Vermont Casting 1658, 1659 Refuel While the Embers Are Still Hot, Ash Disposal, Smoke Detectors

NOTE: Some chimneys need to be “primed,” or warmed up, before they will draw sufficiently to sus- tain 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 be- gins 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 neces- sary for proper functioning and may take up to an hour to establish.

Step 5. Adjust the thermostatic air control for the de- sired 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.

Vermont Castings Madison

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 dur- ing 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-fit- ting 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 vac- uum cleaner to remove ash from the stove; always remove and dispose of the ash properly.

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 materi- als. See Maintenance section for replacement instructions.

Smoke Detectors

The use of smoke detectors throughout the home is strongly advised, if not required by building codes or in- surance 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 sensi- tivity 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.

30001453 19