Refrigerator clicking noise on gas mode?

It takes an excruciatingly long time to purge the air from the propane line to my fridge if it's been more than a few days since the fridge was last lit. Starting the stove burners does not seem to help. They light almost immediately.

I have to sit there holding down the knob with my ear to the chimney listening for the "whistle." When the whistle starts the propane is close, and when it stops it is time to hit the ignitor button.