Vermont Castings • Dauntless FlexBurn Owner’s Manual_R3 • 2020 - ___ • 05/20
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3-90-586000c
B. Conditioning Your Stove
Cast iron is extremely strong, but it can be broken with a
sharp blow from a hammer or from the thermal shock of
rapid and extreme temperature change.
The cast plates expand and contract with changes in
temperature. When you first begin using your Dauntless
FlexBurn
®
, minimize thermal stress by letting the plates
adjust gradually during three or four initial break-in fires.
C. Wood Burning Operation
Burn only solid wood in the Dauntless FlexBurn
®
Wood
Stove, and burn it directly on the grate. Do not elevate the
fuel. Do not burn coal or other fuels. In the United States, it
is against the law to operate this wood heater in a manner
inconsistent with operating instructions in this manual.
The bypass damper must be open when starting a fire
or when refueling.
Do not use chemicals or fluids to start the fire. Do not
burn garbage. Never use flammable fluids such as
gasoline, gasoline type lantern fuel, kerosene, charcoal
lighter fluid, naptha, engine oil or similar liquids to
start or “freshen up”
a fire in this heater. Keep all such
liquids well away from the heater while it is in use.
The following procedures are important for reliable, clean
and efficient operation of your woodstove. Recommend 16”
logs Properly seasoned (up to a year for denser woods)
Split to 3” to 6” cross sections
Cold start:
When starting your stove at room temperature and when no
burning coals are present the following kindling procedure
has been found to be the most reliable.
Stack about 4 lbs of finely split kindling (1” diameter or less
10 to 20 pcs) in a ‘log cabin’ style directly against the rear
wall. Place a small amount of newspaper on top of this
pile with one or two small pieces of kindling on top. This
is referred to as a top down method and while providing a
slower start, also serves to preheat the combustion properly
resulting in a reliable start., Figure 2.4.
Figure 2.4
- Start the fire with newspaper and dry kindling.
After most of the kindling has burned into coals (15 to 20
minutes), open the front doors and push remaining coals
and unburned wood against the rear wall. Add several
pieces of larger split wood between 2 to 3 inches in diameter
(about 6 lbs) directly against the rear wall and on top of the
kindling coals. Close the doors and bypass to engage the
combustion system. The air should remain on high for up
to one hour or until the wood is mostly converted to coals.
After a hot bed of coals is produced, open the door and
bypass damper and push the remaining coals again toward
the rear wall. Add large pieces of wood starting against the
rear wall and on top of the coals (4 to 5 pcs). Note: The
stove is designed to be filled to the top. Close the doors and
bypass immediately after loading the stove.
Ideally, allow this wood load to burn at the highest air setting
for the entire wood load. If this is not possible, the wood
should burn for at least 30 minutes prior to reducing the
primary air setting.
D. Ways to Add Fuel
The griddle lifts for convenient top-loading of logs, and is the
easiest way to add fuel, Figure 2.5.
However, the front doors open as well for adding an occasional
log to the fire. The Dauntless FlexBurn
®
Wood Stove is not
approved for operation with the front doors open.
With the bypass damper open and the primary air set to its
highest position, light the newspaper. Leave the front door
cracked until the kindling ignites, then close the doors.
To open the front doors, insert the handle into the door latch
stub and turn it clockwise, Figure 2.6.
To close them, always close the left door first. Turn the
handle in the right door to the left and up (to the open
position) and close it. Finally, push on the door as you turn
the handle counterclockwise. The doors will draw in slightly,
and the handle should offer some resistance as you turn it
to the closed position.
To reduce the risk of breaking the glass, avoid striking the
glass or slamming the doors.
When you are not using the door handle, store it in the
holder behind the right front leg of the stove.
Figure 2.5
- Top loading is the best way to add fuel during regular
use. Front loading is useful for kindling a fire.
