Vermont Casting 1655, 1656, 1657, 1658, 1659 Operation, How the Madison Works, Best for You

Operation

How the Madison Works

Combustion control is achieved in the Madison through two separate air delivery systems.

The primary air control lever, located at the left rear corner of the stove, controls the amount of incoming primary air for starting, maintaining, and reviving the fire. More air entering the stove makes the fire burn hotter and faster, while less air prolongs the burn at a lower heat level.

For the greatest air supply and maximum heat output (but the shortest burn time), move the lever to the left most position. 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 upper and lower extremes.

DO NOT USE CHEMICALS OR FLUIDS TO START THE FIRE. DO NOT BURN GARBAGE OR FLAMMABLE FLUIDS SUCH AS GASO- LINE, NAPTHA, 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 MADISON WHILE IT IS IN USE.

CAUTION: THE MADISON WILL BE HOT WHILE IN OPERATION. KEEP CHILDREN, CLOTHING AND FURNITURE AWAY. CON- TACT 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.

The Madison features an automatic thermostat to ensure an even heat output at any manual setting you select. As the fuel burns, the thermostat reacts to the heat radiating from the stove surface and, consequently, adjusts the air shutter attached to it. As the fire intensity (and heat output) builds, the thermostat slowly closes the air shutter, thereby restricting incoming combustion air. As the fire intensity then wanes (and heat output lessens), the thermostat responds and gradually opens the air shutter which allows more combustion air to again enliven the fire. This ebb and flow action functions continuously to prolong the burn cycle until the fuelbed is exhausted.

Vermont Castings Madison

Another separate supply of oxygen is delivered to the upper area of the firebox to support combustion of gases released from the main fuel bed. This Second- ary Air enters the stove through two, unrestricted inlets and is heated while passing through separate channels before being delivered through three stainless steel multi-ported tubes located at the top of the firebox.

Burn Only High-Quality Wood

THE MADISON IS DESIGNED TO BURN NATURAL WOOD ONLY; DO NOT BURN ANY OTHER FUELS.

You will enjoy the best results when burning wood that has been adequately air-dried. Avoid burning “green” wood that has not been properly seasoned. The wood should be no longer than 18" (460 mm) in length, however, you will find that shorter wood lengths ease refueling and promote the most efficient combus- tion.

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

For areas that do not have a supply of hardwood, commonly burned softwoods include tamarack, yellow pine, white pine, Eastern red cedar, fir, and redwood. These too should be properly dried.

Keep wood a safe distance from the heater and keep it out of the areas around the heater used for refueling and ash removal.

Use the Air Control Setting that Works

Best for You

No single air control setting will be appropriate for 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.

Too much draft may cause excessive temperatures in the Madison, and could even damage it. 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, and dirty glass.

In newer homes that are well-insulated and weather-tight, poor draft may result from insufficient air in the house. In such cases, a slightly opened window near the stove on the windward side of the house will provide the fresh air needed.

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