Vermont Casting 1450 User Manual

Encore

Non-Catalytic
Woodburning Stove

Model 1450

Homeowner’s
Installation and
Operating Manual

SAFETY NOTICE: IF THIS APPLIANCE IS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, OPERATED AND MAIN­TAINED, A HOUSE FIRE MAY RESULT.
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE, FOLLOW THE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. FAILURE TO
FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, BODILY INJURY OR EVEN
DEATH. CONTACT LOCAL BUILDING OFFICIALS ABOUT RESTRICTIONS AND INSTALLATION
INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS IN YOUR AREA.

Do Not Discard This Manual: Retain for Future Use

30002425 2/07 Rev. 12

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

Welcome

Congratulations on your choice of a Vermont Castings Encore. With this purchase you have made a commitment to make
the hearth a place of warmth, beauty, and comfort in your home. At CFM Corporation, we share that joy and appreciation for
the hearth. You may be assured that your cast-iron Vermont Castings stove has been made with the utmost care and will
provide you with many years of service.

As you become acquainted with your new stove or fireplace, you will find that its visual appearance is matched by its func­tionality, due to cast iron’s unique capability to absorb and radiate heat.

Also, CFM Corporation units are among the cleanest-burning wood stoves and fireplaces available today. As an owner of a
Vermont Castings stove, you make a strong statement for pollution-free energy. Clean burning, however, depends on both
the manufacturer and the operator. Please read this manual carefully to understand how to properly operate and maintain
your stove or fireplace.

At CFM Corporation, we are equally committed to your satisfaction as a customer. That is why we maintain an exclusive
network of the finest dealers in the industry. Our dealers are chosen for their expertise and dedication to customer service.
They are factory-trained and knowledgeable about every CFM Corporation product. Feel free to contact your Authorized
Vermont Castings Dealer anytime you have a particular question about your stove or its performance.

This manual contains valuable instructions on the installation and operation of your Vermont Castings stove. It also contains
useful information on maintenance and assembly of this product. We urge you to read the manual thoroughly and to keep it
as a reference.

Sincerely,

All of us at CFM Corporation

This manual describes the installation, operation, and
maintenance of the Vermont Castings Encore Model 1450
non-catalytic wood burning heater. This heater meets the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s emission limits for
wood heaters sold on or after July 1, 1990. Under specific
test conditions this heater has been shown to deliver heat
at rates ranging from 10,600 to 24,050 Btu/hr.

The Encore Model 1450 has been tested and is safety
listed by OMNI-Test Laboratories of Beaverton, Oregon.
The test standards are ANSI/UL-1482 and ANSI/UL-737
for the United States, and ULC S627. The Encore is listed
for burning wood. Do not burn other fuels.

The Encore is listed and approved for use in mobile
homes in the United States and Canada when installed
with Vermont Castings Mobile Home Kit. Refer to and
follow the instructions included with the mobile home
kit (#0336) to ensure safe installation.

We recommend that you hire a professional installer certi
fied by the Wood Heat Education and Research Founda
tion (WHERF) or the Wood Energy Technical Training
(WETT) to install your stove, or to advise you on the instal­lation should you attempt to install it yourself.

Please read this entire manual before you install and use
your new stove. Failure to follow instructions may result in
property damage, bodily injury, or even death.

Proposition 65 Warning:

burning or oil fired appliances, and the products of
combustion of such fuels, contain chemicals known
to the State of California to cause cancer, birth de­fects and other reproductive harm.
California Health & Safety Code Sec. 25249.6

Fuels used in gas, wood-

-

-

Warming Shelves
#0200 Classic Black #0205 Biscuit

#0201 Bordeaux #0206 Chestnut Brown
#0202 Sand #0207 Ebony
#0203 Midnight Blue #0209 Vt. Classic Green
#0204 Suede Brown
# 0127 Sparkscreen

# 0171 Horizontal Collar Heat Shield
# 0174 Vertical Collar Heat Shield
# 3265 Outside Air Kit
# 0336 Mobile Home Kit
# 2767 Variable Speed Fan Kit
# 0168 - 0169 Heat Shields for the Chimney Connec-

tor

- Matching Porcelain Stovepipe

- Matching 6” Flue Collar

Table of Contents

Specifications ................................. 3

Installation ...................................... 4

Assembly ...................................... 18

Operation ...................................... 20

Maintenance ................................. 27

Replacement Parts ....................... 31

Warranty .......................................

Accessories

35

2

30002425

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

1"

(44 mm)

25"

(635 mm)

Top exit

flue collar

height

27"

(686 mm)

25"

(654 mm)

18"

(470 mm)

7"

(184 mm)

27"

(686 mm)

22"

(565 mm)

15

"

(394 mm)

5"

(127 mm)

2" (73 mm)

23

"

(603 mm)

15"

(381 mm)

3"

(95 mm)

22

"

(578 mm)

Specifications

Range of heat output ............ 10,600 to 24,050 BTU/hr*

Maximum heat output ..........................50,000 BTU/hr**

EPA emissions ratings, g/hr, non-catalytic ...............0.7*

Area heated*** ............... Up to 1900 sq. ft. (175 sq. m.)

Fuel size/type ...................................20” (508 mm) logs

Fuel capacity ........................................... 40 lbs. (18kg)

Loading ....................................................... Front or top

Chimney connector:

for 8” oval flue collar ................ 8” (203 mm) diameter

for optional 6” flue collar .......... 6” (152 mm) diameter

Chimney flue size:

for 8” oval flue collar ................ 8” (203 mm) minimum

for optional 6” flue collar .......... 6” (152 mm) minimum

Flue exit position ....................... Reversible, top or rear

Primary air ............................................. Manual control

Secondary air ..............................Fixed, Self-regulating

Ash handling system .....................Removable ash pan

Glass panel ........ High-temperature, IR coated ceramic

Weight ................................................395 lbs. (179 kg)

Width (leg-to-leg) ..................................... 27” (686 mm)

Depth (leg-to-leg) .................................... 15” (381 mm)

Height to top of flue collar, (6” or 8”)

Top exit .............................................. 25¹⁄₄” (641 mm)

Rear exit ............................................ 26¹⁄₂” (673 mm)

*Under specific conditions used during EPA emissions
testing.
**These values are based on operation in building
code-conforming homes under typical winter climate
conditions in New England. If your home is of nonstan­dard construction (e.g. unusually well-insulated, not in­sulated, built underground, etc.) or if you live in a more
severe or more temperate climate, these figures may
not apply. Since so many variables affect performance,
consult your Vermont Castings’ Authorized Dealer to
determine realistic expectations for your home.

Fig. 1 Encore dimensions.

30002425

Drawings Not to Scale

3

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

30

25

20

15

0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000

Height (ft.)

Altitude (ft.)

6“

Installation

SAFETY NOTICE: IF YOUR ENCORE IS NOT PROP­ERLY INSTALLED, A HOUSE FIRE MAY RESULT.
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE, FOLLOW THE
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. CONTACT LOCAL
BUILDING OR FIRE OFFICIALS ABOUT RESTRIC­TIONS AND INSTALLATION INSPECTION REQUIRE­MENTS IN YOUR AREA.

Before you begin an installation, be sure that:

• Your stove and chimney connector will be far

enough from combustible materials to meet all
tested clearance requirements.

• The floor protector is large enough and is con-

structed properly to meet all tested requirements.

• You have all necessary permits from local author-

ities.
Your local building official is the final authority for ap­proving your installation as safe and determining that it
meets local and state codes.
The metal label permanently attached to the back of
every Vermont Castings’ stove indicates the stove has
been tested and meets current UL and ULC safety
standards, and gives the name of the testing laboratory.
Clearance and installation information also is printed
on the label. When the stove is installed according to
the information both on the label and in this manual,
local authorities in most cases will accept the label as
evidence that the installation meets codes and can be
approved.

However, codes vary in different areas. Before starting
the installation, review your plans with the local building
authority. Your local dealer can provide any additional
information needed.

For any unresolved installation issues, refer to the
National Fire Protection Association’s publication ANSI/

NFPA 211 Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents
and Solid Fuel Burning Appliances. For Canada, the
equivalent publication is CSA CAN-B365 Installation
Code for Solid Fuel Burning Appliances and Equipment.

These standards are the basis for many national codes.
They are nationally recognized and are accepted by
most local authorities. Your local dealer or your local
building official may have a copy of these regulations.

Outside Air

In some modern, super-insulated homes, there is
inadequate air for combustion because of insufficient
air infiltration into the building. Such air enters a home
through unsealed cracks and openings. Exhaust fans
for kitchen or bath can compete with the stove for avail­able air and compound the problem.

When poor draft is caused by a low infiltration rate,
opening a ground floor window on the windward side
of the house and in the vicinity of the stove will usually
alleviate the problem.

Another solution is to install a permanent outside air
supply to the stove and/or room. In fact, bringing air for
combustion from outside the home directly to the air in­let of the stove is required for new construction in some
areas. The Encore NC is equipped with an outside con­nection as standard equipment.

Pressure variations within the house do not affect a
stove equipped with an outside air supply, and im­proved stove performance often results. An Outside Air
Adapter Kit for the Encore is available from your local
Vermont Castings dealer.

Chimney Height

Altitude affects chimney performance. When using a
6” flue collar on the Encore NC, refer to Figure 2 for
suggested chimney heights at various altitudes. Chim­ney height should be measured from the flue collar to
the top of the chimney. The recommended minimum
chimney height is 16’ (4.9 m).

IMPORTANT: FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE IN­STALLATION INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN A
DANGEROUS SITUATION, INCLUDING A CHIMNEY
OR HOUSE FIRE. FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS
EXACTLY, AND DO NOT ALLOW MAKESHIFT COM­PROMISES TO ENDANGER PROPERTY AND PER­SONAL SAFETY.

4

ST491

Fig. 2 Chimney height requirements for Encore when
equipped with a 6” chimney.

30002425

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

2' Min.

2' Min.

3'

Min.

0 To 10'

3'

Min.

0 To 10'

What Kind of Chimney to Use

You must connect the Encore to a code-approved
masonry chimney with a flue liner, to a relined masonry
chimney that meets local codes, or to a prefabricated
metal chimney that complies with the requirements
for Type HT chimneys in the Standard for Chimneys,
Factory-Built, Residential Type and Building Heating
Appliance, UL 103. (Fig. 3) The chimney and chimney
connector must be in good condition and kept clean.

A prefabricated double­wall insulated chimney

A tile-lined
masonry
chimney

ST241

Fig. 3 Approved chimney types.

If you use an existing masonry chimney, it must be
inspected to ensure it is in a safe condition before
the stove is installed. Your local professional chimney
sweep, building inspector, or fire department official will
be able to inspect the chimney or provide a referral to
someone who can.

The chimney should extend at least 3’ (914 mm) above
the highest point where it passes through a roof, and at
least 2’ (610 mm) higher than any portion of a building
within 10’ (3 m). (Fig. 4)

For proper draft and good performance, any chimney
used with an Encore should extend at least 16’ (5 m)
above the flue collar of the stove.

Masonry Chimneys

An inspection of the chimney must confirm that it has
a lining. Do not use an unlined chimney. The chimney
should have no cracks, loose mortar, other signs of
deterioration, and blockage. Repair any defects before
the chimney is used with your stove.

Unused openings in an existing masonry chimney must
be sealed with masonry to the thickness of the chimney
wall, and the chimney liner should be repaired. Open­ings sealed with pie plates or wallpaper are a hazard
and should be sealed with mortar or refractory cement.
In the event of a chimney fire, flames and smoke may
be forced out of these unused thimbles.

The chimney should be thoroughly cleaned before use.

A newly-built masonry chimney must conform to the
standards of your local building code or, in the absence
of a local code, to a recognized national code. Masonry
chimneys must be lined, either with code-approved
masonry or pre-cast refractory tiles, stainless steel
pipe, or a code-approved, “poured-in-place” liner. The
chimney’s clean-out door must seal tightly.

Prefabricated Chimneys

A prefabricated metal chimney must be one tested and
listed for use with solid-fuel burning appliances to the
High-Temperature (H.T.) Chimney Standard UL-103­1985 (2100°F) for the United States, and High Temper­ature (650°C) Standard ULC S-629 for Canada.

DO NOT CONNECT THIS UNIT TO A CHIMNEY FLUE
SERVING ANOTHER APPLIANCE.

Chimney Size

An Encore with an 8” (203 mm) flue collar is approved
for venting into a masonry chimney with a nominal
flue size of 8” x 8” (203 x 203 mm) or 8” x 12” (203 x
305mm), and into a round flue with nominal flue size of
8” (203 mm). An Encore with a 6” (152 mm) flue collar
is approved for venting into a masonry chimney with a
nominal flue size of 8” x 8” (203 x 203 mm), and into a
round flue with nominal flue of 6” (152 mm).

Reference
Point

Fig. 4 The 2’-3’-10’ Chimney Rule.

30002425

AC617

NOTE: When installed with a 6” flue collar,
the Encore may not be operated with the
front doors open.

Whatever the flue collar size, an Encore may be vented
into larger chimneys as well. However, chimneys
with liners larger than 8” x 12” (203 x 305 mm) may
experience rapid cooling of smoke and reduction in
draft, especially if the chimneys are located outside the
home. These large chimneys may need to be insulated
or have their flues relined for proper stove performance.

Accessories to help make the connection between
stainless steel chimney liners and your Encore are
available through your local dealer.

5

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

Chimney Connector Guidelines

A chimney connector is the double-wall or single-wall
pipe that connects the stove to the chimney. The chim­ney itself is the masonry or prefabricated structure that
encloses the flue. Chimney connectors are used only to
connect the stove to the chimney, as in Figure 5.

Double-wall connectors must be tested and listed for
use with solid-fuel burning appliances. Single-wall con­nectors should be made of 24 gauge or heavier steel.
Do not use galvanized connector; it cannot withstand
the high temperatures that can be reached by the
stove’s exhaust gases, and may release toxic fumes
under high heat. The connector may be 6” (152mm) or
8 “ (203mm) in diameter.

If possible, do not pass the chimney connector through
a combustible wall or ceiling. If passage through a com­bustible wall is unavoidable, refer to the section on Wall
Pass-Throughs. Do not pass the connector through an
attic, a closet or similar concealed space. The whole
connector should be exposed and accessible for in­spection and cleaning.

In horizontal runs of chimney connector, maintain a dis­tance of 24” (610mm) from the ceiling. Keep it as short
and direct as possible, with no more than two 90° turns.
Slope horizontal runs of connector upward 1/4” per foot
(6mm per meter) going from the stove toward the chim­ney. The recommended maximum length of a horizontal
run is 3’ (1m), and the total length should be no longer
than 8’ (2.4m). In cathedral ceiling installations, extend
the prefabricated chimney downward to within 8’ (2.4)
of the stove.

Wear gloves and protective eyewear when drilling,
cutting or joining sections of chimney connector.

Single-wall Chimney Connectors

• Begin assembly at the flue collar of the stove. Insert

the first crimped end into the stove’s flue collar, and
keep each crimped end pointing toward the stove.
(Fig. 5)Using the holes in the flue collar as guides,
drill 1/8” (3mm) holes in the bottom of the first sec­tion of chimney connector and secure it to the flue
collar with three #10 x 1/2” sheet metal screws.

• Secure each joint between sections of chimney

connector, including telescoping joints, with at least
three (3) sheet metal screws. The pre-drilled holes in
the top of each section of chimney connector serve
as guides when you drill 1/8” (3mm) holes in the bot­tom of the next section.

• Secure the chimney connector to the chimney. In-

structions for various installations follow.

• Be sure the stove and chimney connector are in-

stalled at the correct distances from nearby com­bustible materials as per tested clearance. Refer to
Encore Clearance Diagrams.

6

NOTE: Special slip pipes and thimble sleeves that form
telescoping joints between sections of chimney con­nector are available to simplify installations. They often
eliminate the need to cut individual connector sections.

Consult your local dealer about these special pieces.

Double-wall Chimney Connectors

Information on assembling and installing double-wall
connectors is provided by the manufacturer of the
double-wall pipe. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions
exactly as you assemble the
connector and attach it to the
stove and chimney. Using
chimneys and connectors
from the same manufacturer
makes the assembly and
installation straightforward.

NOTE: For installations us­ing double-wall connectors,
minimum clearances must
conform to the listed clear­ances in the clearance chart
on Page 15.

If the Encore is equipped with
the 8” flue collar, an oval­to-round adapter will be needed. Double-wall oval-to­round adapters are available from some manufacturers.
Your local dealer can help you select the right connec­tor.

Fig. 5 the crimped end
of the connector points
toward stove.

Securing the Single-wall Connector to a

Prefabricated Chimney

Follow the installation instructions of the chimney
manufacturer exactly as you install the chimney. The
manufacturer of the chimney will supply the acces­sories to support the chimney, either from the roof of
the house, at the ceiling of the room where the stove is
installed, or from an exterior wall.

Special adapters are available from your local dealer
which connect the prefabricated chimney to the chim­ney connector. The top of such adapters attach directly
to the chimney or to the chimney’s ceiling support pack­age, while the bottom of the adapter is screwed to the
chimney connector.

These adapters are designed so the top end will fit
outside the inner wall of the chimney, and the bottom
end will fit inside the first section of chimney connector.
When assembled in this way, any soot or creosote fall
ing from the inner walls of the chimney will stay inside
the chimney connector.

30002425

-

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

Chimney

Elbow

Slip Pipe

Standard
Connector

Oval to
Round Adapter

Flue Collar

Fig. 6 An exploded view of the chimney connection in a free­standing masonry installation.

Flue

Flue Liner

Thimble

ST492

Securing the Single-wall Connector to a

Masonry Chimney

Both freestanding masonry chimneys and fireplace ma­sonry chimneys may be used for your installation.

Freestanding Installations

If the chimney connector must pass through a combus­tible wall to reach the chimney, follow the recommen­dations in the Wall Pass-Through section later in this
manual.

The opening through the chimney wall to the flue
(the “breech”) must be lined with either a ceramic or
metal cylinder, called the “thimble”, which is cemented
securely in place. Most chimney breeches incorporate
thimbles, but the fit must be snug and the joint between
the thimble and the chimney wall must be cemented
firmly.

A special piece called the “thimble sleeve,” slightly
smaller in diameter than standard connectors and
most thimbles, will facilitate the removal of the chimney
connector system for inspection and cleaning. Thimble
sleeves are available from your local dealer.

To install a thimble sleeve, slide it into the breech until
it is flush with the inner flue wall. Do not extend it into
the actual flue passage, as this could interfere with the
draft.

Thimble Sleeve

Chimney Connector

Fig. 7 The thimble, made of either ceramic or metal, must be
cemented securely in place.

Flue

Keep
sleeve
end flush
with flue
tile

ST243

The thimble sleeve should protrude 1-2” (25-50mm) into
the room. (Fig. 7) Use furnace cement and thin gasket­ing to seal the sleeve in place in the thimble. Secure
the chimney connector to the outer end of the sleeve
with sheet metal screws.

Without a thimble, a suitable length of chimney con­nector can be extended through the breech to the inner
face of the flue liner, and cemented securely in place.
Additional pieces of connector are then attached with
sheet metal screws.

Fireplace Installations

The chimney connector may be connected to the
chimney above the fireplace opening or through the
fireplace.

Above the Fireplace

The Encore may be connected to a chimney above
a fireplace opening. (Fig. 8) In such installations, the
stove is positioned on the hearth in front of the fireplace
and the chimney connector rises from the stove top and
then angles ninety degrees back into the chimney. The
chimney liner should extend to the point at which the
chimney connector enters the chimney.

If the chimney connector from your installation enters
the chimney above a fireplace, follow all the guidelines
mentioned above for freestanding installations. In addi­tion, give special consideration to the following points:

• Check the clearance between the stove and the

chimney connector, and any combustible trim or the
mantel. Use the necessary combination of mantel, trim,
and connector heat shields to achieve the required
clearances.

• Check the clearance between the chimney con-

nector and the ceiling. If no heat shields are used, the
clearance should be at least 24” (610mm). To find out
how much this clearance may be reduced with heat
shields, refer to the clearance chart on Page 14.

30002425

7

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

*

*

• The fireplace damper must be sealed to prevent

room air from escaping up the flue. However, it must be
possible to re-open the damper to inspect or clean the

chimney.

Chimney
Connector Shields

Flexible Connector

Mantel Shield

Fireplace Adapter
Kit “Positive Con­nection”

* Check These
Clearances

ST244

Fig. 8 In this installation, the chimney connector is attached
to the chimney above the fireplace opening.

Mantel

Seal Damper
to Air Flow

Through the Fireplace

If your fireplace opening height is at least 26¹⁄₂"
(675mm), you may install an Encore through the open­ing using a “positive connection” kit, available from your
local dealer. These positive connection kits ensure a
tight fit between the stove flue collar and the chimney
flue. (Fig. 9)

Fireplace installations, whether connected to the flue
above or through the fireplace opening, have special
clearance requirements to adjacent trim and the mantel.
You’ll find the required safe clearances for Encore fire
place installations on Page 12 and Figure 16.

Floor protection requirements also apply to fireplace
installations. This information is on Page 10.

Wall Pass-Throughs

Whenever possible, design your installation so the con­nector does not pass through a combustible wall. If you
are considering a wall pass-through in your installation,
check with your building inspector before you begin.
Also, check with the chimney connector manufacturer
for any specific requirements.

Accessories are available for use as wall pass­throughs. If using one of these, make sure it has been
tested and listed for use as a wall pass-through.

-

ST245

Fig. 9 In this installation, the chimney connector enters the
firepalce opening and then connects to the chimney.

In the United States, the National Fire Protection As­sociation (NFPA) has established guidelines for passing
chimney connectors through combustible walls. Many
building code inspectors follow these guidelines when
approving installations.

Figure 10 shows one NFPA-recommended method.
All combustible material in the wall is cut away from
the single-wall connector to provide the required 12”
(305mm) clearance. Any material used to close up the
opening must be noncombustible.

Three other methods are also approved by the NFPA:

• Using a section of double-wall chimney with a 9”

(229mm) clearance to combustibles.

• Placing a section of chimney connector inside a

ventilated thimble, which in turn is separated from com­bustibles by 6” (152mm) of fiberglass insulating mate­rial.

• Placing a section of chimney connector inside a

section of 9” (230mm) diameter, solid-insulated, factory­built chimney, with 2” (50mm) of air space between the
chimney section and combustibles.

In Canada, The Canadian Standards Association has
established different guidelines. Figure 10 shows one
method, in which all combustible material in the wall is
cut away to provide the required 18” (457mm) clear­ance for the connector. The resulting space must re­main empty. A flush-mounted sheet metal cover may be
used on one side only. If covers must be used on both
sides, each cover must be mounted on noncombustible
spacers at least 1” (25mm) clear of the wall.

8

30002425

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

D

E

F

I

A

N

T

T

Wall Stud

Chimney
Connector

12” Noncombustible
Material

Floor Pro­tection

Fig. 10 An approved wall pass-through for the United States.

Your local dealer or your local building inspector can
provide details for other approved methods of passing
a chimney connector through a combustible wall in your
area. In Canada, this type of installation must conform
to CAN/CSA-B365, Installation Code for Solid Fuel
Burning Appliances and Equipment.

NOTE: Do not vent your Encore into a factory-built
(zero-clearance) fireplace. These appliances together
with their specific chimneys are designed as a sys­tem for use as fireplaces. It may void the listing or be
hazardous to adapt factory-built fireplaces for any other
use.

18” (460mm) clear
space all around
the pipe

Fig. 11 An approved wall pass-through for Canada.

DO NOT CONNECT AN ENCORE TO ANY AIR DIS­TRIBUTION DUCT OR SYSTEM.

ST493

ST494

Floor Protection

A tremendous amount of heat radiates from the bottom
plate of your stove. The floor area directly under and
around the stove will require protection from radiant
heat as well as from stray sparks or embers that may
escape the firebox.

Heat protection is provided through the bottom heat
shield. Spark, ember and thermal protection must be
provided by a floor protector constructed with noncom­bustible material as specified.

Most installations will require the bottom heat shield be
attached. Only when the stove is placed on a complete­ly noncombustible surface such as unpainted concrete
over earth may it be used without the heat shield.

Even when the bottom heat shield is installed, you
must provide special protection to the floor beneath.
For installation with the heat shield attached, use an
approved 1/2” (13 mm) noncombustible hearth pad with
k = 0.84 BTU/in ft2 hr °F or an equivalent material with
an R-value of at least 0.59. (Refer to “How to Determine
if Alternate Floor Protection Materials are Acceptable”
section) The floor protector may be covered with a
decorative noncombustible material if desired. Do not
obstruct the space under the heater.

Protection requirements vary somewhat between the
Untied States and Canada as follows:

U. S. installations the floor protector is required under
the stove and must extend at least 16” (not including
the ash lip) from the front of the stove (“F”, Fig. 12), and
at least 6” from the sides and rear. (“D” and “E”, Fig.

12) It must also extend under the chimney connector
and 2” to either side. (“C”, Fig. 12) For the 8” (203 mm)
connector, the protector must be a minimum of 12”
(305 mm) wide. For the 6” (152 mm) connector, the
protector must be 10” (254 mm) wide. The protector
must be centered under the connector.

To meet these requirements, a floor protector must be
at least 39” wide and 45” deep.

In Canada: A noncombustible floor protector is required
under the stove as well. The floor protector must
extend 18” (450 mm) to the front (“F”, Fig. 12), and 8”
(200 mm) from the sides and rear. (“D” and “E”, Fig. 12)

To meet these requirements, a floor protector must be
at least 43” (1092 mm) wide and 49” (1245 mm) deep.

Floor protection also must extend under the chimney
connector and 2” (51 mm) to either side. (“C”, Fig. 12)
For the 8” (203 mm) connector, the protector must be
a minimum of 12” (305 mm) wide. For the 6” (152 mm)
connector, it must be at least 10” (254 mm) wide. The
protector must be centered under the connector.

30002425

9

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

D

E

A

B

A

E

C

E

F

E

F

U.S. Canada

A. 39” 43” (1092 mm)
B. 45” 49” (1245 mm)
C. 12” 12” (305 mm) 8” Connector
10” 10” (255 mm) 6” Connector
D. 6” 8” (200 mm)
E. 6” 8” (200 mm)
F. 16” 18” (450 mm)

Required thermal protection: 1/2” (13 mm) mini­mum noncombustible material with an R-value
of at least 0.59.

Fig. 12 Required floor protector dimensions for both top-and

rear-exiting stove.

ST500

EXAMPLE: The specified floor protector should be 1/2­inch thick material with k-factor of 0.84. The proposed
alternate is 4” brick with an r-factor of 0.2 over 1/8”
mineral board with a k-factor of 0.29

Step a: Use formula above to convert specification to

R-value:

1

R = x T = x 0.5 = 0.59

k

1

0.84

Step b: Calculate R of proposed system.
4” brick of r = 0.2, therefore:
R

= 0.2 x 4 = 0.8

brick

1/8” mineral board of k = 0.29, therefore
R

R

mineralboard

= R

total

1

= x 0.125 = 0.431

0.29

brick

+ R

mineralboard

= 0.8 + 0.431 = 1.231

Step c: Compare proposed system Rtotal of 1.231 to

specified R of 0.59. Since proposed system Rtotal is
greater than required, the system is acceptable.

Definitions

R =

K =

(ft2)(hr)(°F)

Btu

(Btu)(ft)

(ft2)(hr)(°F)

k = = K x 12

(Btu)(in)

(ft2)(hr)(°F)

(ft2)(hr)(°F)

r = =

(Btu)(in)

1
k

How to Determine if Alternate Floor

Protection Materials are Acceptable

All floor protection must be noncombustible (i.e. met­als, brick, stone, mineral fiber boards, etc.). Any organic
materials (i.e. plastics, wood paper products, etc.) are
combustible and must not be used. The floor protection
specified includes some form of thermal designation
such as R-value (thermal resistance) or k-factor (ther­mal conductivity).

Procedure:

1. Convert specifications to R-value:

i. R-value given - no conversion needed.
ii. k-factor is given with a required thickness (T) in

inches:

iii. K-factor is given with a required thickness (T) in

inches:

iv. r-factor is given with a required thickness (T) in

inches: R = r x T

2. Determine the R-value of the proposed alternate

floor protector:
i. Use the formula in Step 1 to convert values not

expressed as R.

ii. For multiple layers, add R-values of each layer to

determine overall R-value.

3. If the overall R-value of the system is greater than

the R-value of the specified floor protector, the alter
nate is acceptable.

10

1

R = x T

k

R = x T

1

K x 12

Floor Protection for Fireplace Installations

Do not assume that your fireplace hearth is completely
noncombustible.

Many fireplace hearths do not meet the “completely
noncombustible” requirement because the brick or
concrete in front of the fireplace opening is supported
by heavy wood framing. (Fig. 13) Because heat passes
through brick or concrete readily, it can easily pass
through to the wood. As a result, such fireplace hearths
can be a fire hazard and are considered a combustible
floor.

Keep in mind, also, that many raised hearths will extend
less than the required clearance from the front of the
heater when it is installed. In such cases, sufficient
floor protection as described above must be added in
front of the hearth to satisfy the minimum floor protector
requirement from the front of the stove: 16” (406 mm)
from the front in the United States and 18” (450 mm)
from the front in Canada.

Hearth rugs do not satisfy the requirements for floor
protection.

Fireplace installations also have special clearance
requirements to the side walls, side decorative trim, and
fireplace mantel. This information follows in the section

on Fireplace and Mantel Trim Shields.

-

30002425

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

Keep the Stove a Safe Distance

from Surrounding Materials

Both a stove and its chimney connector radiate heat in
all directions when operating, and dangerous overheat­ing of nearby combustible materials can occur if they
are too close to the heat. A safe installation requires
that adequate clearance be maintained between the
hot stove and its connector and nearby combustibles.

Clearance is the distance between either your stove
(measured from the bottom edge of the stove’s top
plate) or chimney connector, and nearby walls, floors,
the ceiling, and any other fixed combustible surface.
Your stove has special clearance requirements that
have been established after careful research and test­ing to UL and ULC standards. These clearance require­ments must be strictly observed.

In addition, furnishings and other combustible materi­als must be kept away from the stove. In general, a
distance of 48” (1219mm) must be maintained between
the stove and moveable combustible items such as dry­ing clothes, furniture, newspapers, firewood, etc. Keep­ing those clearance areas empty assures that nearby
surfaces and objects will not overheat.

Wood framing requires pro-

tection from radiant heat

Fig. 13 Combustible supporting timbers may lie beneath
fireplace hearths, requiring additional floor protection.

ST247e

Reducing Clearances Safely with Shields

The Encore 1450 includes a bottom heat shield that is
needed in most installations. Refer to Page 9 for more
information on required floor protection. In addition, top
exit installations that do not include wall protection must
include a vertical flue collar heat shield. (Consult clear­ance chart on Page 14.) The vertical flue collar heat
shield is sold as a separate accessory.

In general, the greatest clearance is required when you
place a stove and its connector without accessory heat
shields near walls without heat shields.

For example, when the Encore is installed parallel to
the rear wall and no shields are used, the rear edge
of the top must be at least 29” (737 mm) from the wall
behind it and at least 17” (432 mm) from walls on either
side.

If the Encore is installed in a corner and no shields
are used, the corners of the stove must be at least 28”
(711 mm) from nearby walls.

The least clearance is required when the connector, as
well as the wall, have heat shields or when a double
wall connector and wall shields are used.

When shields are attached to the stove or chimney
connector, they are mounted away from the stove or
connector surface on noncombustible spacers. Air flow­ing between the stove (and/or chimney connector) and
attached shields carries away heat. Do not block the air
flow by filling these gaps with any material.

The shiny shield surface facing the heat source must be
left unpainted, enabling it to reflect heat back towards
the stove or connector and away from the wall.

Clearances may be reduced only by means approved
by the regulatory authority, and in accordance with the
clearances listed in this manual.

Because of their restricted air flow and heat retention
characteristics, specific construction requirements and
special clearances apply to installations into alcoves.
Refer to the diagrams on Page 10, and contact your
Vermont Castings Dealer for details before beginning
an alcove installation.

NOTE: ALCOVE INSTALLATION OF THE ENCORE
IS NOT PERMITTED IN CANADA.

Clearance requirements are established to meet every
installation possibility, and they involve the combination
of four basic variables:

• When the chimney connector has no listed heat

shield mounted on it.

• When the chimney connector has a listed heat

shield mounted on it.

• When the wall has no listed heat shield mounted

on it.

• When the wall has a heat shield mounted on it.

30002425

Wall Shields

One way to reduce clearances is with a wall shield
constructed of 24 gauge or heavier sheet metal, or of
another noncombustible material such as 1/2” (13 mm)
insulation board or common brick “laid on flat,” with the
3¹⁄₂" (90mm) side down.

Shields must be spaced out from the combustible
surface 1" (25 mm) on noncombustible spacers, as in
Figure 14. The spacers should not be directly behind
the stove or chimney connector.

11

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

1" (25mm)

1/4" (6mm)

Air must be able to flow between the wall and the
shield. At least 50% of the bottom 1" (25 mm) of the
shield should be open and the shield must be open at
the top. Use metal screening, as in Figure 14, to keep
stray objects from falling behind the shield.

The shield for a top-exit stove must extend 10"
(254 mm) above the top of the stove; for a rear exit
configuration, the shield must be 36” (914 mm) high.
The shield for the chimney connector must be 30” (762
mm) wide, centered behind the pipe; for installations
that use an approved prefabricated chimney to pass
through the ceiling, the chimney connector shield must
stop 1” (25 mm) below the ceiling.

Air Flow

Metal
Screening

Wall Shield

Stud Wall
Framing

Noncombustible
Spacer and
Fasteners

Drywall

Airflow

Fig. 14 Approved wall shield construction.

Wall
Shield

Metal Lathe or
Noncombustible
Spacers

ST248

Fireplace Mantel and Trim Shields

A fireplace installation requires special clearance be­tween the side of the stove and the right and left walls,
between the side of the stove and the decorative side
trim on the fireplace face, and between the top of the
stove and the mantel.

Noncombustible shields installed 1” (25 mm) from the
combustible surface on noncombustible spacers, called
ventilated shields, may be used to reduce clearances.

To protect a mantel from the heat of an Encore in a
fireplace installation, use a custom-made ventilated
mantel shield that is at least 48” (1219 mm) long, that is
centered over the stove. (Fig. 15) Ventilated shields for
side trim must extend the full length of the trim.

An unprotected mantel (“A”, Fig. 16) cannot be more
than 9 (229 mm) deep and must have a minimum clear­ance of 38” (965 mm), measured from the stove’s top
plate. With a ventilated shield, this clearance may be
reduced safely to 22” (559 mm).

Unprotected top trim (B) protruding 3/4” (19 mm) or less
from the face of the fireplace must be a minimum of 27”
(686 mm) from the stove’s top surface. With a ventilated
trim shield, this clearance may be reduced safely to 20”
(508 mm).

Unprotected side trim (C) that protrudes 3/4” (19 mm)
or less fr
clearance of 10” (254 mm), measured from the stove’s
top side edge. If the trim extends more than 3/4” (19 mm),
it is subject to the requi

The charts and sample installations that follow list all
the clearances required for the various installation con­figurations of the Encore.

om the face of a fireplace must have a minimum

rements for wall clearance.

Chimney Connector Heat Shields

Chimney Connector Heat Shields should be used when
it is necessary to protect nearby combustibles from the
heat of the connector. The ceiling above horizontal runs
of chimney connector must be protected as well if the
clearance is inadequate.

In top-exiting installations, the connector shield must
extend to a point exactly 36” (914 mm) above the flue
collar or to an elbow in the connector, whichever is less.
If the top-exiting connector extends to the ceiling where
it connects with a prefabricated insulated metal chim­ney, an additional ceiling heat shield must be installed
that is 24” (610 mm) in diameter and that extends 1” (25
mm) below the ceiling. The ceiling shield must be con­structed of 24 gauge or heavier sheet metal, and must
be centered on the chimney.

12

ST501

Fig. 15 A custom formed mantel shield.

30002425

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

C

C

A

B

D

36"

Max.

48" Min.

Side
Wall

ST253b

Fireplace and Mantel Trim Clearances

Unprotected Protected

A. Mantel 38” (965 mm) 22” (559 mm)

B. Top Trim 27” (686 mm) 20” (508 mm

C. Side Trim 10” (254 mm) --

D. Side Wall 18” (457 mm) 8” (203 mm)

Fig. 16 Maintain clearances to combustible components of
the mantelpiece.

Alcove Installations

Because of their restricted air flow and heat reten­tion characteristics, alcove installations have specific
construction requirements and special clearances. No
rear stove or chimney connector heat shields are used
in alcove installations. Bottom heat shield requirements
remain the same as for other installations.

ALCOVE INSTALLATION OF THE ENCORE IS NOT
PERMITTED IN CANADA.

7/16” Durock®

Use recommended
floor protection

(or equivalent)
spaced 1” off
wood studs on
noncombustible
spacers

ST502

Fig. 17 Floor plan. Sheetrock on front face butts to Durock®
(or equivalent) alcove lining.

Joist Shield
(Supplied
by Chimney
Manufac­turer)

Metal
Stud

1” Air gap top
to bottom, on
both sides and
back wall

Combustible
facing may
overlap metal
studs by 1”

7/16” Durock®
(or equivalent)

Construction Requirements

The following illustrations show noncombustible ceiling
framing and maximum and minimum permitted dimen­sions for alcove construction.

ST503

Fig. 18 Alcove side section.

30002425

13

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

63"

60" Min.

to Alcove

Ceiling

21"

14

"

43" Min.

12"

Min.

36"

Max.

Ceiling sup­port package
extends 2”
below Durock®
(or equivalent)
ceiling

1” air gap,
top and bot­tom, on both
sides and
back wall

Fig. 19 Cutaway perspective of acolve installation.

Existing Combus-

tible Framing

Metal studs
support 7/16”
Durock® (or
equivalent)
ceiling

Fig. 20 Reflected ceiling plan.

ST504

ST505

NOTE: From
60” to 63”
must be
covered by a
noncombus­tible material.

ST506

Fig. 21 Front Section; 63” min. clearance from finsihed floor
surface to combustibles on front face. Combustible facing
may overlap metal studs by only 1”. It should not extend be­low the height of the noncombustible ceiling.

14

30002425

Encore NC Clearance Chart

For use with either 6” or 8” flue collar/chimney connection

Unprotected Surfaces Protected Surfaces

Stove Installed Stove Stove Installed Stove
Parallel to Wall in Corner Parallel to Wall in Corner

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

Stove Clearance

No stove heat shields,
vertical flue collar heat
shield installed (except
where noted)
Top Exit, single-wall
chimney connector heat
shields2, vertical flue col­lar h.s. installed

Rear Exit

Top Exit, double-wall

chimney connector,
vertical flue collar heat
shield installed

Single-wall connector,
No chimney connector
heat shields

Side Rear Corners Side Rear Corners

(A) 17” (B) 29” (C) 28” (D) 8”

1,4

(E) 15”

1,4

(F) 8”

1,4

(432 mm) (737 mm) (711 mm) (203 mm) (380 mm) (203 mm)

(G) 17” (H) 17” (I) 19” (J) 8”

1

(K) 11”1 (L) 7”

(432 mm) (432 mm) (483 mm) (203 mm) (280 mm) (178 mm)

(M) 18” (N) 24”5 N/A (P) 8” (Q) 6” Collar N/A
(457 mm) (610 mm) (203 mm) 11” (279 mm)
8” Collar
19” (483 mm)

(G) 18” (H) 6” Collar (I) 19”
(457 mm) 23” (584 mm) (483 mm) *
8” Collar
17” (432 mm)

Chimney Connector Clearance

21” (533 mm) 7” (178 mm)

1

Single-wall connector,

9” (229 mm) 3” (76 mm)

3

Chimney connector heat
shields installed

Double-wall connector

6” Connector 8” Connector
15” (381 mm) 9” (229 mm) *

Clearance to Combustibles in Front of Stove

All Installations (S) 48” (1219 mm)

* Clearances with double-wall connectors and protected surfaces have not been tested for the Encore NC.

1. A ceiling heat shield, 24” (610 mm) in diameter and suspended 1” (25 mm) from the ceiling, must surround the chimney connec
tor in installations in which the chimney connector penetrates the ceiling.

2. The chimney connector shield extends only to 36” (914

3. The ceiling heat shield required when the chimney connector shields are used should meet the wall protector. This will require
trimming the ceiling shield along the line of intersection with the wall protector.

4. The vertical collar heat shield is not required when wall protection is installed according to this manual.

5. All rear exit installations require a wall shield when combustible material is within 12” (305 mm) of the center of the rear wall
pass through. The shield must be 24” (610 mm) in diameter, be spaced 1” (25 mm) from the wall and must surround the chim­ney connector.

30002425

mm) above the flue collar.

-

15

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

D

E

F

F

C

C

A

B

J

K

L

L

I

I

G

H

P

Q

M

N

N/A

N/A

Encore Clearance Diagrams

For use with either 6” or 8” flue collar/chimney connector

Unprotected Surfaces Protected Surfaces

Stove Installed
Parallel to Wall

Top Exit Installations, No Stove Heat Shields, collar heat shield installed.

Top Exit Installations, vertical collar heat shield, and chimney connector heat shields or double-wall connector.

Stove in Corner Stove in Corner

Stove Installed
Parallel to Wall

Rear Exit Installations.

16

30002425

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

E

E

C

B

A

B

D

E

E

A

B

C

B

A

C

B

C

D

A

C

E

F

F

B

A

D

E

C

E

D

A

B

E

E

B

A

D

E

C

E

D

A

B

E

E

E

E

C

B

A

B

D

Wall Shield Requirements for Common Installations

A = 30” (762 mm)
B = 48” (1219 mm)
C = 66” (1676 mm)
D = 36” (910 mm)
E = 1” (25 mm)

ST628

Fig. 22 Parallel installation, vertical chimney connector,
two wall shields. Reduced clearances for both rear and side

walls. Wall shields may meet at corner if desired. Shielding for
connector is centered behind connector.

A = 48” (1219 mm)
B = 36” (910 mm)
C = 1” (25 mm)

ST630

Fig. 24 Parallel installation with rear wall pass-through,
two wall shields. Reduced clearances to both rear and side

walls. Wall shields may meet at corner if desired. Shielding for
connector is centered behind connector. Wall pass-through
must comply with codes. (See “Special Installations”)

A = 30” (762 mm)
B = 44” (1118 mm)
C = 36” (910 mm)
D = 66” (1676 mm)
E = 1” (25 mm)

ST629a

Fig. 23 Parallel installation, vertical chimney connector,
with stove, connector and wall shields. Maximum reduction

for both rear and side wall. Wall shields may meet at corner if
desired. A heat shield 24” (610mm) in diameter suspended 1”
(25mm) below the ceiling must surround the chimney.

A = 30” (762 mm)
B = 23” (584 mm)
C = 44” (1118 mm)
D = 66” (1676 mm)
E = 36” (910 mm)
F = 1” (25 mm)

ST630a

Fig. 25 Parallel installation with rear wall pass-through
with stove, connector and wall shields. Wall shields may

meet at corner if desired. Connector shield extends 36” (914
mm) above flue collar, or to the elbow whichever is less.
Height “D” must be 66” (1676mm) or reach the thimble. Pass­through must comply with codes. (See “Special Installations”.)

A = 29” (737 mm)
B = 45” (1143 mm)
C = 16” (406 mm)
D = 36” (910 mm)
E = 1” (25 mm)

Fig. 26 Corner installation, vertical chimney connector,
with rear, stove, connector and wall shields. Wall shields

MUST meet at corner. Connector heat shield extends 36”
(914 mm) above flue collar. A 24” (610 mm) diameter ceiling
heat shield must surround the chimney and be suspended 1”
(25 mm) from ceiling.

30002425

A = 29” (737 mm)
B = 45” (1143 mm)
C = 16” (406 mm)
D = 36” (910 mm)
E = 1” (25 mm)

ST631

ST631a

Fig. 27 Corner installation, vertical chimney connector,
two wall shields. Reduced side clearances. Wall shields

MUST meet at corner. A 24” (610 mm) diameter ceiling heat
shield must surround the chimney and be suspended 1” (25
mm) from ceiling.

17

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

A

B

C

D

E

F

*

A

B

C

*

D

E

F

Distance from the Center of the Flue Collar to the Wall in Top-Exit Installations

The information on this page is helpful in planning stove placement for top-exiting installations, particularly those in­stallations with chimneys that pass through the ceiling. However, this is not a clearance chart. Final stove clearances
must adhere to the guidelines stated in the clearance chart on Page 14.

Dimensions indicated are valid for installations with either 6” or 8” flue collars.

Encore: WITHOUT Chimney Connector Heat Shields

Unprotected Surfaces Protected Surfaces

Corner Corner
Parallel Installations Installations** Parallel Installations Installations**

Side (a) Rear (B) Side (A) Side (D) Rear (E) Corner (F)

30

¹⁄₂” 25¹⁄₄” 34¹⁄₂” 21¹⁄₂” 11¹⁄₄” 14¹⁄₂”

(775 mm) (641 mm) (876 mm) (546 mm) (286 mm) (368 mm)

ST632

* This distance, from the center of the flue collar to the front edge of the hearth, is the same for all installations on this page:
35¹⁄₄” in the United States and 37¹⁄₄” (946 mm) in Canada.

Encore: WITH Chimney Connector Heat Shields

Unprotected Surfaces Protected Surfaces

Corner Corner
Parallel Installations Installations** Parallel Installations Installations**

Side (A) Rear (B) Corner (C) Side (D) Rear (E) Corner (F)

30
(775 mm) (337 mm) (648 mm) (546 mm) (184 mm) (343 mm)

¹⁄₂” 13¹⁄₄” 25¹⁄₂” 21¹⁄₂” 7¹⁄₄” 13¹⁄₂”

**To locate center of flue collar for corner installation, add 6¹⁄₂” (165 mm) to the clearance distance from stove corner to wall.
Mark off the resulting distance from the corner along both walls. Next, measure the same distance from these two points out
from the walls. These last two measurements will meet at a point representing the center of the flue collar. Refer to the dia­grams above.

18

ST632a

30002425

Assembly

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

Set Up Your Stove

Cast iron stoves are heavy, and it will take two to four
people to move your Encore into position.

Wipe the protective
coating of oil from
the griddle with a
clean dry rag or a
paper towel.

Install the handle
on the griddle.
First, place the
griddle upside
down at the edge
of a flat surface and
assemble the handle as shown.

With the handle pointing 45° from its final position,
tighten the nut as far as possible with the pliers. Move
the handle to its final position while still holding the nut

with the pliers.

Fig. 28 Attach the griddle handle.

ST516

Install the Bottom Heat Shield

NOTE: The Bottom Heat Shield is required in most in-

stallations. Refer to Floor Protection, Page 9, for further
details.

1. Remove the four 10-24 x 1/2” hex head bolts from
the corners of the ash drop on the stove bottom.

2. Align the bottom heat shield against the spacers with
the outside air knockout hole toward the rear of the
stove.

3. Secure the shield with the four (4) hex head bolts
removed from the stove bottom previously.

4. Tighten securely.

Adjust the Leg Levellers

Lift the stove slightly so there is no weight on the leg
while making the adjustment.

Reverse the Flue Collar (If Necessary)

Reverse the flue collar by removing the two (2) screws
that attach it to the back of the stove. Be sure the gas­ket around the flue collar opening is in position when
you screw the collar back onto the stove.

Attach the Primary Air Thermostat Handle

The primary air thermostat handle is the smaller of the
two black handles. Secure the handle to the stub on
the right side of the stove with an 8-32 x 2” slot head
machine screw.

Attach the Damper Handle

Use the 1/4” -20 x 3” screw to attach the damper handle
to the damper stub on the left side.

Assemble the Removable Insert Handle

The white removable insert handle opens and closes
the front doors. Remove after each use so it won’t get
hot. Store it in the handle holder installed behind the
right front leg. Assemble the handle by passing the 3³⁄₈"
screw through the ceramic shaft and into the bright
metal nub. Tighten carefully until snug.

Bottom Heat
Shield

Rear

Bolts

ST853

Fig. 29 Use four (4) bolts to attach the bottom heat shield.

30002425

ST635

Fig. 30 Attach thermostat handle.

ST540

Fig. 31 Assemble the front door handle.

19

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

Fan Kit Installation

1. Remove the sheet metal outer back shown in Figure

32.

2. Attach the fan assembly at the bottom edge of the in
ner back with two (2) 1/4-20 x 3/4” hex head screws
and one (1) 1/4” star washer.

3. Attach snapstat to the mounting holes on the un­derside of the bottom with two (2) 1/4-20 pan head
screws.

4. Attach the rheostat holder, (provided with stove),
under the right wing of the bottom heat shield with
two (2) #10 sheet metal screws.

5. Attach the rheostat to its holder by inserting the
rheostat control shaft through the holder hole. Install
the retaining ring and rheostat onto the shaft.

6. Secure the rheostat cable to the underside of the
bottom heat shield using the wire tie provided on the
hole at the right rear edge of the heat shield.

7. Fan will not operate until stove reaches approximate­ly 109°F.

8. Replace the sheet metal outer back.

-

Rheostat
Knob

Rheostat

Fig. 32 Fan installation (Kit # 2767).

Snapstat

Screws

ST848

20

30002425

The Encore NC Controls

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

Operation

Two controls regulate the performance of the Encore
NC: a primary air control supplies oxygen for the
fire, and a damper directs air flow within the stove to
activate and deactivate the non-catalytic combustion
system. Except when starting or reviving a fire, add­ing fuel or when the stove doors are open, the damper
should always be closed. Operation for extended pe­riods with the bypass open could result in overfiring of
the stove causing a possible safety hazard and damage
to the stove.

Symbols cast into the stove indicate the correct direc­tions for opening and closing the controls. The symbols
assume that you are facing the front of the stove.

Damper Handle

Ashdoor
Handle

Andirons

Griddle Handle

Door Handle

Air Control
Lever

Door Handle
Holder (Be­hind leg)

ST636

Low Heat

High Heat

ST637

Fig. 34 The handle may be positioned anywhere between the
two extremes for different heat levels.

The damper is open when the handle points to the
back of the stove, enabling smoke to pass directly into
the chimney. The damper must be open when starting
or reviving a fire, and before and whenever the griddle
or doors are opened.

The damper is closed when the handle points forward.
Smoke from the fire is directed through the secondary
combustion system where it can be further burned for
greater efficiency, before passing up the chimney.

When closing the damper, be sure to pull firmly
enough to snap it into the locked position.

Damper Positions

Fig. 33 The Encore controls are conveniently located and

easy to operate.

A Single Air Control Regulates

Heat Output and Burn Time

The primary air control lever, located on the right side
of the stove, controls the amount of incoming air for
starting, maintaining, and reviving a fire.

More air entering the stove makes the fire burn hotter
and faster, while less air prolongs the burn at a lower
heat level. High and low settings appear in Figure 34.

For the greatest air supply and maximum heat output
(but the shortest burn time), move the lever toward the
front of the stove. For a fire that will last longer with less
heat, move the lever toward the rear of the stove.

A Damper Directs Air Flow

Within the Stove

The damper handle on the left side of the stove opens
and closes the damper to direct air flow within the
stove.

30002425

Open
(Updraft Mode)

Closed
(High Efficiency
Mode)

ST638

Fig. 35 The damper is either open or closed. There are no
intermediate positions.

Two Ways to Add Fuel

The Encore’s griddle lifts for convenient top-loading of
logs, and is the easiest way to regularly add fuel.

However, the front doors open as well for adding an oc­casional log to a fire. If equipped with the 8” (203 mm)
flue collar, the front doors may be opened (or even re­moved) and the optional Encore spark screen placed in

21

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

Handle

ST849

Fig. 36 The Encore’s hinged griddle makes it easy to top­load wood.

the opening for open-fire viewing. The Encore is not

approved for operation with the front doors open if
equipped with the optional 6” (150 mm) flue collar.

To open the front doors, insert the handle into the door
latch stub and turn it clockwise. (Fig. 37)

Clockwise to
OPEN

Counterclockwise
to CLOSE

The Encore may be used as a fireplace with the
front doors open or removed, BUT only when it is
equipped with an 8” (203 mm) flue collar and only
when the optional spark screen is placed correctly
in the opening to protect against the possibility of
sparks and embers leaving your stove. The test
standard for your stove when it is operated in this
mode is UL 737.

Use only the Encore spark screen, item #0127, with
your Encore. Encore spark screens are available
from your Vermont Castings’ Dealer.

Infrared Reflective Glass Panels

for Clear Fire Viewing

The inner surfaces of the infrared reflective glass
panels are kept at a higher temperature than the outer
surface. This design, along with a preheated ‘airwash,’
makes clear fire viewing possible at most levels of
operation.

Andirons Help Protect the Glass

Your stove has andirons to keep logs away from the
glass panels. The andirons are essential to maintain
clear fire viewing, and should be left permanently in
place. Since the andirons may slightly hinder refueling
through the front doors, many stove owners will prefer
the convenience of top loading through the griddle.

Burn Only High-Quality Wood

ST544

Fig. 37 To open the front doors, turn the handle clockwise.

To close them, always close the left door first. Turn
the handle in the right door first clockwise to the open
position and swing the door closed. Finally, push on the
door as you turn the handle counterclockwise (down).
The doors will draw in slightly, and the handle should
offer some resistance as you turn it to the closed posi­tion.

To reduce the risk of breaking the glass, avoid striking
the glass or slamming the doors.

When not using the door handle, store it in the holder
behind the right front leg of the stove. (Fig. 33)

WARNING: For safety and greatest efficiency,
operate your stove only with all doors/griddles fully
closed. The test standard for your stove when it is
operated in this mode is UL 1482.

22

The Encore is designed to burn natural wood only; do
not burn fuels other than that for which it was designed.

You’ll enjoy the best results when burning wood that
has been adequately air-dried. Avoid burning “green”
wood that has not been properly seasoned, or cord­wood dried more than two years. Do not burn con-
struction materials; they often contain chemicals and
metals that are harmful to the stove, chimney system
and the environment. The wood should be 18-20” (457­610 mm) in length.

The best hardwood fuels include oak, maple, beech,
ash, and hickory that has been split, stacked, and air­dried outside under cover for at least one year.

If hardwood is not available, you can burn softwoods
which include tamarack, yellow pine, white pine, East­ern red cedar, fir, and redwood. These too should be
properly dried. The basic difference between hard and
soft wood is their density. Hardwoods, because of their
greater density, burn longer than softwoods and can
increase the time between refuelings.

Store wood under cover to keep it dry. The longer it
is stored in a dry condition, the better heating and fire
viewing performance you will enjoy. Even for short-term
storage, however, keep wood a safe distance from the
heater and keep it out of the areas around the heater
used for refueling and ash removal.

30002425

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

Use the Air Control Settings

that Work Best for You

No single air control setting will fit every situation. Each
installation will differ depending on the quality of the
fuel, the amount of heat desired, how long you wish the
fire to burn, climactic conditions; outdoor air tempera­ture and pressure may also effect draft.

The control setting also depends on your particular
installation’s “draft,” or the force that moves air from the
stove up through the chimney. Draft is affected by such
things as the length, type, and location of the chimney,
local geography, nearby obstructions, and other factors.
Refer to Pages 25-27 for details on how the installation
affects performance.

Too much draft may cause excessive temperatures in
the Encore, and could even damage the stove. On the
other hand, too little draft can cause backpuffing into
the room and/or the “plugging” of the chimney.

How do you know if your draft is excessively high or
low? Symptoms of too much draft include an uncontrol­lable burn or a glowing-red stove part. A sign of inad­equate draft is smoke leaking into the room through the
stove or chimney connector joints, low heat output and
dirty glass.

In some newer homes that are well-insulated and
weather-tight, poor draft may result from insufficient air
in the house. In such instances, an open window near
the stove on the windward side of the house will help
provide the fresh air needed.

Another option for getting more combustion air to the
stove is to duct air directly from outdoors to the stove.
In some areas provisions for outside combustion air are
required in all new construction.

Your Encore is equipped to deliver outside air for com
bustion.

When first using the stove, keep track of the air control
settings. You will quickly find that a specific setting will
give you a fixed amount of heat. It may take a week or
two to determine the amount of heat and the length of
burn you should expect from various settings.

Most installations do not require a large amount of com­bustion air, especially if adequate draft is available. Do

not attempt to increase the firing of your heater by
altering the air control adjustment range outlined in
these directions.

Use the following air control settings as a starting point
to help determine the best settings for your installation.
Each is described as a fraction of the total distance the
lever may be moved from right to left.

-

Encore Control Settings

Burn Rate Primary Air Control

Low From far right to 1/3

the distance to left

Medium From 1/3 to 2/3 the distance

to left

High From 2/3 the distance

to left to far left

DO NOT OPERATE THE STOVE WITH THE ASH
DOOR OPEN. OPERATION WITH THE ASH DOOR
OPEN CAN CAUSE AN OVERFIRING CONDITION
TO OCCUR. OVERFIRING THE STOVE IS DANGER
OUS AND CAN RESULT IN PROPERTY DAMAGE,
INJURY OR LOSS OF LIFE.

-

Conditioning Your Stove

Cast iron is extremely strong, but it can be broken with
a sharp blow from a hammer or from the thermal shock
of rapid and extreme temperature change.

The cast plates expand and contract with changes in
temperature. When you first begin using your Encore,
minimize thermal stress by allowing the plates to adjust
gradually during three or four initial break-in fires.

Starting and Maintaining a Wood Fire

Burn only solid wood in the Encore, and burn it directly
on the grate. Do not elevate the fuel. Do not burn coal
or other fuels.

The bypass damper must be open when starting a
fire or when refueling.

Do not use chemicals or fluids to start the fire. Do
not burn garbage. Never use flammable fluids such
as gasoline, gasoline type lantern fuel, kerosene,
charcoal lighter fluid, naptha, engine oil or similar
liquids to start or “freshen up” a fire in this heater.
Keep all such liquids well away from the heater
while it is in use.

ST263

30002425

Fig. 38 Start fire with newspaper and dry kindling.

23

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

ST265

Fig. 39 Add larger pieces of wood as the fire begins to burn
well.

During the break-in fires, do not let the stove get hotter
than 500°F (260°C) as measured on an optional stove­top thermometer. Adjust the air control lever as neces­sary to control the fire.

Some odor from the stove’s hot metal, the paint, and
the cement is normal for the first few fires.

NOTE: Some chimneys need to be “primed,” or
warmed up, before they will draw sufficiently to start
a fire. To correct this situation, roll up a couple pieces
of newspaper, place them on top of the kindling and
toward the back of the stove, light them, and close the
doors. This will encourage smoke to rise rapidly, en­couraging a good draft.

Once the draft is established, open the front door and
light the rest of the fuel from the bottom. Do not light
the main bed of fuel until the chimney begins drawing,
and repeat the procedure as often as necessary if the
initial attempt is unsuccessful.

If your Encore has been broken-in previously using,
continue to build the fire gradually. Add larger wood with
a diameter of 3-4” (76-102 mm). Continue adding split
logs of this size to the briskly-burning fire until there is
a glowing ember bed at least 3” (76 mm) deep. A good
ember bed is necessary for proper functioning of the
combustion system and may take an hour or more to
establish.

Refuel While the Embers Are Still Hot

When reloading, best results will be achieved if you first
de-ash the stove by stirring the fuel bed to allow ash to
fall through the grate into the ash pan.

Do not break the charcoal into very small pieces or
pound or compress the charcoal bed.

It is important that air can circulate through the charcoal
bed while the heater is in operation. Larger pieces of
charcoal allow more air to circulate under the wood,
resulting in the fire reviving more quickly.

For best results when refueling, wear stove gloves to
protect your hands, add fuel while the stove still has
plenty of glowing embers to re-kindle the fire, and
include some smaller pieces of wood in the new fuel
load to help the stove regain its operating temperature
quickly. Use this sequence as a guide to successful
refueling:

1. Open the damper.

2. De-ash the stove as described above. Open the
front doors and check the level of ash in the ash
pan. Empty the pan if necessary and replace it in the
stove. Close the front doors.

3. Open the griddle, load the wood (smaller pieces
first), and close the griddle.

4. Allow the stove to regain its “thermal momentum”
before closing the damper. This may take 15--20
minutes.

5. Close the damper and set the air control lever for the
desired heat output. When the surface temperature
reaches 450°F (230°C), adjust the air control for the
amount of heat you desire.

NOTE: If the charcoal bed is relatively thick {about 2”­3” (52-76 mm)} deep, and if your fuel is well seasoned,
it is possible to add fresh fuel (smaller pieces first),
close the door and damper, and reset the primary air
control for the desired heat output within five minutes.

WARNING: FIREPLACE STOVES EQUIPPED WITH
DOORS SHOULD BE OPERATED ONLY WITH
DOORS FULLY OPEN OR DOORS FULLY CLOSED.
IF DOORS ARE LEFT PARTLY OPEN, GAS AND
FLAME MAY BE DRAWN OUT OF THE FIREPLACE
STOVE OPENING CREATING RISKS FROM BOTH
FIRE AND SMOKE.

CAUTION: The Encore will be hot while in opera­tion. Keep children, clothing and furniture away.
Contact may cause skin burns.

ST264a

Fig. 40 Add full-size logs when the kindling has burned down
to a bed of embers.

24

DO NOT OVERFIRE THIS HEATER. Overfiring may
cause a house fire, or can result in permanent dam

­age to the stove and to the catalytic combustor. If
any part of the Encore glows, you are overfiring.

30002425

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

Ash Removal and Disposal

You should remove ash before it reaches the top of the
ash pan. Check the level at least once a day. Every few
days, clear any ash from the outer edges of the firebox
and the cavity areas of the stove. Most of the ash will
fall through the grate. Slice or stir the ash with a shovel
or poker so that it falls through the grate slots.

Open

Close

ST545

Fig. 41 Turn the handle to the ash pan compartment clock­wise to open and counterclockwise to close.

IMPORTANT: Check the level of ash in the ash pan
before reloading the stove. If the ash level is close to
the top edge of the pan, empty the pan according to this
procedure:

• Open the damper.

• Open the griddle or front doors, and use a shovel or

poker to stir excess ash through the ash slots in the
grate down into the ash pan.

• Close the griddle or doors, and unlatch the ash door.

It will pivot, swinging the ash pan out of the stove.

• Slide the cover onto the pan, making sure it is se-

curely closed. (Fig. 42)

• Remove the ash pan, making sure to keep it level.

• To keep the cover from sliding off and to keep ash

from falling on the floor, do not tilt the ash pan for­ward.

If the stove is in operation, close the ash door while

disposing of the ash.

• Properly dispose of the ash in a metal container with

a tight-fitting lid. Store the container outdoors away
from all combustible material.

• Return the ash pan to its original position in the

stove, and close and latch the ash door.

• Do not operate the stove with the ash door open.

This will result in over-firing, and could cause dam­age to the stove, void the warranty, or even lead to a
house fire.

Empty the ash pan regularly, typically every one to
three days. The frequency will vary depending on how
you operate your Encore: ash will accumulate faster at
higher heat outputs.

Remove ash frequently and place it outdoors in a
metal container with a tight-fitting lid. Place the closed
container of ash on a noncombustible floor or on the
ground, well away from all combustible materials, pend­ing final disposal. If the ash is disposed of by burial in
soil or otherwise locally dispersed, it should be kept in
the closed container until all cinders have thoroughly
cooled.

You can use wood ash as a garden fertilizer.

CAUTION: Never use your household or shop vacuum
cleaner to remove ash from the stove; always remove
and dispose of the ash properly.

ST566

Fig. 42 Be sure the cover is securely attached before remov­ing the ash pan.

30002425

25

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

Draft Management

A stove is part of a system which includes the chim­ney, the operator, the fuel and the home. Each part of
the system affects how well the stove operates. When
there is a good match between all the parts, the system
works well.

Wood stove or insert operation depends on natural
(unforced) draft. Natural draft occurs when the smoke
is hotter (and therefore lighter) than the outdoor air
at the top of the chimney. The larger the temperature
difference, the stronger the draft. As the smoke rises
from the chimney it provides suction or ‘draw’ that pulls
air into the stove for combustion. A slow, lazy fire with
the stove’s air inlets fully open indicates a weak draft.
A brisk fire, supported only by air entering the stove
through the normal inlets, indicates a good draft. The
stove’s air inlets are passive; they regulate how much
air can enter the stove, but depend entirely on the draft
of the chimney.

Depending on the features of your installation - (i.e.
metal or masonry chimney installed, inside or outside
the house, matched to the stove’s outlet or oversized) ­your system may warm up quickly or it may take a while
to warm up and operate well. With an ‘airtight’ stove or
insert, one which restricts the amount of air getting into
the firebox, the chimney must keep the smoke warm all
the way to the outdoors. Some chimneys do this better
than others. Here is a list of features and their effects.

Masonry Chimney

Masonry is a traditional material for chimneys, but it
can perform poorly when it serves an ‘airtight’ stove.
Masonry is a very effective ‘heat sink’ - it absorbs a lot
of heat. It can cool the smoke enough to diminish draft.
The bigger the chimney, the longer it takes to warm up.
It’s often very difficult to warm up an outdoor masonry
chimney, especially an oversized one, and keep it warm
enough to maintain an adequate draft.

Metal Chimney

Most factory-made metal chimneys have a layer of
insulation around the inner flue. This insulation keeps
the smoke warm. The insulation is less dense than ma­sonry, so a steel chimney warms up more quickly than
a masonry chimney. Metal doesn’t have the good looks
of masonry, but it often performs much better.

Indoor / Outdoor location

Because the chimney must keep the smoke warm, it is
best to locate it inside the house. The relatively warm
house then surrounds the chimney keeping it warm.
This also means that heat from the chimney walls will
transfer to the house and not be wasted outdoors. An
indoor chimney will not lose its heat to the outdoors, so

26

it takes less heat from the stove to heat it up and keep
it warm.

Flue Sizing

The interior size of a chimney for an ‘airtight’ stove
should match the size of the stove’s flue outlet. When a
chimney serves an airtight stove, “more” is not “better”;
in fact, it can be a disadvantage. Exhaust gases move
more slowly through larger chimneys and can lose
more heat to the chimney walls. This weakens the draft
strength. If an oversized flue is also outside the house,
the heat it absorbs gets transferred to the outdoor air
and the flue is further cooled.

It’s common for a masonry flue, especially one serving
a fireplace, to be oversized for the stove. It can take
quite a while to warm up such a flue, and the results
can be disappointing. The best solution to an oversized
flue is an insulated steel chimney liner, the same diam
eter as the stove or insert’s flue outlet; the liner keeps
the exhaust warm, and the result is a stronger draft. An
uninsulated liner is a second choice - the liner keeps
the exhaust path restricted to its original size, but the
air around the liner must still be heated. This makes the
warm-up process take longer.

-

Pipe & Chimney Layout

Every turn the exhaust must take as it travels to the
chimney top will slow it down. The ideal pipe and chim­ney layout is straight up from the stove, and into a verti­cal chimney. If you are starting from scratch, use this
layout if possible. If the stovepipe must turn to enter a
chimney, locate the thimble about midway between the
stove top and the ceiling. This achieves several goals:
it allows the exhaust gases to speed up before turning,
it leaves some pipe in the room for heat transfer, and
gives you long-term flexibility to install a future stove
without relocating the thimble.

There should be no more than 8 feet (2.4m) of single­wall stove pipe between the stove and a chimney; lon­ger runs can cool the exhaust gases enough to cause
draft and creosote problems. Use double-wall stove
pipe for long runs.

Single venting

Each ‘airtight’ stove requires its own chimney. If an air­tight stove is vented to a flue that also serves an open
fireplace, it is easier for the chimney draft to pull air
in through those channels than it is to pull air through
the stove, and performance suffers. Imagine a vacuum
cleaner with a hole in the hose to see the effect here.
In some cases the other appliance can even cause a
negative draft through the airtight, and result in a dan­gerous draft reversal.

30002425

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

Creosote

Creosote is a by-product of slow wood-burning. It is an
organic tar that can condense in the flue if the exhaust
gases cool too much. Condensed creosote is volatile,
and can fuel chimney fires if it gets hot enough. All the
factors that affect chimney draft also affect creosote
condensation - so use installation features and opera­tional steps that encourage good draft and minimize
creosote production.

Because letting the smoke cool off and slow down is
one of the keys to creosote production, it makes sense
to line a chimney to match the stove’s outlet size, for
safety reasons as well as performance. Canadian law
requires a matching liner to serve any stove or insert
vented through a fireplace chimney; in the US, the Na­tional Fire Protection Association recommends a liner if
the chimney is more than three times bigger (in square
area) than the outlet on the stove or insert. Some locali­ties enforce the NFPA guidelines as part of their build­ing codes.

Fuel

Even the best stove installation will not perform well
with poor fuel. The best fuel is hardwood that has air­dried 12-18 months and is stored, covered from the
elements. Softwoods burn well, but not as long as hard­wood. ‘Green’ wood has more moisture in it; it will burn,
but more of the heat from the fire is needed to drive the
extra moisture off the wood. This reduces the amount
of heat that reaches your home and can contribute to a
creosote problem. There are moisture meters available
for firewood; you can also judge your wood by its ap­pearance and weight. If you get it green, lift a piece and
get a sense of its weight; it can lose a third or more of
its weight as it dries. Also look at the ends of a log; as it
dries it shrinks and often cracks. The more weathered
and cracked a piece is, the drier it is.

Back-puffing

“Back-puffing” results when the fire produces volatile
gases faster than the chimney draft pulls them out of
the firebox. The gases back up in the firebox until they
are dense enough and hot enough to ignite. If your
stove back-puffs, you should open the damper to direct
more heat up the chimney to allow the smoke to rise
to the flue more quickly, let more air into the firebox.
Smaller loads of wood, larger pieces of wood and
avoiding overly dry wood loaded into a very hot stove
may help this problem. If back-puffing persists, contact
your dealer or qualified chimney sweep to help diag­nose the problem.

Draft Testing

An easy way to test your chimney draft is to close the
stove’s damper, wait a few minutes to let the airflow
stabilize, then see whether you can vary the strength
of the fire by swinging the air control open and closed.
Results are not always instant; you may need to wait
a few minutes for a change in the air control setting to
have an effect on the fire. If there’s no change, then the
draft isn’t strong enough yet to let you close the damper,
and you’ll need to open it for a while longer and manage
the fire with the air inlet until the draft strengthens.
Test chimney draft with a draft gauge.

Negative Pressure

Good draft also depends on a supply of air to the stove;
a chimney can’t pull in more air than is available to it.
Sluggish draft results when a house is tight enough to
prevent the ready flow of air to the stove, or by com­petition between the stove and other equipment that
removes air from the house - especially power-driven
equipment like range hoods, clothes dryers, etc. If the
chimney draws well with all other equipment turned
off (or sealed, in the case of fireplaces and/or other
stoves), then you simply need to be careful with timing
the use of the other equipment. If you need to crack a
nearby window or door to enable the chimney to pull
well, that’s a sign that you should install an outside-air
intake to bring combustion air directly to the stove. For
most of our stoves, adapters are available to connect
an air duct for outdoor combustion air.

Conclusion

Wood-burning is an art rather than a science. Once the
stove and chimney system are in place, you can only
vary your technique, mostly your timing, to achieve
good results. If you keep track of your burning habits
and relate them to their effects on the stove’s operation,
you’ll be rewarded with good performance and a safe
system.

30002425

27

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

Maintenance

Keep Your Stove Looking New

and Working Its Best

Let the fire in the stove go out and allow the stove to
cool completely before beginning any maintenance
procedure.

Care of the Cast Iron Surface

An occasional dusting with a dry rag will keep the painted
cast iron of your Encore looking new.

The stove’s paint can be touched up as needed. First,
mask the areas, such as enamelled parts, glass, or
handles, around the area to be painted. Clean the area
with a wire brush to remove any loose paint or dust.
Remove the griddle and set it aside.

Then, touch up the stove with Vermont Castings’ high
temperature stove paint. Apply the paint sparingly; two
light coats of paint are better than a single heavy one.

Care of the Porcelain Enamel Surface

Use a dry or slightly damp rag or soft brush to remove
spills or stains. For difficult jobs that require a cleaning
agent, use only a kitchen appliance cleaner or polish
recommended for use on enamel surfaces.

Removing the Glass

1. Remove the right and left door assemblies by raising
the door until the lower hinge pin clears its drilling;
then, angle the door bottom slightly outward and
pull down to release the upper hinge pin. Place the
doors face down on a padded work surface.

2. Remove the screws that hold the retainer clips in
place, and remove the clips.

3. Carefully lift the broken glass panel from the door.

Installing the Glass

Check the gasket around the window; it should be soft
and resilient so the glass will seal properly against the
door. Replace the gasket if it has hardened or if it is
compressed.

1. Center the first pane of glass on the gasket. Be sure
to place the glass so the infrared reflective coating is
on the exterior side.

Right Door

Gasket

Glass Panel

Cleaning the Glass

Most of the carbon deposits on the glass will burn off
during hot fires.

However, the ash residue that accumulates on the
glass surface should be removed regularly to prevent
etching. To clean the glass, follow this procedure:

• Be sure the glass is completely cool.

• Clean the glass with water or a cleaner made espe-

cially for this purpose. Do not use abrasive cleaners.

• Rinse the glass thoroughly.

• Dry the glass completely.

Replace Broken Glass Immediately

Do not operate your stove if the glass in the doors is
damaged.

If you need to replace the glass, use only the high tem­perature ceramic glass supplied by Vermont Castings.
Do not use substitutes. Be sure to specify left or right
glass; the panels are not interchangeable.

Retainer
Clips (4)

ST854

Fig. 43 Exploded view of the glass assembly for the right
door.

2. Secure the glass on both doors with the retainer
clips, but leave the screws a little loose.

3. Gradually tighten all the screws by hand a little at
a time in order to apply even pressure to the glass
panel.

Adjust the Damper as Needed

The tension on the Encore’s damper is adjustable to
compensate for compression of the gasket that seals
the damper to the upper fireback. To adjust the damper:

1. Remove the griddle. Loosen the lock nut at the cen

ter of the damper.

2. Turn the pressure screw approximately one half turn

clockwise.

-

28

30002425

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

3. Tighten the lock nut. Keep the pressure screw from
turning as you tighten the nut. Re-test the damper.

Lock Nut

Damper

Fig. 44 Adjusting the damper.

Pressure Adjust
ing Screw

-

ST642

Tighten the Damper Handle as Needed

A handle on the left side of the stove controls the
damper. The handle attaches to the damper rod with a
set screw. Periodically check the set screw and tighten
as necessary.

Adjust the Door Latches

The Encore’s front doors, as well as its ash pan door,
should close securely to prevent accidental open­ing and to keep air from leaking into the stove. On
adequately adjusted doors, the handles should resist
slightly as they are turned to the closed position and the
doors themselves should be drawn slightly toward the
stove.

Over time, the gasket around the doors will compress
and the latches may need adjustment.

To adjust the latches on the doors, loosen the small
lock nut, rotate the striker screw a half-turn, and re­tighten the small lock. Hold the striker screw to keep it
from turning as you tighten the lock nut. Make repeated
small adjustments until the setting is right.

Replace the Stove Gaskets as Needed

Your Encore uses rope-type fiberglass gaskets to make
a tight seal between some parts. With use, particularly
on those parts that move, gaskets can become brittle
and compressed and can begin to lose their effective­ness. These will need periodic replacement.

All of the gaskets are made of fiberglass. The sizes of
replaceable gasket are listed below, along with their
applications.

Gasket Diameter ...And the Parts it Seals

5/16” The griddle to the stove top
(wire reinforced gasket)

3/8” The ash door to the front of
the ash drop, flue collar to in­ ner back

3/16” The outer glass panes to the
doors

5/16” The damper to the
upper fireback; the front doors
to the stove front; and the
doors to each other.

If you need to change a gasket, first obtain an appropri­ate replacement from your Vermont Castings’ Autho­rized Dealer.

Wait until the fire is out and the stove has cooled. Be
sure to follow the standard safety procedure for working
with dusty materials: Wear safety goggles and a dust
mask.

The procedure for replacing gaskets is the same re­gardless of the gasket location. Follow these steps:

1. Remove the existing gasket by grasping an end and
pulling firmly.

2. Use a wire brush or the tip of a screwdriver to clean
the channel of any remaining cement or bits of gasket.
(Fig. 46) Remove stubborn deposits of cement with a
cold chisel if necessary.

Pawl

Small
Locking Nut

Large Lock­ing Nut

Set Screw

Handle Stub

Fig. 45 Turn the door latch striker screw in or out to tighten or
loosen the door latch.

Striker Screw

ST531

30002425

ST560

Fig. 46 Remove gasket then clean channel with wire brush.

29

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

Cement

Sto

ve Gasket

3. Determine the correct length of the appropriate­sized gasket by laying it out in the channel. Allow an
extra 1-2” (25-50 mm), and mark the spot to be cut.
(Fig. 47)

4. Remove the gasket from the channel, place it on a
wood cutting surface, and cut it at the marked spot with
a utility knife. Twist the ends slightly to keep the gasket
from unraveling.

5. Lay an unbroken 1/8” (3mm) bead of gasket cement
in the newly-cleaned channel.

6. Starting at one end, press the gasket into the chan­nel. (Fig. 47) Ensure a good joint where the gasket
meets before trimming any excess. Do not overlap the
gasket ends or leave ends with ragged edges.

ST561

Fig. 47 Lay a bead of gasket cement then press gasket in
place.

7. Press the gasketed part firmly against its normal
mating surface to seat the gasket evenly in its channel.
Close and latch the door to do this, or tap other parts
with the rubber mallet (or hammer/block of wood).

8. Clean any excess cement from around the chan­nel, then let the cement that holds the new gasket dry
thoroughly.

Adjust the Door If Necessary

The stove’s door(s) may need adjustment after you
have regasketed it. Initially, it may require loosening to
accommodate the new gasket; after a few weeks, it
may need tightening to compensate for compression of
the new gasket. The directions for adjusting the doors
are on Page 28.

All Gasketed Construction

Other gaskets form seals between non-moving parts,
but these are not subject to the same wear and dete­rioration as gaskets on moving parts. It is unlikely that
you will ever need to replace these gaskets unless the
involved parts are disassembled and then put back
together. If this is the case, the job should be done only
by a qualified service technician.

30

5/16” diameter gasket seals the following parts:

• The flue collar to the stove back

• The lower fireback to the sides

• All connections between the major stove plates

The Chimney System

Creosote

Your Encore is designed to reduce creosote build-up
significantly. However, regular chimney inspection and
maintenance must still be performed. For safety, good
stove performance, and to protect your chimney and
chimney connector, inspect your chimney and chimney
connector on a regular schedule. Clean the system if
necessary. Failure to keep the chimney and connector
system clean can result in a serious chimney fire.

When wood is burned slowly, it produces tar, organic
vapors and moisture that combine to form creosote.
The creosote vapors condense in the relatively cool
chimney flue of a slow-burning fire. As a result, creo­sote residue accumulates on the flue lining. When ignit­ed, this creosote makes an extremely hot fire within the
flue system that can damage the chimney and overheat
adjacent combustible material. If a significant layer of
creosote has accumulated —1/8” (3mm) or more — it
should be removed to reduce the risk of a chimney fire.

To reduce the amount of creosote that may form, re
member to provide adequate air for combustion and to
strive for small, intense fires rather than large, smolder­ing ones.

You can never be too safe. Contact your local fire
authority for information on what to do in the event of
a chimney fire, and have a clearly understood plan on
how to handle one.

You should inspect the system every two weeks during
the heating season as part of a regular maintenance
schedule. To inspect the chimney, let the stove cool
completely. Then, using a strong light, sight up through
the flue collar into the chimney flue. If it is not possible
to inspect the flue system in this fashion, the stove must
be disconnected to provide better viewing access.

Clean the chimney using a brush the same size and
shape as the flue liner. Flexible fiberglass rods are used
to run the brush up and down the liner, causing any
deposits to fall to the bottom of the chimney where they
can be removed through the clean-out door.

Clean the chimney connector by disconnecting the sec­tions, taking them outside, and removing any deposits
with a stiff wire brush. Reinstall the connector sections
after cleaning, being sure to secure the joints between
individual sections with sheet metal screws.

If you cannot inspect or clean the chimney yourself,
contact your local Vermont Castings’ Dealer or a profes­sional chimney sweep.

-

30002425

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

Maintenance Schedule

The Stove

DAILY:

• Clear any ash build-up from around the air holes and

combustion flow path in the lower fireback.

• Ashes should be removed before they reach the top

of the ash pan. Check accumulation at least once a
day.

• Keep the area around the stove clear of any combus-

tible materials such as wood, furniture or clothing.

TWO MONTHS:

• Check door handle to be sure it is working properly.

Gasketing becomes compressed after a period of
time. Adjust handle tightness if necessary.

• Check leg bolts and heat shield screws; tighten if

necessary.

ANNUAL SPRING CLEANING:

• Check gasketing for wear, and replace if necessary.

• Remove ashes from the ash pan and replace with a

moisture absorbing material (such as kitty litter) to
keep the interior of the stove dry.

• Clean the dust from the inner sides of bottom, rear or

pipe heat shields if your stove is equipped with them.
Clean surfaces are better heat reflectors than dirty
surfaces.

• Touch up the black paint.

• Inspect for and remove ash build-up behind the com-

bustion package. This should be done in conjunction
with annual cleaning of the chimney connector since
this inspection is most conveniently done through the
flue collar opening. Inspect the passages to either
side of the combustion package (a mirror will be
helpful) and vacuum away ash using a flexible vacu­um hose inserted into each passage. Care should be
taken not to damage the white fibrous material in this
rear chamber. (Fig. 48)

The Chimney Connector

TWO WEEKS:

• Inspect the chimney connector and chimney. Clean if

necessary.

TWO MONTHS:

• Inspect the chimney and chimney connector. Pay

particular attention to the horizontal runs of chimney
connector, and the elbows. Clean the system if nec­essary.

ANNUAL SPRING CLEANING:

• Disassemble the chimney connector and take it

outdoors for inspection and cleaning. Replace weak
sections of connector.

• Inspect the chimney for signs of deterioration. Re-

pairs to a masonry chimney should be made by a
professional mason. Replace damaged sections of
prefabricated chimney. Your local Vermont Castings
dealer or a chimney sweep can help determine when
replacement is necessary.

• Thoroughly clean the chimney.

Inspect and
Vacuum Both
Rear Corners

Ash Build-up

ST856

30002425

Fig. 48 Inspect and clean out ash accumulation on either side
of the non-catalytic combustion system.

31

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

69

72

1

2

13

47

12

11

3

4

42

10

61

51

52

37

52

51

12

32

68

7

8

9

32

67

21

66

55

20

73

74

64

62

19

56

60

59

22

56

58

54

23

25

48

49

50

45

53

42

41

53

24

28

57

26

27

38

18

17

14

16 46

65

62

44

43

40

39

34

35

70

33

31

32

30

28

42

29

15

71

36

5

6

75

76

77

77

78

27

CFM Corporation reserves the right to make changes in design, materials, specifications, prices and discontinue colors and products at any time,
without notice.

Encore Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

Model 1450

32

0956

30002425

Encore Woodburning Stove

Model 1450 (continued)

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

Item Description Part Number

1. Flue Collar (8”) See Chart Pg. 33

2. Inner Back 30002385

3. Left Heat Deflector 30002441

4. Right Heat Deflector 30002442

5. Left Griddle Quad 30002399

6. Right Griddle Quad 30002401

7. Griddle 30002386

8. Griddle Handle Assy 30002775

9. Top See Chart Pg. 33

10. Damper Housing 30002413

11. Damper 30002389

12. Damper Tabs (3) 1601488

13. Damper Rod 1600851

14. Damper Handle Screw 1/4-20 x 3

³⁄₈” NT 1201310

15. Damper Handle,Wood 1600664

16. Steel Handle Stub 30002720

17. Left Side See Chart Pg. 33

18. Left Air Manifold (Inner side) 30002408

19. Right Air Manifold (Inner side) 30002409

20. Right Side See Chart Pg. 33

21. Thermostat Handle Shaft w/set screw 30002716

21a. Thermostat Handle Wood 1600660
21b. Round Hd, Sl 8-32 x 2 Screw 1201243

22. Grate 30002390

23. Bottom Outer 30002391

24. Ashlip See Chart Pg. 33

25. Andiron (2) 30002397

26. Leg See Chart Pg. 33

27. Leg Leveler 1201745

28. Pawl Assembly Short Adjustment 30002362

29. Ashdoor 30002392

30. Ashdoor Handle (Wood) 1600663

31. Ashdoor Hinge Pin 30002473

32. Cotter Pin, Ashdoor 30001749

33. Ashdoor Hinge Lower 30002404

34. Ashpan 1601025

35. Ashpan Bracket 1601039

36. Ashpan Cover 1601027

37. Airwash Manifold 30002407

38. Front See Chart Pg. 33

39. Left Door See Chart Pg. 33

Item Description Part Number

40. Door Hinge Strip (2) 1308634

41. Right Door See Chart Pg. 33

42. Door Gasket 5/16 Med. Density 6ND 1203588

43. Glass Gasket 1203556

44. Left Door Glass1 30002476

1

45. Right Door Glass

1408629

46. Spacer 3/8 x 1-Z 1201779

47. Damper Ramp 1301811
Socket Set Screw Adjuster 1200436
PH Flat Hd Screw 1200809
Hex Nuts 1203210

48. Handle Base Stub

49. Ceramic Handle 2.78 Lg

50. Handle Bolt

2

30002714

2

2

1201294

20006381

51. Friction Spring 1201846

52. Washer 1202471

53. Pin, Long, Door 30002727

54. Inner Bottom 30002406

55. Primary Air Plate 30002415

56. Lower Brick Retainer 30002416

57. Hinge, Upper Ashdoor 30002403

58. Fountain Assembly CDW 30002100

59. Insul Gasket Shoe 30002418

60. Refractory Shoe 30002419

61. Refractory Lower 30002414

62. End Insulation 30002420

64. Right End Refractory 30002421

65. Left End Refractory 30002475

66. Primary Air Flap 30002443

67. Primary Air Shaft 30002841

68. Primary Air Linkage 30002445

69. Outer Back Assembly 30002450

70. Bottom Heat Shield 30002446

71. Griddle Gasket 1203668

72. Rear Side Bracket 30002457

73. Brick Support Bracket 30002480

74. Holder, Door Handle 30002909

75. Front Steel Handle w/Shaft 30002717

76. Ashdoor Handle Shaft 1600622

77. Hex Jam Nut 1203290

78. Bracket, Upper Side 30002667

79. Rheostat Bracket 30002863

30002425

1. Not interchangeable, due to a heat-reflective coating on the room
side of the panels.

2. Included in #0004345 ceramic handle assembly.

33

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

Shell Enamel Parts - Encore NC Model 1450
Part Name Classic Biscuit Bordeaux Chestnut Ebony Midnight Sand Suede Vermont

Brown Blue Brown Green

Top 30002387 30003055 30002615 30003065 30003075 30002635 30002625 30002645 30003085
Left Side 30002388 30003052 30002613 30003062 30003072 30002633 30002623 30002643 30003082
Right Side 30002405 30003053 30002612 30003063 30003073 30002632 30002622 30002642 30003083
Flue Collar 1304280 30003008 2324280 30003020 30003032 2374280 1324280 30002527 30003045
Front 30002393 30003054 30002614 30003064 30003074 30002634 30002624 30002644 30003084
Ashlip 30002402 30003051 30002610 30003061 30003071 30002630 30002620 30002640 30003081
Left Door

Subassy 30003974* 30003984 30003976 30003986 30003988 30003980 30003978 30003982 30003990
Left Door 30003938 30003958 30003950 30003960 30003962 30003954 30003952 30003956 30003964
Right Door

Subassy 30003975* 30003985 30003977 30003987 30003989 30003981 30003979 30003983 30003991
Right Door 30003939 30003959 30003951 30003961 30003963 30003955 30003953 30003957 30003965
Single Leg 30002396 30003050 30002611 30003060 30003070 30002631 30002621 30002641 30003080

*NOTE: Does not contain glass or glass gasket.

34

30002425

Encore 1450 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove

LIMITED LIFETIME Warranty

For Vermont Castings Encore, Non-Catalytic Wood Stove

Limited Lifetime Warranty

CFM Corporation warrants that all refractory brick and
material used in this product will be warranted against
deterioration not resulting from physical damage or
overloading of the woodstove for the lifetime of this
product. This coverage includes the components of
the EverBurn System: “shoe, fountain, and fireback.
Coverage is provided only to the original purchaser.

Limited 3 Year Warranty

All cast iron parts are warranted for a period of three
years against breakage, cracking or burn-through.

Limited 1 Year Warranty

The following part of the woodburning stove are
warranted to be free of defects in material and work­manship for a period of one year from the date you
receive it: The handles, glass door panels, door
gasketing and porcelain finish. Any of these items
found to be defective will be repaired or replaced at
no charge, upon the return of the part with postage
prepaid to a Vermont Castings Authorized Dealer.

Any parts repaired or replaced during the limited
warranty period will be warranted under the terms
of the limited warranty for a period not to exceed the
remaining term of the original limited warranty or six
(6) months, whichever is longer.

Exclusions & Limitations

1. This warranty is non-transferable.

2. This warranty does not cover misuse of the stove.
Misuse includes overfiring, which will result if the stove
is used in such a manner as to cause one or more
of the plates to glow red. Overfiring can be identified
later by warped plates and areas where the paint pig­ments has burned off. Overfiring in enamel stoves is
identified by bubbling, cracking, chipping and discolor­ation of the porcelain enamel finish. CFM Corporation
offers no warranty on chipping of enamel surfaces.
Inspect your woodburning stove prior to accepting it
for any damage to the enamel.

3. This warranty does not cover misuse of the stove as
described in the Owners Guide, nor does it cover a
stove which has been modified unless authorized by a
CFM Corporation representative in writing. This war­ranty does not cover damage to the stove caused by
burning salt saturated wood, chemically treated wood,
or any fuel not recommended in the Owners Guide.

4. This warranty does not cover a stove repaired by
someone other than a Vermont Castings Authorized
Dealer.

5. Damage to the unit while in transit is not covered
by this warranty but is subject to a claim against the

common carrier. Contact Vermont Castings Authorized
Dealer from whom you purchased your stove or CFM
Corporation if the purchase was direct. (Do not oper­ate the stove as this may negate the ability to process
the claim with the carrier).

6. Claims are not valid where the installation does not
conform to local building and fire codes or, in their ab­sence, to the recommendations in our Owners Guide.

7. The salt air environment of coastal areas, or a high­humidity environment, can be corrosive to the porce­lain enamel finish. These conditions can cause rusting
of the cast iron beneath the porcelain enamel finish,
which will cause the porcelain enamel finish to flake
off. This warranty does not cover damage caused by
a salt air or high-humidity environment.

8. CFM Corporation shall have no obligation to enhance
or update any unit once manufactured.

IN NO EVENT SHALL CFM Corporation BE LIABLE FOR
INCIDENTAL AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. ALL
IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS,
ARE LIMITED TO THE DURATION OF THIS WRITTEN
WARRANTY. THIS WARRANTY SUPERCEDES ALL OTHER
ORAL OR WRITTEN WARRANTIES.

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitations of
incidental and consequential damages or limitations on
how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limi­tations may not apply to you. This warranty gives you
specific rights and you may have other rights, which vary
from state to state.

How to Obtain Service

If a defect is noted within the warranty period, the
customer should contact a Vermont Castings Authorized
Dealer or CFM Corporation if the purchase was direct
with the following information:

1. Name, address, and telephone number of the pur­chaser

2. Date of Purchase.

3. Serial number from the label on the back

4. Nature of the defect or damage.

5. Any relevant information or circumstances, e.g., instal­lation, mode of operation when defect was noted.

A warranty claim will then start in process. CFM Corpo­ration reserves the right to withhold final approval of a
warranty claim pending a visual inspection of the defect
by authorized representatives.

30002425

35

CFM Corporation

410 Admiral Blvd. • Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5T 2N6

800-668-5323 • www.cfmcorp.com