Lovely. The small size combined with small requirement of clearance make it a great out-of-the-way stove.--We're really proud of the launch of the recent Aspen C3 and Dauntless and I'd like to answer any questions and provide supporting data on testing performed to make sure these units are more reliable, easier to operate and last longer than VC designs of the past.
Hi, we have an Aspen C3 that we had professionally installed about two months ago. So far we love it. The installation specs say that in a corner install, the corners can be 3" from a combustible wall. That seems incredibly close! We put it 5" away at the corners but still the wall seems to get hot when we are running the stove hot. Is there a reason it can be that close or is it a mistake? Considering adding a heat shield of some kind but not sure what is best.
A bit concerned as my next door neighbors nearly burnt down their garage last night with a homemade stove made out of a 50 gallon barrel, with metal flashing attached directly to the wall. Just want to do it right
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Let's talk Vermont Castings
- Thread starter Corie
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I looked at the Dauntless today, great looking stove, I really like that top loading feature and big fire box. $2700 including tax, $150 for them to swap it out with the 602. Lead time 60+ days, they wont sell floor model. I think I'll wait til next year, maybe see some reviews by then.
SpaceBus
Minister of Fire
60 days! that stinks. So, were you going to order the catalyst with it ? i didnt and im curious about it. Maybe Corie can let us know more about it.. Thanks
SpaceBus
Minister of Fire
I think the catalyst is better if you plan on doing long low burns. Before now I didn't realize the Dauntless cat was optional. Must have been a lot of testing if the stove can be used without it.
I was going to go with the noncat and see how that goes. The cat package was another $200. I dont understand how in their literature they say the cat increases the efficiency by 15% but looking at the test numbers the efficiencies are only 1% apart? Maybe its just the low burn efficiency and not the overall average?
SpaceBus
Minister of Fire
Based on the online literature I would say it applies to the low burn efficiency like you said.
Woodsplitter67
Minister of Fire
I can tell you that as a 2040 owner I have had no issues with my stove. I use it as my main heat source, burning 24/7 when needed. I have performed normal services to the stove gaskets and stuff. I have heard the rumors of VC but went with it anyway. If my stove need a rebuild after 10 years, I'm ok with it. I don't expect it to last 20 years without having to fix it. I fined the stove easy to run and dependable. I look at it like all of the other things I owne, Its going to need maintenance and nothing is completely maintenance free
Maybe @Corie can chime in. When you say you decided to go with the noncat is that mean a downdraft noncat in other words “everburn” or as some of us renamed it some years ago “neverburn”? Or did VC decided to add tubes?
Yes, downdraft non cat. Now they call it a Flexburn, probably didnt like the old nickname lol. I believe the way the stove is designed you can run it either way, with or without the cat. If i opt for a cat later all you do is slide one in place into the secondary burn chamber.
I did message Corie with a few questions, hopefully he will drop by.
I hope that in the new models the new and improved materials and parts are better. And I am 100% honest when I say this. The everburn did not work and should have never make it to the market (my humble opinion). The flexburn, there are some complaints out there. People needing to replace the inner parts within 3-4 yrs. And some users are very happy with them (some members here). They are beautiful stoves but have way too many moving parts that can fail due to user error.
Russn77
New Member
Has anyone heard from Corie? I've messaged him and have yet to get a reply. I have a few questions on the Dauntless still.
I messaged him awhile back about the Dauntless and it took him a couple weeks to reply, probably a pretty busy man. I ended up finding a deal on a Jotul F45 so I went with that over the Dauntless. I really wanted to try the top loading VC out but was still worried about those VC innards and the lead time was 60+ days, my Dealer found a F45 in a week.
Russn77
New Member
Fortunately we have time. I like the F45, but Wife isn't crazy about the smaller glass size.
LiamFitzpatrick
Member
Too bad Corie is MIA here. Maybe he's busy but it suggests an absence of customer service. Jus' sayin'...
SpaceBus
Minister of Fire
I hardly think you can equate an online forum presence to good or bad customer service.
Not everyone has the time to hang around online. Corie is an engineer who coincidentally has been a long-time Hearth.com member and a parent too. Priorities. I am always pleased when he finds the time to let us know when something new is cooking. His first design out of school was the Englander 17-VL which he previewed right here.
Our first real stove was the original Resolute I. I have always liked that design. It was a great small house heater.
Jmorg
Burning Hunk
Hi, I was wondering how the Dauntless did over the winter...I just bought one and love the look and all the features but haven’t gotten it installed yet. There are not many reviews on this stove yet so kinda hard to get a feel for how it actually does. Looks good on paper but how does it actually perform? Thanks for any info you might be able to give me!
Hi Guys,
The dauntless did pretty well for me and as you all already know that since this was my first year burning wood that my wood was less than ideal. It did heat my house well though. i didnt get the cat with it so really dampering the stove down wasnt possible without it smoking. I had no clue about wood stoves when i bought it so im not sure id buy another stove with the "down draft" system or whatever its called. its a little finicky sometimes. Also the ash pan is a little small.never got really long burn time out of it. id say 6 hours was a good one for me. also my glass was dirty a lot,but thats the wood not being seasoned enough. if you have any questions i can try and answer, let me know.
Joe
The dauntless did pretty well for me and as you all already know that since this was my first year burning wood that my wood was less than ideal. It did heat my house well though. i didnt get the cat with it so really dampering the stove down wasnt possible without it smoking. I had no clue about wood stoves when i bought it so im not sure id buy another stove with the "down draft" system or whatever its called. its a little finicky sometimes. Also the ash pan is a little small.never got really long burn time out of it. id say 6 hours was a good one for me. also my glass was dirty a lot,but thats the wood not being seasoned enough. if you have any questions i can try and answer, let me know.
Joe
Jmorg
Burning Hunk
Thanks for the reply...good to hear that it worked well for you for the most part. Hopefully it will work even better with a little more seasoned wood. I’ve had a few wood stoves but this will be my first “down draft” system. I’ve seen one or two reviews where there was some back puffing through the top...did you experience any of that?
yes, ive been cutting and stacking wood since before my install last october....i never stopped and cant stop hahaha.
i think i have had the back puffing 1 time...i closed the air off too fast and it happened. outside of that time it never did it again. the only other issue ive had was the bypass damper handle letting go...popping open on its own. i guess it needed to be tightened/adjusted.ive heard of a few VC stoves doing this. im looking forward to burning next season with some good quality dry wood. i have been constantly checking with the moisture meter and i do have a good bunch that it starting to get under the 20% mark.
i think i have had the back puffing 1 time...i closed the air off too fast and it happened. outside of that time it never did it again. the only other issue ive had was the bypass damper handle letting go...popping open on its own. i guess it needed to be tightened/adjusted.ive heard of a few VC stoves doing this. im looking forward to burning next season with some good quality dry wood. i have been constantly checking with the moisture meter and i do have a good bunch that it starting to get under the 20% mark.
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