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Install a oven igniter?

IBcarguy
Explorer
Explorer
The oven in our new trailer is a pain in the neck to light the pilot when DW wants to use it. I have to literally get on my hands and knees to light the pilot to turn it on. Has anyone installed a battery operated igniter? I'm surprised that the manufacturer doesn't do this as a standard feature. I've seen igniters for sale where BBQs are sold and I don't think it would be a big deal. I would have to make a small bracket to mount it, run the wire so it wouldn't get in the way of anything and find a easy place to locate the switch. Do you think the heat from the oven would hurt the igniter or wires? I think they are heat resistant since I see them all the time in BBQs.
12 REPLIES 12

Almot
Explorer III
Explorer III
One thing with those battery igniters - besides the bracket that you might need to attach the sparky thingy, the hole in front panel should match the button. If you need to enlarge it, it's a bit of work. But the result is worth it.

DrewE
Explorer II
Explorer II
fj12ryder wrote:
^^^^^^^Sound scary. I thought all gas stoves with pilot lights had to have a thermocouple due to safety regs. Learn something new every day. What stops gas from flowing if you just turn the oven on and the pilot isn't lit?


On ovens with this design, which was actually quite common for many years, there is a safety valve between the thermostatic valve and the main burner that is activated by heat from the pilot flame.

When on standby, the pilot flame is very small--not much bigger than a pinhead. When the thermostatic valve determines that heat is needed, it turns on the gas to the safety valve and simultaneously increases the gas flow to the pilot, making it more candle-flame sized. The enlarged pilot flame heats up the safety valve's sensor and soon it opens, letting the main burner ignite. If the pilot has gone out, the safety valve never opens.

Assuming one isn't attempting to use the oven, the rate of gas flow into the oven cavity from a pilot that goes out is quite small, but it still could conceivably collect enough in time to cause a rather impressive result when it does ignite.

cpaulsen
Explorer
Explorer
Last one I did....ought the igniter at WM.....took about 30 minutes to install...worked great.
cpaulsen

fj12ryder
Explorer III
Explorer III
^^^^^^^Sound scary. I thought all gas stoves with pilot lights had to have a thermocouple due to safety regs. Learn something new every day. What stops gas from flowing if you just turn the oven on and the pilot isn't lit?
Howard and Peggy

"Don't Panic"

j-d
Explorer II
Explorer II
Our oven circa 2002, can have pilot lit when the knob is simply turned to "Pilot" but it takes a number of tries. If I order up an oven temperature, the pilot lights, flared up to light the burner, right away. I still have to get down there but that's what I do.

I've read the threads on this, and if I WERE to do an oven ignitor, it would NOT be tied to the stovetop igniter.

Why? Well, Oven Pilot was lit but went out. This has happened to me. Pilot does not have a thermocouple so LPG will continue to flow into the oven. Small amount, but oven could be flooded with LPG. Could just blow the door off like Mex said.
If God's Your Co-Pilot Move Over, jd
2003 Jayco Escapade 31A on 2002 Ford E450 V10 4R100 218" WB

sonora
Explorer
Explorer
I just did this to my stove top and oven this spring. BEST thing I ever did.

fj12ryder
Explorer III
Explorer III
I suppose you could cause that to happen if you turned on the pilot light switch and waited a sufficient amount of time to build up some gas you could get a "boom". But if you did the same and used a Bernz-O-Matic you'd still get a boom and lose all facial hair at the same time. Maybe you need "greater than a double digit I.Q." 🙂
Howard and Peggy

"Don't Panic"

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Explorer
Bernz-O-Matic. Rented house. The owner tried the piezo when I moved in and the concussion blew the oven door open. "Mabe" Mexican stove. "Mabe" it'll work but I use the torch.

K_Charles
Explorer
Explorer
You take the igniter for the top burners and put the battery powered one there. You don't need to make a bracket.

fj12ryder
Explorer III
Explorer III
They work great, I did it with our oven and it sure saves the knees.
Howard and Peggy

"Don't Panic"

IBcarguy
Explorer
Explorer
thanks for the link!

2oldman
Explorer II
Explorer II
Oven ignitor

..and another
"If I'm wearing long pants, I'm too far north" - 2oldman

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