2021/22 VC Owner thread
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I tried to post on the old thread for last season, since I didn't clean the stove yet from then, so I guess I will settle for posting on this one 
My local hardware store is going out of business, so I just bought 60 ft of gasket material for $0.16 a foot... Maybe I will replace some of the gaskets this year.
My local hardware store is going out of business, so I just bought 60 ft of gasket material for $0.16 a foot... Maybe I will replace some of the gaskets this year.
RandyBoBandy
Minister of Fire
![[Hearth.com] 2021/22 VC Owner thread](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/282/282158-0fa035b7898941ff0242b6a97dd8fc7d.jpg?hash=_w37uFQi7H "[Hearth.com] 2021/22 VC Owner thread")
WHAT DID YOU DO???
Good luck, had mine part way apart in the spring. Will be seeing how well I did getting it back together here in a few weeks.
RandyBoBandy
Minister of Fire
RandyBoBandy
Minister of Fire
I’ve put six seasons on it and I believe the guy I bought the stove from had two seasons on his rebuild. So not too bad I guess for a stove known to be finicky and weak. I think once all the thermos are in place and people learn how to run these stoves they are not to bad. This will be the only time I rebuild it however. Time to start saving for a new stove once this thing burns out again.
It will not go back as easily as it came out. If you can get a second set of hands holding it via the griddle top it would help. That way you can align the bolts without worrying of damaging the refractory box. The best way for one person job would be to flip the stove on its back and have the gravity work with you.
RandyBoBandy
Minister of Fire
I was afraid of this. I was hoping to not take the stovepipe down and flue collar off. However it’s looking like this is going to happen. I’ve been trying to figure out how to lift it back in place before putting the new refractory box in. Not going very smooth yet.
RandyBoBandy
Minister of Fire
Here’s a question for everyone who has done this already. Gasket rope the upper or cement? I see the bolt holes are right in the gasket channel.
Disconnecting the pipe is no big deal. You can turn the stove 90* gently so you do not snap one of the legs. Borrow a dolly, set the dolly behind the stove, put some 2x6 blocks underneath the stove so there is no gap. Strap the stove to the dolly, flip backwards. Simple
I remember on the 2550 the groove was only on the bottom side and two short horizontal sides where the bolts go. The upper side was just a flat cast and I put lots of cement there. Not a best design.
Woodsplitter67
Minister of Fire
Hello to all.. Im late to the party.. Looks like the weather is cooling down this last day of summer.. Ill be burning like the 18th or so.. can't wait..like a kid on Christmas
bert670
Member
I have a VC Dauntless Flexburn on order and due to be installed around the end of October. It will be going in a new addition that we are in the process of completing. Wood has already been stacked awaiting its arrival. Growing up with a old Intrepid at my parents house, I'm looking foward to continuing the VC tradition in my home.
Keep us posted on this stove. There's a lot of interest in this one. Will you be running it flex-burn or cat?
8-10 yrs seems to be average for a well cared for stove with the newer refractory material.
bert670
Member
My plan is to run it flex-burn, it will be coming with the cat performance package.
RandyBoBandy
Minister of Fire
I still want to get away from this stove eventually. Over $200 for the refractory box, about $200 for a cat every few years and god forbid any of the internals warp or crack $$$$. Hopefully I get 8-10 years of saving for a new stove.
I almost pulled the trigger on one of those, sure is a good looker. Always wanted to try a top loader, it would be a lot easier on the knees. Keep us posted.
I wanted a Dauntless but it was too tall to fit in our fireplace where we wanted it. Unfortunately they do not sell a short leg kit for it either. I ended up going with the Intrepid Flexburn. I bought it the end of March and the 1st one they sent the enamel was all cracked to hell. Been waiting over a month of a replacement. We were told "end of Sept", well you can't get much closer to the end of Sept than now.
First fall fire. Nice little mix of Fir, redwood and oak.
![[Hearth.com] 2021/22 VC Owner thread](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/282/282491-e30f84ad8b2b6c2d8abaa3b9df847273.jpg?hash=HkJuA74ZUo "[Hearth.com] 2021/22 VC Owner thread")
I'll be firing up my Dauntless in a few weeks ... probably a little too soon, but I see my neighbor Humberwho is already up and running. 
Right now I'm troubleshooting an issue with water dripping down the inside of my chimney pipe and splattering onto the stove. I took some pics and started a thread: https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/water-leaking-around-chimney-box-with-pics.188255/
Would love to hear any insight about chimneys, sealing, etc.
Right now I'm troubleshooting an issue with water dripping down the inside of my chimney pipe and splattering onto the stove. I took some pics and started a thread: https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/water-leaking-around-chimney-box-with-pics.188255/
Would love to hear any insight about chimneys, sealing, etc.
![[Hearth.com] 2021/22 VC Owner thread](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/282/282503-483205e8a637df97ca93f819ca4470b1.jpg?hash=4EgIgn3mhG "[Hearth.com] 2021/22 VC Owner thread")
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