If your Blackstone griddle igniter isn’t clicking, then there could be a few different reasons – the battery, a loose connection, corrosion, the igniter needle, the ignition button, or the spark generator.
I usually only pull out my Blackstone griddle around the holidays. So, when I went to take it out of storage this year, I found that the igniter wasn’t clicking. Luckily one of my friends does grill and griddle repairs and talked me through the process. I eventually figured out that the spark generator was to blame and had to replace it.
In this post, I will tackle the Blackstone igniter not clicking issue by identifying the problems and giving you the top solutions. Let’s begin!
There are several reasons why you may not hear a clicking sound when you start your continuous spark Blackstone griddle igniter. Here are the top concerns and how to fix them:
One of the most common issues with the Blackstone igniter is a low or weak battery.
See, the AA battery functions by producing an electrical current as a result of a chemical reaction. This current then passes through a small wire to an electrode. It is this electrode that creates a spark in the needle that lights the gas coming out of the Blackstone griddle.
Now, as with anything that is run on batteries, the griddle igniter batter is also going to run low. After a while, it will be too low to produce an electrical current.
So:
Does my Blackstone Igniter need a battery?
It is quite likely that it does. Think to the last time that you changed the battery and how often you have used the griddle since then. Keep in mind that sometimes when you don’t use the griddle for long periods of time, the battery can still fail.
Once you replace the battery in the battery compartment, press the igniter button. If you hear a clicking sound and the griddle turns on, you have been successful!
If you use your griddle rather often, I would suggest keeping an AA battery on hand all the time, just in case.
As I mentioned above, the electrode is responsible for creating the spark. However, if there is a disconnection between them the wires and the electrodes, this process can’t take place.
Make sure that the Blackstone griddle is off and that it is not plugged in. Then, disconnect the wires and the electrodes. I would advise that you only do this if you are confident that you can remove and replace parts properly.
After you disconnect them, take a close look. Do the wires look frayed? If so, they then will need to be replaced. How about the electrode? It is made up of a ceramic tube and a metal tip. Make sure that the tube is intact and there is no damage to the metal tip. If there is, then these components will need to be replaced too.
As long as there is no damage, reconnect the wires and the electrode.
Then, plug in the griddle and check to see if the igniter is functioning properly.
While you are checking out those electrodes, you may want to look for any signs of debris or corrosion caked onto the electrode or igniter wire.
The good news is that this is fairly easy to clean. Use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to clean off the grime. As you do so, make sure that you don’t dislodge the igniter rod.
Once you are done cleaning, make sure that the electrode is completely dried off. Then replace electrode and give the igniter a try.
The igniter needle is what is responsible for creating the spark that lights the gas flow from the propane tank.
First, simply examine the needle while it is in place. It needs to be placed on the griddle’s propane source or else the spark won’t light the fuel. The needle should be about 1/4th of an inch away from the burner.
If the positioning seems correct, inspect the igniter needle. If there is damage, it needs to be replaced – fortunately, a universal igniter needle should do the trick.
If nothing seems to be amiss. Replace the needle in its proper position, and try the igniter again.
Sometimes also referred to as an ignition switch, this is the button that you push to start the griddle.
One issue could be that food debris and grime is causing the button to malfunction. Carefully remove the button and gently clean it with a paper towel.
After you have done this, check the wires that are connected to the button. Is there a disconnect? Then reconnect the wires and try to fire up the griddle. If the wires are frayed, though, they will need to be replaced.
This is the part of the griddle that is responsible for the continuous spark. Needless to say, if the spark generator is busted, then you won’t hear that clicking noise.
If you have tried all the options out, then it may be time to replace the spark generator. I do have to warn you that by doing this, you are essentially removing and replacing the entire ignition system.
This means that if your griddle is still under warranty, you are risking voiding it. If you haven’t tried anything like this before, I would suggest contacting the manufacturer or getting a professional to take a look at the griddle for you.
You can follow the steps below to do this. Make sure that the griddle is turned off and that all the buttons are in the OFF position as well.
Unscrew the push button. Then, do the same with the locking nut.
You should unscrew the front panel or the igniter housing next. While it isn’t necessary I do recommend doing this as it makes the removing the wires a lot easier to manage.
Remove the spark generator from its housing.
After you do this, you will notice that the spark wire is mounted inside the griddle. Remove this and set it aside.
Take the new wire from the new spark generator and replace it. Make sure that the wire is 1/4th of an inch away from the burner.
Place the new spark generator in the metal housing.
Place the ground disc over the back side of where the push button is threaded through. This is also where the battery is housed.
Put the spark generator through the front panel and thread the starter with the locking nut.
Plug the ground wire in. Plug the spark wire in.
Finally, replace the front panel. Make sure that each burner tube and burner knob is placed in the proper position for their respective propane burners.
Put the starter button back on and give the new setup a try!
Maybe you can’t or don’t want to figure out what is wrong with your griddle yet. At the same time, you do need it working immediately.
Well, there is no need to worry as you can actually light the griddle manually.
Simply find where the propane burner is located. Then, use a lighter – I recommend one with a long handle as you need to keep your face and body far away from where the flame will be.
Get the propane flowing and then place the lighter to get the fire going. Then, turn on the other burners so that they will ignite too.
So, those are all the reasons that your igniter may not be clicking. Now that you have the top list and solutions, it is just a matter of figuring what the problem for your set up is and fixing it!
