Vermont Castings - Resolute III Burning guide?

[Brockster]

:question: Hi,

We inherited a Vermont Resolute III wood burning stove with a house we recently bought. Does anybody know/have a guide to the stove (there are a number of vents but I don't what what they are used for)? Also, we are wanting to put a grate in so it can burn coal - are there any suggestions as to the best way to do this, or can we burn coal without putting in a grate?

Any help/pointers would be "gratefully" appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[elkimmeg]

Don't get too excited yet. First I think you have to examine your draft situation. Has it been cleaned and are you sure ther is no blockage? After that, please explain you setup and include dementions. Whether it is in an exposed chimney the verticle height.
Solving the draft issue is one problem. The stove sounds like it requires a total re-build, if leaking everywhere. It is not unusual that cast irons stoves require rebuilding after 12 years old. Yours is the clasic example of why. The old fefactory cement has failed gaskets are gone. Forget about coal for now, you have to correct the stove and venting issues. Burning coal without a good draft, is not going to work either

 

[webbie]

The Resolute III was the last of the regular Resolutes before the Acclaim. It has double front doors instead of the drop-down door.

Do not attempt to burn coal in this or convert it to coal.

My guess is that your intitial problem relates to not having a manual and lack of knowledge of this stoves operation. Chimney and other draft issues are also suspected.

You might find some advice about that stove by searching our QA area for resolute. Also search for Vigilant as the stoves work in a similar fashion.

At this time of year, you want the bypass damper to be open. That means you can see up the pipe from the inside of the stove. You also want to open the draft control.

You should be able to dig up a manual from a VC parts specialist like Black Swam Stove....or from an owner of a resolute or vigilant (very similar)

 

[MountainStoveGuy]

Could this be related to the 8/6 flue collar? is it possible that he has the stove installed on 6 inch pipe? Or are these older models all 8 inch pipe? It would make sense if the stove was only appoved to be burned with the doors open on a 8" flue, that it would smoke on a 6" flue.

 

[begreen]

Does this stove version have the built in draft diverter? If yes, could it be in the secondary position instead of the primary (load) position?

We'll need a bit more info to stop guessing. My neighbor might have one of these sitting in his garage. If you don't get an answer, I'll see if I can go over and take a look. In the meantime, can you post a picture of the stove from the front and from the side(s) that have the control(s)?

 

[webbie]

This stove was and is always a 6 inch, so that should not be the problem.

The stove has:
1. A bypass damper, which is updraft (starting and open) and downdraft (best efficiency after going well).
2. A bimetal damper on rear - adjusts the air, by itself to a degree once set.
3. A small secondary air intake that really does not matter much - keep it open most of the time.

Some Q and A:

https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/QA_Templates/info/vc_vermont_castings_resolute_question/
https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/QA_Templates/info/controls_on_vigilant_woodstove/
https://www.hearth.com/econtent/ind..._damper_on_rear_of_vermont_castings_vigilant/

 

[begreen]

Bumping this old thread up so that the new owners of used Resolutes and Vigilants get to read and connect to the Q&A links.