When it comes to BBQ grilling, there’s nothing worse than being ready to cook only to find that your grill’s ignitor isn’t working. But don’t worry—you can still light your grill manually! In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to manually light different types of BBQ grills and introduce you to our high-quality ignitor kit replacement parts to ensure you’re never left in the cold (or without a flame). Whether you’re a seasoned griller or a beginner, this guide has you covered.
Grill ignitors can fail due to wear and tear, moisture damage, or electrical issues. When this happens, knowing how to light your grill manually is a lifesaver. Plus, understanding your grill’s ignition system can help you troubleshoot problems and decide when it’s time to replace parts like the ignitor kit. This blog will introduce the manual ignitor method, which is only suitable for addressing urgent needs.
How to Manually Light Different Types of BBQ Grills
1. Gas Grills
Gas grills are the most common type of grill, and they’re relatively easy to light manually if the ignitor fails. Here’s how:
- Open the Lid: Always open the lid before lighting to prevent gas buildup.
- Make sure all the burner control knobs are turned off.
- Turn on the Gas: Open the propane tank valve or natural gas line.
- Use a Lighter: Insert a long-reach lighter or match through the side burner hole or cooking grates near the burner. (some grills have a built-in match holder that hangs on a chain under your grill.)
- Turn the Burner Knob: Slowly turn the burner knob to release gas. The flame should ignite immediately.
- Repeat for Other Burners: If your grill has multiple burners, light them one at a time. (Some grill brands such as Char-Broil designed with crossover tubes, after the first burner is lit, turn on adjacent burners to cross-light them).
- If any of the burners fail to ignite within five seconds, stop, turn the burner control knob to OFF and wait five minutes to allow the gas to clear before you try again.
Pro Tip: If your gas grill’s ignitor is consistently failing, consider replacing it with our durable ignitor kit replacement parts for a reliable and long-lasting solution. After all, you can't always light the grill by manual ignition, which would be a bit troublesome and not safe.
2. Charcoal Grills
Charcoal grills require a bit more effort to light manually, but the process is straightforward:
- Arrange the Charcoal: Place charcoal briquettes or lump charcoal in a pyramid shape in the grill.
- Add Lighter Fluid: Carefully drizzle lighter fluid over the charcoal. Let it soak in for 30 seconds.
- Light the Charcoal: Use a long match or lighter to ignite the charcoal. Avoid using too much lighter fluid, as it can create a dangerous flare-up.
- Wait for the Coals: Allow the charcoal to burn until it’s covered with white ash (about 10-15 minutes).
Alternative Method: Use a chimney starter for a safer, lighter-fluid-free option.
3. Pellet Grills
Pellet grills rely on electricity to ignite the wood pellets, so manual ignition isn’t typically an option. However, if your ignitor fails, you can:
- Place some wood pellets in the hopper and remove the grill racks, grease drip pan and heat baffle, expose the Firepot In the bottom of the Grill.
- Pour 1/2 cup of wood pellets into the fire-pot. Do NOT add too many pellets!
- Use a Heat Gun: Point a heat gun into the fire pot to ignite the pellets.
- Use a Torch: Carefully use a propane torch to light the pellets.
- Once the fire is established in the fire-pot, turn the grill ON and set it to your desired temperature. The grill will go through its normal startup cycle, which may drop a large amount of pellets, so expect to see a significant amount of smoke during this process.
- Carefully replace the heat baffle, broiler cover, grease tray, and cooking grates.
- Close the lid so the grill temperature can rise.
- Run the grill as per normal operation with a minimum temperature setting of 107ºC. This is because at lower temperature settings the ignition rod may need to turn on periodically to maintain the fire.
- DANGER! Never squirt Alcohol Gel into a burning fire or a hot Firepot. The Alcohol Gel bottle could explode and cause a fire, serious injury or death.
Pro Tip: This method is only suitable for addressing urgent needs. If your pellet grill’s ignitor is malfunctioning, our ignitor kit replacement parts are compatible with most major brands and can restore your grill’s functionality quickly.
4. Electric Grills
Electric grills don’t require manual ignition since they rely on electricity to heat up. However, if your grill isn’t heating, check the power source and heating element. If the heating element is faulty, it may need replacement.
Why Choose Our Ignitor Kit Replacement Parts?
If you’re tired of dealing with a faulty ignitor, it’s time to upgrade to our premium ignitor kit replacement parts. Here’s why our products stand out:
- Compatibility: Our kits are designed to fit most major grill brands, including including Weber, Nexgrill, Char-broil, Dyna-Glo, Exper Grill, Member's Mark, Traeger, Pit Boss, Napoleon, DCS, and more.
- Durability: Made from high-quality materials, our ignitor kits are built to withstand the elements and provide reliable performance.
- Easy Installation: With clear instructions, you can replace your ignitor in minutes—no professional help needed.
- Affordable: Get your grill back in working order without breaking the bank.
Visit our store and shop our selection of replacement parts today and keep your grill in peak condition! If you have any questions, please contact us at Support@grillpartsreplacement.com.