methods and systems for substantially improving the stability of a melting furnace system that includes bushings and cooling apparatus for converting molten mineral material to continuous fibers is disclosed . apparatus and methods for maintaining the molten material throughput and the electrical power load on fiberizing bushings substantially constant are disclosed . the orifice plate , with or without tips or nozzles , is subjected to a more rapid rate of heat removal after the bushing breaks out than it did while the bushing was in a desired fiberizing mode . apparatus that can respond quickly following a recognition that a bushing has broken out to increase cooling of the orifice plate or tip plate of a bushing is disclosed as is methods for using this apparatus to achieve the objective stated above .