Older Vigilant stove...Am I safe?

Heres what happens when you slice the grates at 3 am and then put the slicer on the hearth. Oh yea... and then step on the slicer!!

ScubaSteve wrote:Heres what happens when you slice the grates at 3 am and then put the slicer on the hearth. Oh yea... and then step on the slicer!!

Ouch! I definitely prefer my carpet template Did you invent any "new" words?

BingeBob, I go right by East Coast lumber on the way to salem-- what brand do they sell?????

I live in Kingston

Salem sells reading in 50lbbags for 295/ton

With stove in basement, really think about using a baro on it, you'll save coal and be able to keep the temp you set it at in all weather conditions

If you want to borrow my manometer, let me know. I don't leave it hooked up , just stick it in a hole in the pipe from time to time to check it out

Rewinder,

Sounds like salem may be the trip i need to start taking... heres the email that i got back from east coast

Good morning,

The price per ton for Nut Coal is 436.79. The price to deliver to Sandown, NH is an additional $40. We currently have 3 tons in stock.

Shipping Dept.
EAST COAST LUMBER
PO Box 530
E. Hampstead, NH 03826
603-329-5322, x3310
http://www.eastcoastlumber.net

It turns out to be cheaper if i buy it by the bag @ $9.09 a bag. I think the brand that they sell is "Kimmels" or something like that (im at work right now otherwise i would tell you for sure)

It seems that the bag i burned last night was more difficult to start than the first bag i bought (momma-to-be was "freezing" last night)

As you can see from the pasted email im in sandown

-Bob

On reading's website it says they have a dealer in Derry...Doesnt list a name and a google search gives me nothing but derry would probably be an easier trip for me.

Have you burned any other brands besides reading? if so how did they compare?

-Bob

Bob, I never tried Kimmels that east coast told me they carry.

I used blaschak I got from a guy in salem, forgt his name but can find it-- he's south west of the mall

Dodge grain sells reading-- cheapest of any I've bought $295/ton, i usually go and buy a ton, pick up in two loads in my ranger, a 21 mile trip for me

Nut coal works good in my stovesin real cold weather too, but I usually stick to pea

I think Kimmels coal is in woven bags and dirty from what I've read, reading and blashack comes in heavy plastic bags.


the guy in derry that reading mentions is hard to get a hold of, that's why I use dodge grain.

hope this helps ya

The bagged Kimmels is the only coal ive ever had any physical contact with and I was surprised at how clean it really is compared to the way the old disney cartoons made it seem. There was a pretty good amount of black dust at the bottom of the bag and if i rolled a piece in my hands for a minute it would turn my hands black...doesnt bother me, i work for a living

So you're saying that I should try the pea size out eh? Does Dodges sell it by the bag or only by the ton? Ill probably make a trip down there on my days off this week.

How hot can you run your vigilant? Wheni got up this morning my VC thermometer was just over the safe line and into the danger zone. I shook it and lowered the air flow. Wife checked it later and it was running about 250*

-Bob

Bob I think you can buy bags less than by the ton. Why not try nut and then pea to see how you like it You might find the nut has less tendency to drp thru the front grate. my stove is the earlir hopper style so I don't have that problem.

Watch VigIpeaburners vids and see his tending routine and temps.

If I were running mine this time of year I'd keep them around 200 deg, or I'd roast.

One thing to try one of these coolder nites is get er going moderatly, say at 300, and see if you can hold you hand on the pipe at the flue entry. If you can't, you're pulling too mush heat up the chimney, and when it's colde, it'll be much hotter as flue pull increases. That'swhat a baro will do, cut heat loss and eaven temp swings.

Except for the hottest i ever run mine (650) I can hold my hand at the chimnet entrance at any time, with no fear of burning it.

Not to harp on that point but the baro is a must I think-- ask around here for other opinions

VigIIPeaBurner wrote:

ScubaSteve wrote:Heres what happens when you slice the grates at 3 am and then put the slicer on the hearth. Oh yea... and then step on the slicer!!

Ouch! I definitely prefer my carpet template Did you invent any "new" words?

I WAS groggy until I stepped on it!! lol I definitly cursed "quietly" due to the time but man, It kept me awake and was SORE for like 5 solid hours. And the first day after that with socks and boots on..... 1 word. Uncomfortable!!!! Looking back on it I think... yep, something only I would do!!

Rewinder,

I went to Dodge's today...Unless this reading coal turns out to be like bad birthday cake i think im sold on them

They were very helpful and I bought 2 bags of Pea. When i got to the loading dock the guy threw in a bag that had been broken open for free. It looks like there might be a scoop missing from this free bag but there is 35+ pounds in it. So 2 and 2/3 bags for $17 and some change...Good times had by all

Thanks for the tip!
-Bob

Does anyone know if the front grille pictured above would fit an older Vigilant that has the coal kit installed? The coal kit doesn't have this front grille piece included, and I am having a problem keeping the coal off the front doors. Any insight into this issue would be appreciated.

wingnut74 wrote:Does anyone know if the front grille pictured above would fit an older Vigilant that has the coal kit installed? The coal kit doesn't have this front grille piece included, and I am having a problem keeping the coal off the front doors. Any insight into this issue would be appreciated.

I doubt they will fit properly. I have some pictures of the sides on the newer model that migh show the grove the tabs on the end of the grill fit into. The grove secures the grill in a verticle position.

VigIIPeaBurner wrote:

wingnut74 wrote:Does anyone know if the front grille pictured above would fit an older Vigilant that has the coal kit installed? The coal kit doesn't have this front grille piece included, and I am having a problem keeping the coal off the front doors. Any insight into this issue would be appreciated.

I doubt they will fit properly. I have some pictures of the sides on the newer model that migh show the grove the tabs on the end of the grill fit into. The grove secures the grill in a verticle position.

So I am pretty much outta luck then eh? I was thinking of picking up one of those front grilles and trying to modify it to fit my stove. It's either that or replace the doors every summer....

I don't know if you can or cannot mod one to fit. I'm not familiar with the inner workings of the hopper models. There's a few members on here that are: Rewinder and stonyloam are just a two that come to mind right now that are running Vigilants without the ash drop(it's late ). PM them to get their input on the mod.

wingnut74 wrote:So I am pretty much outta luck then eh? I was thinking of picking up one of those front grilles and trying to modify it to fit my stove. It's either that or replace the doors every summer....

Unfortunately, it kinda looks that way. That is a pretty important part, holds the coal in and the door gaskets seal against it. I looked at parts from http://www.woodmanspartsplus.com and they have everything BUT that front part. You could try giving them a call, they might be able to help you find one. If you are handy, you might be able to fabricate a front piece from a heavy piece of angle iron. something like 3" by 1" at least 1/4" thick, with notches to fit the sides and ground to the contour of the front doors might work until you find one. Good luck