Refuel While the Embers Are Still Hot

Vermont Castings Defiant

5.Close the damper when the griddle temperature reaches 450°F (230˚C).

6.Adjust the air control for your desired heat

output.

ST264

Fig. 28 Add larger pieces of wood as the fire begins to burn

well.

NOTE: Stove installations vary widely, and the

operating guidance given here is only a starting point . The draft management information on pages 24 will explain in detail how the features of your installation may help or hinder good draft, and how you may need to vary your firing technique if your installation doesn't encourage a good draft.

When reloading, best results will be achieved if you first de-ash the stove by stirring the fuel bed to allow ash to fall through the grate into the ash pan.

Do not break the charcoal into very small pieces or pound or compress the charcoal bed.

It is important that air can circulate through the charcoal bed during the burn. Larger pieces of char- coal allow more air to circulate under the wood, resulting in the fire reviving more quickly. (Fig. 29)

ST264a

Fig. 29 Add full size logs aafter the ember bed is 3” (75mm)

deep.

For best results when refueling, wear long-cuffed stove gloves to protect your hands and forearms, add fuel while the stove still has plenty of glowing embers to re-kindle the fire, and include some smaller pieces of wood in the new fuel load to help the stove regain its operating temperature quickly. Use this sequence as a guide to successful refueling:

1.Open the damper.

2.De-ash the stove as described above. Open the ashdoor and check the level of ash in the ash pan. Empty the pan if necessary and replace it in the stove. Close the ash door.

3.Open the griddle, load the wood (smaller pieces first), and close the griddle.

4.Close the damper.

5.When the surface temperature reaches 450° F. (230˚C), adjust the air control for the amount of heat you desire.

NOTE: If the remaining charcoal bed is relatively thick and if your fuel is well seasoned, it is possible to add fresh fuel (smaller pieces first), close the door and damper, and reset the primary air thermostat for the desired heat output.

WARNING: OPERATE YOUR DEFIANT ONLY WITH THE DOORS EITHER FULLY OPEN OR FULLY CLOSED.

CAUTION: The Defiant will be hot while in operation. Keep children, clothing and furniture away. Contact may cause skin burns.

DO NOT OVERFIRE THIS HEATER. Overfiring may cause a house fire, or can result in permanent damage to the stove and to the catalytic combustor. If any part of the Defiant other than the baffle and/or catalytic combustor glows, you are overfiring.

The baffle is made of a special cast iron which can withstand higher temperatures than most other parts of your stove. It protects the catalytic element from direct flame impingement, which can shorten the catalyst’s life. Since the baffle is in the direct path of flame between the firebox and the catalyst, it reaches higher temperatures than other firebox parts, and it may glow at times. If it does glow, you will see this directly through the front doors. The glow is normal and does not indicate a problem.

At times you may see a glow from the catalyst shining through the ports of the baffle. This is also normal and does not indicate a problem. The catalytic element, located below and behind the baffle, can glow at high temperatures. This is also normal. However, the element can be active and operate properly without glowing. The lack of a glow does not indicate that the catalyst isn’t working. Note that the catalyst is most