Vigilant 1.0 Back in Service

michaelanthony · Post by **michaelanthony** » Mon. Jan. 26, 2015 9:18 pm

Smart_Ash wrote:The stove is in the house now. It was out in the garage not being used. I like this little stove but it is a lot of work. First I poke the front gates. Then I shake with handle. Finally I slice down between grates from up top. Then maybe shake a little again. Would be nice to have a separate door for ash pan. I see that this stove is rated at 50k btu. I have been running this pretty hard and it does a good job. Is there any other stoves that look as good as the vigilant in the 100k BTU range? The bigger stoves all seem to be big black box looking things with no style. I like the Hitzer 50-93. Hopper and thermostat look to be nice features. As far as looks go it's got nothing on the Vigilant.

Oh I'll start with a Glenwood no.6 or a no.8, or a Our Herald base burner...and there are many more but you get the picture.

joeq · Post by **joeq** » Mon. Jan. 26, 2015 9:44 pm

The turn of the century baseburners have their own distinct look. You either "love" them, or "not so much". When I showed my teenage daughters our new 111, they were totally "appalled" that I was putting it in our frt room. I think they have their own antiquated style, and even tho some are highly detailed or decorated, they still have the look of that era. I can appreciate it due to my admiration of those times, that were well before mine. But there also are some more "up-dated" box stoves, that I also enjoy. Esthetically it comes down to personal preference, but functionally, we all know which ones perform and which ones try.

ddahlgren · Post by **ddahlgren** » Tue. Jan. 27, 2015 7:42 am

joeq if your daughters really upset and sad I will happily give that 111 a ward dry home that was built in 1874 so it will feel right at home.

joeq · Post by **joeq** » Tue. Jan. 27, 2015 9:28 am

Thanx for the offer D, and I suspect the 111 would look more "natural"(?) in your historic home, rather than mine which is relatively new (compared to yours). Mine began life around the 1st world war. Let's see if I can find a pic of it.

It's been mentioned B4 on this site, about how old houses have gradually increased in size over the years and mine is no different. It started life as a 3 room ranch (?), and over the years was expanded out of necessity. You can see how a little Surdiac may have to work a little harder, to keep up, compared to a bigger stove. My stove is located to the left of the picture window. You can't see it because it's inside.

ddahlgren · Post by **ddahlgren** » Tue. Jan. 27, 2015 9:48 am

I think the 111 would be much happier here

House

.JPG | 143.7KB | 20110926__0557.JPG

House

.JPG | 180KB | 20110925__0546.JPG

Carriage house -Shop

.JPG | 139.3KB | 20110925__0549.JPG

joeq · Post by **joeq** » Tue. Jan. 27, 2015 10:03 am

Not only would the 111 be happy, I'ld be happier there too. Beautiful.

ddahlgren · Post by **ddahlgren** » Tue. Jan. 27, 2015 10:27 am

joeq wrote:Not only would the 111 be happy, I'ld be happier there too. Beautiful.

Other than the part where they tax it to death and dropped over 200k in value thanks our 'pal' Hussein or his traitor name BHO... That was my retirement though the 2 ex-wives took their share as well. First person with 425k is the new owner of a 1400 sq. ft. Carpenter Gothic house fully remodled with very nice kitchen and bath the rest all hardwood floors and 1500 carriage house built in 2006 with all state of the art heating wiring pre wired for Ethernet phone and cable with 2X6 construction insulated very tight radiant floor heat and 10 ft ceilings on first floor.Oh well time for breakfast as not working too much today so no rush there.

joeq · Post by **joeq** » Tue. Jan. 27, 2015 1:57 pm

Ouch.

ddahlgren · Post by **ddahlgren** » Tue. Jan. 27, 2015 2:42 pm

joeq wrote:Ouch.

To add insult to injury property taxes are over 7500 and utility rates just plain crazy with a zillion zoning restrictions. Add that supposed to have hurricane shutters that zoning does not allow due to historic so ins co wants 30 sheets of precut plywood to put over windows with pre-mounted hardware that zoning does not allow.. sigh.. It is just crazy in a single word. I want to move north though stay in CT unless the gun laws start getting more silly. I don't think you can escape that silly but not ready for north of Mass. that has more crazy taxes.

Smart_Ash · Post by **Smart_Ash** » Wed. Jan. 28, 2015 7:27 am

Very nice place you have there. I would be interested in buying it if it was up on the St. Lawrence river.

ddahlgren · Post by **ddahlgren** » Wed. Jan. 28, 2015 7:43 am

Smart_Ash wrote:Very nice place you have there. I would be interested in buying it if it was up on the St. Lawrence river.

I drive through Binghamton going to Watkins Glen nice country. Along haul for me though 5 1/2 to 6 hours each way from Mystic CT.

Smart_Ash · Post by **Smart_Ash** » Wed. Jan. 28, 2015 8:10 pm

Looks like I'm bringing home a Hitzer 50-93. I found it on Craigslist for $400. The guy took it out because he is going back to burning wood. Looks to be in good shape. Nothing is cracked, missing or warped. It is the blower model with the gold door. So for it being a big black box at least the door looks nice. The time I had with the Vigilant was good. For now it's going back in the garage in case this Hitzer doesn't work out. Should be an easier to run stove. I will still keep an eye out for one of those old fancy cylinder baseburner type stoves. I don't know much about that style stove. They do look nice though. Guess I have more reading to do on here.

joeq · Post by **joeq** » Wed. Jan. 28, 2015 8:16 pm

Good find. Fred will be happy he's got a brother.

P.S. He's going back to burning "wood"?

michaelanthony · Post by **michaelanthony** » Wed. Jan. 28, 2015 8:24 pm

Smart_Ash wrote:Looks like I'm bringing home a Hitzer 50-93. I found it on Craigslist for $400. The guy took it out because he is going back to burning wood. Looks to be in good shape. Nothing is cracked, missing or warped. It is the blower model with the gold door. So for it being a big black box at least the door looks nice. The time I had with the Vigilant was good. For now it's going back in the garage in case this Hitzer doesn't work out. Should be an easier to run stove. I will still keep an eye out for one of those old fancy cylinder baseburner type stoves. I don't know much about that style stove. They do look nice though. Guess I have more reading to do on here.

That's a good find Smart_Ash I have yet to hear of a bad experience with a Hitzer 50-93 and the blower will move some heat for you. I am surprised the Vigilant gave you a hard time I tend mine twice a day 5 minutes for each tending, but then again all set ups are different. The hopper will make life easier as well.

Smart_Ash · Post by **Smart_Ash** » Wed. Jan. 28, 2015 8:53 pm

Yep going back to wood. He is retired now and wood keeps him busy. Doesn't mind it. I wouldn't say the Vigilant was giving me a hard time. I only lost the fire one time. I think that I did not clear all the ash. I loaded the new coal the fire seemed to go out. After that I made sure I did a good job clearing the ash. I was probably overdoing it. I really like the stove actually. I just need something with more firepower. They should have made a coal version of the Defiant.