Coal Stove Versus Wood Stove

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popoyap1
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Post by popoyap1 » Sun. Oct. 13, 2013 8:24 pm

I am in the market for a stove to supplement heat here in knowlton new jersey.
i was looking at the vermont casting vigilant model , does any one know if it is a good coal stove and what the disadvantages of it.
or should I look into a wood stove too. thank you

 
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dcrane
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Post by dcrane » Sun. Oct. 13, 2013 8:29 pm

If coal is the desire their is far better and far less costly than a VC ... but im going to bite my tongue and let other tell you how wonderful VC is :mad3: damb Commies

 
franco b
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Post by franco b » Sun. Oct. 13, 2013 11:02 pm

Put Vigilant in the search box to see what users think. The later model with the ash door between the legs is more desirable although good results have been obtained with earlier models.

 
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wsherrick
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Post by wsherrick » Sun. Oct. 13, 2013 11:08 pm

Before you decide on a stove or fuel, educate yourself. There is more information here on this Forum about stoves, burning coal, chimneys and anything you could ever possibly want to find out about the subject.
Be a wise consumer and consume some knowledge here from the experience of literally hundreds of people.


 
stovehospital
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Post by stovehospital » Mon. Oct. 14, 2013 7:30 am

I restore and sell stoves.; I had a VC vigilant for a month and it was the worst stove I have ever used. They are very overrated. Very well made but very overrated
I burned wood for a couple decades and own a seven acre wood lot. I burn coal. It is easier to use(once learned) and has no danger of chimney fires. My insurance company likes coal better also.
People will tell you it is dangerous and will fill your house with dust and carbon monoxide and kill the caribou etc. The world is full of so called experts. Don't listen to them and get the coal stove.
I have my fuel for the next 5 years sitting behind the barn without bugs, without dry rot, without worries. Try that with wood.

 
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VigIIPeaBurner
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Post by VigIIPeaBurner » Mon. Oct. 14, 2013 7:34 am

popoyap1 wrote:I am in the market for a stove to supplement heat here in knowlton new jersey.
i was looking at the vermont casting vigilant model , does any one know if it is a good coal stove and what the disadvantages of it.
or should I look into a wood stove too. thank you
Howdy Neighbor! I'm just east of you and have used a Vigilant II model 2310 to heat my house for somewhere around 13 years. Search my posts or PM me. I'll be glad to get together with you if you'd like. This model does its job well and has many good integrated features. It's as close to a modern off the shelf base burner as you can get.

Don't let Doug dissuade you from considering this stove. He's grown up with a ingrown poker in his patootie toothy There have been a few different versions of the Vigilant in both wood & coal and now just coal only. Those that opine about them should accurately define the model that they are speaking about. Some of the older versions weren't designed for coal and were indeed lousy at it. You can live with someone for a month but never get to know them if you're too busy with other stuff.

 
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dcrane
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Post by dcrane » Mon. Oct. 14, 2013 8:24 am

stovehospital wrote:I restore and sell stoves.; I had a VC vigilant for a month and it was the worst stove I have ever used. They are very overrated. Very well made but very overrated
I burned wood for a couple decades and own a seven acre wood lot. I burn coal. It is easier to use(once learned) and has no danger of chimney fires. My insurance company likes coal better also.
People will tell you it is dangerous and will fill your house with dust and carbon monoxide and kill the caribou etc. The world is full of so called experts. Don't listen to them and get the coal stove.
I have my fuel for the next 5 years sitting behind the barn without bugs, without dry rot, without worries. Try that with wood.
OMG... finally some sense from a reputable source regarding Vermont Castings as Coal BurnersThey are very pretty for all those rich wives who do their French manicures each week and like bells, whistles, tassels and tinsel on their xmass tree. toothy (that's the market VC chose to head towards and it is a "real" market however laughable it may be). but more importantly to me is the fact that I don't like to give my business and my money towards a company that is clearly "Not for America" at this point, but rather 100% for personal profits and zero regard for our country in the process (I chose NOT to advocate and NOT to give my American dollars toward helping them). I fully anticipate seeing a rotisserie added to their stove line to bake your chicken and maybe also a built in TV set someday :woot:

 
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Post by franco b » Mon. Oct. 14, 2013 10:43 am

Time for your meds Doug.

Looking for a good pic of a Vigilant to put in the museum thread.


 
titleist1
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Post by titleist1 » Mon. Oct. 14, 2013 11:07 am

Doug!! come back in off the ledge!! two words for you bud....

Deeeee Cafffffffff.

:D :P

I can't believe you played the 'tinsel on the Christmas tree' card!! :lol:

 
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Jersey John
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Post by Jersey John » Tue. Nov. 26, 2013 5:29 pm

popoyap1 wrote:I am in the market for a stove to supplement heat here in knowlton new jersey.
i was looking at the vermont casting vigilant model , does any one know if it is a good coal stove and what the disadvantages of it.
or should I look into a wood stove too. thank you
I realize you specifically mention the VC Vigilant stove...and though I have no experience with that one, I did have a VC Defiant Encore stove for 23 years...and just sold it for $650. Not bad considering it served my wood burning needs for quite a long time, cost about $2000 and may have fetched a higher sale had I waited longer and not lowered my price.

Now...if you only plan on burning wood, then you're in the wrong forum. I still burn wood in a very efficient Regency stove, and will never give up wood. Then again, I have the best of both worlds, as I also have two flues for stoves and another just for a fireplace unless I want to install an insert. That being said, most coal stoves burn wood quite nicely...and in my case, I will if the weather is too warm for a coal fire. Not as concerned with long burns as I am for a quick warm up to the area, and when inclined can simply shovel in a light shovel of coal for a longer and controlled burn...which because the DS Circulator has a removable hopper could even burn a larger load of wood if one needs.

I'm sure that Hitzer and other stoves burn wood quite nicely...and now having both a wood and coal stove, would never consider having just one or the other. I truly enjoy my wood burning, open fires and wonderful wood burning aroma along with my beautiful blue flame, continuous heat of a coal fire.

 
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Freddy
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Post by Freddy » Tue. Nov. 26, 2013 5:38 pm

Vigilant.

Attachments

Vigilant Blue Ladies.jpg
.JPG | 87.9KB | Vigilant Blue Ladies.jpg
Im002190.jpg
.JPG | 78.9KB | Im002190.jpg

 
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michaelanthony
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Post by michaelanthony » Tue. Nov. 26, 2013 6:16 pm

answer: Varsity vs. jr. varsity..........................................crickets.....

 
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Jersey John
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Post by Jersey John » Tue. Nov. 26, 2013 6:17 pm

Nice images Freddy....

Not to mention, nice looking stove. My Defiant Encore wood burner looked the same, only mine was black lacquer, which though looked great new eventually chipped from humidity in the summer and heat when burning. Really wish I had more flues to hook stoves up to. Always found the design of the Vigilant to be pleasing...but am equally pleased with the rounded door of my DS 1500 and am happy I have the higher BTU output as well as burn time.

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