Why is the BBQ ignition the first part to break?

Working on gas barbeque grills gives me a great view of the cooking, cleaning and maintenance habits of outdoor grillers. Although we only sell American made grills with available replacement parts and reliable warranties, we provide technical service and cleanings for any barbecue. Whether a grilling customer has a great grill or a cheap import, one thing I frequently is: the igniter on the barbeque grill stopped working within the first year. 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. A battery module consists of a switch (button) that makes a connection and engages the battery in the power supply. 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. Sometimes the electrode will have another rod as a ground, others ground to (spark against) the stainless steel burner. 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 wont 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. 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. If you take away one bit of advice from this message: if you do not hire a professional to clean your grill, don’t just clean the parts you can see or eat off.

Make the gas grill ignite.

As part of your maintenance, look for the electrode inside the firebox of your gas barbeque. When you find it, clean it gently and do not break the porcelain sleeve or it will have to be replaced. 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. You grill starter will not light if the electrode cannot spark against a clean piece of steel. 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. They are made to be functional in the snow and rain. 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.

HOw to Fix a Weber Grill Ignitor

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