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8390-975
Vermont Castings • Defiant® Model 1975-CAT-C Installation Manual_R8 • 02/21
WARNING
!
For safety and greatest efficiency, operate your stove
only with all doors/griddles fully closed. The test
standard for your stove when it is operated in this
mode is UL 1482.
WARNING
!
DO NOT OPERATE THE STOVE WITH THE ASH
DOOR OPEN. OPERATION WITH THE ASH DOOR
OPEN CAN CAUSE AN OVER-FIRING CONDITION TO
OCCUR. OVER-FIRING THE STOVE IS DANGEROUS
AND CAN RESULT IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, INJURY
OR LOSS OF LIFE.
Andirons Help Protect the Glass
Your stove has andirons to keep logs away from the glass
panels. The andirons are essential to maintain clear fire
viewing, and should be left in place during operation. Since
the andirons may slightly hinder refueling through the front
doors, most stove owners will prefer the convenience of top
loading through the griddle. Do not place fuel between the
andirons and the doors.
Burn Only High-Quality Wood
This appliance is designed to burn natural wood only; do not
burn fuels other than that for which it was designed.
IMPORTANT: Do not burn any type of artificial or
synthetic materials such as fire starter logs (containing
wax) in this appliance. Never burn liquid-based fuels
such as kerosene, gasoline or alcohol.
Burning any materials not allowed in these instructions, or
over-firing the stove, may void the warranty.
You’ll enjoy the best results when burning wood that has
been adequately air-dried. The wood should be 18” - 20”
(457-508 mm) in length. Avoid burning “green” wood that
has not been properly seasoned. Do not burn construction
materials; they often contain chemicals and metals that can
damage the inside surfaces of the stove and pollute the
air. Do not burn ocean driftwood; when it burns, the salt it
contains will attack the cast iron.
The best hardwood fuels include oak, maple, beech, ash,
and hickory that has been split, stacked, and air-dried
outside under cover for at least one year.
If hardwood is not available, you can burn softwoods that
include tamarack, yellow pine, white pine, Eastern red cedar,
fir, and redwood. These should also be properly dried.
Store split wood under cover to keep it dry. Even for short-
term storage, be sure to keep wood a safe distance from the
heater and keep it out of the areas around the heater used
for refueling and ash removal.
Surface Thermometer is a Valuable Guide to Operation
An optional surface thermometer tells you when to adjust
the air control, and when to refuel, Figure 5.7.
Figure 5.7
- Take temperature readings with a thermometer located
in the middle of the griddle.
For example, when the thermometer registers at least
450°F (230°C) on the stove top after start-up you know the
stove is hot enough and it may be time to close the damper
if a sufficient ember bed has also been established. Note
that the stove will warm up much sooner than the chimney,
though; a warm chimney is the key to easy, effective stove
operation. Please review the
"Draft Management"
section of
this manual to see how the size, type, and location of your
chimney will affect your stove operation. When thermometer
readings drop below 350°F. (175°C) it’s time to adjust the
air control for a higher burn rate or to reload the stove. A
temperature reading over 650°F. (340°C) is a sign to reduce
the air supply to slow the burn rate.
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°-700°F. (315-371°C) indicate high heat
output. Operating your appliance continuously at griddle
temperatures higher than 650° F (340°C) may damage
the cast iron or enamel finish.
Use the Air Control Settings that Work Best for You
No single air control setting will fit every situation. Each
installation will differ depending on the quality of the fuel,
the amount of heat desired, and how long you wish the fire
to burn; outdoor air temperature and pressure also affect
draft.
The control setting also depends on your particular
installation’s “draft,” or the force that moves air from the
stove up through the chimney. Draft is affected by such
things as the length, type, and location of the chimney, local
geography, nearby obstructions, and other factors. See the
"Draft Management"
section of this manual for details on
how the installation affects performance.
Too much draft may cause excessive temperatures in the
appliance, and could even damage the stove. On the other
hand, too little draft can cause backpuffing into the room
and/or the “plugging” of the chimney.
ST523
Intrepid
temp readings
11/00
