Defiant Woodburning Stove Model 1945 Homeowner’s Installation and Operating Manual For use in the United States and Canada SAFETY NOTICE: IF THIS APPLIANCE IS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, OPERATED AND MAINTAINED, A HOUSE FIRE MAY RESULT. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE, FOLLOW THE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. FAILURE TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, BODILY INJURY OR EVEN DEATH. CONTACT LOCAL BUILDING OFFICIALS ABOUT RESTRICTIONS AND INSTALLATION INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS IN YOUR AREA.
Defiant Woodburning Stove Welcome Congratulations on your choice of a Vermont Castings Defiant stove. With this purchase you have made a commitment to make the hearth a place of warmth, beauty and comfort in your home. At MHSC, we share that joy and appreciation for the hearth. We assure you that your cast-iron Vermont Castings stove has been made with the utmost care and will provide you with many years of service.
Defiant Woodburning Stove The Story of the Defiant No wood-burning appliance, save for Ben Franklin’s Pennsylvania Fireplace, has a stronger heritage than the Vermont Castings Defiant. Named for a 19th-century steamship, the original Vermont Castings Defiant Wood Stove came to epitomize America’s resolve and independence during the Energy Crisis of the 1970s. The year was 1975.
Defiant Woodburning Stove Specifications Defiant, Model 1945 EPA Emissions rating ........................................8 GPH* Range of heat output ...........10,600 to 44,400 Btu’s/hr.* Maximum heat output ........................ 55,000 Btu’s/hr.** Area heated .........................Up to 2,400 Square feet*** Fuel Size/type ...................................22 - 24” hardwood Fuel capacity ................................................ 50 pounds Loading ...............................................
Defiant Woodburning Stove Installation Before you begin an installation, be sure that: • Your stove and chimney connector will be far enough from combustible material to meet all clearance requirements. • The floor protector is large enough and is constructed properly to meet all requirements. • You have all necessary permits from local authorities. Your local building official is the final authority for approving your installation as safe and determining that it meets local and state codes.
Defiant Woodburning Stove What Kind of Chimney to Use Masonry Chimneys You must connect the Defiant to a code-approved masonry chimney with a flue liner, to a relined masonry chimney that meets local codes, or to a prefabricated metal chimney that complies with the requirements for Type HT chimneys in the Standard for Chimneys, Factory-Built, Residential Type and Building Heating Appliance, UL 103. Figure 3 illustrates the two types.
Defiant Woodburning Stove Accessories to help make the connection between stainless steel chimney liners and your Defiant are available through your local dealer. Chimney Connector Guidelines A chimney connector is the single-wall pipe that connects the stove to the chimney. The chimney itself is the masonry or prefabricated structure that encloses the flue. Chimney connectors are used only to connect the stove to the chimney. Single-wall connectors should be made of 24 gauge or heavier steel.
Defiant Woodburning Stove Chimney Flue Elbow Flue Inner Without a thimble, a suitable length of chimney connector can be extended through the breech to the inner face of the flue liner, and cemented securely in place. Additional pieces of connector are then attached with sheet metal screws. Fireplace Installations Slip Pipe Standard Connector Oval to Round Adapter Thimble The chimney connector may be connected to the chimney above the fireplace opening or through the fireplace.
Defiant Woodburning Stove Through the Fireplace If your fireplace opening height is at least 29" (737 mm), you may install a Defiant through the opening using a “positive connection” kit, available from your local dealer. Positive connection kits ensure a tight fit between the stove flue collar and the chimney flue. (Fig. 9) Figure 10 shows one NFPA-recommended method. All combustible material in the wall is cut away from the single-wall connector to provide the required 12” (305 mm) clearance.
Defiant Woodburning Stove Protection requirements vary somewhat between the Untied States and Canada as follows: 18” (460mm) clearance between pipe and sides/top/bottom of opening In U. S. installations the floor protector is required under the stove and must extend at least 16” (not including the ash lip) from the front of the stove (“F”, Fig. 12), and at least 6” from the sides and rear. (“D” and “E”, Fig. 12) It must also extend under the chimney connector and 2” to either side. (“C”, Fig.
Defiant Woodburning Stove For all fireplace installations, follow the floor protection guidelines described above. Keep in mind that many raised hearths will extend less than the required clearance from the front of the heater. In such cases, sufficient floor protection as described above must be added in front of the hearth to satisfy the minimum floor protector requirement from the front of the stove: 16” (410 mm) in the United States and 18” (460 mm) in Canada.
Defiant Woodburning Stove Fireplace and Mantel Trim Shields A fireplace installation requires special clearance between the side of the stove and the right and left walls, between the side of the stove and the decorative side trim on the fireplace face, and between the top of the stove and the mantel. Noncombustible shields installed 1” (25 mm) away from the combustible surface on noncombustible spacers, called ventilated shields, may be used to reduce clearances.
Defiant Woodburning Stove Defiant Clearance Chart for use with either a 6” or 8” chimney connection Stove Clearance Unprotected Surfaces Protected Surfaces Stove Installed Parallel to Wall Stove in Corner Side Rear Corners Side No stove heat shields (A) 24” (610 mm) (B) 33” (840 mm) (C) 23” (585 mm) (D) 14” (355 mm) (E) 28” (710 mm) (F) 18” (460 mm) Stove, top exit with rear heat shield, no connector heat shields (G) 24” (610 mm) (H) 21” (533 mm) (I) 17” (430 mm) (J) 14” (355 mm) (K) 17
Defiant Woodburning Stove Defiant Clearance Diagrams for use with either a 6” or 8” chimney connection Unprotected Surfaces Stove Installed Parallel to Wall Protected Surfaces Stove in Corner Stove Installed Parallel to Wall Stove in Corner Top Exit Installations, no heat shields C B A F E D C F Top Exit Installations, heat shield on stove, no shields on single-wall connector I H G L K J I L Top Exit Installations, heat shield on stove, heat shields on single-wall connector O N M R
Defiant Woodburning Stove 48" (1220mm) 48" (1220mm) 48" (1220mm) 48" (1220mm) 48" (1220mm) 48" (1220mm) 48" (1220mm) 48" (1220mm) ST499 ST497 Fig. 16 Parallel installation, vertical chimney connector, two wall shields. Reduced clearances for both rear and side walls. Wall shields may meet at corner if desired. Shielding for connector is centered behind connector. Fig. 18 Corner installation, vertical chimney connector, two wall shields. Reduced side clearances. Wall shield MUST meet at corner.
Defiant Woodburning Stove Distance from the Center of the Flue Collar to the Wall The information on this page is helpful in planning stove placement, particularly in those installations with chimneys that pass through the ceiling. However, this is not a clearance chart. Final stove clearances must adhere to the guidelines in the clearance chart on Page 12. Note that rear dimensions differ for installations with 6” or 8” chimney connectors.
Defiant Woodburning Stove Assembly Set Up Your Stove Storing the Handle Cast iron stoves are heavy, and it will take two to four people to move your Defiant into position. Wipe the protective coating of oil from the griddle with a clean dry rag or a paper towel. Use the removable handle to open or close the doors. After using it, remove the handle so it will not get hot. Store the handle in the handle holder installed behind the right front leg. (Fig. 22) Install the handle on the griddle.
Defiant Woodburning Stove Install the Optional Ash Door Heat Shield 1. Remove the two Phillips pan head screws from the ash door. 2. Insert the screws through the ash door heat shield (from the painted side), place the 5/16” spacers over the screws, and carefully thread them back into the original holes. (Fig. 24) The curved lip should be upward, under the ashlip of the stove. 3. Tighten securely. IANT DEF ST539 Fig. 25 Attach the thermostat handle.
Defiant Woodburning Stove A Single Air Control Regulates Heat Output and Burn Time The primary air control lever, on the right side of the stove, controls the amount of incoming air for starting, maintaining, and reviving a fire. More air entering the stove makes the fire burn hotter and faster, while less air prolongs the burn at a lower heat output level. (Fig. 28) The damper is closed when the handle points forward.
Defiant Woodburning Stove Burn Only High-Quality Wood Clockwise to Open The Defiant is designed to burn natural wood only; do not burn fuels other than that for which it was designed. Counterclockwise to Close ST544 Fig. 31 To open the front doors, turn the handle clockwise. To reduce the risk of breaking the glass, avoid striking the glass or slamming the doors. When you’re not using the door handle, store it in the holder behind the left front leg of the stove.
Defiant Woodburning Stove Use the following temperature ranges as a guide: • Readings in the 350°-500°F. (175°-260°C) range • • indicate low to medium heat output. 500°-600°F. (260°-315°C) readings indicate medium heat output. Readings of 600°-750°F. (315-385°C) indicate high heat output. Operating your Defiant continuously at griddle temperatures of 750° F. (385°C) or higher may damage the cast iron or enamel finish.
Defiant Woodburning Stove Never kindle a fire with colored paper or paper that has colored ink or a glossy surface, and never burn treated wood, garbage, solvents, or trash. All of these may poison the catalyst and prevent it from operating properly. Never burn cardboard or loose paper except for kindling purposes. Never burn coal; doing so can produce soot or large flakes of char or fly ash that can coat the combustor and cause smoke to spill into the room.
Defiant Woodburning Stove 4. If your Defiant has been broken-in previously using Steps 1-3, continue to build the fire gradually. Add larger wood with a diameter of 3-4” (75-100 mm). Continue adding split logs of this size to the briskly-burning fire until there is a glowing ember bed at least 3” (75 mm) deep. (Fig. 34) A good ember bed is necessary for proper functioning of the catalytic system and may take an hour or more to establish. ST264 Fig. 34 Add larger pieces of wood as the fire begins to burn well.
Defiant Woodburning Stove located below and behind the throat, 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 likely to glow at its higher temperatures, which it reaches when the firebox is in its lower range - the catalyst is an afterburner, and the more waste fuel there is in the smoke, the hotter the catalyst gets.
Defiant Woodburning Stove Draft Management A stove is part of a system, which includes the chimney, the operator, the fuel, and the home. The other parts of the system will affect how well the stove works. When there is a good match between all the parts, the system works well. Wood stove or insert operation depends on natural (unforced) draft. Natural draft occurs when the smoke is hotter (and therefore lighter) than the outdoor air at the top of the chimney.
Defiant Woodburning Stove There should be no more than eight feet of single-wall stove pipe between the stove and a chimney; longer runs can cool the smoke enough to cause draft and creosote problems. With prefabricated chimney, bring it down to six to eight feet from the stove. With a masonry chimney, arrange the pipe layout to elbow into the chimney within eight feet of the stove. Single Venting Each ‘airtight’ stove requires its own flue.
Defiant Woodburning Stove Negative Pressure Good draft also depends on a supply of air to the stove; a chimney can’t pull in more air than is available to it. Sluggish draft results when a house is tight enough to prevent the ready flow of air to the stove, or by competition between the stove and other equipment that sends indoor air outside - especially power-driven equipment like range hoods, clothes dryers, etc.
Defiant Woodburning Stove Maintenance Keep Your Stove Looking New and Working Its Best Let the fire in the stove go out and allow the stove to cool completely before beginning any maintenance procedure. Care of the Cast Iron Surface An occasional dusting with a dry rag will keep the painted cast iron of your Defiant looking new. The stove’s paint can be touched up as needed. First, mask the areas, such as enamelled parts, glass, or handles, around the spot to be painted. Clean the spot with a wire brush.
Defiant Woodburning Stove Check the Operation of the Primary Air Shutter The primary air shutter is at the back of the ash drop and is visible from the back of the stove. (Fig. 39) The shutter must open and close freely when you move the thermostat lever. If it doesn’t, remove any obstruction. If you need assistance, consult your local Vermont Castings Authorized Dealer. Do not change the adjustment of the cable in an attempt to gain increased firing.
Defiant Woodburning Stove The Catalytic Element This wood heater contains a catalytic combustor, which needs periodic inspection and replacement for proper operation. In the United States it is against the law to operate this wood heater in a manner inconsistent with the operating instructions in this manual, or if the catalytic element is deactivated or removed. Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic combustor should remain active for two to six years (depending on the amount of wood burned).
Defiant Woodburning Stove Alignment Notches Left Wedge Right Wedge Catalytic Element Brick Guide Brick Clip Catalytic Access Panel ST558 Bricks ST556 Fig. 45 Remove and inspect ST558 the catalytic element. Inspect 5. Inspect the element for damage or degradation. Catalytic element Although small hairline cracks will not affect per4 formance, the element should be essentially intact. 11/00 If the element is broken in pieces or has sections missing, it should be replaced.
Defiant Woodburning Stove 6. If the element is in good condition and clean, re-install it in the stove and replace the refractory access cover. 7. Replace the fireback, the five bricks and their clip, the left and right wedges, and the throat. When you install the lower fireback, be sure to align the two slight recesses in its bottom forward edge behind the mating tabs on the firebox floor. (Fig.
Defiant Woodburning Stove 7. Press the gasketed part firmly against its normal mating surface to seat the gasket evenly in its channel. Close and latch the door to do this, or tap other parts with the rubber mallet (or hammer/block of wood). 8. Clean any excess cement from around the channel, then let the cement that holds the new gasket dry thoroughly. Adjust the Door Latch If Necessary The stove’s doors may need adjustment after you have regasketed them.
Defiant Woodburning Stove Appendix: Catalytic Combustor In any chemical reaction, including the combustion process, there are certain conditions which must be met before the reaction can take place. For example, a reaction may require a certain temperature, or a certain concentration of the reactants (the combustion gases and oxygen), or a certain amount of time. Catalysts act at a molecular level to change these requirements, though they are not changed themselves during the reaction.
Defiant Woodburning Stove Appendix: Chimney and Fireplace Hazards General B A. Improper chimney height. The top of the chimney must be at least 3 feet higher than the spot where it passes through or past the roof, or two feet higher than everything else within ten feet horizontally, whichever is higher. B. Deteriorated chimney cap C. Structural defects indicated by creosote stains on outside of chimney D. Blockage within chimney E.
Defiant Woodburning Stove 14 13 15 17 25 21 18 86 87 5 16 28 69 1 2 22 6 23 20 3 23 24 19 37 8 12 4 90 34 26 9 36 63 45 47 7 84 35 10 11 32 79 91 27 44 31 72 66 46 52 81 73 30 75 82 59 80 29 61 39 38 50 77 48 91 52 68 83 51 33 78 88 54 70 42 62 71 74 64 85 66 40 43 53 41 76 60 56 75 70 55 80 65 57 68 49 58 78 67 78 MHSC reserves the right to make changes in design, materials, specifications, prices and discontinue colors and products
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Defiant Woodburning Stove Defiant Woodburning Stove Shell Enamel Parts - Defiant Enamel Color Top Classic 30001582 Biscuit 30002967 Bordeaux 30002957 Chestnut Brown 30002977 Ebony 30002987 Forest Green 30001627 Midnight Blue 30001621 Sand 30001615 Suede Brown 30002578 Vermont Classic Green 30002997 Shell Enamel Parts - Defiant Enamel Color Flue Collar Classic 30001576 Biscuit 30002947 Bordeaux 30002921 Chestnut Brown 30002932 Ebony 30002910 Forest Green 30001623 Midnight Blue 30001617 Sand 30001611 Suede Bro
Defiant Woodburning Stove Warranty Limited 3 Year Warranty MHSC warrants that this woodburning stove will be free of defects in material and workmanship for a period of three years from the date you receive it, except that the catalyst, thermostat assembly, handles, glass door panels, cement, and gasketing shall be warranted as described below. MHSC will repair or replace, at its option, any part found to be defective upon inspection by a Vermont Castings, Authorized Dealer.
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