Vermont Casting 1695CE User Manual

The Intrepid

Multi-Fuel Heater

Model 1695CE

Homeowner’s
Installation
and Operating
Manual

For use in Europe

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

2000970 1/08 Rev. 7

Vermont Castings Intrepid Multi-Fuel

Welcome

Congratulations on your choice of a Vermont Castings Intrepid Multi-Fuel Heater. With this purchase, you
made a commitment to make the hearth a place of warmth, beauty and comfort in your home. At Vermont
Castings we share that joy and appreciation for the hearth, and we show it in all our cast-iron stoves and fire­places.

As you become acquainted with your new stove, you will find the aesthetic appeal of cast iron is matched by
its superb capacity to absorb and radiate heat.

Also, Vermont Castings products are among the cleanest-burning wood stoves and fireplaces available today.
And, as an owner of a Vermont Castings stove, you are making a strong statement for pollution-free energy.
But clean burning depends on both the manufacturer and the operator. Please read this manual carefully to
understand how to properly operate your stove.

At Vermont Castings, we are equally committed to your satisfaction as a customer and that is why we maintain
an exclusive network of the finest dealers in the industry. Chosen for their expertise and dedication to cus
tomer service, our dealers are factory-trained and know each Vermont Castings products in detail. Feel free to
contact your Authorized Vermont Castings Dealer anytime you have question about your stove or its perfor­mance.

We have built your Intrepid Multi-fuel stove with the utmost care. With normal use and proper care, it will pro
vide you with many years of service.

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

-

-

Sincerely,

All of us at CFM Corporation

Save These Instructions For Future Reference

Table of Contents

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

Installation .........................................

Assembly ......................................... 11

Operation .........................................

Draft Management ...........................

Maintenance ....................................

Replacement Parts ..........................

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

4

12

16

18

22

27

Ask your Vermont Castings dealer how these
installation accessories can enhance the versatility,
appearance, and safety of your Intrepid Stove.

• Bottom Heat Shield

• Rear Heat Shield

• Chimney connector heat shields

• Heavy-gauge enamel pipe to match the

stove’s color

• Warming shelves, in plain black or matching

enamel colors

• Short legs

• Outside air kit

2

2000970

Specifications

546 mm

(21")

508 mm (20")

641 mm

(25")

Top exit

flue collar

height

540 mm (21")

635 mm

(25")

181 mm

(7")

546 mm (21")

C

L

540 mm 21")

457 mm (18")

32 mm

(1")

533 mm

(21")

349 mm 13")

Intrepid Multi-Fuel, Model 1695CE, 1696CE, 1697CE

Vermont Castings Intrepid Multi-Fuel

Wood Smokeless Fuel
Nominal heat output 7.5 kW1 6.4kW

1

(25,500 BTU/hr) (21,750 BTU/hr)
Minimum flue draught 12 Pa 12Pa

(0.048” WG) (0.048”WG)
Mean flue gas temp 245°C (473°F) 272°C (522°F)
Efficiency (space heating) 76% 70.5%
Fuel size/type 406 mm wood Smokeless fuel
Flue mass gas flow 7.1 g/s 9.2 g/s

CO Emissions (@ 13% O2) 6900 ppm 5200ppm

Area heated ..................... Up to 92 sq. m (1000 sq. ft.)

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

Chimney connector .................... 152 mm (6”) diameter

Chimney flue size .......................

152 mm (6”) minimum

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

Primary air ...... Manual set, thermostatically maintained

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

Glass panels .........................High temperature ceramic

Weight ................................................

101 kg (233 lbs.)

2

Width (leg-to-leg) .................................. 546 mm (21¹⁄₂”)

Depth (leg-to-leg) ................................. 349 mm (13³⁄₄”)

Height to top of flue collar:

with regular legs .......................

635 mm (25”) top exit

............................................... 610 mm (24”) rear exit

with optional short legs .............

535 mm (21”) top exit

............................................ 500 mm (19³⁄₄”) rear exit

1. This value can vary depending on how the stove
is operated, the type and moisture content of the fuel

1

used, as well as the design, construction and climatic
location of your home. Figures shown are based on
nominal fuel consumption obtained under laboratory
conditions and on average efficiencies.

2. This stove is approved for use with processed coal
fuels generally known as smokeless. Ask your dealer
which fuels are acceptable in your area.

Fig. 1 Intrepid Multi-fuel Heater dimensions.

DRAWINGS NOT TO SCALE

0970

2000970

3

Vermont Castings Intrepid Multi-Fuel

Installation

SAFETY NOTICE: IF YOUR STOVE 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, review your plans to
see that:

• Your stove and chimney connector will be far
enough from combustible material to meet all clear­ance requirements.

• The floor protector is large enough and is construct­ed properly to meet all requirements.

• You have all necessary permits from local authori­ties.

Your local building official is the final authority for ap
proving 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 that the stove
has been tested to current standards. The test stan­dard EN13240:2001 + A2:2004 for Europe. 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 countries. Before
starting the installation, review your plans with the local
building authority. You local dealer can provide any ad­ditional information needed.

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.

-

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 some areas, in
fact, bringing air for combustion from outside the home
directly to the air inlet of the stove is required for new
construction.

An outside air supply is not affected by pressure varia
tions within the house, and improved stove perfor­mance often results. An Outside Air Adapter Kit #33258
for the Intrepid II is available from your local Vermont
Castings dealer.

-

What Kind of Chimney to Use

Your Intrepid Multi-fuel must be connected to a code­approved masonry chimney with a flue liner, to a relined
masonry chimney that meets local codes, or to a pre­fabricated metal chimney. Whatever kind you use, the
chimney and chimney connector must be in good condi­tion and kept clean. Figure 2 shows the two chimney
types.

A prefabricated double­wall insulated chimney

A tile-lined
masonry
chimney

ST241

Fig. 2 Standard chimney types.

All local regulations, including those referring to
national and European standards, need to be com­plied with when installing this stove.

Outside Air

In some modern, super-insulated homes, there is not
enough air for combustion because of insufficient air
infiltration into the building. Such air enters a home
through unsealed cracks and openings. Kitchen or bath
exhaust fans can compete with the stove for available
air and compound the problem.

4

If you use an existing masonry chimney, it must be
inspected to ensure 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 flue and chimney design must meet requirement
J2, Part J of the building regulations 2000 (Combustion
Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems).

2000970

Vermont Castings Intrepid Multi-Fuel

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, or blockage. Repair any defects before
using the chimney with your stove.

Seal any unused openings in an existing masonry chim­ney with masonry to the thickness of the chimney wall,
and repair the chimney liner. Openings sealed with pie
plates or wallpaper are a hazard; seal them 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 precast refractory tiles, stainless steel pipe, or
a code-approved, “poured-in-place” liner. The chimney’s
clean-out door must seal tightly.

Prefabricated Chimneys

These should be an internal diameter of 150 mm (6”)
and be of the twin wall insulated construction that has
been approved for solid fuel use (e.g. Rite Vent ICS of
ICID Lite Chimney Systems). Diameters over 200 mm
(8”) are not recommended due to the large cross-sec­tion causing excessive cooling of the flue gases.

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

Chimney Size

An Intrepid Multi-fuel is approved for venting into a
masonry chimney with a nominal flue size of 203 x 203
mm (8” x 8”), and into a round flue size of 152 mm (6”).

It may not be vented into larger chimneys without a liner
to reduce the effective flue size to 152 mm (6”) diam­eter. Larger chimneys must have their flues relined for
proper stove performance.

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

Chimney Connector Guidelines

Chimney connector is the double-wall or single-wall
pipe that connects the stove to the chimney. The chim­ney is a masonry or prefabricated structure that enclos­es the flue. Chimney connectors are used only to make
the connection from the stove to the chimney.

Connecting Flue Pipes

Connector pipes should meet the requirements of the
building regulations. This can be achieved by the use
connecting fluepipes included in the following catego­ries:

a) Vitreous enamelled steel pipe complying with BS
6999: 1989 (1996);
b) Pipes made from stainless steel as descirbed in BS
EN 1008-1:1995 grades 1.4401, 1.4404, 1.4432 or

1.4436 with flue wall thickness of at least 1 mm;
c) Mild steel fluepipes complying with BS 1449: Part 1:
1991, with a flue wall thickness of at least 3 mm;
d) Cast iron fluepipes complying with BS 41: 1973
(1998).

Flue Pipes with a spigot and socket joint should be
fitted with the socket facing upwards, to contain con­densates and moisture within the flue. Joints should be
made gas tight using proprietary jointing accessories,
or, where appropriate, by packing joint with noncombus­tible rope and fire cement.

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

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 follow­ing on Wall Pass-Throughs. Do not pass the chimney
connector through an attic, a closet, or any similar con­cealed space. The whole connector should be exposed
and accessible for inspection and cleaning.

In horizontal runs of single-wall chimney connector
without protective shields, maintain a clearance of at
least 660 mm (26”) from the ceiling.

Keep the horizontal run of chimney connector as short
and direct as possible, with no more than one 45
degree elbow. The maximum total length of chimney
connector should not exceed 2.4 m (8’).

In cathedral ceiling installations, extend the prefabricat­ed chimney down to within 2.4 m (8’) of the stove.

SAFETY NOTE: ALWAYS WEAR GLOVES AND PRO
TECTIVE EYEWEAR WHEN DRILLING, CUTTING OR
JOINING SECTIONS OF CHIMNEY CONNECTOR.

Double-wall Chimney Connector

Information on assembling and installing double-wall
connector 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

-

2000970

5

Vermont Castings Intrepid Multi-Fuel

the stove and chimney. Using connectors and chim­neys 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 9.

Single-wall Chimney Connector

• Beginning at the flue collar of the stove, assemble

the chimney connector. Insert the first crimped end
into the stove’s flue collar, and keep each crimped end
pointing toward the stove.
Using the holes in the flue
collar as guides, drill 1/8” (3
mm) 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 be

­tween sections of chimney
connector, including tele­scoping joints, with at least
three sheet metal screws.
The predrilled holes in the
top of each section of chim-

Fig. 3 The crimped end
of the connector points
toward stove.

ney connector serve as
guides when you drill 3 mm (1/8”) holes in the bottom of
the next section.

• Secure the chimney connector to the chimney. In­structions for various installations follow.

• Be sure the installed stove and chimney connector
are correct distances from nearby combustible material.

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.

Securing the Single-wall Connector to a

Prefabricated Chimney

For prefabricated chimneys, follow the installation
instructions of the chimney maker exactly as you install
the chimney. The maker 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 adaptors are available from your local dealer to
make the connection between the prefabricated chim­ney and the chimney connector. The top of such adap­tors attaches directly to the chimney or to the chimney’s
ceiling support package, while the bottom of the adap­tor is screwed to the chimney connector.

These adaptors 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 fall­ing from the inner walls of the chimney will stay inside
the chimney connector.

Securing the Single-wall Connector to a

Masonry Chimney

For masonry chimneys, both freestanding and fireplace
chimneys may be used for installation of your Intrepid
Multi-fuel.

Freestanding Chimney Installations

If the chimney connector must pass through a combus­tible wall to reach the chimney, follow the recommenda­tions in the Wall Pass-through section that follows.

The opening through the chimney wall to the flue (the
“breach”) must be lined with either a ceramic or metal
cylinder, called the “thimble”, which is cemented firmly
in place. The fit must be snug and the joint between the
thimble and the chimney wall must be cemented. (Fig. 4)

Thimble

Thimble Sleeve

Chimney
Connector

45° Elbow
Max.

Flue

ST243a

Fig. 4 The thimble, made of either ceramic or metal, must be
cemented securely in place.

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

5)

To install a thimble sleeve, slide it into the breach 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.

The thimble sleeve should protrude 1-2” (25-50 mm)
into the room. 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 breach to the inner

6

2000970

Vermont Castings Intrepid Multi-Fuel

*

*

face of the flue liner, and cemented securely in place.
Additional pieces of connector are then attached with
sheet metal screws.

Fireplace Chimney Installations -

Above a Fireplace

The Intrepid Multi-fuel may be connected to a chimney
above a fireplace opening also. 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 45° back into the chimney. (Fig. 5)

* Check
These Clear­ances

Chimney Con­nector Shield

Mantel

Fireplace Chimney Installations -

Through a Fireplace

If your fireplace height is at least 635 mm (25”), you
may install an Intrepid Multi-fuel with standard legs
through the fireplace opening using a 90° Tee kit avail­able from your local dealer. This positive connection kit
ensures a tight fit between the stove flue collar and the
chimney flue. (Fig. 6)

Fireplace installations, whether connected to the flue
above or through the fireplace opening, have special
clearance requirements to adjacent trim and the mantel.
You will find the required clearances for the Intrepid
Multi-fuel fireplace installations on Page 12.

Floor protection requirements also apply to fireplace
installations. Floor protection information is on Page 8.

Seal the
Damper

ST244a

Fig. 5 Chimney connector enters chimney above the fire­place.

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 660 mm (26”). To find out
how much this clearance may be reduced with heat
shields, see the clearance chart on Page 12.

• The fireplace damper must be sealed to prevent
room air from escaping up the flue. However, it must
be possible to reopen the damper to inspect or clean
the chimney.

Flexible Con­nector

Mantel Shield

Fireplace Adap­tor Kit

ST245

Fig. 6 Chimney connector enters chimney through the fire­place opening.

Wall Pass-Throughs

Whenever possible, design your installation so that 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.

2000970

7

Vermont Castings Intrepid Multi-Fuel

Always adhere to local building codes when installing a
wall pass-through.

Figure 7 shows a method of passing a connector
through a wall. All combustible material in the wall is
cut away to provide the required clearance that is three
times the pipe diameter. The resulting space must re­main empty. A flush-mounted sheet metal cover may be
used on one side only. If
sides, each cover must be mounted on noncombustible
spacers at least 25 mm (1”) clear of the wall.

DO NOT CONNECT AN INTREPID MULTI-FUEL TO
ANY AIR DISTRIBUTION DUCT OR SYSTEM.

covers must be used on both

Wood framing requires pro­tection form radiant heat

ST247a

460 mm (18”)
clearance all
around the pipe

Flush Mounted
Sheet Metal
Cover

ST494a

Fig. 7 An approved wall pass-through for Canada.

Hearths

This appliance must be installed on to hearth that
meets the requirements of Part J of the Building Regu­lations 2000 (Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage
Systems). This can be achieved by ensuring that the
hearth is constructed and sized in accordance with the
guidelines included in section 2 of approved document
‘J’. The size and clearances of the hearth are as fol­lows:

The constructed hearth should be constructed in ac­cordance with the recommendations in document J,
and should be of minimum width 840 mm and minimum
depth 840 mm (if a free standing hearth b) above) or
a minimum projection of 150 mm from the jamb (if a
recessed hearth a) above).

Fig. 8 Supporting timbers under fireplace hearth are consid­ered to be combustible.

Floor Protection for Fireplace Installations

Do not assume your fireplace hearth is completely
noncombustible.

Many fireplace hearths do not satisfy the “completely
noncombustible” requirement because the brick or
concrete in front of the fireplace opening is supported
by heavy wood framing as in Figure 8. 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 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: 406 mm (16”)
from the front. Fireplace hearths must also offer the
required protection of 152 mm (6”) on either side.

Optional 76 mm (3”) short legs may be used only on
such hearths that meet the width and depth require­ments outlined previously under “floor protection.”

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 mantle. Refer to the information on fireplace
and mantel trim shields in this section.

8

2000970

Costructional Hearth
Dimensions as below

Vermont Castings Intrepid Multi-Fuel

At least 150 mm
or to a suitable
heat resistant wall

Appliance

Doors

Hearth Surface

At least
150 mm

Perimeter should be
clearly marked e.g.
edge of superimposed
hearth

a) Fireplace recess b) Free standing

Fig. 9 Noncombustible hearth surface dimensions.

Free of Com­bustible Material

At least
300 mm

Keep the Stove a Safe Distance

from Surrounding Materials

Specifications herein are primarily related to common
timberframe construction. 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 back 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.
These clearance requirements must be strictly ob­served.

In addition, furnishings and other combustible materials
must be kept away from the stove as well. In general, a
distance of 1220 mm (48”) 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.

Clearances

As with any solid fuel heating stove, extremely high
surface temperatures can occur, particularly in the
event of uncontrolled operation, e.g. if the doors
are inadvertently left open. It is crucial that suf­ficient clearances are allowed to any combustible
surfaces, e.g. wooden mantels or lintels, and to
timber framed (studded) walls even if they are faced

Appliance

Doors

Perimeter should be
clearly marked e.g.
edge of superimposed
hearth

ST912

with noncombustible board. Detailed information
on fireplace and hearth construction is provided
in section 2 of Document J, all installations must
comply with these requirements or with the relevant
National or local building standards.

Clearances to timber framed (studded) walls are includ­ed below. There are no specific minimum clearances
to solid noncombustible surfaces (e.g. the sides and
rear of Inglenook fire openings constructed from solid
masonry) other than to allow safe access to the controls
of the stove. For this reason minimum side clearances
of 125 mm, and a minimum rear clearance of 50 mm
are recommended.

Summary of Clearances

Minimum recommended side clearances to non­combustible surfaces 125 mm (5”).

Minimum recommended rear clearance to noncom­bustible surfaces 50 mm (2”).

NOTE: The minimum thickness of solid noncombus-

tible materials is specified in section 2 of Document ‘J’,
in relation to the clearance of the appliance from the
surface. As a general rule, the thickness of solid non­combustible material forming the recess of a fireplace is
a minimum of 200 mm.

Minimum rear clearance from combustible walls
(e.g. timber framed or studded walls) 760 mm (30”)
measured from the rear edge of the stove top. (Fig.
10, B)

Minimum side clearance from combustible walls
610 mm (24”) measured from the side edge of the
stove top. (Fig. 10, A)

Minimum distance from stove to movable combus­tible materials (e.g. furniture, drying clothes, etc.)
1220 mm (48”).

2000970

9

Vermont Castings Intrepid Multi-Fuel

A

B

Fig. 10 Minimum clearances.

Connecting Flue Pipe - Clearances

Single wall connecting fluepipes can reach extremely
high temperatures; therefore, clearances from the con­necting fluepipe (chimney connector) must comply with
the requirements of Part J of Building Regulations 2000
(Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems).
This can be achieved by following the recommenda­tions of Approved Document ‘J’. These are as shown in
Figure 11.

ST486a

at least
3 x D

at least

1.5 x D

Elevation
Without
Shield

D

at least

1.5 x D

Fig. 11 Connecting fluepipe clearances.

at least

3 x D

Plan Without
Shield

Elevation
With Shield

at least 3 x D

Fluepipe

at least

D

1.5 x D

at least

1.5 x D

at least

1.5 x D

Air space of at least 12 mm
between noncombustible shield
and combustible material

Plan With
Shield

ST911

10

2000970

Assembly

10³⁄₄"

9³⁄₄"

Clean the Griddle Before Use

At the factory we coat the griddle with vegetable oil to
prevent rusting while the stove is in transit and storage.
Remove the oil with a dry rag or paper towel before you
use the stove.

Set Up the Stove

Remove the griddle, front grate bar, the bottom grate,
the side bricks, and the ash pan from inside the stove.
Place a protective pad on the floor, arrange some sec­tions of 4 x 4 lumber on the pad for support, and care­fully tip the stove back onto them.

Remove and discard the four large slot-head screws
from the stove bottom (Fig. 12) and install the stove
legs, using the hex head bolts from the parts bag.
Use 11 mm (3/8”) washers with three of the legs; the
door/damper handle holder installs in place of a washer
on the right front leg. Position the holder so the hole to
accept the handle nub faces out from the right side of
the stove. Tighten the bolts firmly.

Vermont Castings Intrepid Multi-Fuel

ST512

Fig. 13 Attach bottom heat shield.

Slotted
Screws

ST513

Fig. 12 Remove the slotted screws from the stove bottom.

Install the Bottom Heat Shield

To install the bottom heat shield, loosen the leg bolts,
and slip the bottom heat shield C-clips onto the bolts.
Orient the heat shield so that the longest 273 mm /
10³⁄₄”) edge is at the front of the stove. (Fig. 13) Attach
the heat shield to the C-clips with the wing nuts and
then tighten the leg bolts.

Storing the Handle

Use the removable handle to open or close the front
doors, or to change the position of the damper. After
use, remove the handle so it will not get hot, and store it
in the handle holder installed behind the right front leg.
(Fig. 14)

Door Handle Holder

Bottom Heat Shield

Bracket

Wing Bolt

Fig. 14 Handle holder and heat shield positions.

ST514

Reversing the Flue Collar

You can reverse the flue collar by removing the two
screws that attach the collar to the back of the stove, as
in Figure 15. Be sure the gasket around the flue collar
opening is in position when you screw the collar back
on to the stove.

Flue Collar Screws

ST515

2000970

Fig. 15 Reversing the flue collar.

11

Vermont Castings Intrepid Multi-Fuel

Attach the Griddle Handle

Install the handle on the griddle. Place the griddle
upside down at the edge of a flat surface and assemble
the handle as shown. (Fig. 16)

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

Operation

ST516

Fig. 16 Attaching the griddle handle.

Intrepid Multi-fuel’s Controls

Two controls are used to regulate the performance of
the Intrepid Multi-Fuel. A primary air control regulates
the oxygen supply for the fire, and a damper directs
combustion gases through a heat exchanger passage
in the rear. (Fig. 17)

Griddle
Handle

Ash Pan

Fig. 17 The Intrepid Multi-fuel controls.

Door Handle
Holder
(Behind Leg)

Primary Air Con­trol Lever

Damper Handle

Door Handle

ST518

Primary Air Control

The primary air control lever, located at the right rear
corner 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.
(Fig. 18)

For the greatest air supply and maximum heat output
(but the shortest burn time), move the lever to the left.
For a fire that will last longer with less heat, move the
lever to the right. You can set the lever anywhere in be­tween the left and right extremes, shown in Figure 18.

With some experimentation, you will soon discover the
optimum setting that will provide the desired comfort/
performance level from the type of fuel you are using.

The Intrepid Multi-fuel also features an automatic
thermostat that works in conjunction with the primary
air control shutter to ensure an even heat output at any
manual setting you select. The thermostat responds to
the temperature of the cast iron, closing and opening
the air inlet as the fire intensity rises and falls.

High Heat

Low Heat

Rear View

Fig. 18 The thermostat handle may be positioned anywhere

between the two extremes for different heat levels.

ST517

The Damper

The damper handle, located on the right side of the
stove, is used to open and close the damper plate.
Use the removable door/damper handle to operate the
handle shaft. (Fig. 19)

The damper is open when the handle points to the floor.
(Fig. 19) In this position, smoke passes directly into the
chimney. the damper must be open when starting or
reviving a fire, and whenever the griddle or doors are
opened.

When the handle points to the front, the damper is
closed. Smoke from the fire is directed through the rear
heat exchanger before passing up the chimney.

12

2000970

Side View

INTREPID II

Open

(Updraft Mode)

Closed

(Bypass Mode)

Fig. 19 The damper is either open or closed. There are no
intermediate positions.

ST519

The damper has no intermediate positions.

When closing the damper, push firmly until you feel
the mechanism engage into the locked position.

Vermont Castings Intrepid Multi-Fuel

ST521a

Fig. 20 Top loading is the best way to add fuel during regular
use. Front loading is useful for kindling a fire.

To open the front doors, insert the handle into the door
latch stub and turn it to the left and up. To close them,
always close the left door first. Turn the handle in the
right door to the left and up (to the open position) and
close the door. Push on the door as you turn the handle
to the right and down. The doors will draw in slightly,
and the handle should offer some resistance as you
turn it to the closed position. (Fig. 21)

Glass Door Panels

The glass panels in the doors have a heat-reflective
coating on the outside surface. Heat reflected back to
the inside of the glass helps keep the inner surface at
a higher temperature than the outside. In combination
with preheated primary combustion air ‘washing’ over
the inside of the glass, this helps provide clear fire­viewing at most operating levels.

Front Grate

Your stove has a front grate to keep fuel away from
the glass panels. These bars are important to maintain
clear fire viewing and to keep the fuel off the glass.
Under normal operating circumstances should not be
removed.

Two Ways to Add Fuel

The Intrepid Multi-fuel’s griddle lifts for convenient
top-loading of logs, and is the easiest way of regularly
adding fuel. The front doors open as well to allow you
to tend the fire with a variety of fuels. Use the included
slicer/poker to help ash accumulation fall through the
grate and to enliven the fire after adding fuel. (Fig. 20)

WARNING: For safety and greatest efficiency, oper
ate your stove only with all doors/griddles fully
closed.

Open
Position

Closed
Position

ST522a

Fig. 21 To open the front doors, turn handle clockwise.

Avoid striking the glass or slamming the doors to re­duce the risk of breaking the glass or damaging porce­lain enamel surfaces.

When you’re not using the door handle, store it in the
holder behind the right front leg of the stove.

-

2000970

13

Vermont Castings Intrepid Multi-Fuel

Use the Air Control Settings

that Work Best for You

No single air control setting will fit every situation. Set­tings will differ depending on the quality of the fuel, the
amount of heat desired, and how long you wish the fire
to burn.

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.

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 some time
to determine the amount of heat and the length of burn
you should expect from various settings and fuels.

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

Do not for any reason 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.

Intrepid Multi-Fuel 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

Before you start using the stove, please read the Draft
Management section starting on Page 16 to see how
the features of your installation will affect the stove’s
performance. You and the stove are parts of a system,
and other parts of the system have a strong effect on
operation; you may need to vary your firing technique to
get the performance you want.

How to Build a Wood Fire

and Keep It Going

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 Intrepid
Multi-fuel, minimize thermal stress by allowing the
plates to adjust gradually during three or four initial
break-in fires following Steps 1-3 below.

14

Burn only high quality wood or smokeless solid fuels in
the Intrepid Multi-Fuel, and burn it directly on the grate.
Do not elevate the fuel.

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

1. Open the stove damper, and open the primary air
control fully.

2. Place several sheets of crumpled newspaper in the
stove. Do NOT use glossy advertisements or colored
paper, as they can poison the catalyst. Place on the
paper six or eight pieces of dry kindling split to a
finger-width size, and on the kindling lay two or three
larger sticks of split dry wood approximately 25-51
mm (1-2”) in diameter. (Fig. 22)

ST263

Fig. 22 Start the fire with newspaper and dry kindling.

Do not use chemicals or fluids to start the fire.
Do not burn garbage or flammable fluids such as
gasoline, naphtha, or engine oil. Also, never use
gasoline-type lantern fuel, kerosene, charcoal
lighter fluid, or similar liquids to start or “freshen
up” a fire. Keep all such liquids well away from the
Intrepid Multi-Fuel while it is in use.

3. Light the newspaper and close the door. Gradu
ally build up the fire by adding a few 76-127 mm
(3-5”) diameter splits. If this is one of the first few

“break-in” fires, let the fire burn brightly, and
then let it die out.

During the break-in fires, keep the stove temperature
under 260° C (500° F) as measured on an optional
stove-top 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 should heat the chimney enough to initiate
a draft.

-

2000970

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.

4. If your stove has been broken-in previously using
Steps 1-3, continue to build the fire gradually. Add
larger wood with a diameter of 76-102 mm (3-4”), as
in Figure 23.

Continue adding split logs of this size to the briskly­burning fire until there is a glowing ember bed at least
76 mm (3”) deep. A good ember bed is necessary for
proper functioning of the catalytic system and may take
an hour or more to establish.

5. Close the damper when the griddle temperature
reaches 230° C (450° F).

6. Adjust the air control for your desired heat output.

Vermont Castings Intrepid Multi-Fuel

ST264a

Fig. 24 Add full size logs when the ember bed is 3” (75mm)
deep.

WARNING: Operate your Intrepid Multi-fuel only
with the doors either fully open or fully closed.

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

DO NOT OVERFIRE THIS HEATER. Overfiring may

cause a house fire, or can result in permanent dam­age to the stove. If any part of the stove glows, you are
overfiring.

ST264

Fig. 23 Add larger pieces of wood as the fire begins to burn
well.

Refuel While the Embers Are Still Hot

Reload the Intrepid Multi-Fuel while it is still hot and
there are plenty of glowing embers to rekindle the fire.
Include some smaller pieces of wood in the new load of
fuel to help the stove rebuild its operating temperature
quickly.

Wear stove gloves, and follow this procedure when you
reload your stove:

1. Open the thermostat lever.

2. Open the damper.

3. Check the ash level in the ash pan; empty, if neces
sary, and replace the pan.

4. Use the slicer/poker to freshen the coals. Position
the coals in the middle of the firebox.

5. Add fuel.

NOTE: If the remaining charcoal bed is relatively thick
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 thermostat for the
desired heat output.

Do not break the charcoal into very small pieces or
pound or compress the charcoal bed. It is important
that air can circulate under the wood for the fire to be
quickly revived.

2000970

-

Ash Disposal

Remove ash before it reaches the top of the ash pan.
Check the level at least once a day, and before each
refueling. If the ash is close to the top edge of the pan,
empty it according to this procedure:

1. Open the damper.

2. Open the front doors fully.

3. Using stove gloves, pull the ash pan out of the stove
by its handle.

4. Remove the ash pan and properly dispose of the
ashes. Be sure to keep the pan level during disposal.

5. Return the ash pan to the stove.

Empty the ash pan regularly, typically every one to three
days. The frequency will vary depending on how you
operate your stove; if you burn more wood at higher
heat output settings, ash will accumulate rapidly.

Remove ash frequently and place it outdoors in a metal
container with a tight-fitting lid. Put 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, keep it 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.

15

Vermont Castings Intrepid Multi-Fuel

Draft Management

A stove is part of a system, which includes the chimney,
the operator, the fuel, and the home. The other parts of the
system will affect how well the stove works. When there is
a good match between all the parts, the system works well.

Wood stove 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 bigger 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 inlet fully open indicates
a weak draft. A brisk fire, supported only by air entering the
stove through the normal inlet, indicates a good draft. The
stove’s air inlet is passive; it regulates how much air can
enter the stove, but it doesn’t move air into it.

Depending on the features of your installation - steel or
masonry chimney, 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, 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’s 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.

Steel Chimney

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

Indoor/Outdoor location

Because the chimney must keep the smoke warm, it’s
best to locate it inside the house. This uses the house as
insulation for the flue and allows a little heat release into
the home. An indoor chimney won’t lose its heat to the out
doors, so it takes less heat from the stove to get it warm
and keep it warm.

Flue sizing

The inside 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. Hot gases cool off through expansion;
if we vent a stove with a 152 mm (6”) flue collar [181 sq
cm(28 square inch) area] into a 254 x 254 mm (10 x 10”)
flue, the gases expand to over three times their original
size. This cools the gases, which weakens draft strength.
If an oversized flue is also outside the house, the heat it
absorbs gets transferred to the outdoor air and the flue
usually stays cool.

It’s common for a masonry flue, especially one built for a
fireplace, to be oversized for an airtight 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 diameter as
the stove or insert’s flue outlet; the liner keeps the smoke
at its original volume, and the result is a stronger draft.
An uninsulated liner is a second choice - the liner keeps
the smoke restricted to its original size, but the smoke still
must warm up the air around the liner. This makes the
warm-up process take longer.

Pipe & Chimney Layout

Every turn the smoke must take in its travel from the stove
to the chimney top will slow it down. The ideal pipe and
chimney layout is straight up from the stove, to a com­pletely straight chimney. If you’re starting from scratch,
use this layout if possible. If the stovepipe must elbow to
enter a chimney, locate the thimble about midway between
the stove top and the ceiling. This achieves several goals:
it lets the smoke speed up before it must turn, it leaves
some pipe in the room for heat transfer, and it gives you
long-term flexibility for installing a taller stove without relo
cating the thimble.

There should be no more than eight feet of single-wall
stove pipe between the stove and a chimney; longer runs
can cool the smoke enough to cause draft and creosote
problems. Use double-wall stove pipe for long runs.

-

Single Venting

Each ‘airtight’ stove requires its own flue. If an airtight
stove is vented to a flue that also serves an open fireplace,
or a leakier stove, it’s easier for the chimney draft to pull
air in through those channels than it is to pull air through
the airtight, 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.

Creosote

Creosote is a by-product of slow woodburning. It’s an
organic tar that can condense in the flue if it’s dense in the
smoke, and slow-moving, and cools off to less than 143° C
(290° F). Condensed creosote is volatile, and can gener­ate chimney fires if it gets hot enough. All the features that
affect chimney draft also affect creosote condensation

16

2000970

Vermont Castings Intrepid Multi-Fuel

- so use whatever combination of installation features and
operational steps will 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 one if the flue 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 air-dried 12­18 months. Softwood burns, but not as long as hardwood.
Fairly ‘green’ wood has a good amount of moisture in it;
it will burn, but some of the heat potential is used to drive
the remaining moisture off the wood. This reduces the
amount 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.

Dry wood burns readily with a good chimney draft. But with
modern stoves, especially catalytic ones, the wood can be
too dry. While extra-dry wood has little creosote in it, the
remainder can ‘gas out’ from the wood quickly and densely
enough to overload the catalytic burner. If you hear a
rumbling or roaring noise, like a propane torch, from the
stove, that is a sign that the catalyst is seriously overfir
ing. The catalyst is a platinum film on a ceramic base; the
metal can get to higher temperatures than the ceramic can
take, and overfiring the catalyst can break it. Dry wood can
also burn out faster than you want. If your dry wood burns
out too quickly or overloads the catalyst you can mix in
greener wood to slow the fire down.

-

Backpuffing

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 till they’re dense enough
and hot enough to ignite. If your stove back-puffs, you
should open up the damper to let the smoke rise to the
flue more quickly, let more air into the firebox, and avoid
big loads of firewood. Run your stove with enough primary
air so that you always see lively, dancing flames in the
firebox; a lazy, smoky fire is inefficient and can contribute
to creosote buildup in the chimney.

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. 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.

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 sends indoor
air outside - 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 draw well, that’s a sign that you should install
an outside-air intake to bring combustion air directly to the
stove. Vermont Castings dealers carry adapters to attach
to the stove to connect an air duct for outdoor combustion
air.

In many cases, local or national codes require the installa­tion of permanently open air vents, particularly with larger
appliances (i.e. above 5 kW). Refer to these codes to
determine specific requriements for your installation.

Conclusion

Woodburning is an art rather than a science. Once the
stove and chimney system are in place, the stove user can
only vary 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.

2000970

17

Vermont Castings Intrepid Multi-Fuel

Maintenance

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 Intrepid looking new.
The stove’s paint can be touched up as needed. First,
clean the areas to be painted with a wire brush. Re­move the griddle and set it aside. Then, touch up the
stove with Vermont Castings high temperature stove
paint. Apply the paint sparingly, and keep in mind that
two light coats of paint are better than a single heavy
one.

Care of Porcelain Enamel Finish

Use a dry or slightly damp rag or a 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.

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. Follow this procedure to clean the
glass:

• Be sure the glass is completely cool.

• Clean the glass with water or a cleaner made
especially for this purpose. Do not use abrasive
cleaners.

• Rinse the glass thoroughly.

• Dry the glass completely.

Glass Replacement

The panes of glass in the doors of the Intrepid rest on
a cushion of gasket, and are held in place by four clips.
The glass is coated on one side. The coated side is
slightly colored and is further identified with white labels
marked “CV+”. Remove the doors from the stove and
place them on a sturdy, level work surface. To install the
glass, follow this procedure:

1. Remove the door. Swing the door back and forth
while lifting it, to remove its hinges from the stove
front. Set the door down on a flat, padded surface.
Remove the clips and the broken glass; set them
aside.

2. Inspect the Gasket. If the window gasket is in good
condition, you can leave it in place. If you replace
it, use only a Vermont Castings gasket, part no.

1203556. Be sure the channel around the window
opening is clean and free of dust.

Place the gasket in its channel; make sure that its

outer edge fits against the cast iron surround ridge.

3. Install the glass. Lay the glass on the inner gasket
with the coated side down (toward the outside of the
door). Tighten the screws snugly, but loose enough
to allow for a little movement of the glass when the
stove is in operation. Overtightening can crack the
glass immediately or cause it to crack if it is unable
to expand when hot.

Gasket

Fig. 25 Door glass installation.

KT160

Check the Operation of the

Primary Air Shutter

The primary air shutter is visible from the back of the
stove. The shutter must open and close freely when
you move the thermostat lever. If it does not, check for
any obstruction, or for a bound or stretched chain need­ing adjustment. (Fig. 26)

On a cold stove the shutter should be open no more
than 1/8” (3mm) when the primary air control lever is
pushed completely to the left (closed), as seen from the
back of the stove. When the lever is pushed completely
to the right (open), the shutter should be open to an
angle of approximately 70 degrees from the stove back.

The ball chain should measure 8¹⁄₂” (216 mm) from
connection to the thermostat coil to connection on the
primary air flap.

If setting is incorrect, the thermostat coil may be bent or
broken. Call you Vermont Castings Dealer for help.

18

2000970

Vermont Castings Intrepid Multi-Fuel

IN

T

R

E

PI

D

II

Thermostat Lever

Primary Air Shutter

ST524

Fig. 26 The primary air shutter must move freely.

How to Adjust the Door Latch

Over time, the gasketing around the doors will com­press, and the latch may need adjustment. To adjust
the latch, loosen the small locking nut, extend the
striker screw one turn while keeping the striker screw
from turning. (Fig. 27) Keep making adjustments a little
at a time until the setting is right.

The front doors of the stove should close securely and
tightly, when the handle is in the closed position. When
the latch is properly adjusted there should be a slight
resistance as the doors are moved to the completely
closed position.

Damper Adjustment

When the stove damper is closed, the pressure of the
rod against the damper plate assures a good seal be­tween the damper and the damper housing. Adjustment
may be needed after a period of time to retain adequate
pressure.

To make this adjustment, start with the damper in the
closed and locked position. (Fig. 28) Loosen the 7/16”
locking nut in the center of the damper. Use a 1/8” Allen
wrench to turn the Allen screw a full turn clockwise. Test
the damper for snugness, and continue adjusting the
Allen screw as needed. Tighten the 7/16” locking nut
when the damper operates smoothly but firmly.

Thermostat Cover

D-plate

Damper Actuator
Rod

Locking Nut

Fig. 28 Tighten the damper adjustment screw for a snug
seal.

Handle

Damper

Allen Head Ad­justment Screw

ST532

Replace the Stove Gaskets as Needed

Pawl

The Intrepid uses fiberglass rope gaskets to make a
tight seal between some parts. With use, particularly on

Small Lock­ing Nut

Striker Screw

those parts that move, gaskets can become brittle and
compressed, and can begin to lose their effectiveness.
These will need periodic replacement.

Large Lock­ing Nut

The sizes of replaceable gasket are listed below, along
with their applications.

Gasket Diameter ...And the Parts it Seals
5/16” wire gasket The griddle to the stove top
5/16” The damper to the upper fire-

Set Screw

Handle Stub

ST531

Fig. 27 Turn the door latch striker screw in or out to tighten or
loosen the door latch.

back; the front doors to the stove
front; and the door halves to
each other
3/16” The glass panes to the door

Refer to Page 18 for information on replacing the glass
panels or its gasket.

If you need to change a gasket, first obtain an appropri-

Tighten the Damper Handle as Needed

ate replacement from your Vermont Castings Dealer.

The damper handle is attached to the damper rod
with a set screw bearing against a flat spot on the rod.
Check the set screw periodically for tightness; tighten
as needed.

2000970

19

Vermont Castings Intrepid Multi-Fuel

Cement

Sto

ve Gasket

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 the gaskets is the same,
regardless of the gasket location.

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

2. Use a wire brush or a screwdriver to clean the
channel of any remaining cement or bits of gasket.
Remove stubborn deposits of cement with a cold
chisel if necessary. (Fig. 29)

ST560

Fig. 29 Remove gasket then clean channel with wire brush.

3. Determine the correct length of the appropriate-sized
gasket by laying it out in the channel. Allow an extra
25-51 mm (1-2”) and mark the spot to be cut.

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 3 mm (1/8”) bead of gasket cement
in the newly-cleaned channel. Starting at one end,
press the gasket into the channel. Ensure a good
joint where the gasket meets before trimming any
excess. Do not overlap the gasket ends or leave
ends with ragged edges. (Fig. 30)

6. Press the gasketed part firmly against its normal
mating surface to seat the gasket evenly in its chan­nel.

7. For doors, replace the doors and close them on
a piece of waxed paper to keep the cement from
migrating onto the stove front, or tap other parts with
the rubber mallet (or hammer/block of wood).

8. Clean excess cement from around the channel. Let
the cement that holds the new gasket dry thoroughly.

Adjust the Door if Necessary

The door latch or damper mechanism may need adjust­ment after you have regasketed them. 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 latch and damper handle are on Page 19.

Permanent Gaskets

Other gaskets seal 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. The diameter of the
gasket that seals these non-moving parts is 5/16”, and
the areas sealed are the flue collar to the stove back;
and the lower fireback to the sides. Refer to Page 18 for
information on the glass panels and their gaskets.

ST561

Fig. 30 Lay a bead of gasket cement then press new gasket
in place.

20

2000970

Vermont Castings Intrepid Multi-Fuel

The Chimney System

Creosote

Your Intrepid Multi-fuel is designed to reduce creosote
buildup 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 the 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. 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 you do have a chimney fire, act promptly to:

• Close the damper and thermostat lever.

• Get everyone out of the house.

• Call the Fire Department.

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 mirror and 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.

If a significant layer of creosote has accumulated - 1/8”
(3mm) or more - remove it to reduce the risk of a chim­ney fire.

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.

The chimney connector should be cleaned 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
individual sections with sheet metal screws.

If you cannot inspect or clean the chimney yourself,
contact your local Vermont Casings, Majestic Prod­ucts authorized dealer or hire a professional chimney
sweep.

Annual Maintenance

Every spring, at the end of the heating season, perform
a thorough cleaning, inspection and repair. The stove
and chimney system should be inspected and main­tained by a qualified engineer.

• Thoroughly clean the chimney and chimney con-

nector.

• Inspect the chimney for damage and deteriora-

tion. Replace weak sections of prefabricated
chimney. Have a mason make repairs to a ma­sonry chimney.

• Inspect the chimney connector and replace any

damaged sections.

• Check gasketing for wear or compression, and

replace if necessary. A ‘paper test’ will guide you
on this. Close and lock the door or damper on a
slip of paper and then try to pull the paper out. If
the paper pulls out with little or no resistance, the
gasket is not snug enough at that spot. If adjust­ing the damper or latch does not result in a seal
that makes it hard to pull the paper out, replace
the gasketing.

• Check door and damper handles for tightness.

Adjust if needed.

• Check heat shield screws. Tighten as necessary.

• Clean dust from the inner sides of bottom, rear

and connector heat shields.

• Remove ashes from the ash pan and replace with

moisture absorbing material (such as cat litter) to
keep the stove interior dry. Close the stove door
to keep cats from using the litter.

• Touch up the paint on black stoves.

Please record the following information

for future reference.

Stove Serial No. __________________________

Dealer _________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

Phone __________________________________

Date Purchased __________________________

Installer ___________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

2000970

Phone _______________________________

Date Installed _________________________

21

Vermont Castings Intrepid Multi-Fuel

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

12

13

20

21

22

23

24

9

25

26

29

30

28

27

25

50

51

52

53

54

16

11

12

9

55

35

49

45

45

46

56

56

14

57

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

Intrepid Multi-Fuel Heater

Model 1695CE

Item Description Part Number Item Description Part Number

1. Rear Cover (Sec. Air Cover) 1306762

2. Flue Collar 1306561

3. Back Panel 1308662

4. Damper Rod 1602523

5. Damper D-plate (Damper Clip) 1306725

6. Damper 1306701

7. Damper Housing 1306702

8. Throat Hood 30001649

9. Weld Screw 1201583

10. Upper Firebrick 1306703

11. Fireback Clamp 1306724

12. 3/8” - 16 x 1¹⁄₂” Hex Bolt 1201456

13. Lower Fireback 1306704

16. Rear Air Tube 1308658

20. Thermostat Cover 1306711

21. Damper Handle Stub 30002720

22. Friction Spring 1201846

23. Thermostat Assy 5005506

24. Thermostat Clip 1601408

25. Ball Chain Fitting (2) 1201972

26. Ball Chain 1201960
Jump Ring 1201985

27. Primary Air Flap 1306710

28. Air Flap Pin 1601551

29. Clip 1601396

30. #10-24 x 3/8” Pan Head Bolt 1200983

35. Cover Plate 1608955

45. Side Brick 1608953

46. Brick Clip 1608956

47. Flue Deflector 1401158

49. Front Grate 1308659

50. Left Insert 1308661

51. Grate 1308652

52. Right Insert 1308660

0970

22

2000970

Vermont Castings Intrepid Multi-Fuel

60

61

62

63

64

65

66

67

68

69

85

75

84

94

93

92

91

90

59

70

71

94

95

86

83

66

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

0970

Intrepid Multi-Fuel Heater

Model 1695CE (continued)

Item Description Part Number Item Description Part Number

53. Ashpan 1400951

54. Ashpan Front 1306493

55. Ashpan Handle 30000973

56. Damper Tab 1601488

57. Slicer/poker 5005708

59. Griddle 1306356

60. Right Griddle Quad 1301832

61. Left Griddle Quad 1301807

62. Top See Chart Pg. 24

63. Right Side See Chart Pg. 24

64. Bottom 1306764

65. Left Side See Chart Pg. 24

66. Leg See Chart Pg. 24

67. Tie Rod 1601640

68. Leg Bolt, 3/8”-16 x 1” Hex Bolt 1201432

69. Righ Air Manifold 1308654

70. Left Air Manifold 1308653

71. Handle Holder 1600600

75. Front See Chart Pg. 24

83. Left Door See Chart Pg. 24

84. Left Glass Panel2 1401157

85. Right Door See Chart Pg. 24

86. Right Glass Panel

90. Handle Bolt, 1/4”-20 x 3

91. Ceramic Handle 1600620

92. Handle Insert 30002714

2

1401156

³⁄₈” 1201294

93. Front Door Handle 30002719

94. Griddle Handle Assy 30002775

95. Glass Gasket 1203556

2000970

23

Vermont Castings Intrepid Multi-Fuel

Intrepid Multi-Fuel Heater

Model 1695CE (continued)

Shell Enamel Parts - Intrepid Multi-Fuel
Model 1695CE
Part Name Classic Green Red

Top 1308657 2318657 2328657

Bottom 1306764 2316764 2326764
Left Side 1308656 2318656 2328656
Front 1308647 2318647 2328647
Left Door 1308649 2318649 2328649
Right Door 1308648 2318648 2328648
Single Leg 1306333 2316333 2326333

1. In the diagrams and throughout this manual, ‘left’ and
‘right’ mean as you face the stove.

2. The glass panels have a heat-reflective coating on the
outside and are not interchangeable.

3. Hardware in this stove is in standard U.S. (inch) sizes.
Most hardware items are available at local hardware
stores.

24

2000970

Vermont Castings Intrepid Multi-Fuel

2000970

25

Vermont Castings Intrepid Multi-Fuel

26

2000970

Vermont Castings Intrepid Multi-Fuel

Warranty

Limited 3 Year Warranty

CFM Corporation warrants that this woodburning stove will be free of de­fects in material and workmanship for a period of three years from the date
you receive it, except that the catalyst, thermostat assembly, handles, glass
door panels, cement, and gasketing shall be warranted as described below.

CFM Corporation will repair or replace, at its option, any part found
to be defective upon inspection by a Vermont Castings, Authorized
Dealer. The customer must return the defective part or the stove, with
shipping prepaid, to the Authorized Dealer or pay for any Authorized
Dealer in-home travel fees or service charges for in-home repair work.
It is the dealer’s option whether the repair work will be done in the cus­tomer’s home or in the dealer’s shop. If, upon inspection, the damage is
found to be the fault of the manufacturer, repairs will be authorized at no
charge to the customer for parts and/or labor.

Any woodburning stove or part thereof that is 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.

Limited 1 Year Warranty

The following parts 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 thermostat assembly, handles, glass door
panels, cement, and gasketing. Any of these items found to be defec
tive will be repaired or replaced at no charge, upon the return of the part
with postage prepaid to a Vermont Castings Authorized Dealer.

Any part 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.

Limited Catalyst Warranty

The catalyst will be warranted for a six year period as follows: If the
original catalyst or a replacement catalyst proves defective or ceases to
maintain 70% of its particulate emission reduction activity (as measured
by an approved testing procedure) within 24 months from the date the
stove is received, the catalyst itself will be replaced free.

From 25 - 72 months a pro-rated credit will be allowed against a re­placement catalyst and the cost of labor necessary for its installation at
the time of replacement.

For stove purchases made after June 30, 1990, a third year
(25 - 36 months) of no charge replacement will be made when combus­tor failure is due to thermal degradation of the substrate (crumbling of
ceramic material). The customer must pay for any in-home travel fees,
service charges, or transportation costs for returning the stove to the
Authorized Dealer.

Amount of Time Credit Towards
Since Purchase Replacement Cost
0 - 24 months 100%
25 - 36 months 50 %
37 - 48 months 30%
49 - 60 months 20%
61 - 72 months 10%

Any replacement catalyst will be warranted under the terms of the
catalyst warranty for the remaining term of the original warranty. The
purchaser must provide the following information in order to receive a
replacement catalyst under the terms of this limited warranty:

1. Name, address and telephone number.

2. Proof of original purchase date.

3. Date of failure of catalyst.

4. Any relevant information or circumstances regarding determina­tion of failure.

5. In addition, the owner must return the failed catalyst.

-

Exclusions & Limitations

1. This warranty is transferable; however, proof of original retail pur­chase is required.

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 pigment
has burned off. Overfiring in enamel fireplaces 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 Owner’s Guide, nor does it cover an 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 Owner’s 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 Owner’s Guide.

7. The salt air environment of coastal areas, or a high-humidity en
vironment, 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
DENTAL AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. ALL IMPLIED WAR
RANTIES, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANT
ABILITY 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 incidential 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.

BE LIABLE FOR INCI-

-

-

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.

-

2000970

27

CFM Corporation

2695 Meadowvale Blvd. • Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5N 8A3

800-668-5323 • www.cfmcorp.com