dylskee, I've usually got my stove top thermo in a similar spot but further back, off the heat shield. Seems to be a hot spot, but the thermo can vary depending on how the load is burning; Sometimes one side of the load will be hotter and the stove top on that side will be higher.
My flue thermo lies on the horizontal tee snout, several inches behind the rear-vent flue exit. Not many options here, with the liner in the chimney. I've been thinking about drilling the tee for a probe...
It probably didn't stall on you, but it could. I don't have stalls because I get the temp up pretty good before I drop the bypass door. What temp was the stove top with just the coals, and what temp did it rebound to by the time your re-engaged?
Temps of mid 50s/mid 30s for a while here. Looking forward to tossing a big load of Red Oak in and seeing how long the Fireview will stretch that out on a low burn.