Gas grill fire starter

[jcummins]

Bought a Weber Genesis grill 3 years or so ago. The push the button to start the grill was really nice. After a bit didn't want to work. I took it off, clean it up, got it to working...last a short time, then stopped again. Sooo...lighting with those longgggg matches, which many times seems to break when you strike them. On a whim when in Rural King recently saw a Kingsford butane starter with the long snout. Bought it...took it out of the package, and thought this would be the answer. Seem to work easily. So put it away in the drawer since it was mid winter here.

Today went to use it....wouldn't work. Click click click...no fire.

WHAT is the best solution for this? Nothing seems to be reliable.

 

[thatguy]

did you replace the battery in the grills igniter? I used lithium in ours they seem to last longer..

also make sure that it is positioned correctly (over/near a gas hole).. you may need to remove the grates and burner covers to see it correctly..

Brian

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I have same issue. Bottom of battery holder corroded and doesn't work any more. I use lighter thru the front hole, works great. Would like to replace the bsttery holder but haven't been able to locate one.

 

[jcummins]

the the button on grill is corrosion/grease/etc, it's not a battery issue. It's positioned where it gets dirty very quick and grounding etc to complete the circuit is the culprit. I would like it to work, but keeping it clean is a PITA.

A long snout butane lighter would be best, but it seems EVERY one I've ever had is just bad junk.

 

[Richard]

We've just bought a couple of those lighters, about 10/12 inches long at the store and use those.

 

[jcummins]

We've just bought a couple of those lighters, about 10/12 inches long at the store and use those.

Do you have good luck with them?

Brand?

 

[Richard]

They've worked for us. I don't know any brand.... just bought them at the hardware store & dispose of when empty.

They are held in one hand with a trigger to ignite and as I recall, a slider to push forward as sort of a safety thing. Push lever forward with thumb, pull trigger and bingo.

I don't recall if they are something like $3.00 or $8.00

 

[Wagtail]

We've just bought a couple of those lighters, about 10/12 inches long at the store and use those.

That's what I use... now. The igniters on the few barbies I've had or used always seem to have a limited life, one or two years and then they give up the ghost. Probably due to grease build up, which can be cleaned but you always discover this when you've got a platter full of food in your hands so it becomes one of those 'get around tuit' things.

Then you forget; and you've got one of those long-lighters handy so you just use that.

 

[teejk]

The "sparkers" for the Weber Genesis aren't that expensive (might even be a generic item). As I recall you have a ceramic electrode on the bottom of the pan and the sparker mounted on the top near the control knobs. Other than that I think they provide a hole on the side to use with one of those Scripto type butane lighters. Just be careful if you like your eyebrows!

 

[motownbrowne]

Those long lighters never seem to work. I use a bernzomatic MAP torch for lighting grills, wood stoves, bonfires and many other tasks on the farm.

 

[kthompson]

I went back to charcoal grill. No striker issue any longer. I learned to use the hand held torch from the gas service guy.

 

[/pine]

Generic replacement magnetos (if that is what they are?) are available where grilling accessories are sold...

BTW...they make good triggers for potato guns...

 

[dadster4]

I've had my Weber Silver Seven grill for about 12 years. Have replaced the ignitor 4 times, grilling grates, lower grate, burners, and "flavorizer bars" once each. Each time I upgrade to stainless steel replacements which last much longer. The ignitor takes 10 minutes to change and costs a few bucks.

 

[Ford850]

I buy these lighters at Menards. They are only $0.89, but I buy them when they are on sale 2-for-1. I buy 5 or 10 at a time. They get used for everything around my place, including the grill, camping, burning brush, wood stove, etc. I rarely have a dud.
http://www.menards.com/main/heating...4429504795-c-6855.htm?tid=6902618335876828582

 

[jcummins]

I buy these lighters at Menards. They are only $0.89, but I buy them when they are on sale 2-for-1. I buy 5 or 10 at a time. They get used for everything around my place, including the grill, camping, burning brush, wood stove, etc. I rarely have a dud.
http://www.menards.com/main/heating...4429504795-c-6855.htm?tid=6902618335876828582

I'll give them a try.

 

[teg]

Kingsford suxs... Never again, I bought one and it never worked... right out of the package, no spark, NOTHING! I keep it around so I remember to never buy one again. Most of the other cheaper lighters have worked fine for me.

 

[kc5dlo]

I tried buying a generic igniter and Found no way within my patience to install it. Been using the long tip lighters. ( Had reasonably good luck with them, Hardest part is finding it after the wife uses it to light a candle.) One thing I recently noticed was instead of trying to reach in and get near the burner, I can light all the burners using the flame carry over tube at the back of the grill.

 

[Ford850]

I tried buying a generic igniter and Found no way within my patience to install it. Been using the long tip lighters. ( Had reasonably good luck with them, Hardest part is finding it after the wife uses it to light a candle.) One thing I recently noticed was instead of trying to reach in and get near the burner, I can light all the burners using the flame carry over tube at the back of the grill.

I can think of 6 places I keep them, just off the top of my head. I got tired tracking one down every time I needed one, so now there is a dedicated 'spot' close to each place of need.
For gas grills, most of the time you can light them with just the spark from the long lighters. So if you have a comfortable one that runs out of butane, store it on/under the grill.

 

[jerrybob]

Bic lighters are what we use. Bought in four pack. The one in my shop lights a fire in Winter almost everyday....its been around for two years at least. One in the trailer for camping is used much less for campfire and starting the propane burners.......sits in a drawer most of the time......always works. Have never had a problem with these lighters.......when they run out of fuel.....toss them....buy a few more.....good for another 2 to 3 years.

 

[Ed of all trades]

I just pull a straw off of the broom and light the end and stick it down there. I never think to get a lighter and this works. Ed