An Introduction to Oven Ignitors

Gas ovens typically use an ignitor (also called an igniter) to control the flow of gas to the heating elements. There are several types of ignitors in use, but the most common is a glowbar ignitor. Glowbar ignitors sense the heat from a flame, so when a flame is doused, it then shuts off the gas. Basically, the ignitor sits in the flame produced by the heating elements and the heat from the element lowers the resistance of the ignitor allowing gas to flow through the gas valve. When the flames die out for any reason, the resistance of the ignitor increases and the valve shuts off. Some higher end gas ovens may use two separate ignitors -- one for baking and one for broiling. In these dual systems, the two ignitors are completely independent of each other.

Gas oven ignitors come in two basic types -- flat or round. In general, all flat ignitors are the same and all round ignitors are the same, but the two types are not interchangeable. If an oven comes with a flat ignitor, the replacement must be another flat ignitor. If it comes with a round ignitor, the replacement must be another round ignitor. The easiest way to determine which ignitor is appropriate for a specific oven is to look up the oven online. According to Dan Seligson, Vice President of E-Commerce at PartStore.com, "Knowing your model number and entering it into the search field of an online parts store will ensure that you get the correct type of ignitor for your oven."

The oven ignitor is typically located below the oven cavity, directly above the oven burner. Depending on the oven model, this area will either be accessible through the warming or broiler drawer below the oven or by removing the bottom panel of the oven itself. The ignitor may be directly visible or it may be obscured by the flame spreader, a flat metal sheet resting above both elements. The flame spreader should lift out easily, if necessary. If the oven has a separate broil ignitor, it is typically located at the top of the oven cavity instead of the bottom.

Most of the time when a gas oven stops working, the problem is with the ignitor. Many of these problems are visible; the ignitor may have visible cracks or even breaks or it may have a very dull glow instead of its normal hot white or yellow appearance during oven operation. Broken ignitors should be replaced.

If the oven is under warranty, the manufacturer should handle replacing the part. If not, read on for detailed instructions on on how to install an oven ignitor.

More Information on Replacing Oven Ignitors

Humphrey House has a story about how replacing the oven ignitors in their Dacor PGR30 oven solved their problem with a slow-heating oven.