A Hearty "THANK YOU!"

[Tentoastytoes]

I joined just so I could tell someone here on this website....~~~THANK YOU~~~!

I acquired a barely used vintage Vermont Castings Biscuit "Vigilant" Multi Use (Wood/Coal) in mint condition this past weekend and have been scouring the internet, getting tangled up in the "web" as it were. I was in search of an owners manual for my little stove. We never could find the Model #, but there was a host of info on the metal plate attached to the rear of the stove...but...couldn't locate a model #. My brother in law was certain it was #05060... well... nope,....turns out that was the zipcode in a large font at the top of that metal plate.

ANYWAY...I stumbled across this site, and found where someone had graciously shared info, manuals, install info., etc. on these older units. I am indebted to you....whoever you are....THANK YOU!!

This isn't my first adventure with wood heat....for years...b.c.(before children), we heated our first little house with an old "US Army Heater No. 1", ....you know the kind they had in the barracks back during WWII. It did a stellar job even if it wasn't the best looking stove in the world! However, I've not had a wood stove for 20+yrs. I lucked into this VC Vigiliant, and was thrilled...but soon started going crazy trying to find a manual, or at least some basic info on how to properly install and operate it. We are a family with several firefighters , but I don't want them out front in the big rigs! So again, THANK YOU!

I'll try to remember and come back and give you an update after we get it up and running!

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Welcome to the forum Tentoastytoes.

Glad you got the problem solved. But one word of warning. Today's stoves are much different from the older stoves. They need good dry wood. That does not mean you cut this year for this year's burning! And know there are some wood (oak especially) that needs a lot more than a year. Also know drying time does not start until the wood is split and stacked outdoors, in the wind.

Good luck and don't forget to come back!

 

[webbie]

You are welcome!

We strive to please and hope to put a lot more old VC and other info up as we come across it.

Keep us filled in....

 

[Tentoastytoes]

Backwoods Savaage, thank you for the info on the wood. Even though this stove is over 30 yrs. old, it is definitely more sophisticated than our first one...(as in this one has a second burn), and the even newer ones w/catalytic converters....well, who knew of the advances the wood stove industry had made during those years I was using an electric heat pump.

In all seriousness,the more I read about these stoves, the more I was determined to make sure I get it properly installed, use the correct wood, and learn how to do the correct burn. Quite a learning curve to catch up on....


Also, thank you webbie~

 

[begreen]

Old stoves burn a heck of a lot better with dry wood too. For more information and questions on the Vigilant, be sure to check in at the Classics/VC stove section here:
https://www.hearth.com/talk/forums/vermont-castings-cdw-dutchwest-older-models.36/

 

[Paulywalnut]

The Vigilant was a great stove when I first started burning.
We were a young married couple and that stove was only a dream.

 

[webbie]

Had to be one of the best stoves in history......the Defiant was really too big and had no top loading.
Hey, that's an idea. We should do a "ten best in history" stove list sometime......but it has to stop at at date....like 1975 to 2000, so we don't get in trouble with moving targets (today).

Or, maybe ten best "classics", that being up to 1990.

 

[begreen]

I had a love affair going with the Resolute I. It was like burning in a Mercedes Sport Coupe.