Ignition Switch
You barbeque starter needs to be cleaned
Working on gas barbeque grills gives me a great view of the cooking, cleaning and maintenance habits of outdoor grillers. 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!! While the perception of a customer is always true, the statement is generally not true.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. 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 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.
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 simple ignition modules would last forever. However, most gas grills today use a battery-powered module. Newer battery module grill igniters distribute electricity from a battery to the electrode. The electric current travels along an electrode wire to the electrode (spark plug). 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. Sometimes a barbeque grill will not light because of problems with the gas cylinder. To correct this issue read:Why wont my gas grill get hot? Also a typical gas regulator should last approximately five years. 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.
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. The module, battery pack, etc can all be functioning at full efficiency but if the electrode is dirty you do not get a 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.
Fixing A Broken Ignition Switch
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