VC Vigilant questions.

[MontanaLife]

Hi, a couple questions about my new to me Vigilant.

1. What is the purpose of the bypass?
2. Can you buy or make handles for the door handle and bypass handle?

 

[begreen]

The bypass routs the smokepath through channels for more complete secondary combustion and longer burns. A good place to learn about the stove and how it is run is to download the manual which covers the 4 original models including the Vigilant. It's in 3 parts here:

Vermont Castings older stoves

The first model from Vermont Castings was the Defiant http://hearth.com/images/uploads/vcdefiant.pdf followed by: Vigilant - http://hearth.com/images/uploads/vcvigi.pdf Resolute - http://hearth.com/images/uploads/vcresi.pdf Intrepid These 4...

www.hearth.com

Vigilant drop-handles are available from multiple sources. Here is an Amazon link for one.
Amazon product ASIN B00NU84ZNM

 

[MontanaLife]

thank you so much!

 

[Stoney Meadow Maple]

I have sat down several times and just read through my manual, sometimes to try to troubleshoot an issue I am having , sometimes to refresh my memory on something, sometimes make sure I am doing the right thing in terms of cleaning.
It is a good read and gives theory and lots of valuable information. They are available online to print out or for sale in hard copy.

This is a great resource too, but don’t discredit the manufacturer itself as a great source.