2024/25 VC performance discussion thread

[dmccoole]

anyone know why the pictures dont show

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It might be due to the file extension: .webp

 

[sargeott]

First fire of the season! Recently put in a steel cat and installed the Auber Instruments AT-100. I’m really liking the steel cat so far and the digital cat thermometer is definitely the way to go.

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Do you lose a lot of heat from having your VC inset like that? I used to get so much heat off the top and back of mine, I would be hesitant to do what you did. ( just my .02 with a question)
Also, can you still open the top griddle with it like that?

 

[Jmorg]

Do you lose a lot of heat from having your VC inset like that? I used to get so much heat off the top and back of mine, I would be hesitant to do what you did. ( just my .02 with a question)
Also, can you still open the top griddle with it like that?

It’s set out pretty far on the hearth so I get a lot of heat from it. I might lose a little but it works perfectly and I have a chimney so I figured I’d use it. I don’t really like inserts either. I made sure before I bought it that I could open the top…that’s one of the main reasons for me buying a VC…here’s a side and top view pic.

 

[sargeott]

Ah, ok. The previous pictures were hard to tell. Nice installation!

 

[Woodsplitter67]

Vc really does make a great looking stove., and puts out a ton of heat

that is a nice looking setup

 

[AsylumResident]

First fire of the season. Chilly 35 degrees this morning.

 

[Woodsplitter67]

4.40 am.. totally enjoying this with my coffee

 

[steel city fire]

First fire of the season for us….well seasoned wood has been something this forum really helped us with

 

[dmccoole]

First fire of the season for us….well seasoned wood has been something this forum really helped us with

Great sign!

 

[begreen]

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First fire of the season. Chilly 35 degrees this morning.

That's a beautiful sight.

 

[arnermd]

I have a dilemma Wondering what you guys think.

• I have 4-5years of wood split and stacked, 2 years are in a shed, the rest is stacked in the woods on pallets and under tarp.
• I have a bunch of standing dead Ash
• Do I drop the Ash and stack it on pallets and tarp it? Or do I leave them vertical for a few more years?
• They are recently dead so I expect they will stand for a few more years.

In other news; Since I rebuilt my air flapper I notice I have a lot more control over the firing rate with the damper open (cat not engaged). Since new, the stove/stack temps would keep climbing until I engaged the cat regardless of air lever position. In my first year I reached out to VC about this and they said that's normal don't burn it with the damper open, close the damper when up to temp.

So I continue to be cautiously optimistic that this will resolve my issues....

 

[Mreif]

I have a dilemma Wondering what you guys think.

• I have 4-5years of wood split and stacked, 2 years are in a shed, the rest is stacked in the woods on pallets and under tarp.
• I have a bunch of standing dead Ash
• Do I drop the Ash and stack it on pallets and tarp it? Or do I leave them vertical for a few more years?
• They are recently dead so I expect they will stand for a few more years.

In other news; Since I rebuilt my air flapper I notice I have a lot more control over the firing rate with the damper open (cat not engaged). Since new, the stove/stack temps would keep climbing until I engaged the cat regardless of air lever position. In my first year I reached out to VC about this and they said that's normal don't burn it with the damper open, close the damper when up to temp.

So I continue to be cautiously optimistic that this will resolve my issues....

What, and how did you rebuild your primary air flapper? Mine has never been able to fully close even after numerous cable adjustments.

 

[arnermd]

What, and how did you rebuild your primary air flapper? Mine has never been able to fully close even after numerous cable adjustments.

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/controlling-cat-temp.204725/

 

[begreen]

What, and how did you rebuild your primary air flapper? Mine has never been able to fully close even after numerous cable adjustments.

That would definitely be a problem.

 

[Mreif]

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/controlling-cat-temp.204725/

Thanks

 

[AsylumResident]

I have a dilemma Wondering what you guys think.

• I have 4-5years of wood split and stacked, 2 years are in a shed, the rest is stacked in the woods on pallets and under tarp.
• I have a bunch of standing dead Ash
• Do I drop the Ash and stack it on pallets and tarp it? Or do I leave them vertical for a few more years?
• They are recently dead so I expect they will stand for a few more years.

In other news; Since I rebuilt my air flapper I notice I have a lot more control over the firing rate with the damper open (cat not engaged). Since new, the stove/stack temps would keep climbing until I engaged the cat regardless of air lever position. In my first year I reached out to VC about this and they said that's normal don't burn it with the damper open, close the damper when up to temp.

So I continue to be cautiously optimistic that this will resolve my issues....

We have ash that have been leaf-less now going on three years. I have had the same question to myself, when will they be rotted enough to start falling during some high winds. My deer stand is one of them, which this will be my last year in that tree since I don't have an answer to this question.

 

[arnermd]

My personal experience, as best I can recall, is that after 2-3 years with no leaves, the outside gets pretty punky, but the core is still good. So it may still stand for another few years, but is it worth the effort for cordwood? My plan is to drop them in a year or two before they get punky... I think when they start dropping major limbs that's a sign that the end is near.

 

[Mreif]

My personal experience, as best I can recall, is that after 2-3 years with no leaves, the outside gets pretty punky, but the core is still good. So it may still stand for another few years, but is it worth the effort for cordwood? My plan is to drop them in a year or two before they get punky... I think when they start dropping major limbs that's a sign that the end is near.

I'm a lineman for a local power company in pa, they come down all the time in my area even on blue sky no wind days. From what seen most of them snap off anywhere from 15' off the ground to mid way up. They are a good money maker for my profession.

 

[NewGuy132]

Wait a minute, you guys are prepared and burning already? I still have ashes in my firebox from last season and have yet to sweep my chimney. Maybe I'll get to it this weekend. Seeing those fires sure is motivation to get it going though.

 

[Jmorg]

The Dauntless is lovin’ the new steel cat and the AT 100 is so much nicer than the stock temp probe! STT is about 500 and the cat is between 12-1300…runnin like a champ!

 

[JohnDaileyNH]

12 hour burn overnight. Stove is running great so far

 

[Woodsplitter67]

12 hour burn overnight. Stove is running great so far

Iv had some fires here and there. Nothing overnight yet. Ill be lighting the stove in an hour or so.. Your stove is looking good

 

[JohnDaileyNH]

Glass is a little darker than I'd like but pretty typical this time running pretty much as low as it possibly can. This is weird time where I need heat but it can get too warm if not paying attention

 

[Woodsplitter67]

I dont really enjoy shoulder season.. Id prefer to burn 24/7 its just easier to keep the stove going not having to get it up to temperature and catalyst engaged every time I burn.

 

[JohnDaileyNH]

Yup it is way less work. Starting a cold stove every night is tedious