Ignite Your Gas Grill With an Electronic Ignition

You can buy a new-style spark generator and electrode for about $20 at some home centers and online (one online source is grillparts.com). You’ll probably have to mount it in a different location. That’ll mean abandoning the old piezo unit and drilling a new hole. If you’re OK with that, grab your drill, bits and a rotary tool and get to work. The entire project takes about one hour from start to fire. Here’s how.

Electronic ignition installation steps

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Photo 1: Make a hole

Drill a starter hole and double-check for fit and clearance. Then drill the larger hole with a metal-cutting hole saw.

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Photo 2: Grind grooves

Dial your rotary tool up to high speed and use a cutting wheel to cut grooves 180 degrees apart.

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Photo 3: Connect the electrode wires

Connect the center electrode wire to the positive (+) terminal on the spark generator. Then connect the other wire to the negative (-) terminal.

First, connect the wires from the existing electrode to the new spark generator and press the button. If you get a spark, the old electrode is good and can stay put. If you don’t get a spark (and the battery is installed properly), you’ll have to replace the old electrode as well.

Next, find a new location for the generator that’s within reach of the electrode wires. Make sure the new generator won’t interfere with the gas valves or supply line. Then drill the hole (Photo 1).

The spark generator we bought had side tangs and snap clips to hold it in place. To accommodate those locking features, just cut side grooves in the freshly drilled hole with a rotary tool and a cutoff wheel (Photo 2). Then insert the new spark generator, drop in a new battery, and twist on the push button cap. Connect the electrode wires (Photo 3).