So 1 year into owning a vermont casting 0% reburn stove. A few questions

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cdove11

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Jan 26, 2014
10
colorado
I burn nothing but hardwood. I try to stay in the range of 400-500 degrees. Worried about going over 550 because I have gone through a chimney fire once with regular fireplace. Ive been told it is safe to burn at 600? Also, just yesterday had it cleaned. I was told I could go 6 cords now that I see the amount of creason (sp) that cam out I know I was pushing it. I am now getting it cleaned every 2-2.5 cords. when the chimney was cleaned yesterday I took a look at the tubes after he left and noticed the front tube, holes faced towards the door. Middle tube, holes towards back and back tube, holes faced towards door. Call the prof cleaner and he said it didn't matter. I went ahead and changed the middle tube back to facing the door (forward) this morning. My question is does it matter what direction it faces. Also how hot can I burn this and feel safe. A Chimney fire experience makes you rattled. Before I would damper down at 500 and burn an hour before another load and repeat process. Also as a side note the way I prepare the fire before I go to bed.. Throw a good piece of wood when at 450-500, flare it up for a few then damper all the way down. Any suggestions?
 
Welcome. VC states that 500-600::F is in the medium heat cruising range for the Defiant 2n1, is this your stove? It only warns about taking it to 750 or above. I think you would be fine running it in the 600-650::F range. That is a common running temp for cast iron stoves. Not sure on the tubes. Ask your VC dealer.
 
Welcome. VC states that 500-600::F is in the medium heat cruising range for this stove. It only warns about taking it to 750 or above. I think you would be fine running it in the 600-650::F range. That is a common running temp for cast iron stoves. Not sure on the tubes. Ask your VC dealer.
Thank you. Ever since that chimney fire I am concerned about getting this thing to hot. I honestly believe 600 is fine.
 
Agree with BG on the temps for sure. And, from what you say you are not running hot enough if you are producing that much creosote. Try that 550 for a while. I would also check w/VC but the tubes should face the output of the stove so the draft is pulling air through them.
 
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Agree with BG on the temps for sure. And, from what you say you are not running hot enough if you are producing that much creosote. Try that 550 for a while. I would also check w/VC but the tubes should face the output of the stove so the draft is pulling air through them.
will do. Yea the amount of Creosote was concerning. It filled up a normal size ash pale. That was 6 cords worth. Like I said now going to clean at 2-2.5 cords. As far as tubes I just put it back to the way the picture shows in the manual.
 
It could be that you are running the stove too cool. Running the stove hotter will allow it to burn cleaner. That should reduce not increase the chance of chimney fires.

I'm confused by the mention of tubes in the stove. Which VC model is this, the Savannah? If so you are correct, the secondary tube holes face forward and the recommended temp range is 500-700::F.
 
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It could be that you are running the stove too cool. Running the stove hotter will allow it to burn cleaner. That should reduce not increase the chance of chimney fires.

I'm confused by the mention of tubes in the stove. Which VC model is this, the Savannah? If so you are correct, the holes face forward.
Yea Savannah. So this unit has not problem at all of running at 550-600? No reason for me to be concerned at all? if I put a new log on the fire at 500-550 or so and let it burn high, so where outer surface where the creocote is highest burns off and then damper down should I then be able to get a longer burn time out of my wood. trying to figure that out.
 
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Yea Savannah. So this unit has not problem at all of running at 550-600? No reason for me to be concerned at all? if I put a new long on the fire at 500-550 or so and let it burn high, so where outer surface where the creocote is highest burns off and then damper down should I then be able to get a longer burn time out of my wood. trying to figure that out.

You can run that stove all day long at 650F without problem. Steel stoves are pretty tough. Damper down in stages once the wood has fully ignited. Each stage should be to where the flames get lazy, then wait for the flames to regains strength and close the air control again until the flames get lazy. You may be able to close it down as far as all the way depending on the wood and the strength of the draft. If the wood is very hard and maybe not fully dry you may only be able to close it down 75%. Oak can burn like this. This is a judgement call that has to be made on site. Just don't reduce the air to the point where the fire is smoldering and you can see smoke coming from the chimney. And strive to get ahead on the wood supply by 2 to 3 years to ensure an ample supply of dry wood. That is your best creosote protection policy.
 
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Welcome. VC states that 500-600::F is in the medium heat cruising range for the Defiant 2n1, is this your stove? It only warns about taking it to 750 or above. I think you would be fine running it in the 600-650::F range. That is a common running temp for cast iron stoves. Not sure on the tubes. Ask your VC dealer.
mine is the savannah ssi30
 
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