Work your way through the list of fixes below.
If the Blackstone still isn’t sparking, you likely need to replace the entire spark generator.
You can jump this step by clicking here.
1. Change the Battery on the Push Button Starter
If the battery is dead, there isn’t a way to send voltage to generate the spark.
The Blackstone uses 1 AA Battery.
Simply unscrew the push button starter, remove the old battery and add a new one.
2. Clean the Igniter Electrode
The igniter rod will accumulate carbon, grease, or even food debris over time.
Wipe the igniter electrode clean with a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol.
When cleaning the igniter rod, be sure not to knock the igniter rod out of place.
3. Check the Positioning of the Igniter Electrode
The igniter needle should be roughly 1/4 inch from the burner tube.
If you notice the electrode was knocked loose, simply move the needle so that it faces the tube and so that the needle is roughly 1/4 inch away from the burner.
4. Check the Spark Generator for Loose Wiring
A spark generator – like the one Blackstone uses is comprised of 3 parts:
- A Spark generator
- Ground wire
- Spark wire
If either of the wires is loose or unplugged, the spark generator will not work.
Simply plug the wires back into the spark generator.
5. Replacing the Entire System
For some reason, Blackstone doesn’t offer these parts on their official website – apart from the push button for the igniter.
I opted to buy a replacement from Outspark on Amazon.
Note: Ensure that you’re buying a replacement that’s specified for your griddle.
Follow these steps to replace the Spark Generator
1. Start by first unscrewing the push button starter and the locking nut.
2. Unplug the ground wire and spark wire from the spark generator.
3. Remove the front panel from the griddle by removing the screws on the side.
4. The spark generator can then be removed from its housing.
5. Unscrew the spark wire from inside the griddle.
6. Install the new spark wire and ensure it’s roughly 1/4″ from the burner.
7. Place the new spark generator in the metal housing.
8. Place the ground disc over the back side of where the push button starter is threaded and the battery is housed.
This is how Blackstone had it installed, so I simply kept it how they did it.
In some cases I’ve seen these as a disc that is affixed with a screw.
9. You then want to put the spark generator back through the front panel and thread the starter with the locking nut.
Note: Ensure the sockets are visible.
10. Plug the ground wire in (again, the socket – top or bottom – does not matter).
11. You can then plug the spark wire in and reinstall the front panel.
When putting the front panel back on, ensure all the propane burners line back up with their respective burner knob/tube.
12. You can then put a new AA battery into the spark generator and then put the push button starter back on.
The positive end of the battery faces you, not the griddle.
The igniter rod should now make the stereotypical “clicking” sound when you press the push button starter.
6. If All Else Fails, Light the Burner With a Candle Lighter
Hold the candle lighter where the propane burner is and light the first burner.
After which you can ignite the other burners as you normally would.
