As a gas barbecue grill technician, I get to see thousands of BBQs in various states of use. Most technicians provide technical service and cleanings for any barbecue even if they only stock and sell particular brands. “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. Ignition systems generally work reliably for many years but may need replacement grill parts inside the firebox of the barbeque.

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.  I have been shocked by ignition modules off grills when the owner claimed the ignitor hadn’t worked in ten years.

A Gas Grill Igniter Is Made Up Of Several 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 spark that ignites your gas grill is produced at the electrode but created in the module. The electrode is usually the culprit when you cannot light your grill.

The gas BBQ ignition module, or spark generator, is the part that creates the juice. 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. Ignition modules with batteries can corrode from moisture but it is not as common as most of us assume and it can usually be cleaned off. The electric current travels along an electrode wire to the electrode (spark plug). You should be able to see the steel running through porcelain in the front of the firebox just above or beside the gas grill burner. 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. When the current travels to the steel rod and finds a ground, a spark arcs across the two steel rods. 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. Reset the check valve if you are using a propane 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. However, the most common problem we see is in the ignition system.

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. Most gas barbecue grills have some version of grease management system but you know you get a mess in the firebox. 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.

As part of your maintenance, look for the electrode inside the firebox of your gas barbeque. 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. When grease, rain, sauce, etc, drip onto and into the ignition collector box, the electrode has a problem finding steel to ground it and spark. The module, battery and switch are still functioning to send the spark to the gas but the failure is at the electrode. A dirty electrode will not spark.

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.