Gas grill parts may not be necessary to get your ignition repaired

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. 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. 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.

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. 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. Low gas flow is often caused by the check valve in the lp 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. 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. 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.

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. The arc may jump between dual electrode posts or from a single electrode post to either the collector box or the gas burner. 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. 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.

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