The basic steps to light your fireplace pilot
To light a pilot light on a fireplace, you turn the control knob to the "Pilot" position, press and hold it down, and use a long lighter or match to ignite the gas coming from the pilot opening while you hold the knob. Once the pilot flame appears, you keep holding the knob for 30 to 60 seconds so the thermocouple — a heat-sensing device — warms up and tells the gas valve to stay open. Then you release the knob and turn it to "On" or "Ignition" to light the main burner.
The whole process usually takes less than two minutes. If the pilot won't stay lit after you release the knob, the thermocouple may need cleaning or replacement, or the gas supply itself may be blocked. Most fireplaces have the control knob on the front or side of the unit, and the pilot opening is a small hole or tube near the main burner.
Key Takeaways
- Turn the control knob to "Pilot," press and hold it, then light the pilot opening with a long lighter or match while holding the knob down.
- Keep the knob pressed for 30 to 60 seconds after the pilot ignites so the thermocouple heats up and locks the gas valve open.
- If the pilot light goes out when you release the knob, the thermocouple is likely dirty or failing and may need cleaning or replacement.
- A working pilot should produce a steady blue flame about half an inch tall; a yellow or flickering flame means the burner needs cleaning.
Locating the control knob and pilot opening
The control knob is usually mounted on the front face of the fireplace unit, below or to the side of the main burner. It may be labeled with positions like "Off," "Pilot," "On," and "Ignition." Some knobs are push-turn, meaning you push in while turning; others are straightforward rotary knobs. Check your fireplace manual or the label on the unit itself if you are unsure which knob controls the pilot.
The pilot opening is a small hole or thin tube that sits near the main burner, often protected by a metal shroud or access panel. You may need to remove a decorative cover or grate to see it clearly. The opening is where the pilot flame emerges, and it is usually no more than an eighth of an inch wide. If you cannot locate it, trace the gas line from the control knob — it leads directly to the pilot burner.
Using the right tool to light the pilot
A long lighter — the kind used for candles or grills — is the safest and easiest tool. It keeps your hand and arm away from the burner and gives you a steady flame that is straightforward to direct into the pilot opening. Long lighters are inexpensive and available at any hardware store or supermarket.
A long wooden match works just as well if you do not have a lighter. Strike the match, then hold it near the pilot opening while you press and hold the control knob. Avoid using short matches or your fingers to hold a flame near the burner — you risk burning yourself, and the flame may go out before you can ignite the pilot.
Holding the knob and waiting for the thermocouple to warm
Once you see the pilot flame ignite, do not release the knob when ready. The thermocouple is a small metal rod that sits in the pilot flame and heats up when exposed to it. As it warms, it sends a signal to the gas valve that tells it to stay open. This process takes 30 to 60 seconds, depending on the fireplace model.
If you release the knob too soon, the thermocouple will not be warm enough to hold the valve open, and the pilot will shut off as soon as you let go. If you hold the knob for the full minute and the pilot stays lit after you release it, the thermocouple is working correctly. If the pilot goes out, try again and hold the knob longer, or the thermocouple may need attention.
What a healthy pilot flame looks like
A working pilot should produce a steady, bright blue flame about half an inch tall. The flame should be centered on the pilot opening and should not flicker or dance. A small amount of yellow at the very tip of the flame is normal, but if the flame is mostly yellow or orange, the burner opening is likely clogged with dust or debris.
If the flame is weak, very small, or keeps going out, the pilot tube may be partially blocked. You can try cleaning the opening with a thin wire or compressed air, but be gentle — the opening is fragile. If cleaning does not help, the thermocouple or the gas valve itself may be failing and will need professional service.
Turning on the main burner after the pilot is lit
Once the pilot is burning steadily and you have held the knob for a full minute, turn the knob to "On," "Ignition," or whatever position your fireplace uses to light the main burner. The main burner should ignite from the pilot flame within a few seconds. If it does not, turn the knob back to "Pilot" and try again, making sure the pilot flame is strong and centered.
Some fireplaces have a separate ignition button you press after turning the knob. Check your manual or the label on the unit to see if yours does. Once the main burner is lit, you can adjust the flame height with the control knob or a separate dial, depending on your model.
Troubleshooting when the pilot will not stay lit
If the pilot lights but goes out as soon as you release the knob, the thermocouple is usually the problem. It may be dirty, bent, or failing. You can try gently cleaning the tip of the thermocouple with a soft cloth or fine sandpaper to remove any buildup, but if that does not work, it will need to be replaced. Thermocouple replacement is a straightforward job for a service technician and typically costs between $100 and $300.
If the pilot will not light at all, check that the gas supply to the fireplace is turned on. Look for a gas valve on the line leading to the unit — it should be parallel to the pipe when open and perpendicular when closed. If the valve is off, turn it parallel to the pipe and try lighting the pilot again. If the gas is on but the pilot still will not light, the pilot tube may be clogged, or the igniter itself may be faulty.
When to call a professional
If you have tried lighting the pilot twice and it will not stay lit, or if the pilot lights but the main burner will not ignite, stop and call a fireplace service technician. Continuing to try can waste gas and may indicate a problem that requires professional diagnosis. A technician can test the thermocouple, clean the burner, check the gas pressure, and replace any faulty parts.
You should also call a professional if you smell gas but cannot see a flame, or if the flame is yellow or orange instead of blue. These are signs of incomplete combustion or a gas leak, both of which are safety concerns. Do not attempt to fix these problems yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I hold the knob down after the pilot lights?
Hold it for 30 to 60 seconds. This gives the thermocouple time to heat up and signal the gas valve to stay open. If you release too soon, the pilot will shut off. If you hold it longer, that is fine — just do not release until you are sure the thermocouple is warm.
What if I smell gas but do not see a flame?
Turn the control knob to "Off" when ready and open windows to ventilate the room. Do not light any matches or use electrical switches. Call your gas company or a fireplace technician right away. A gas smell without a flame means gas is escaping into the room, which is a safety hazard.
Can I light the pilot with a regular match instead of a long lighter?
Yes, but a long lighter is safer because it keeps your hand farther from the burner. If you use a match, light it first, then hold the knob and bring the match to the pilot opening. Be quick — a match flame is shorter and burns faster than a lighter flame.
Why does the pilot light go out after a few seconds?
The thermocouple is not staying warm enough to hold the gas valve open. This usually means the thermocouple is dirty, bent, or failing. Try cleaning the tip gently with a soft cloth. If that does not work, the thermocouple will need to be replaced by a technician.
Is it normal for the pilot flame to be yellow?
A small amount of yellow at the tip is normal, but the flame should be mostly blue. If the flame is mostly yellow or orange, the pilot opening is clogged with dust. Try cleaning it gently with a thin wire or compressed air. If the flame stays yellow after cleaning, the burner may need professional service.