I just got done working overtime at a structure fire and could not wait to get warmed up. I loaded the Madison to the gills with some 12-15% oak from a friend. I scooped the coals forward like I always do and left the door cracked for a few minutes everything took off great, closed her up and started backing down the air at about 400 stove top. She soon hits 500, 600, at 650 I got nervous and she topped out at around 780.
I tried opening the door all the way for a little bit like I've read on here with poor results. I turned the blower on high and put a box fan on the stove also, she leveled off at the 780. After a few more minutes it got down to 700, then it was reasonable. I could not control this thing! I thought I had put too much wood in, too small or left the door open too long.
Fast forward to later that day I throw a half load on to get me trough the day. While watching the fire I notice very fast moving flames on the bottom of the fire box. Upon investigating I notice that the ash dump is dislodged! I have never used it and must have dumped it while raking the coals. I gloved up and cleaned out as much of the ash around the opening as I could to get it back to seal. The fire was controllable after that.
What a scare, the stove seems to have survived. I know 780 isn't extreme but it was more than I was hoping for! I think I am going to replace the ash dump with fire brick so this can't happen again.
I tried opening the door all the way for a little bit like I've read on here with poor results. I turned the blower on high and put a box fan on the stove also, she leveled off at the 780. After a few more minutes it got down to 700, then it was reasonable. I could not control this thing! I thought I had put too much wood in, too small or left the door open too long.
Fast forward to later that day I throw a half load on to get me trough the day. While watching the fire I notice very fast moving flames on the bottom of the fire box. Upon investigating I notice that the ash dump is dislodged! I have never used it and must have dumped it while raking the coals. I gloved up and cleaned out as much of the ash around the opening as I could to get it back to seal. The fire was controllable after that.
What a scare, the stove seems to have survived. I know 780 isn't extreme but it was more than I was hoping for! I think I am going to replace the ash dump with fire brick so this can't happen again.
