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Vermont Castings Madison
NOTE: Some chimneys need to be “primed,” or
warmed up, before they will draw sufficiently to
sustain 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 strong draft.
Once the draft is established, open the front doors
and light the rest of the fuel bed at the bottom. Do
not light the main bed of fuel until the chimney
begins drawing.
Step 4. After the stove has been broken-in using Steps
1-3, continue to build the fire gradually. Add larger
wood with a diameter of 3-4" (75-100 mm).
Continue adding split logs of this size to the briskly-
burning fire until there is a glowing ember bed at
least 2" (50 mm) deep. A good ember bed is
necessary for proper functioning and may take up
to an hour to establish.
Step 5. Adjust the thermostatic air control for the
desired heat output.
Refuel While the Embers Are Still Hot
Reload the Madison while it is still hot and there are
plenty of glowing embers to re-kindle the fire. Include
some smaller pieces of wood in the new load of fuel to
help the stove return to its operating temperature
quickly. Wear stove gloves, and follow this procedure
when you reload your stove:
Step 1. Open the thermostat lever.
Step 2. Open the doors and check the ash level in the
ash pan. If necessary, dispose of the ashes and
replace the pan.
Step 3. Use a fireplace tool to break up the charcoal
and direct ash through the grate. Pull the charcoal
from the back to the front.
Step 4. Load wood — smaller, split pieces first. Close
the doors. Ideal performance will be achieved by
operating with the air control set in the maximum
(HIGH) positon for several minutes after refueling.
Reset the primary air control for the desired heat
output after the fire is re-established.
Ash Disposal
Remove ash before it reaches the top of the ash pan.
Check the level at least once a day, and before each
re-fueling. Using stove gloves, pull the ash pan out of
the stove by its handle. Remove the ash pan and
properly dispose of the ashes. Be sure to keep the pan
level during disposal.
Empty the ash pan regularly, typically every one
to three days. The frequency will vary depending on
how you operate your Madison; if you burn more wood
at higher heat output settings, ash will accumulate
rapidly.
Dispose of ashes into a metal container with a
tight-fitting lid, kept outdoors. 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.
Smoke Detectors
The use of smoke detectors throughout the home is
strongly advised, if not required by building codes or
insurance regulations. It is a good idea to install a
smoke detector in the living areas and each bedroom.
You may not, however, wish to install a detector in
the immediate vicinity of the stove. Depending on the
sensitivity of the unit, the alarm can be set off while you
are tending the fire or emptying the ashes. If you install
a detector in the same room, locate it as far away from
the stove as possible.
CAUTION: AVOID SLAMMING THE STOVE
DOOR OR STRIKING THE GLASS PANEL. DO
NOT OPERATE THE STOVE WITH THE GLASS
PANEL MISSING, DAMAGED, OR BROKEN. DO
NOT INSTALL SUBSTITUTE MATERIALS. SEE
MAINTENANCE SECTION FOR REPLACEMENT
INSTRUCTIONS.