Vermont Castings Used Stove - Newbie Question!

[specialtg]

Hello!
New wood burner here...well sort of new. We have been burning pellets in our Harman for 10 years and just did a season of coal burning in an antique stove parlor stove.
However, we are looking to switch to wood as our primary heat source. We found a Vermont Casting Defiant. Its listed at $250. However, the exterior has some light gray on it.
Is this a sign of over firing?
Nothing appears warped. The interior of where the gray is looks fine.
Wondering what your thoughts are.
Thank you in advance
Theresa J

 

[Simonkenton]

In what year was this stove made?

 

[specialtg]

I am not sure. The models changed over the years?

 

[Simonkenton]

Yes I am afraid they did. For example I bought a 1988 VC Resolute brand new in 1988, this was the premier wood stove on the market. I burned it for 6 years and sold it with the house that it was in. Great wood stove.

In 1992 and 1993 there was a revolution in wood stoves as the EPA mandated lower emissions, all stove companies had to change their stoves completely to comply.
VC went in to the crapper at that time, changed ownership several times, today, I wouldn't own a new VC if you gave it to me.
You can read lengthy sad stories on this forum about recent model VC stoves.

I would like to have my old '88 Resolute back, however. That was a great stove.

 

[fbelec]

post a picture of it if you can

 

[begreen]

Had a 1979 Resolute, the first year they made them I think. It was a fine stove, very reliable and nice thermostatic operation. Was sad to sell it, but it went to a good home, shipped up on a barge to Alaska.

 

[defiant3]

Hello!
New wood burner here...well sort of new. We have been burning pellets in our Harman for 10 years and just did a season of coal burning in an antique stove parlor stove.
However, we are looking to switch to wood as our primary heat source. We found a Vermont Casting Defiant. Its listed at $250. However, the exterior has some light gray on it.
Is this a sign of over firing?
Nothing appears warped. The interior of where the gray is looks fine.
Wondering what your thoughts are.
Thank you in advance
Theresa J

Canyou post pic.s of interior, and also left side w door open? Get the entire left side in the photo.

 

[specialtg]

Here are pictures!

 

[Simonkenton]

VERMONT CASTINGS PARLOR FURNACE

Damn, that is so cool, I just love the old Vermont Castings. Looks like a date of 1976 but that may not be the date of manufacture. Looks like an old Defiant to me.

Someone more knowledgable will chime in.

 

[begreen]

Yes, 1976 is the casting mold date. It needs a new upper and lower fireback in the least. Other parts in the flame path should be closely examined for warping and cracking.

 

[fbelec]

that is a defiant 1 that's going to need a left side also. not sure about the damper rod and damper itself.
the upper, lower and siide are a minimum of $550. the light grey is from a leaking door gasket. mine did the same thing. careful the door on the right warps and doesn't seal even with a new gasket

 

[defiant3]

Parts are probably no longer available for that.

 

[Tech Guru]

Sides overlapping front means it is a Defiant I, but as it already has had the two piece Fireback added, that essentially makes it a Defiant IAI. You may still be able to get the fireback parts - I'd suggest Woodman's Parts Plus. Good stove, but the warnings about the door gasket are true. Being in VT means you're not likely have issues with installing it. Out west this sort of non-EPA stove would have to be melted down into scrap.

 

[Tech Guru]

Fun fact: the year in the fireback mold was a reference to the 'birth date' of the various VC stoves: 1975 Defiant, 1977 Vigilant, 1979 Resolute. They kept those original dates in the updated 2 piece firebacks (for all of those stoves) as a legacy number.

I probably oversold that fact as being 'fun'. lol