This is the same model 1 that I bought at the factory in 1977. The nickel pistol handles are quite rare. My single back cracked in 1979, but I left it alone and it never got worse. The model 1 was manufactured from 1975 to 1980.I’m trying to get my elderly mother’s Vermont Castings Defiant running efficiently and I’m trying to figure out what model it is so I can get the right gaskets. It says 1975 inside, but does not have glass windows. I’m finding conflicting information online.
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It requires 12 feet of 5/16" black graphite fiberglass gasket for doors and 4 feet of 5/16" steel reinforced wire mesh gasket for the griddle.This is the same model 1 that I bought at the factory in 1977. The nickel pistol handles are quite rare. My single back cracked in 1979, but I left it alone and it never got worse. The model 1 was manufactured from 1975 to 1980.
Thank you VERY much. Have a great weekendIt requires 12 feet of 5/16" black graphite fiberglass gasket for doors and 4 feet of 5/16" steel reinforced wire mesh gasket for the griddle.
Oh, that explosion. I will never forget mine! A few months ago. It gave the term "blown a gasket" a whole new understanding for me. In spite of a full cast iron humidifier sitting atop the oval cook plate, the whole thing rose up nearly a foot and slammed back down, completely dislodging the gasket. I had a dang good fire going (too good) so it took me hours to put it out, as smoke continued to pour from the now-loose top plate. Some kinda adventure, I tell ya! I feel so lucky that I witnessed it instead of, say, running to the store. But I am too cautious for that, thank goodness. I came to this site today with the same question... what gasket to buy for replacement. I will check out the replies here.Take a look at this, https://www.woodmanspartsplus.com/xref/WoodCoal/VermontCastingsStoves/DefiantIIAIAI0019and0028
Woodsman's is a good place to get parts. My guess is its still being used, its not a 1.
There is a hidden chamber behind the fireback (the casting with 1975 in it). It supposed to be cleaned yearly but few people know its there. If its plugged or partially plugged the stove will not run well if at all when the bypass lever is flipped down, its also a contributor to warped and cracked fireback. Its a PITA to get to. The manual has the instructions. The flue pipe needs to be removed , from there the oval cook plate is removed and then a flap in the smoke shelf is removed and a long thin vacuum cleaner hose is used to clean out the chamber.
Do note, Defiant's were designed for big drafty Vermont homes, the guy who designed it lived in something akin to a barn. They were real popular when they came out and many went in smaller homes where they were vastly oversized. They really like to run, so keeping them running efficiently turned down is a challenge. In most cases, they need to be fed small loads often. If you try to fill them up before bed and crank down the air via the thermostat lever you may learn about backpuffing. If one occurs you will hear a "whoof noise" and the air flap in the back of the stove will fly open and hit the rear shield with a nice solid "click" sound and if you do not have a kettle on the cook plate it may rattle. Most Defiant users have a cast iron pot on top of the cook plate so if there is backpuff the oval plate does not jump out of the stove. A backpuff is effectively a small explosion so its something to be avoided.