Help With Appalachian Gemini XLB

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.

TommyTally

Member
Dec 29, 2012
51
Ohio
Hello, new to the forums, though I have been browsing for a few months. Bought a new house in late summer, and it came with what I believe is an Appalachian Gemini XLB (no instruction manual passed onto us with the sale of the house). I believe the stove was put in when the house was built around 20 years ago. I have no experience with wood stoves prior to this house, but I have come to the conclusion that the previous owners likely did not perform appropriate maintenance given the state of the stove when we moved in. I had a sweep come to clean the chimney, they stated that if we would have tried to start a fire the entire house would have likely filled with smoke.

I have been burning intermittently so far this season, and have tried to clean out the catalyst (I honestly think it is the original catalyst) with a vacuum to keep it at least minimally clean. However, I noticed it did have very significant clogging the last time I looked at it and am currently trying to remove the catalysts in order to clean them until I can order a new one. Hence, the reason for my post. Does anyone know how to get the catalyst out of this type of stove? Pictures are below. I have taken off the flame shield, but cannot get the catalyst/damper housing off in order to get the catalyst out. I have tried loosening the damper tabs, but still not success. any ideas? IMG_20121229_131820.jpgIMG_20121229_131827.jpg
 
I have a slightly different Appalachian stove, but am having trouble understanding the orientation of the pictures I am looking at. Are you able to get some a little further away?

On mine the entire housing rotates about 30 degrees, and there are two tabs on either side that slide out of a track to allow the housing to come down. I don't think your's is the same, but can't quite make out what needs to happen with the pics provided.
 
I have a slightly different Appalachian stove, but am having trouble understanding the orientation of the pictures I am looking at. Are you able to get some a little further away?

On mine the entire housing rotates about 30 degrees, and there are two tabs on either side that slide out of a track to allow the housing to come down. I don't think your's is the same, but can't quite make out what needs to happen with the pics provided.

Sure, I'll get some up ASAP.
 
Do these help with the orientation? I should mention that I have tried moving the tabs to no avail. They may just be "creosoted" in there, but I certainly have not been able to get them to budge.IMG_20121229_140913.jpgIMG_20121229_140855.jpg
 
The catalyst holder is held in by those tabs. PB blaster on bolts should loosen them up. That housing is pretty heavy so can be hard to put back in. You may want to pre cut some 2x4s to prop up the housing while you put tabs back in place.
 
The catalyst holder is held in by those tabs. PB blaster on bolts should loosen them up. That housing is pretty heavy so can be hard to put back in. You may want to pre cut some 2x4s to prop up the housing while you put tabs back in place.

Thanks. I assumed it was heavy, but hadn't thought of using a few pieces of wood to prop it up. Thanks.
 
I have an XLB for 8 years. So far, I've had to replace the damper system 4 times! As you know, not an easy process example, replacing the pin into the damper system itself. The Appalachian Stove company states this is uncommon? Very unhappy with their system. The damper housing melts and warps rendering the damper useless. I do NOT recommend installing one of these stoves.
 
I have an XLB for 8 years. So far, I've had to replace the damper system 4 times! As you know, not an easy process example, replacing the pin into the damper system itself. The Appalachian Stove company states this is uncommon? Very unhappy with their system. The damper housing melts and warps rendering the damper useless. I do NOT recommend installing one of these stoves.

You are overfiring the stove, I have seen many an older Appalachian with the same original damper system. Appalachian has their issues but you are causing that one.
 
You are overfiring the stove, I have seen many an older Appalachian with the same original damper system. Appalachian has their issues but you are causing that one.
OK, I get that now. So, how do you go about replacing the damper rod with the 2 pinch pins? Just about an impossilbe task
 
I actually found out later that I have a 32BW, not an XLB. In my 32BW, you can get full access to the damper system by simply removing the catalyst housing. Not sure if it's the same for the XLB. Also, mine has what I believe are likely all original parts (aside from replacing the catalysts and gaskets last year), and it seems to run very well.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.