Proper operation of your Gemini XLB Zero Clearance
unit will help to ensure safe, efficient heating. Please
take a few moments to review these simple operating
instructions.
1. FUEL SELECTION
The Gemini XLB is designed to burn natural wood only.
Higher efficiencies and lower emissions generally result
when burning air dried seasoned hardwoods, as
compared to softwoods or to green or freshly cut
hardwoods. DO NOT BURN THE FOLLOWING:
treated wood, coal, garbage, solvents, colored papers, or
trash. Burning these may result in the release of toxic
fumes and may poison or render the catalytic ineffective.
Burning coal, cardboard, or loose paper can produce
soot, or large flakes of char or fly ash that can coat the
combustor, causing smoke spillage into the room,
rendering the combustor ineffective.
2. BUILDING AND MAINTAINING A FIRE
(A) Open the damper fully by pulling the damper
control panel all the way out.
(B) Place a base of crumpled uncolored newspaper in the
bottom of the stove. Lay pieces of kindling on top of the
newspaper and light it.
(C) As the kindling begins to burn, add several larger
pieces of wood until the fire is burning well. At this
point, regular size logs may be added.
NOTE: Until the fire is burning well, leave the draft
controls in the door fully open.
NEVER USE GASOLINE, GASOLINE TYPE
LANTERN FUEL, KEROSENE, CHARCOAL,
LIGHTER FLUID, OR SIMILAR LIQUIDS TO START
OR “FRESHEN UP” A FIRE IN THIS HEATER. KEEP
ALL SUCH LIQUIDS FAR AWAY FROM THIS
HEATER WHILE IN USE.
(D) For a stove equipped with a catalytic combustor, the
damper must be fully closed after the fire is burning well.
(E) Regulate the heat output of the stove by adjusting
the draft controls to allow a larger fire and vice versa. A
short period of experimentation with the control
settings will allow you to regulate the heat output to
keep your home comfortable.
For the best results in maintaining and achieving fewer
emissions in your certified stove, we have found the
following instructions to be helpful in operating your
Gemini XLB:
*For a high or maximum burn, fully open the door draft
slides while operating the blower on medium speed.
*For a medium high burn, open both slides
approximated 3/8 of an inch and operate the blower on
low speed.
VII. OPERATION
*For a medium low burn, open both slides
approximately 3/16 of an inch and operate the blower
on the low speed. The start-up slide located on the ash
pan may be opened during the first three minutes of the
burn.
*For the low burn, open the left slide approximately
3/16 of an inch and operate the blower on the low speed.
The start up air slide may be opened during the first
three minutes of the burn.
CAUTION: DO NOT UNPLUG YOUR BLOWER
WHILE THE STOVE IS IN OPERATION.
CAUTION: THE ASH PAN DRAWER MUST BE
CLOSED WHEN THE STOVE IS IN OPERATION.
3. REFUELING THE STOVE
(A) Before attempting to add fuel to the stove, OPEN
the damper control fully by pulling it all the way out.
This allows the chimney to carry away the additional
smoke that occurs when the door is open.
(B) DO NOT OVERLOAD THE STOVE. Normally,
three or four logs will provide heat for several hours.
Never operate this stove where portions glow red hot.
4. ACHIEVING CATALYST LIGHT OFF FROM A
COLD START
The temperature in the stove and the gasses entering the
combustor must be raised to between 500 and 700
degrees F. for catalytic activity to be initiated. During the
startup of a cold stove, a medium to high firing rate
must be maintained for about 20 minutes. This assures
that the stove, catalyst, and fuel are all stabilized at the
proper operating temperatures. Even though it is
possible to have gas temperatures reach 600 degrees F.
within two to three minutes after the fire is started, if
the fire is allowed to die down immediately, it may go
out, or the combustor may stop working. Once the
combustor starts working, heat generated by burning
smoke will keep it working.
5. ACHIEVING CATALYST LIGHT OFF WHEN
REFUELING
During the refueling and rekindling of a “charcoal
phase” fire, operate the stove at a medium or high firing
rate for about 10 minutes to ensure that the catalyst
reaches approximately 600 degrees F.
It is important to periodically monitor the operation of
the catalytic combustor to ensure that it is functioning
properly and to determine when it needs to be replaced.
A non-functioning combustor will result in a loss of
heating efficiency and an increase in creosote emissions.
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