Wiktor Wise
If you're looking to light a fire without an electric igniter, you'll need to know the type of fireplace you have. Gas fireplaces with electronic ignition are modern innovations that enhance safety and energy efficiency by only igniting when needed. If you have a newer model, you can purchase a battery-powered igniter as a backup. Traditional gas fireplaces with a continuously burning pilot light can be ignited manually with a long match or lighter. If your fireplace has a standing pilot light, you can ignite it by turning on the gas valve, locating the pilot light, and turning the dial to the ignite position. If you smell gas, leave the house and call the fire department.
Characteristics and Values of Lighting a Fireplace Without an Electric Igniter
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safety | Ensure the room is well-ventilated to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Regularly inspect and maintain the fireplace to reduce the risk of gas leaks. |
| Control Panel | Usually located around the base of the fireplace, behind a decorative screen or metal plate. It may have knobs and switches, including an ON/OFF/PILOT knob and an igniter button. |
| Pilot Light | Can be ignited manually by locating the pilot light, turning the dial to the ignite position, and pushing the knob until a clicking sound is heard or a flame appears. |
| Ignition | Can be achieved by using a battery-powered igniter as a backup during a power outage or by using a long match or lighter if the fireplace has a key control. |
| Troubleshooting | If the fireplace fails to ignite, check for gas leaks and ensure the gas valve is turned on. Consult the unit's instruction manual for specific instructions. |
| Maintenance | Have the fireplace professionally serviced at least once a year to ensure safe and efficient operation. Regularly clean the pilot assembly and burners to prevent dust and debris buildup. |
| Conversion | Traditional gas fireplaces can often be converted to electronic ignition with a conversion kit. Consult a professional to ensure compatibility and safe installation. |
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What You'll Learn
Use a battery-powered igniter as a backup
If you have a newer model fireplace, you can buy a battery-powered igniter as a backup to fill your space with heat and light when the power is out. The IntelliFire and IntelliFire Plus, for example, use batteries to pilot your gas fireplace during a power outage. If your fireplace is battery-operated, check the batteries if it doesn't turn on.
The electronic ignition system of a gas fireplace consists of a control module that connects to a power source or battery, an ignition button that triggers the system, an ignitor that lights the gas, and multiple safety mechanisms to prevent gas leaks if ignition fails. The control panel is often hidden under the fireplace or behind a metal plate and usually has a red igniter pilot knob and a control dial.
If you have a standing pilot, the gas fireplace will light itself without the need for electricity, but the pilot may need to be lit manually on occasion. The manual will have detailed instructions for the standing pilot that should be followed for safety considerations.
To light the pilot manually, first, make sure the gas valve is on. Locate the pilot light, which could be behind a panel or under the main frame of the unit. A flashlight can help you find this small dial. While in the ignite position, press down on the knob until you begin to hear a clicking sound. If the fireplace hasn't lit up within 10 seconds, wait at least 10 seconds before trying again. It may take a few tries to get the fireplace to ignite. Once the pilot is lit, you can leave the pilot on and turn the fireplace on and off at the switch, remote, or other application.
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Locate the pilot light
To locate the pilot light, first, make sure you are familiar with the unit. The control panel is usually around the base of the fireplace behind the decorative fireplace screen. The control panel hides behind an access panel, which is usually a screen or decorative panel that blends into the fireplace's frame or surround.
Remove the access panel to find the controls. Most of the time, you can just pop it off. The control knob might be labelled "valve control" or "pilot control". The knob will be marked with the following positions: "On", "Off", and "Pilot". If the knob is in the "On" position, turn it off and wait a few minutes before trying to turn on your fireplace. This allows any lingering gas to dissipate.
If your gas fireplace uses a pilot light, you will probably need to light it using a control panel. If your fireplace has an electric ignition, it will likely start using a remote or switch. If your fireplace comes with a remote or you notice a switch near the gas fireplace surround, you probably have an electric ignition.
If your unit is not hard-wired, the batteries that operate the electronic ignition switch (inside the fireplace) may need to be replaced. Pilot lights on electronic ignition units can operate in Continuous Pilot Ignition (CPI) or Intermittent Pilot Ignition (IPI).
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Turn the dial to the ignite position
To ignite your fireplace, you must first identify the type of gas fireplace you have. Modern gas fireplaces typically have a control panel, a gas valve fireplace key, or an electronic ignition.
If your fireplace has a control panel, you will need to locate the control knob. Depending on the model, it might be labelled "valve control" or "pilot control". The knob is usually marked with the following positions: On, Off, and Pilot. If the knob is in the "On" position, turn it to Off and wait a few minutes for any old gas to dissipate before turning it back to "On".
Now, turn the knob to the Pilot position. Push in the pilot knob, which manually sends gas into the system. Keep the pilot button held down for about 15 to 30 seconds to warm up the thermocouple and ensure that the flame stays lit.
Once the pilot light is on, turn the knob to the On position. Your fireplace should now ignite.
If your fireplace uses an electronic ignition, you can simply press the "On" button, and the pilot should ignite. If it does not ignite, you may need to ignite the pilot manually using the steps outlined above.
For a gas valve fireplace key, you will need to use a long lighter or a lit match to ignite the burner. Then, turn the gas valve key counterclockwise while holding the flame up to the burner. Your fireplace should now be lit.
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Push the knob until it clicks
To ignite a gas fireplace without an electric igniter, you will need to locate the control knob. Depending on the model, it might be labelled "valve control" or "pilot control". The knob will be marked with the following positions: Off, Pilot, and On.
Turn the knob to the middle position, where you can depress the knob. Push the knob all the way in and hold it down. You should hear a clicking sound. This may take some time, especially if the fireplace has not been used in a while. The clicking sound is the system working to spark the gas to light the pilot.
While holding the knob down, ignite the pilot with a long lighter or a lit match. Keep the knob held down for 15 to 30 seconds to warm up the thermocouple and ensure that the flame stays lit. Different units may recommend slightly different durations for how long to hold down the knob, so always check the manual.
If the flame stays lit, release the knob and turn the knob to the "On" position. Your fireplace should now be lit.
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Hold the knob until a flame appears
If your fireplace has a standing pilot light, it does not require electricity to ignite. First, ensure that the gas valve is turned on. You can locate the pilot light behind a panel or under the main frame of the unit. A flashlight can help you find this small dial. While in the ignite position, press down on the knob until you begin to hear a clicking sound. Keep holding the knob until a flame appears under the logs. If your gas fireplace with a standing pilot light doesn’t light within 10 seconds, wait for a few minutes before trying again. It may take a few tries to ignite the fireplace.
Once the pilot is lit, you can leave the fireplace pilot on and turn the fireplace on and off at the switch, remote, or other application. If your fireplace has an electric ignition, it will likely start using a remote or switch. The former is traditional, while the latter is more common in newer models. If your fireplace comes with a remote or you notice a switch near the gas fireplace surround, you probably have an electric ignition. Simply hit the switch so it’s in the “on” position or press the “on” button on the remote.
If your fireplace uses a pilot light, you’ll probably need to light it using a control panel. The control panel is often concealed under the fireplace or behind a metal plate for aesthetic reasons. Open it to find the ignition button. The control module typically has knobs and switches. Look for the ON/OFF/PILOT knob and the push igniter button. Turn the ON/OFF/PILOT knob to the ‘OFF’ position and wait for five minutes to clear out any residual gas. After waiting, press and hold the ON/OFF/PILOT knob. Then, press the igniter button repeatedly (as per the manual’s instructions, usually for about 30 seconds) until the pilot ignites.
Once the pilot light is on, continue to hold the ON/OFF/PILOT knob for about a minute before releasing it. The pilot should stay lit. If it goes out, repeat the process. With the pilot lit, turn the ON/OFF/PILOT knob to the ‘ON’ position. Your fireplace should now light up and start warming your space.
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Frequently asked questions
If your gas fireplace has a standing pilot light, it does not require electricity to ignite. Ensure the gas valve is on, locate the pilot light, turn the dial to ignite, and push the knob until you hear a clicking sound. Keep holding the knob until a flame lights under the logs.
Stay calm and turn off any flames or other sources of ignition. Do not use any electrical switches or devices, and leave the area. Once you are a safe distance away, call the gas company or emergency services.
Locate the control panel, usually around the base of the fireplace. Turn the knob from the "Off" to the "Pilot" position, and push the knob to manually send gas into the system. Push the igniter button until the pilot lights, then keep the pilot button held down for 15-30 seconds. Release the knob, and if the flame stays lit, rotate the knob to "On".
Electronic ignition systems are more energy-efficient than traditional fireplaces as they ignite only when needed. They also enhance safety while providing a warm ambiance.
Ensure your room is well-ventilated to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in your home, and ensure your fireplace has a safety screen to prevent direct contact with hot surfaces.
