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Blackstone Griddle Hard to Light
Is your Blackstone Griddle hard to light? When you go to use it, do you get inconsistent results from the igniter?
Your Blackstone Griddle needs proper gas flow and airflow to light consistently. If you’re having trouble getting your griddle to light, it could be an issue with your igniter, your regulator, or your airflow. By taking the time to investigate the problem and address the root cause, you can fix this issue in no time.
Let’s take a look at how to light your Blackstone Griddle, common reasons why your griddle may not be lighting, and what you can do to resolve the problem.
How Do You Light a Blackstone Griddle?
To light your Blackstone griddle, you’ll first need to open your connected propane valve to release the gas.
Then, depending on your griddle model, you will either need to turn the burner knob to ignite the griddle or press the igniter button.
Listen for the sound of the burners lighting, which can sound like a “whoosh.” You can also visually check to see if your burners have been successfully lit, but be very careful to avoid touching any surface that may have gotten hot already.
If your burners have not been lit, try igniting the griddle a second time. Sometimes there is not any gas immediately available while you are trying to ignite, which can make the first ignition attempt unsuccessful.
Your griddle may light more easily on the second attempt because of the gas being pushed through the lines during the first try.
What Should the Flame Look Like on Blackstone Griddle?
The flames on your Blackstone Griddle may appear blue or yellow. If your burners’ air gates are letting in more oxygen, the flames are more likely to be yellow.
The color of your flame will be based on the amount of propane being released and the amount of available oxygen.
With higher oxygen levels, you’ll find more yellow flame. This isn’t a problem unless you notice that your griddle isn’t heating properly.
In the case that you have heating issues or flames of different colors across your burners, you will need to clean your burners so that the propane and the oxygen can mix evenly to produce a consistent and effective flame.
You can detach and clean your burners by following this short video tutorial.
Why is My Blackstone Griddle Not Igniting?
There are a few main reasons as to why your Blackstone Griddle isn’t igniting. First, the igniter could be in need of new batteries. It could also be that the igniter was knocked out of position so that the spark isn’t connecting with the gas. Lastly, it could also be an issue with the propane regulator.
Some Blackstone Griddle models require batteries for their igniters. If yours does have batteries, change them out with a fresh pair to see if that will resolve the issue.
The igniters can shift and be knocked out of place while the griddle is shipped or moved around. This can also happen over time as a part of the wear and tear of the griddle. You can carefully lift the flat griddle surface to examine the igniters underneath.
Check that the spark from each igniter is crossing the path of the gas and adjust the positioning if needed.
The igniter needles should be around 1/4” to 1/8” away from your burner tubes. Make sure that the igniters are each pointed at one of the holes on the closest burner tube.
If you do need to adjust the position of your igniters, close your propane valve before moving anything around. You can use your hands to slightly bend the igniter needles until they are in position.
Another potential reason why your griddle may not be lighting is that the propane regulator could be restricting too much of the gas flow.
Propane regulators are designed to control the flow of propane as a safety measure.
Some Blackstone owners have cited a sensitive propane regulator as the source of their ignition issues, especially if the propane valve is opened too quickly.
If you think that you are experiencing an issue with the regulator, you can reset it by closing the propane tank valve and disconnecting the gas line. Then, wait 30-60 seconds and reconnect it.
When you reopen the propane valve, slowly open it about a third of the way and then pause before slowly opening it the rest of the way.
You can also try lighting a burner while the valve is only open partway and see if that helps. If it doesn’t, you may need to replace the regulator.
How Do You Adjust the Airflow on a Blackstone Griddle?
If your griddle isn’t heating up properly and you can only achieve low yellow flames, you might need to adjust the airflow of your Blackstone Griddle. You can do this by carefully removing the individual burners and adjusting the air gates on each one.
To access the burners, you’ll need to remove the griddle top.
Make sure the griddle top is entirely cool before removing it. It is best to team lift the griddle top to avoid damaging the surface or hurting yourself.
Underneath, you’ll find the burner tubes, which you can detach from the griddle unit using a screwdriver. You’ll also need to detach the igniter needle from the burner tube before you’re able to remove the tube.
At the base of each burner tube, you’ll find the air gates, which you can adjust to allow more or less airflow.
Be very careful to avoid blocking the air gates entirely, as you do need airflow. Blocking the full air gate can lead to significant griddle damage, so don’t overlook this detail.
Once you’ve adjusted the air gates, you can reinstall the burner tubes in the griddle unit and reattach the igniter needle. Test out the new airflow by examining your griddle flames and how well the griddle heats up.
Final Thoughts
If you’re experiencing issues with igniting your griddle, it doesn’t mean that your griddle is broken.
With some easy trouble-shooting, you can determine the cause of the issue and make the necessary adjustments to address the issue.
Robert is a certified Pitmaster, with over a decade of experience in smoking the best meats you’ll ever feast upon. He also has a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio. When he’s not researching technical topics, he’s most likely barbecuing in his backyard.