If you’re looking for an easy way to cook burgers, chicken, fish, and more, then a Blackstone griddle is the tool for you. But to get anything out of your griddle, you need to know how to ignite it, right? There’s been some confusion on how to light Blackstone griddles, so I’m here to set the record straight.
One of the sources of confusion is the fact that different models of Blackstone griddles have different ignition methods. Some models, such as the Blackstone Original 28″ griddle, use a push-button ignition system.
Other models, such as the Blackstone Original 17″ Tabletop griddle, have an integrated ignition system without any obvious ignition button.
I believe most people get confused by the second method due to the lack of a dedicated button. However, this system is very easy to use once you learn how. Of course, the ignition process is described in the manual that comes with your griddle, but I’ll go ahead and explain it here as well.
Before we even begin, I am going to assume your gas tank is already connected to the griddle and that you have turned on the gas at the tank. If you have not done these things, please do so now. Otherwise, you’re not going to ignite anything.
Table of Contents
- Blackstone Griddles With Push-Button Ignition
- Blackstone Griddles With Built-in Ignition
- How To Know If Your Blackstone Griddle Has Ignited
- Conclusion
- FAQ
Blackstone Griddles With Push-Button Ignition
If your Blackstone griddle has a push-button ignition system, igniting it is extremely easy.
This type of igniter requires an AA battery to operate. The griddle usually doesn’t come with a battery, so you’ll need to provide your own. To install the battery, simply unscrew the cap of the igniter button (counter-clockwise) and insert the battery into the compartment.
Once you have the AA battery installed, you can ignite the griddle.
To do that you simply need to push and rotate the ignition burner knob counter-clockwise to the max position. And then you just need to push and hold the igniter button until the burner lights. If the burner doesn’t light within about 5 seconds, to be safe, you should turn off the burner and wait for a couple of minutes before trying again.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1:
Turn ON the gas at your LP tank/cylinder. Make sure to turn the knob slowly.
Step 2:
Turn ON the gas at the griddle. To do that, push and rotate the ignition burner knob counter-clockwise to the max position (usually marked in orange color). The ignition burner is usually the one closest to the ignition button.
Step 3:
Push and hold the ignition button until the burner is lit. If the burner doesn’t light after 5 seconds, turn off the burner and wait a couple of minutes before trying again.
Step 4:
Once the ignition burner is lit, you can usually light the rest of the burners by turning them to the max. Start with the burner closest to the previously lit burner. There’s no need to push the igniter button anymore.
Step 5:
Set the burners to the desired temperature and you’re ready to cook!
Blackstone Griddles With Built-in Ignition
This type of ignition system requires no batteries. It’s perhaps even simpler than the push-button system but when people are not used to it, the lack of a dedicated ignition button can be confusing.
The spark that ignites the gas is created by a small piezoelectric crystal located in the built-in igniter under the control knob.
To ignite the gas, simply push and hold the knob while slowly turning it counterclockwise. You will hear the gas hissing followed by a click. On most models, there is a spot on the burner dial that’s marked with a lightning symbol. Once you reach this spot, you should hear the clicking sound.
This click is the sound of the piezo device being activated and creating a spark. The click sound should be followed by a whoosh sound of the gas igniting. If you don’t hear the gas igniting, repeat the process. It’s recommended to wait at least 5 minutes before trying again. This gives the gas time to dissipate from below the griddle top.
Once the gas is ignited, continue to turn the knob counterclockwise to your desired cooking temperature.
If you have one of the larger Blackstones with multiple burners, repeat the process with the rest of the burners.
As with the push-button ignition, the built-in ignition may sometimes suffer from several issues. The most common one is that the igniter wire position needs to be readjusted. Check out my Blackstone igniter troubleshooting guide to learn more.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1:
Turn ON the gas at your LP tank/cylinder. Make sure to turn the knob slowly.
Step 2:
Push and rotate the burner knob counter-clockwise to the “Light” position. This will turn the gas on and immediately ignite it.
Step 3:
Set the burner to the desired cooking temperature.
Step 4:
Repeat the steps with the rest of the burners.
How To Know If Your Blackstone Griddle Has Ignited
With gas griddles, it’s not always easy to tell if they have ignited or not. This is because the burners are hidden under the griddle top. With gas grills, it’s much easier to tell because the flames are visible through the grates.
If you’re not sure if your griddle has ignited, there are a few ways to tell.
- Sound – The first way to tell is by sound. If the gas has ignited, you should hear a faint whooshing noise. If the gas has not ignited, you will only hear the hissing of the gas.
- Smell – The second way to tell is by smell. If the gas has not ignited, you will smell a fairly strong propane odor. If the gas has ignited, you should only smell a faint odor.
- Flames – The third way to tell is by looking for flames. Yes, the burners are hidden under the griddle top but there is a small gap between the edge of the griddle top and the side of the griddle. If you look closely, you will be able to see small flames coming from the burners.
- Touch – The fourth way to tell is by touch. Place your hand about 6 inches above the griddle surface. If the griddle is ignited, you should feel a slight warmth coming from the griddle.
So, those are a few ways to tell if your Blackstone griddle has ignited or not.
Conclusion
So that’s how you ignite a Blackstone griddle whether it has an igniter button or a built-in ignition.
As you can see, it’s not difficult but there are a few things that you need to know.
If you follow the steps in this article, you’ll be cooking on your griddle in no time.
FAQ
How do I light my Blackstone griddle if it doesn't have an ignition button?
If your Blackstone griddle doesn’t have an ignition button, it has a built-in ignition system. You light the burners simply by turning the burner knobs counter-clockwise to the max or “light” position.
My Blackstone griddle refuses to light, is there anything I can do?
If you are short on time, you can simply light the burners manually with a long lighter or match stick.
