn and the VC 12 hr. ??


Take those rating with a grain of salt. It depends up how they measure burn time. But, the Encore would probably provide a longer burn. If you are using the cat for lower burns, then moving from a non-cat stove is not the solution for you.

I am assuming side-loading is out of the question since, if I remember correctly, your stove is partially set in to a fireplace. That means the Woodstocks are out of the running also.

Which brings us back to the Encore 2-in-1.
 
Yes, as much as I am trying to keep an open mind, all roads seem to lead back to the Encore.

Wondering what the fellow that started the post has come up with for a solution.
 
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