Blackstone griddles are among the best in the industry, but they are not immune from problems. Every griddle must be lit to ignite the burner flames, but what if the automatic igniter is not functioning?
What do you do if you turn the switch to ignite your Blackstone griddle and nothing happens? Let’s learn how to solve this issue the right way!
Blackstone griddles may not ignite if there is a problem with the ignition needle location, if the igniter battery has no power, if the gas to burners are reduced, or if there is no gas flow at all. Solving these issues will restore normal function to the Blackstone ignition system.
Every Blackstone griddle is well-made and built to last, but the most common issue with these griddles with lack of ignition when the ignition switch is activated.
Fortunately, there are simple solutions to rectify this problem, and getting your Blackstone igniting easily again is usually a simple task.
Why Is My Blackstone Griddle Not Lighting?
Every Blackstone griddle is equipped with an automatic ignition system that typically functions very well. However, if the ignition system fails, it can be very frustrating, and the griddle will fail to light on its own.
There is usually a very basic reason why a griddle is not lighting when the igniter is engaged, and solving these potential problems is simple as well.
Before we explore the solutions to the problems, let’s examine what may be causing the issue and find out why your Blackstone griddle is not lighting. Below are the most common causes for a Blackstone not igniting.
1 – The Igniter Is Too Far from Burner Tubes
The simplest reason why a Blackstone griddle may not ignite when the igniter is engaged is that the ignition needle is too far away from the burner tuned within the griddle. An ignition needle can be pushed out of place if the griddle is transported carelessly, bumped too hard, or moved too quickly.
The ignition needle must be close enough to the ignition tubes to cause a spark when the igniter is activated. Electric igniters generate a spark when an electrical current is passed through the needle, and that current arcs to the metal burner tubes, igniting the gas flowing from the tubes into flame.
If the igniter needle is too far away from the burner tubes, it will not generate a spark. Depending on the Blackstone model, there may be multiple ignition needles within the unit that need to be replaced to restore normal function.
2 – The Igniter Battery Is Dead
Most igniters in Blackstone griddles are electric, which means they require a power source to provide the electricity to generate the spark necessary to start the griddle burning.
This energy is provided by a simple battery located within the igniter on the griddle. If this batter has gone flat, the igniter will not generate a spark when it is activated, and the burners will not ignite.
This is a simple problem with an easy solution, but it can prevent the griddle from functioning as it must be rectified before the griddle will ignite on its own.
3 – Restricted Gas Flow
Another cause for the lack of ignition in a Blackstone griddle is a restricted gas flow. This could occur due to a leak in a gas line, a safety mechanism in larger gas tanks, or because a smaller gas tank is installed incorrectly.
A more common issue is a faulty regulator. The regulator can be found between the Blackstone Griddle and the propane tank. Swapping it out with another and testing it again is another simple check.
If there is insufficient gas flowing through the burner tubes within the griddle, it will not ignite correctly, as there is not enough gas to sustain a controlled flame for cooking.
This problem may be quite serious and potentially hazardous. It must be rectified quickly to restore proper griddle function and to prevent a potentially dangerous situation.
4 – Lack of Gas Flow
The last issue on this list that may cause a lack of griddle ignition is a lack of gas flow altogether. This could be the problem if there is no gas flowing into the burner tubes at all.
If there is no gas reaching the griddle, there is no gas to ignite, meaning that the griddle will not produce a flame.
How to Fix These Ignition Issues
Now that we have identified the most common reasons why a Blackstone may not be igniting, we can explore the possible solutions to these issues to restore the griddle back to proper function.
Most of the problems here are easily solved and can be done at home without the use of any tools. Taking the time to find the issue and resolving will restore the function of your griddle and prevent further problems.
Reposition the Ignition Needle
If the ignition needle has shifted too far away from the burner tubes within the griddle to generate a spark, the needle must be repositioned to appropriate proximity to the tube.
Locate the ignition needle and gently bend it closer to the ignition tube. The needle should be roughly a ¼ inch from the tube for proper function.
Once the needle is repositioned, the burners should normally ignite, restoring the function of the griddle.
Replace the Igniter Battery
If the igniter battery has died, the solution here is to replace it with a fresh battery. The location of the batter differs depending on the Blackstone model, but it is usually found behind the igniter button or within the dial that contains the igniter.
Open the battery compartment, remove the old battery, and replace it with a fresh one. Be sure to install the battery in the correct orientation, or the battery will not function to power the igniter.
Increase Gas Flow
If the gas flow is restricted to the burner, the igniter will not have enough gas to ignite the burners. There are several issues that may cause reduced gas flow, all with simple solutions.
The first thing to check is if the hose from the gas canister is crimped or blocked; if so, straighten the hose to restore gas flow. If the gas canister is not correctly installed, the flow may reduce, so check that all the gas canister hardware is installed correctly.
If your Blackstone uses a 1lb gas canister, be sure that the canister is situated in a way that places the regulator above the rest of the canister. If the canister is upside down, the gas will not flow correctly.
Lastly, if there is a gas leak in the system, or if the griddle burners or canister valves are opened too quickly, larger gas canisters will restrict flow as a safety mechanism. To restore normal flow, turn off the gas burners on the griddle and close the gas canister valve. Slowly re-open all the valves, and normal flow will resume, allowing the igniter to start the flames correctly.
Re-establish Gas Flow
If there is no gas reaching the burners, the griddle will not ignite. The most common issues causing a lack of gas flow are that the gas source is turned off or the system has run out of gas.
If the gas system is not opened, meaning that the gas regular and valve at the gas canister are not open, the gas will not flow, and the griddle will not ignite. Be sure that all the appropriate valves and regulators are sufficiently open.
If your gas canister has run out of gas, simply replace the canister with a full canister, and the gas flow will be restored, allowing the griddle to ignite normally.
Final Thoughts
If your Blackstone griddle is not igniting, there is typically a simple issue causing the problem, and simple issues usually have simple solutions. The first step is to determine why the griddle is not igniting and then solve the issue accordingly.
If your griddle is still not igniting after these solutions, then contact Blackstone support for further diagnostics and solutions. If all else fails, you can always ignite a griddle manually with a BBQ lighter or a trigger lighter.
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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Elizabeth Cyran
Sunday 20th of August 2023
Excellent article! My frustration for the weekend and having ti use long handled fireplace matches was quickly fixed with a NEW AA battery! Thanks!!!