Has anyone had this happen?

Today, my wife added water to the kettle on top of the stove while I was cutting down the air. I usually add hot water but she added cold. The kettle was dry and I had around 675° on the stovetop. I stood up and closed the lid on the kettle for her, and about two or three seconds later water and steam shot out of the spout like a volcano and scared the chit out of me! I jumped back and it got the leg of my pants and the stovetop and floor. Never saw anything like that before. I'm sure we did something wrong.

Letting it go dry heats the cast iron instead of the water, as soon as the water hit it, it turned it to steam, especially if your stove top was that hot. I have not had it happen but mine came with a warning NOT to let it run dry and if it did to completely cool before adding water, I guess for that reason. Glad you were not burned by the hot water, that could ave gone really bad!

I add water to mine in the same way. I think i will avoid doing it like that from now own.

Glad no one got hurt.

Cast iron can also crack or shatter if cooled rapidly from high temperatures.

I once saw a VC enameled stove that had the enamel chipped off in a very odd pattern. The owner told me he bought it used because and the previous owner hung some clothing/towels over it to dry and the dripping water caused the enamel to pop right off when it hit the stove. Therefore it was replaced and he got a steal in it. According to him the enamel gets very porous when at operating temp and the water can pass through it immediately turning to steam expanding inside the enamel and it pops right off the stove. Sorry only a little off topic.

BrotherBart, I put the cool air humidifier on yesterday and was considering not using the cast iron kettle for all three reasons you listed. Now, there is no more considering. It's the humidifier from here on.

I appreciate the kind replies. I hope this keeps someone else from doing such a dumb thing.

Glad no one got hurt - Did that with my coffee maker this morning. Also cracked one of mom's big cast pans back in the day.

Sounds like just a case of the pot got hot, then you poured in water and it boiled over. Putting in cold water probably helped...hot water in a hot pot could have boiled even faster/harder.

Every once in a great while you will hear of an instance of 'superheated water'. Sometimes with clean water and a clean, scratch free mug or glass, you can actually heat the water above boiling. If the water is still (not stirred) and the container is smooth enough, there is no place for the first boiling bubbles to form. So you heat your mug, pull it out, drop in a spoon to stir it, and 'BOOM!' the whole cup just 'goes off'

I don't think the temperature of the water going in makes a difference.
I've had it happen and maybe it was a good thing I was pouting slow as it puked while I was pouring.

I've superheated water in the microwave too. Lifted the cup out of the microwave and setting it down on the counter was enough of a short tap shock to make at least half the water explode out of the cup.

I only use mine when my mother comes to visit. My reason is: she gave it to me as a gift and said it will help keep my house comfortable. Research and experience has proven all of BB's comments but I love my mom!!

It got my pants wet, it got my pants wet, and i am sticking to it

I always thought this was just some kind of urban legend. Guess I should be more careful nuking my stale afternoon coffee

Not a legend because it actually happened to a friend of mine and she sports a big scar on her face to prove it. And she said she was using a brand new cup.

Thanks for the heads-up (sorry to hear about your friend)....