
Image Courtesy: Portland Seminary
Back in the days, charcoal grills were the only option we had for our barbecue weekends. Even though traditional charcoal grills undoubtedly cook the tastiest foods, setting up the grill is usually hectic.
You have to search for the best charcoal briquettes and set up your grill properly to use it effectively. Moreover, you have to contend with the mess that these grills often leave behind, long after the party is over.
Fortunately, gas grills came along and saved the day. From natural gas grills to propane gas grills, you now have more options as far as choosing the right grill is concerned. You no longer have to struggle with loading charcoal, controlling grill temperature, and dealing with uneven heat.
1. Turning On Gas Grill Using an Auto Ignition Starter

Photo Credit: American Propane
Open the lid of the grill
As a rule of thumb, the lid of your grill should be open before turning any knobs. Closing the lid could pose a danger of explosion as a result of gas building up in the grill. Make sure the gas knob is off and leave the lid open for a few minutes to dissipate any leaked gas.
Attach the gas line to the gas tank
Next, hook the gas line behind or beneath the grill firmly to the tank as per the instructions on the user manual. This will help prevent leakages and ensure that the supply of gas is unhindered.
Turn on the gas
Locate the gas shut-off valve on top of the tank and turn it on by rotating it clockwise or counterclockwise from a closed to an open position, parallel to the pipe. Depending on the brand, your grill may have a secondary valve that you need to turn on as well to allow gas to move through the line to the appliance.
Start the fire using the auto ignition button
Many modern gas grills come equipped with an auto-ignition button. With this igniter, you don’t have to light up your grill using a matchstick. To fire up your grill, you just need to turn the gas regulator knob, and burner and then press the auto ignition button. Pushing this button will cause the igniter to produce sparks and light the gas. After lighting the first burner, you should turn on all the remaining burners.
Preheat the Grill
Before cooking, you should preheat the grill for a few minutes (15-20 minutes) to your desired temperature. Close the lid to hasten the process and allow the grill to heat up appropriately.
Ready to cook
Monitor the temperature using a grill thermometer until you attain the desired range. Adjust the settings as you wish and start grilling.
2. Lighting Up Gas Grill Manually
If your gas grill doesn’t have an auto-ignition system, or the current one is faulty, then you have no other choice than to light it manually. Here are the steps:
Open the lid of the grill
Always keep the lid open before lighting up the grill to prevent a potential explosion. If you leave the lid closed, gas fumes may build up in the grill and create a safety hazard.
Hook up the gas line to the tank
Locate your gas line and hook it up to the tank or gas supply. Inspect the gas supply line and make sure the connection is intact to prevent the possibility of leakages.
Open the gas supply valve
Open the shutoff valve for the gas supply from a closed to an open position to allow the gas to move from the tank to the grill. If your grill has a secondary valve, turn it on to an open position as well. Wait a few seconds or minutes to allow the gas to fill up the supply line.
Light and place a match on the lighting hole
Your grill should have a lighting hole on the side. Locate this hole and place a match inside. Light the match inside the lighting hole using a second match, and then turn on the knob of the burner closest to the hole. Once the first burner is lit, turn on the regulator knobs of all the remaining burners.
Preheat your grill and use it as desired
Close the lid and preheat your grill for 15-20 minutes to your desired temperature. Now your gas grill is lit and you are ready to cook delicious meals.
3. Troubleshooting Your Gas Grill
If you are facing challenges turning on your gas grill, even after trying out the above steps, then perhaps it is time to troubleshoot your grill. Here are a few tips to help you resolve any issues affecting your gas grill.
Inspect your gas tank and gas supply
Start by inspecting your gas tank for leakages or any faults. The gas supply line should be connected to the grill appropriately, and it should be open. Also, check whether the tank is empty and replace it accordingly.
Light up your gas grill manually
Test the ignition button by pressing it several times and listening to the sound produced. If the starter button is faulty, it will produce a different sound than normal. If this is the case, consider lighting your gas grill manually using a match stick.
Replace faulty burners, regulators, and supply lines
Inspect your burners, regulators, supply lines, and ignition buttons, and replace any faulty components accordingly.
Inspect electrical lines
Although your gas grill is intended for outdoor use, it probably uses batteries and electrical lines for lighting, auto ignition, and temperature control. These lines and batteries can yield to the effects of wear and tear and become lose or drain power. If you notice any issues, tighten loose electrical lines and replace flat batteries.