Unlike natural gas that is clean and light, LP gas is a denser, heavier fuel that requires the addition of air to the gas. For some appliances, you have to temporarily bypass the thermocouple in order to light the pilot. Can't keep my flingin'-flangin' gob-smarmin fire pit lit! Once the pilot lights, you should keep depressing the gas valve for at least 10 seconds to give the thermocouple time to warm up. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, Tropitone: Troubleshooting Guide for Fire Pits, The Magic of Fire: Everything You Need to Know About Gas Fire Pit Ignition Systems, Do It Yourself: 5 Reasons the Pilot Light Won't Stay on in Your Gas Fireplace. Don’t put a fire pit under a porch, overhang or tree. I simply cut a hole in the outdoor rug , right where the firepit sits. You can check if the air has been purged if you smell a faint odor of gas and hear hissing near the burner box. Close. If your fire pit is … Functional Fire Pit. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. If you aren't sure, fill the tank or exchange it for a full one. Do it enough and you’ll eventually get what works for you while keeping it safe. If you do not smell any gas, push in the gas valve knob until the air is fully purged from the gas supply hose. If we hold the button down it will stay lit… A DIYer by nature, Deziel regularly shares tips and tricks for a better home and garden at Hunker.com. Usually you hold the gas knob in. Covid - 19 continues to impact worldwide supply chains and present shipping challenges. The gas valve for a fire pit functions the same way as one for a stove or hot water heater, and the operation of the pilot is similar. If you don't do this, gas circulates inside the logs, and when it ignites, it does so with a a bang -- besides being startled, you could potentially get burned as well. The first step in the troubleshooting procedure is to ensure that the propane tank is not empty. Posted by 3 years ... Works great once I can keep it lit. We continue to do our best to estimate accurate product lead times in current market conditions. An avid craftsman and musician, Deziel began writing on home improvement topics in 2010. Air may need to be purged from the gas supply hose. 1. Check for obstructions around the igniter cage and burner ring. Its a pretty terrible design in my opinion, it has no pilot flame just an on off gas valve. Daphne Fire Pit. If the gas is open and you have a spark but the pilot won't light, the pilot tube may be blocked. The pilot lights and stays lit. If you’re looking to up your fire pit game, check out these fit pit … Enjoying an evening around the warmth and comfort of a radiant fire is exciting. 7 Items. This soot is visible as smoke rising from the flames that also leaves a black coating on your fire glass and fire pit. Marin Fire Pit. What if my propane fire pit will not light or stay lit? The thermocouple is usually at fault when the pilot on a propane fire pit or outdoor fireplace won't stay lit -- provided you're not using the fire pit outdoors on a windy day. http://djriptide.comPatio heaters seem to go bad every year or two and I've bought five or six of them over the years. If a gas fire pit is pulling 90,000 BTU (which is normal) then the valve is allowing more gas vapor through to the burner than the liquid can change into gas. Expect something different. ... Love the fire pit but after 5 uses fire will not stay lit. We left the pilot lit for a long time to see if it would ever come on. … I did as others said below and used a compressed air can and tube and blew lots of dust out of the pilot light and thermocouple area. Chris Deziel is a contractor, builder and general fix-it pro who has been active in the construction trades for 40 years. Did you follow the lighting instructions and hold the gas valve knob pushed in for a full 20 seconds after lighting? Not to mention, it’s illegal in many locations. Propane Fire Pit Won't Stay Lit The thermocouple is usually at fault when the pilot on a propane fire pit or outdoor fireplace won't stay lit -- provided you're not using the fire pit outdoors on a windy day. Check the pilot flame. Then I fished the hose through that hole and under the outdoor rug to the place where I wanted to the propane tank to eventually sit. Turn Off Fuel Supply. Functional Fire Pit. Besides that, these builds can serve as an inspirational source of ideas if you want to do your own custom construction. If you empty all the rocks, you will find a long pipe that has holes in it, and then a 2 inch by 3 inch rectangular little cage made of metal that has round holes in it. Patio Heater Won't Stay Lit One common issue that patio heater owners face is keeping their patio heater lit. If the flames are no pulling too hard then at some point the gas vapors will diminish and flames may drop from burning 8″ tall to burning 2″ tall. If the pilot won't stay lit, the problem is usually related to the thermocouple, a heat-sensitive electrode that signals the gas valve to stay open when the pilot is on. It may take longer on cold days, but if the pilot won't stay lit after you hold the valve in for a minute: Tighten the connection between the propane fire pit thermocouple and the gas valve with a wrench; finger-tight is not tight enough. Weston 42" Fire Pit. Open the valve on the propane tank all the way and make sure the tank has fuel -- picking up the tank and estimating its weight is often the best way to tell. Always turn off the fuel supply before working on your fire pit. Otherwise, it won’t burn cleanly and will produce a black soot. Why won't my fireplace pilot stay lit I organized my website to beautifully sort videos by category for you! In cold weather, the gas valve knob may need to be kept pushed in up to a minute after the pilot light is lit to warm up the flame sensor (thermocouple). Hidden Fuel Tank: If you don’t like the look of a fuel tank attached to your fire pit, opt for a fire pit with a hidden fuel tank. Replacing it is a job for a qualified service technician. We put in a new thermo pile and light switch, but it still won't light up the whole bar. Adjust the position of the thermocouple valve relative to the pilot flame; it may be too far away. Thus, the thermocouple will turn off the patio heater as it tricks the gas value in to thinking that the pilot light is out. 2. Pilot will not stay lit. Place your fire pit at least 10-feet away from any structure or combustible surface. 2.1 Step 1: Cover It Up; 2.2 Step 2: Clean the Pilot; 2.3 Step 3: Clean the Thermocouple; 2.4 Step 4: Clean the Pilot Orifice; 2.5 Step 5: Check for Loose Gas Valve; 2.6 Bottom Line; 2.7 Read More: ` This will allow the thermocouple enough time to heat up. My Fireplace Pilot Light Won’t Stay Lit If the pilot light on your gas fireplace won’t stay lit, a very likely culprit is a component called a thermocouple. 2721A East Sharon Road; Cincinnati Ohio 45241 USA; 888-462-6852; info@PlankandHide.com Weston 42" Functional Fire Pit. If you don't see a spark from the ignition when attempting to light the pilot, release the gas valve immediately and wait five minutes before using another method -- such as a match -- to light it. If the pilot flame goes out (e.g., due to wind or water) the thermocouple will close the automatic gas valve to prevent unburned gas from accumulating in the room. He has degrees in science and humanities and years of teaching experience. Why isn't my Fire Pit or Fire Table Lighting? If you’re looking to build your own fire pit– we’ve got you covered.. Below we’ve assembled a list of 20 DIY fire pits- just click the View Plans button to access the free instructions. Choose a spot with good drainage. 2 5 Steps to Follow When Patio Heater Will Not Stay Lit. Once the pilot lights, you should keep depressing the gas valve for at least 10 seconds to give the thermocouple time to warm up. Fire Pit Art [buy on amazon] Hand-crafted in the United States, Fire Pit Art fire pits are constructed with durability and creativity in mind. In most cases, following these procedures will solve your pilot problems, but if you persistently get no pilot flame -- or get a weak one -- the gas valve itself may be at fault. Make sure the propane tank is full, properly connected to the fire pit gas supply hose, and that the propane tank valve is turned on. If the problem still persists, the igniter may need to be cleaned or replaced. Here’s what you’ll need for the project: 1. tape measurer 2. miter saw 3. drill 4. 4. Once the fire pit is assembled, the fuel tank is hidden within, so guests won’t even notice it is there. Soot build-up. Don’t even think about it. Do not use fire pit on wooden decks (place on rock, stone, concrete or bricks). While still easily accessible, it will help keep the focus on your fire pit. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter! One of them may be blocking the thermocouple from the pilot. Once you’ve got the process down, start to stockpile those items you’ll need so you have them on-hand whenever the urge to light your fire pit arises. How to Troubleshoot a Propane Fire Pit Pilot Light. Plank & Hide Co. is a luxury brand in the home furnishings marketplace, building and marketing products that are rich in unique design, craftsmanship, and functionality. Fire Pits - … But every time I use it I have to spend anywhere from several seconds to forever trying to get the gas flowing. We tried sucking out debris from the bar. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, burning trash releases toxins and a ton of smoke. Its purpose is to not allow the gas valve to open if the pilot light isn’t lit. Move any small rocks in the pit away from the pilot tube and thermocouple. When the pilot won't light, you can often trace the problem to a lack of propane, either because the tank is empty or a valve is closed. Inspect burner tube holes for spider webs. If you do not hear a clicking sound, check to ensure the battery is properly installed. Push in the spark igniter switch to check that is making a clicking noise. An easy-access door located at the base of this Hiland propane fire pit allows you to conceal a 20-pound propane tank (not included) and for your added safety, it comes with a thermocouple flame failure device as well. If you are tracing a soot build-up in your fire glass or DIY fire pit’s surface, you need to … Unscrew it from the gas valve with a wrench, and clear it with compressed air from an aerosol can. I relit the pilot light after over 10 years of it being off. Never use lighter fluid or other flammable liquids to light a fire pit fire, you won’t need to anyway if you use an ElectroLight! You can clean the burner holes and pilot cage with a heavy duty pipe cleaner and compressed air to clear away debris. If the battery is properly installed, then replace the battery. Place your fire pit in a spot clear of hanging trees, branches, brushes, or anything else that is flammable, or overhang, for example. A thermocouple is a safety device and is a component of the ignition system. It lit right away and ran it for at least half hour with no issues. The gas valve is controlled by a thermocouple that has no pilot flame so it has to get hot enough to open the gas valve by sitting in the flames. Fire pits are a fantastic addition to any backyard or patio, however keeping a fire pit looking its best and working efficiently and safely, requires maintenance. Position your fire pit at least 10 feet from a building, 20-25 feet is better. Useful fire pit gadgets. I had the exact same problem where my fire pit would light, but only stay lit for about 5 - 10 minutes and then shut off unless I held the knob in. Again, see my foolproof way to start a fire pit fire over on HomeRights website! Nevis Rect. The small rocks that you put into the pit have somehow fallen into this little cage … The thermocouple must heat up to allow the pilot to stay lit when the gas valve knob is released. If it's small and orange-colored, the pilot tube is probably obstructed. Push in the spark igniter switch to check that is making a clicking noise. Weston 42" Functional Fire Pit . If the gas valve has an electronic ignition, press the ignition button a few times -- with the gas valve off -- and verify that you see a spark. He worked as an expert consultant with eHow Now and Pro Referral -- a Home Depot site. The bowl has the Native American god Kokopelli, geckos and sun cutouts around the sides and is constructed from heavy duty 1/4-inch thick carbon steel to make it one of the most durable steel fire pits on the market. The typical cause for this is that the pilot light flame has become too far away from the thermocouple. How much maintenance will depend on criteria such as the quality of construction, the materials from which it is made, the type fuel it burns and how it is kept when not in use. Poker: for stoking the fire Long-reach grabber: to safely add and move logs in the fire Long-length fire lighter: to avoid burning your fingers when lighting the fire Log rack: somewhere to store logs Log carrier: a large bag with handles used to carry wood to the fire pit Ash bucket: to use when cleaning your fire pit Fire pit gloves: to keep your hands safe In terms of choosing a fire pit, the easiest route to go (and often, the most inexpensive and aesthetically-pleasing) is a wood-burning fire pit or bowl. 3. The main rule to remember when starting up your fire pit, whether it runs on propane or natural gas, is get the flame going before you turn on the gas. Please be aware that lead times may change and we are constantly working to get the most up to date information for you. Adeline Fire Pit. If there is still no clicking sound, check to make sure the electrode wire is connected. Like many tasks, starting a fire pit fire well and keeping it going, takes practice. Make sure the propane tank is full, properly connected to the fire pit gas supply hose, and that the propane tank valve is turned on. I found the answer to the propane fire pit that won't stay lit. But it sure is frustrating hearing the "click-click-click" without seeing the glow of a yellow and orange flame.Here are possible reasons why your fire … Unfortunatley I have a gas fire place that will not stay lit. Never depress the gas valve unless you're trying to light the pilot. Trash is one of the worst materials to burn in your backyard fire pit. Show. Clean the pilot tube with compressed air. After it arrived, the process of hiding the hose and tank probably took less than 15 minutes.