Is the VC Encore 2040 2 in 1 a "Neverburn" stove design?

[Charles1981]

I just keep seeing everyone regarding older encore and defiant stoves as a "neverburn" design/system.

I have searched for Neverburn and there are many threads to sift through but I couldn't find a thread really outlining this. It appeared that drafting was a significant issue with this design.

I don't have any problems with the stove yet but am curious if these 2in1 designs are the same just with an easily removable refractory cover and catalyst? Same burn chamber? Refractory made of the same material that seems to melt and overfire easily?

I've never removed the catalyst and tried to burn without it yet. Has anyone run this stove without the catalyst?

I don't think under draft is a concern in my case as I have almost a 28foot central interior masonry chimney with clay liner and then a stainless steel liner. But then I hear mentions that those with OVER draft had problems with their neverburn stove but I can't find any mention as to what happens with too much draft?

Thanks for the input.

 

[webby3650]

Essentially yes. The old VC's had a vulnerable combustion chamber behind cast iron panels with a cat stuck in there. The neverburns had the same vulnerable material behind a fragile cast cement panel. The new 2in1 is a little bit of both of the old fragile, vulnerable material with a removable cat. Removing the cat allows you to run in neverburn mode. They claim that the material is much better now, who knows? They are all very expensive to replace the components in.

 

[firewoodjunky]

The new VC's don't use the same refactory materials as the 2550 did (which I presume the NeverBurn also used) - also, current replacement costs of the new refactory are pretty reasonable (for VC) - I will have to verify the exact pricing but it is somewhere in the 200 to 300 range to replace all of the new refactory panels in the new VC's. Cat prices are also lower. We will see how these stoves hold up but the only issues that I have come across are the "shell" cat cover cracking. These have been recast on all recent models. I know that VC gets beat up pretty bad on this board (based on their prior models, rightfully so) but I believe that these new models are pretty darn good stoves. I'll find out!

I have not burnt without the cat yet - don't really see the need to, unless your cat burns out and you are too tight for cash to replace it right away.

 

[webby3650]

The new VC's don't use the same refactory materials as the 2550 did

I know that the materials or supposed to be different and much better. But, keep in mind, the 2550 also was supposed to be made from good materials. If they didn't say it was new and improved, it wouldn't instill much consumer confidence. I have installed a few and we haven't heard of any issues yet. But even if it lasts 5 years without needing replaced, that's still what, $400+ labor? That would hurt! I hope it works out.

 

[Calentarse]

The new VC's don't use the same refactory materials as the 2550 did (which I presume the NeverBurn also used) - also, current replacement costs of the new refactory are pretty reasonable (for VC) - I will have to verify the exact pricing but it is somewhere in the 200 to 300 range to replace all of the new refactory panels in the new VC's. Cat prices are also lower. We will see how these stoves hold up but the only issues that I have come across are the "shell" cat cover cracking. These have been recast on all recent models. I know that VC gets beat up pretty bad on this board (based on their prior models, rightfully so) but I believe that these new models are pretty darn good stoves. I'll find out!

I have not burnt without the cat yet - don't really see the need to, unless your cat burns out and you are too tight for cash to replace it right away.

My casting in the back cracked. I've been through 3 access covers and a catalyst in 4 seasons. I do use the stove daily.

My brother bought the same stove in 2012, 2 years later, and he doesn't have the same problems as mine. His house is bigger, tighter and technically he should have a better draft than I with a 16ft. Stretch of single wall pipe centrally located in his house ( I have a 45 degree bend).