The basic steps to light your gas log pilot

To light a pilot light on gas logs, you will turn the control knob to the "Pilot" position, hold down the ignition button while bringing a long lighter or match to the pilot burner opening, and keep the button pressed for 30 to 60 seconds after the flame appears. Once the thermocouple (the metal rod near the flame) heats up, you can release the button and turn the knob to "On" to run the logs normally.

The whole process takes about two minutes from start to finish. If the pilot does not light on the first try, wait five minutes before attempting again—this lets any unburned gas clear from the firebox. Most pilot lights stay lit once they catch, but if yours keeps going out, the thermocouple may need cleaning or replacement.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn the control knob to "Pilot" and press the ignition button while lighting the pilot burner with a long lighter or match held near the opening.
  • Keep the ignition button pressed for 30 to 60 seconds after the flame appears so the thermocouple heats up and keeps the gas valve open.
  • If the pilot does not light, wait five minutes and try again rather than attempting repeatedly in quick succession.
  • A pilot light that goes out repeatedly usually means the thermocouple is dirty or failing and may need professional service.

Locate the pilot burner and control knob

Open the front panel or access door of your gas logs to see inside the firebox. The pilot burner is a small opening, usually near the bottom front of the unit, and it will have a thin metal rod (the thermocouple) running next to it. The control knob is mounted on the outside of the unit, typically at the bottom or side, and it will have positions labeled "Off," "Pilot," and "On."

Before you do anything, make sure the knob is already in the "Off" position. If you are relighting a pilot that has gone out, leave the knob off for at least five minutes to let any gas in the firebox disperse. This step prevents a buildup of unburned gas, which can cause a small pop or flame surge when you light the pilot.

Turn the knob to Pilot and prepare to ignite

Rotate the control knob slowly to the "Pilot" position. You will hear a faint hissing sound as gas begins to flow to the pilot burner. Have your long lighter or long fireplace match ready before you move to the next step—you want to light the pilot quickly once the gas is flowing.

A long lighter (the kind sold for candles or fireplaces) works better than a short match because it keeps your hand farther from the opening and gives you better control. If you are using a match, light it first, then hold it steady near the pilot opening. Do not try to light the match while holding it in position—you will burn your fingers.

Press the ignition button and light the pilot

Press and hold the ignition button (usually located next to or below the control knob) while bringing your lighter or match to the pilot burner opening. The button may click repeatedly as it creates sparks, or it may straightforward hold the gas valve open for manual ignition. Bring the flame close to the opening—within an inch or so—until the pilot light catches.

You should see a small blue flame appear at the pilot burner. The moment it lights, keep holding the ignition button down. Do not release it yet, even though the pilot is now burning. The button needs to stay pressed for another 30 to 60 seconds while the thermocouple heats up. If you release too early, the flame will go out because the thermocouple has not warmed enough to signal the gas valve to stay open.

Hold the button and wait for the thermocouple to heat

Continue pressing the ignition button for the full 30 to 60 seconds. Watch the pilot flame—it should burn steadily and blue. If the flame is yellow or orange, the burner opening may be dirty, but the pilot will usually still light and stay lit. After about 45 seconds, the thermocouple will be hot enough to keep the gas valve open on its own.

If you are unsure whether 60 seconds have passed, count slowly or use the timer on your phone. Holding the button for a few extra seconds does no harm and actually increases the chance the pilot will stay lit once you release it. The worst outcome of holding too long is a slightly warmer thermocouple, which is fine.

Release the button and turn the knob to On

After 60 seconds, slowly release the ignition button while keeping your eyes on the pilot flame. The flame should stay lit. If it goes out the moment you release the button, wait five minutes and try the whole process again—the thermocouple may not have heated enough, or there may be a small amount of debris blocking the gas flow.

Once the pilot is holding steady on its own, turn the control knob from "Pilot" to "On." The main burner should ignite, and you will see a larger flame across the logs. If the main burner does not light, turn the knob back to "Off," wait a minute, and try again. The pilot flame should remain lit even when the main burner is off.

Troubleshoot if the pilot will not stay lit

A pilot light that goes out within a few minutes of release usually means the thermocouple is not heating properly or is not positioned correctly. The thermocouple is the thin metal rod next to the pilot burner, and it must sit directly in the flame to work. If it is bent or moved out of position, the flame will not heat it enough to keep the valve open.

You can try gently straightening the thermocouple with your fingers (after the unit has cooled) so it sits closer to the pilot flame. If the pilot still goes out, the thermocouple may be dirty or failing. A small amount of soot or corrosion on the thermocouple can prevent it from heating up. Some people have success cleaning the tip gently with fine sandpaper or a soft cloth, but if the problem continues, the thermocouple will likely need replacement by a service technician.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I hold the ignition button?

Hold the button for 30 to 60 seconds after the pilot flame appears. This gives the thermocouple time to heat up so it can signal the gas valve to stay open. If you release too early, the flame will go out. Holding for a few extra seconds is fine and actually safer.

What if the pilot light is yellow or orange instead of blue?

A yellow or orange flame usually means the pilot burner opening is dirty or partially blocked. The pilot will often still light and stay lit, but the flame color tells you the burner needs cleaning. You can try gently blowing into the opening or using a thin wire to clear any debris, but be careful not to damage the burner itself.

Can I use a regular match or lighter instead of a long one?

A long lighter or long fireplace match is safer because it keeps your hand farther from the hot opening and gives you better control. A regular lighter or short match will work, but you risk burning your fingers or dropping the match into the firebox. Long lighters are inexpensive and sold at most hardware stores.

Why does my pilot light keep going out after I turn the knob to On?

If the pilot stays lit when the knob is on "Pilot" but goes out when you turn it to "On," the main burner may be pulling too much gas and starving the pilot. This is rare but can happen if the gas line is partially blocked. Have the unit inspected by a service technician.

How often do I need to relight the pilot?

A healthy pilot light should stay lit indefinitely once it is burning. If you have to relight it every few days or weeks, the thermocouple is likely failing or dirty. A pilot that goes out only after months of use may straightforward have been blown out by a draft or a power outage that affected the ignition system.