How to use the ignitor on the indoor stove?

zinger60 · 03-19-2016, 07:43 PM

We bought our 23LB a year ago and used it last summer for the first time. We have the knob on the stove that is supposed to ignite the burners when the gas is turned on. We turned the gas on the burner and kept turning the knob so that it kept clicking but the burner would not light. I'm afraid to leave the gas on too long while it's trying to light. Can anyone tell me how to use it? Not sure if I'm doing something wrong or it's just not working.

rockfordroo · 03-19-2016, 09:20 PM

Very possible that the gas line has gotten air into it over the winter.

Suggest you get a butane lighter and hold it next to the burner, and let it run until it lights. It could take a minute or two until you get propane to the burner.

Once you've got propane to the burner, it should light normally.

Note that if this is the problem, you may also have to try to light off the water heater and furnace a few times until the gas gets through the lines to them, too. (Unfortunately, you can't use a butane lighter on those!)

UPDATE - It goes without saying that you should also make sure the gas is turned on at the tanks. Your propane regulator may also have locked up. See post #14 here about resetting it:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...t-46244-2.html

zinger60 · 03-20-2016, 07:51 AM

I'm sorry, but I must have explained it incorrectly. Our stove lights fine when we use a butane lighter on it. My question was how to get it to light using the igniter knob on the stove. It would be much easier than using the butane lighter.

DDC · 03-20-2016, 07:58 AM

Lift the top of the stove up and check to see if the wire has fallen off the igniter, ours did that all the time.

Papa-t · 03-20-2016, 08:09 AM

We have always just used a 11" butane lighter instead of the clicker. I've never liked lighting the stove with the clicker. Even with a new unit.

WestCoastRV'er · 03-20-2016, 09:36 AM

I removed the clicker style starter and replaced it with a BBQ electric starter from wally world. Very easy task. Cost about $15
.
.

HikerBob · 03-20-2016, 10:12 AM

Ditto on checking the wires from the ignitor to the burners. Two of ours were not inserted in the ignitor sockets when we lifted the stove pan under the burners. We also have a butane lighter for campfires.

aceinspp · 03-20-2016, 10:25 AM

Also try one of the other burners and turn the knob real fast. later RJD

Grampa Jim · 03-20-2016, 11:58 AM

DDC and Hikerbob are probably the solution to your problem. I've also had wires fall off the electrode terminal under the burner top. You want to have fun? Hold the end of the wire while you're clicking the ignitor....that'll tell you for SURE is you're getting a spark.

zinger60 · 03-20-2016, 12:11 PM

Thanks, everyone! I'll check it out when we get to the camper the next time. Hopefully I can get the top of the stove lifted up. Is it difficult?

Grampa Jim · 03-20-2016, 12:24 PM

Push and lift.....or is it pull and lift?

Edmund · 03-20-2016, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WestCoastRV'er

I removed the clicker style starter and replaced it with a BBQ electric starter from wally world. Very easy task. Cost about $15
.
.

I did the same and it works great!

moligney · 03-20-2016, 01:19 PM

Try the igniter in the dark with lid up. If you see sparks jumping wrap wires with black tape (lengthwise is easiest). Worked wonders for mine

Jim in Halifax · 03-20-2016, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinger60

Thanks, everyone! I'll check it out when we get to the camper the next time. Hopefully I can get the top of the stove lifted up. Is it difficult?

Push top to the back and lift up front centre....

Harkerr · 03-20-2016, 01:30 PM

Also check the gap on the electrode. About 1/8 inch works.

HikerBob · 03-20-2016, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinger60

Thanks, everyone! I'll check it out when we get to the camper the next time. Hopefully I can get the top of the stove lifted up. Is it difficult?

We have a 2011 Rockwood MiniLite etc 181, so I can't be sure if our stove is the same as yours, but no it's not difficult. But use a rag under the front lip to keep from cutting your fingers when you raise it off. I would NOT use a screwdriver as you could easily chip the enamel. It has a clip retainer in the front center and two little "L" brackets at the back that have to be aligned and inserted fully when replacing the top. I also replaced the little screws (or were they rivets) in the hinges for the stove cover with cotter pins, as they fell out over time.

Filterman · 03-20-2016, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

Very possible that the gas line has gotten air into it over the winter.

Suggest you get a butane lighter and hold it next to the burner, and let it run until it lights. It could take a minute or two until you get propane to the burner.

Once you've got propane to the burner, it should light normally.

Note that if this is the problem, you may also have to try to light off the water heater and furnace a few times until the gas gets through the lines to them, too. (Unfortunately, you can't use a butane lighter on those!)

UPDATE - It goes without saying that you should also make sure the gas is turned on at the tanks. Your propane regulator may also have locked up. See post #14 here about resetting it:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...t-46244-2.html

EXACTLy X 2

mnoland30 · 03-20-2016, 07:09 PM

I hate those turn igniters. They just don't work very well.

I drilled a 3/4 inch hole and installed a battery powered igniter from eBay. It keeps clicking until you let go. The problem with the other ones is that the gas needs the spark at just the mixture of oxygen and gas, and it seldom does.

The new igniter is quiet, and it lights every time.

beachcamper · 03-20-2016, 07:55 PM

Did the same thing. Got a battery powered igniter for a three burner grill from Wal-Mart. Wife loves it.

KnP · 03-21-2016, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WestCoastRV'er

I removed the clicker style starter and replaced it with a BBQ electric starter from wally world. Very easy task. Cost about $15.

My igniter works just fine but the piezo electric is a cheesy outdated thing. I told the wife the same thing. Our Gas Grill has a 1 AA cell right on the button and ignites quite easy and quick; why not having one on the stove is beyond me.

However, as a backup, in case that you are in a zombie appocalipse, in the boonies, with enough propane and no batteries or matches, or lighter, or flint will be nice to have the piezo clicker....

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