My $50 Defiant 1945

[18rabbit]

Hey folks, first time poster! Heres my story, bought a Defiant 1945 from a friend two winters ago for $50! I replaced gaskets on the griddle, doors, ash pan, and damper housing/door. The bottom grate (previous one was broken and warped) was replaced and bought some new wood handles. I gave it a light sand and painted it. My flue that runs into the basement where I set the stove. It is our primary heat source with some baseboard help.

Very rarely has embers after 6 hours and can over fire easily. The flue is 6" x 24' long. I see temps 550-650 at the griddle with a Klien IR1 with damper closed with rolling flames. The refractory box broken as is the cat and I've just been using it as they are IMO unreasonably expensive to replace...



Is it time to bite the bullet and replace the box and cat?

Im reading about specialized temp sensors that help understand the burning...I'd love to monitor the temp from upstairs

Defiant 1945:
Model 2875
Date code 3352

 

[bholler]

Hey folks, first time poster! Heres my story, bought a Defiant 1945 from a friend two winters ago for $50! I replaced gaskets on the griddle, doors, ash pan, and damper housing/door. The bottom grate (previous one was broken and warped) was replaced and bought some new wood handles. I gave it a light sand and painted it. My flue that runs into the basement where I set the stove. It is our primary heat source with some baseboard help.

Very rarely has embers after 6 hours and can over fire easily. The flue is 6" x 24' long. I see temps 550-650 at the griddle with a Klien IR1 with damper closed with rolling flames. The refractory box broken as is the cat and I've just been using it as they are IMO unreasonably expensive to replace...



Is it time to bite the bullet and replace the box and cat?

Im reading about specialized temp sensors that help understand the burning...I'd love to monitor the temp from upstairs

Defiant 1945:
Model 2875
Date code 3352

By your description it sounds like the stove needs to be completely torn down and re cemented. And yes if you want to continue using it you should replace all of the internals. In my opinion that stove is not worth putting that ammount of work and money into when you could get a simple reliable drolet for about the same money.