As a gas barbecue grill technician, I get to see thousands of BBQs in various states of use. Although we only sell American made grills with available replacement parts and reliable warranties, we provide technical service and cleanings for any barbecue. “The igniter on the barbeque grill stopped working within the first year” is a phrase I hear frequently regardless of the price or quality of the barbeque. Sometimes “the first year” was ten years ago!! Although the grill may not ignite at the push of a button, the cause is rarely a broken barbeque ignitor. Barbeque grill igniters usually work long after they have stopped igniting the gas grill.

Of course, you could point out the obvious confusion in that statement which is that if the grill stopped igniting, what does it matter if you say the igniter is not broken?! If it does not ignite the grill, it is not working.  A gas grill ignition system usually works for many years but has become too dirty to spark when it reaches the gas escaping your barbeque burner.

Grill Ignition Parts.

A gas barbeque grill ignition system consists of several replaceable parts. The module, the electrode wire and the electrode are the primary parts although sometimes the module will be split into a spark generator, a connection switch (button) and a power source (battery). The electrode is like the spark plug in your car, the part that mounts on or near the gas grill burner and sparks to light the grill. The electrode is usually the culprit when you cannot light your grill.

An electric current is created in the module, referred to as a spark generator because it generates the spark that gets sent out to light your gas grill. Many older gas barbeque grills used a piezo electric module. These modules used a tension-spring in a push-button to create a spark. However, most gas grills today use a battery-powered module. Newer battery module grill igniters distribute electricity from a battery to the electrode. An electrode wire connecting the ignition to the module delivers the spark to light your gas grill. An electrode looks like a piece of small steel rod in a porcelain housing. The electrode will consist of the steel rod in porcelain that receive the current and another piece of steel to spark against as a ground. The power from the battery ends as a spark at the tip of this steel rod. If the gas is on, this arc should ignite your gas grill burner.

Troubleshooting

If your gas grill will not ignite, there could be a few different reasons. Low gas flow is often caused by the check valve in the lp tank. To correct this issue read: Why won’t my gas grill get hot? Rarely a gas regulator may need to be replaced. If you have been grilling on this gas BBQ for over five years, have a professional test your regulator. The most common problem is lighting the grill.

What is wrong with the BBQ Grill Ignitor?

As you cook on your gas barbeque grill, the heat trapped in the hood causes the food to “sweat” and grease drips into the grill. As grease and sauce come off the food to make their way to your drip-pan, the inner machinations of the grill get dirty. When the grease, pieces of food, rust, rain water, dust and dirt get in to the firebox the electrode gets too dirty to spark. When you wipe down the grill, wipe the electrodes gently without bending or cracking the porcelain.

Make the gas grill ignite.

To keep your gas barbeque grill starting reliably and safely, keep the electrodes clean. It is usually inside the firebox on the front wall near the control panel. Many electrodes have a “collector box” which is a small stainless steel box that protects the electrode. Gas grill igniters that use a collector box often use the box to spark against the electrode and act as the ground. The electrode has to be clean to spark. The module, battery and switch are still functioning to send the spark to the gas but the failure is at the electrode. If the electrode or collector box is too dirty to get a clear spark, the gas will not ignite.

Gas barbecue grill manufacturers make these products to be outside in the weather. Grill parts are manufactured to withstand harsh weather but like any other machine they will need some maintenance. When you clean your gas grill, simply knowing the parts of the igniter should give you the ability to ensure the electrode stays clean and your gas grill ignition will last much longer.