VC Encore NC overfire...

[heffergm]

So myself (and apparently a decent number other people from what I've read) have some, ahem, issues with our VC Encore NC's.

In my case, if I reload on a reasonable (an inch or so) coal bed with anything other than about a quarter of a load, it's serious overfire time: bypass closed, air control fully closed, the sucker sounds like a jet engine. Surface temps will hover around 400F, but the rear collar got up to about 850F the last time this happened. Combine that with a nice orange glow on the backing plate, and I've about had it with this thing. It's not overfiring because I'm not paying attention, it's overfiring because I simply can't control what it's doing. And a stove that I can't burn overnight with a full load is pretty damn useless.

So my question is this: before I got wise to what this thing was doing, I suspect I overfired it a few times, combined with the last couple times where I tried to tame it and figure out what the deal was. Is my liner (single wall, flex pipe inside a clay lined chimney) in any danger? Should I have it inspected?

I'm about ready to head back to my local dealer where I bought the VC and tell them to haul the damn thing away and put a Hearthstone in its place. If they'll eat the installation cost since it's the second stove I'll have bought from them in under 2 years, I figure it's a better choice than having a bomb on my hearth.

 

[Jags]

If you suspect an overfire, or multiple overfires - then yes, get the stack inspected for safety purposes. Its the right thing to do. It is not the same thing as a chimney fire, but the long term rating on the stacks is somewhere around 1100F continuous . If you have exceeded this repeatedly - it should be looked at. Chances are - its probably fine (and nice and clean), but you won't know until it is inspected.

 

[branchburner]

Have you been measuring flue temps as well as stove top and rear? I find the flue temps come down a lot more quickly than the the rear burn chamber temps. The rear sidewall can stay over 800F even while my flue is dropping from 500 to 400.

 

[Troutchaser]

heffergm, I still remember you from last season because you had one of the funniest posts I've ever read. NO--THE funniest post I've ever read.
Laughed so hard I cried. But I digress....

In an attempt to control the "overfiring", are you using bigger pieces of wood? Just thought I'd ask.....
So hard to know what to expect. That smoke is burning at 1200*. I don't know how any downdraft stove can stay below 800* back there.

 

[Renovation]

How about a stovepipe damper?

 

[Renovation]

heffergm, I still remember you from last season because you had one of the funniest posts I've ever read. NO--THE funniest post I've ever read.
Laughed so hard I cried. But I digress....

Which one? I gotta read that!

 

[fjord]

Sorry, you made a mistake buying this stove. Return it.
The 'real' Vermont Castings from way back to the first buyout would never have marketed a product like this Encore NC. There have been too many user problems.
It is a design and engineering error. Perhaps for those who have entertainment or ocasional fires it will be fine; not for heating or 24/7 use.
Ask experienced dealers why they "prefer" to not recommend this stove...to anyone.

 

[Troutchaser]

heffergm, I still remember you from last season because you had one of the funniest posts I've ever read. NO--THE funniest post I've ever read.
Laughed so hard I cried. But I digress....

Which one? I gotta read that!

I'll have to find it. Sorry, heffergm, that's not helping you with the stove.
Caveat- I have an unusual sense of humor.
I say at the end of 2010, we have a thread with the funniest posts of the year.
EDIT:
Search..... Is my mantle getting too hot...........from Jan. It was a darth vader comment
And I apologize to ashbucket if he found the remark insulting. There I go....laughing again.

Now, heffergm, about that VC Encore N-C.......
You're not alone with those temps. Harmans are right there with you and I haven't even checked mine yet.