Vermont Castings Defiant Operation Manual page 14

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During these first fires, keep the combustion rate at a modest
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level and avoid a large updraft fire. Only after a dozen such fires,
can you operate the stove at its maximum setting in the updraft
mode, and then only if the iron has first been warmed. Remember
. this procedure even after your sea&Jning is complete. This warning
WARNING: To build the first fire m ignorace applies to all cast iron stoves and can easily be summed up this
of or to disregard the information contained in way:
NEVER BUILD A ROARING FIRE IN A ~OLD STOVE.
this section can cause serious permanent damage
Never fire the stove &J ~ot that a~y part beginS to ~Iow red.
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Damage to the stove, StOVepipe and chimney can occur If the stove
to your stove, and void your warranty. is overfired. Reduce the stove temperature by closing the air intake
shutter in the event that ovemring should occur.
Cast iron, despite its superior characteristics as a material Daily Use
for wood stoves, must be treated with respect. It can be. Kindle the fire in the same fashion as the break-in period.
broken by a sharp blow from a hammer or from a large rapid When the logs are burning well (after about 30-45 minutes) close
temperature change. The cast iron in your new sto~e has ~een the damper. After a few minut~, when the fire has adjusted to
developed through test,ing in ~etallurgicallabor~~one~ ~nd IS burning in the side draft mode with the damper closed, turn the
am~ng the .best stove Iron available: In composition It IS not thermostat from the open position to the desired heat output set-
unlIke the Iron used long ago to create stoves th~t ~ave. en- ting. To refill the stove, open the damper and the loading door (or
dured a ce~tur.y or more of hard use. In the be.glnru~g It. muSt griddle on the Vigilant or Re&Jlute), and fill the firebox. Allow the
be brok~n m lIke the old Mod,el A. T~e break-In perIod IS a fire to bum long enough in updraft to establish the draft and to
small prIce to ensure the stove s longevIty. return to full heat output. Then close the damper. If the fire dies
down completely after the damper has been closed, reopen it and
allow the fire to bum more vigorously before reclosing the damper.
Some drop-off in heat output is normal when the damper is first
closed. Finally, adjust the thermostat for the heat output you desire.
The stove will continue to produce even heat for many hours.
Temperatures measured by placing a surface thermometer on the
griddle of your stove can give an indication of your stove's.
performance. When first starting a fire, after re-fueling, or when
enlivening the fire after a long bum, leave the damper open until
the griddle reaches 260°C (SOO°F). Usual operating temperatures
range from not lower than ISO°C (302°F) to 370°C (698°F).
Remember: The stove is hot while in operation. Keep children,
clothing and furniture away.
Fireplace Use
The First Fire
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h If the stove has been m use as a heater, an you WIS to
When your installation is complete, the chimney connector open the doors to view the fire, first open the damper. Then
firmly in place and the bottom of the stove insulated with make certain that the magazine is not too full. The great
sand or ashes for Defiants or Resolutes, or refractory cement for amounts of air admitted when the doors are opened will cause
Vigilants, you are ready to kindle your first fire. Set the. the preheated logs in the magazine to bum quickly and hot.
damper in the updraft position, open the fireplace doors, and build Fires should not be permitted to overheat, thus causing possi-
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a small fire using paper and dry kindling. Light the paper, ble thermal stress to the iron. Check through the loading door
securely latch the fireplace doors and loading doors (close the or griddle and remove any wood or coals leaning against the
griddle in the case of the Vigilant and Resolute) and set the front doors before opening them.
thermostat at the highest position. After a few minutes, when the When the front doors are opened or removed, and the
fire has established a good draft in the .flue,. place two or three damper is open, the stove can be used like any other open
small logs (three inches to four inches m diameter) on the fireplace. The thermostat and air controls have no function
burning kindling. and require no adjustment. If you are only going to view the
'~i;c, After the logs have begun to bum strongly, the thermostat fire for a short period,you may wish just to open the doors.
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" should be adjusted to keep a modest fire going in the updraft mode. For longer periods you may want ~o remove them. ~h,e double
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doors on all four stoves are easily removed by lIftIng
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