Vermont Castings Winter Warm Large Issues

[Nino1]

I've enjoyed my Vermont Castings Winter Warm Large zero clearance insert (with energy box) for 17 years now, but it is at the point that it needs to be replaced. I may replace it with the same model (if still available) but am looking for suggestions for other high efficiency models that could also be used in the same energy box, preferably with the same or very similar mantel penetration dimensions.

Has anyone done this yet with a different model?

Are there other models that will fit?

Thanks,

Will

hello i do not know how to navigate through this site yet but have been trying to contact someone who has a VERMONT WINTER WARM (LARGE) i just installed a used one that is in great shape in my home. i am having a tremendous amount of door issues it is extremely hard to shut the door with the closer (a lot of tension) did not know if that is a common issue? also the air control on left hand side does not look like it closes the whole way, i think a majority of my issue is with the door not closing all the way. but didn't know if u had any ideas on how to figure the door out or if you ever experienced these issues before.

 

[begreen]

Welcome. It sounds like the door latch may need adjusting. Is this an older, original Winter Warm (0044)? The manual shows how to adjust the door latch. Click to enlarge.

This is for the newer Winter Warm Large

 

[Wood Wules]

It appears the diagram shows you how to tighten the handle.

I would first make sure there is no ash or wood chips blocking the door. Also check to see if the gasket around the door is protruding at any point.

 

[raiderfan]

hello i do not know how to navigate through this site yet but have been trying to contact someone who has a VERMONT WINTER WARM (LARGE) i just installed a used one that is in great shape in my home. i am having a tremendous amount of door issues it is extremely hard to shut the door with the closer (a lot of tension) did not know if that is a common issue? also the air control on left hand side does not look like it closes the whole way, i think a majority of my issue is with the door not closing all the way. but didn't know if u had any ideas on how to figure the door out or if you ever experienced these issues before.

So.. I am new to one of these, myself. Inherited one when we bought our house in December (went from a PE T5 to this), and read up every bit of info that I could find on it. I have had my door latch tightened already (as BeGreen's pics illustrate) as I thought my door wasn't sealing as well as it should. I tried the dollar bill test and it seals better, but still not as great as it should, imo (and the gaskets have just been replaced and inside of the stove has been rebuilt, all this past fall).

But with the info I've read on the unit, I'm just relegated to believe that its the way our units run. I also agree the the primary air lever doesn't have as much of an effect on the fire as it should. I don't know if its the fact that the Winterwarm's firebox is large and I have a lot of air space in the stove, as the wood I am using was cut to 16-18" for my PE T5, so its tough to fill up the firebox? It seems to burn better when loaded more full, but its tough to load tight with my length of splits in a box designed for 24" splits.

I don't have a fix for these things so I have just accepted in the last month that I will have WAY shorter burn times than advertised but will enjoy the fire and the heat this thing puts out for my two story house. When viable, I would love to pull the whole unit out and replace it with a new ZC unit that fits the opening the WWL currently occupies.

 

[brad wilton]

Raiderfan,i have a large fire box too, what i do is go e/w in back of box n/s in front helps to fill it up .

 

[webby3650]

Raiderfan,i have a large fire box too, what i do is go e/w in back of box n/s in front helps to fill it up .

Yeah, it's no where near that big... It's about the size of a normal stove, I'd guess 2.5-3.0 cubic feet.

 

[webby3650]

I've seen several of these winter warms that have lots of warped parts, on a few the face where the door seals up is warped preventing a good seal. I've also seen issues with the bypass, fan, air control levers were not working properly because of rust on top of the unit. The rust prevents it from moving like it should.

 

[raiderfan]

Yeah, it's no where near that big... It's about the size of a normal stove, I'd guess 2.5-3.0 cubic feet.

Correct. Just seems a bit bigger when loaded with 16" splits! Lol.

I still haven't found the best method of loading this thing evenly.