What to Do If Your Smoker Grill Does Not Ignite (2024)

FAQs

What to Do If Your Smoker Grill Does Not Ignite? ›

Dirty grills are one of the most common causes for not lighting. You need to make sure the electrodes are clean. Check the brackets and grates of the smoker grill. Have some patience and try again if the burner does not ignite.

The first thing to check when your grill isn't igniting is the pellets in the firepot and in the hopper. Pellets should have a nice sheen and have a "snap" to them when breaking (similar to a pencil). If the pellets crumble or are dull looking (not shiny), empty your hopper and try a new bag of pellets.

If your grill won't light, it could be because you have dirty electrode terminals. Clean them with rubbing alcohol and a clean cotton swab. If your grill is not lighting, are you seeing sparks at your electrodes? If so, you may have a damaged electrode.

One possible reason that you might find your BBQ grill igniter not working is the igniter wires or the electrodes are loose. Since the wires are what bring the spark to where they need to be in order to light the gas, any looseness can negatively affect the entire system.

If a gas grill is clicking but not lighting, there can be a few possible issues. Check the burners for blockages – but only after you've turned the gas supply off. It's also important to check the gas cylinder to ensure it is properly connected.

Causes behind the Problems

First of all, check the propane tank or other sources of fuel. Make sure the burners are well connected with the fuel source; otherwise, it will not light up. Next check the electrical wirings. Make sure the electrode tips are in the right tips.

To get your smoker running again, inspect the following components: Electrical outlet: Verify that the smoker is plugged into an outlet and that the outlet is working correctly. Plug the grill into another power source or plug another appliance into the outlet to find the source of the issue.

Disconnect the grill from the propane tank, then remove the grate and clear away any debris. While you're at it, check the electrodes for dirt and rust. Remove the flame tamer and pull off the igniter mounting screw to expose the electrodes. Scrape or clean any buildup, replace the components, and try again.

Your problem could be as simple as a low gas tank. Or it could be worse: gas plumbing clogged by insect nests, burners clogged by rust or spilled food, a malfunctioning gas regulator, or a tripped excess-flow valve inside the regulator (the disc-shaped thing on the gas hose).

Not opening the gas valve all the way, clogged burners, malfunctioning regulators, and empty propane tanks are the most common reasons.

What would cause an igniter not to work? ›

The Limit Switch Becomes Too Hot: Furnaces have a built-in limit switch that detects high temperatures and prevents overheating. If the air filters of the unit are severely clogged, the switch may turn off the ignitor too early. Any mechanical problem involving the limit switch can also cause problems with the ignitor.

If it has just rained, or if the humidity very high, it can interfere with the igniter electrodes ability to generate a strong spark. Manually lighting the grill to dry it out should restore the ability of the ignition system to work properly.

Cause: Igniter is Clogged with Debris

The most common reason a gas stove won't light is that the igniter is clogged with debris. Over time, dirt and dust can accumulate on the igniter and prevent it from sparking. If this is the case, you'll need to clean it off in order for the stove to work properly.

If you don't hear a clicking sound, all the cables must be checked. To do this, first you have to remove the ignition module. Then you can see if all the cables are connected correctly to the ignition module – or if they are broken and must be replaced.

If your gas stove keeps clicking even after the burner is lit — or the stove won't light — there's likely a problem with the burner cap, knobs, or spark mechanisms. This can easily put a damper on your dinner plans.

Every time your wood chips burn up and you stop seeing smoke, you'll want to add more wood chips to the wood tray and hold the door open slightly so some heat can escape, forcing the heating element to come back on and get the wood to smoking.

Start the grill by turning to Smoke with the grill lid open. After about 4-5min you will see lots of smoke. Wait until you hear the roaring sound of the fire and less smoke, then shut the lid and turn to the desired temperature. Wait until the temperature is reached before putting your food in.

- If your grill is smoking, but not igniting it means there is a lack of airflow from the induction fan. The induction fan not running can be from the fan seizing over time, no power being delivered to the fan, or a not functioning fan.

You're Smothering It. Another possible reason your charcoal isn't staying lit is that it's being smothered. Without a sufficient amount of air, the charcoal will die out after being lit. Ensure your smoker is properly ventilated, and make sure you add cooking wood or wood chunks for smoking at the right time.