defiant 1910 salvageable?

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uwswimmer

New Member
Sep 12, 2021
7
north plains
Bought this stove and it needs some work. It needs a new refractory box, and cat. New seals all around. My questions are, how big of a job is it to replace the refractory box? I have seen threads on this but was curious if ill run into other issues. This stove also seems to have a lot of black buildup in it. is this a problem?

Thanks in advance.

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Yes, it is likely salvageable. It just depends on what is discovered in the rebuild. The creosote buildup is indicative of how the stove was run. It might have been from poorly seasoned wood, but not a major issue.
 
Thank you. Is it possible to run this stove without the cat or refractory box? my local dealer said they are a month out and often break during shipping.
 
Thank you. Is it possible to run this stove without the cat or refractory box? my local dealer said they are a month out and often break during shipping.
No.
 
I thought that the model 1910 was post-EPA, phase 1. The Defiant I, II & III were pre-EPA models. What is the date of mfg. on the UL label on the back of the stove?
 
I don't know the year. The stove was repainted and they didn't mask it well, got over spray over the tag. I called and its going to take me a month to get new parts that would cost almost 700$ for the refractory box and cat. He said the last box like that he ordered broke in shipping. Its like a new diesel, epa parts that wear out and are very expensive to replace. If I could delete this stove like my truck I would.
 
Well, it could be sold. Even at a loss, the funds could be put toward a new stove that might cost less than rebuild.
 
After looking through this site I understand the stove a lot more. I will prob keep it and maybe order the parts over the winter. Maybe keep it for a shop stove. I have a vigilant that needs new gaskets but is in pretty good shape. I think ill put that one in the house for a bit.
 
Bummer haha. Thanks. The hunt for pre epa starts.
Why pre EPA? Just find one of the many very durable and reliable EPA compliant stoves out there. I have used a few pre EPA stoves and quite a few compliant ones. No way I would ever go back to an old one.
 
After looking through this site I understand the stove a lot more. I will prob keep it and maybe order the parts over the winter. Maybe keep it for a shop stove. I have a vigilant that needs new gaskets but is in pretty good shape. I think ill put that one in the house for a bit.
Honestly I wouldn't put $700 into that stove. They just aren't all that good. There are many other choices that will be easier and cheaper to run and maintain.

To be clear the parts in question are not EPA parts. Vermont castings chose to design their stove that way to meet the required standards. Most other stoves from the time period met those standards without such delicate and expensive parts.
 
I keep going back and forth on this. I think I will order the parts and get it going. Its a beautiful stove and I dont want to move it again. I am going to keep going on the vigilant as well for a shop stove. One thing I am unclear on with the vigilant is the key hole on the left side of the stove? what is this for?
 
I keep going back and forth on this. I think I will order the parts and get it going. Its a beautiful stove and I dont want to move it again. I am going to keep going on the vigilant as well for a shop stove. One thing I am unclear on with the vigilant is the key hole on the left side of the stove? what is this for?
That is the secondary air port. Normally it stays open.