Lighting a Gas Grill

[DiningDiva]

The electronic ignition on my Webber Genesis is kaput and the minimal instructions for fixing it I found on their web page aren't particularly thorough or helpful. I need to use the grill tomorrow. I'm pretty sure the eletronic ignition can be by passed in order to get it started. My question is, what's the safest way to do it? Thx.

[jnk]

I've dealt with Weber for many years for all sorts of issues ranging from replacing a wheel from one of my grills to starters to the small propane tank on one of their grills and have been treated well each time. They are very generous with their time and their products. I have never been asked to pay for any of the replacement parts that I've needed.

[valerie]

Back in April when I went to use my Genesis E-310 for the first time since before the winter, it would not start. Nothing happened when I pressed the ignition button. We bought the grill in 2007, so it is not old. I was aggravated thinking that we had to go out and buy a new grill after only 3 years. But I figured that I would call Weber (everyone on CH always says that they have great customer service) before I threw the thing away.

Anyway, the guy on phone asked me if it was making a clicking sound when I pressed it (it was not making any sound). He said it might be the battery. I was like "battery? The grill has a battery?" I was at work at the time, so he told me that when I got home, pull of the ignition button and replace the battery and see if that fixed the problem. If not, call back when I am standing in front of the grill and he would walk me through some other troubleshooting.

I got home and told my husband about the battery and he said the same thing..."battery?"

Lo and behold, I replaced the AA (or maybe AAA) battery underneath the switch and the grill was as good as new!

[DiningDiva]

Valerie, I too, discovered the battery quite by accident. It needs an AAA. Not having any, I went out an purchased some, but it still didn't work. Maybe I'll try it again.

[valerie]

Oh well. They did say that they could send an ignitor kit. Not sure if it's worth it, though, when you could just use the lighter.

[Janet from Richmond]

I've been doing this one for over 20 years......turn on the gas to one burner. There should be a small hole on the side of the grill adjacent to the burner. Light a match and stick it in the hole. Voila! We have ignition. If it doesn't work, turn the gas off, wait a minute and try it again. Also, leave the lid up when doing that. After one burner is lit, turn on the rest of the burners.

[MikeB3542]

A long butane lighter (Aim 'n Flame) works well for me. Make sure the lighter is lit before cranking the gas.

But you should try to address replacing the electronic ignition. First off, it is just way safer and more convenient than matches and lighters.

Ultimately you will need to regularly tear down and overhaul your gas grill. Things get worn out -- chemically and thermally, the inside of a grill is a pretty intense environment. Obviously, better grills will hold up better, but you still need to do a tear down to clean things up.

So study the owners manual and learn now. It really isn't that hard. My guess is that the instructions that come with the replacement igniter will be a little clearer.

[scubadoo97]

On my Weber Silver the replacement is very easy to do. No engineering degree needed

[MikeB3542]

If all else fails, use the igniter for a spud gun!

[DiningDiva]

The grill lit beautifully and I'm in one piece ;-)

Did the Roadside Chicken recipe from Rick Bayles and it was a hit. Thanks again

[KennyC]

Glad you and the food came out on the other side beautifully. I have the same issue with my grill and use this lighter. It is butane refillable, and a real eye-catcher as well. Get lots of comments; I keep one in my den near some candles.

http://www.candlebarandmore.com/candl...

[DiningDiva]

Thank you all. I have one of those butane candle lighters, so it's flick the switch on that, put it through the hole in the front of the unit and then turn on the gas. I wondered which I should do first...lighter or turn on the gas :-) I have no desire to injure myself on a holiday

[c oliver]

See jfood's note above. Lighter first, gas next.

[jfood]

jfood has used the long butane filled candle lighter. Light the lighter place along the front inside of the grill and then turn the gas on. Please do not do this in reverse.

BTW - jfood has replaced 4 igniters in his life and the directions are a little vague but just keep telling yourself others have done it and keep going.

[alanbarnes]

Yep. There's a small (3/4" diameter?) hole on the front of the firebox. Insert a match / lighter / other ignition source, turn on the gas to the front burner, and wait for ignition. The middle burner will ignite off the front one, and the back burner will ignite off the middle one.

[c oliver]

Mine go left to right (or right to left!) but the same theory.

[c oliver]

Long fireplace matches.