Light the pilot with a long lighter or match
To turn on your fireplace pilot light, you need a long lighter or long fireplace match — the kind with an extended handle that keeps your hand away from the flame. A regular kitchen match or lighter will work in a pinch, but you risk burning your fingers. Hold the lighter or match near the pilot burner opening (usually a small brass or steel tube inside the firebox) and look for the ignition port — a tiny hole where gas flows out.
Turn the control knob to the "Pilot" position if your fireplace has one. Some models have a separate pilot knob; others use a single dial with marked positions. Once the knob is set, press it inward while holding the flame to the pilot opening. You should see a small blue flame ignite within a few seconds. Keep the knob pressed for 30 to 60 seconds after the flame appears — this allows the thermocouple (a heat-sensing device) to warm up and signal that the pilot is burning safely.
Release the knob slowly. If the pilot flame stays lit, you have successfully ignited it. If it goes out when ready, wait a minute for the thermocouple to cool, then repeat the process. Some pilots need two or three attempts, especially if the fireplace has not been used in months.
Key Takeaways
- Use a long lighter or fireplace match to keep your hand at a safe distance from the flame.
- Turn the control knob to "Pilot" and press it inward while holding the flame to the pilot opening.
- Keep the knob pressed for 30 to 60 seconds after ignition so the thermocouple can warm up.
- If the pilot goes out after you release the knob, wait one minute and try again — multiple attempts are normal.
- Once the pilot is lit, you can turn the knob to "On" to ignite the main burner, or leave it on "Pilot" only.
Locate the pilot burner and control knob
Before you light anything, find the pilot burner inside your fireplace. Open the fireplace door or access panel and look for a small metal tube, usually brass or stainless steel, positioned near the bottom of the firebox. This tube has a tiny opening at the end — that is where the pilot flame burns. Next to it, you will see the control knob, which may be mounted on the front of the fireplace, on the side, or even inside the firebox itself depending on your model.
Check the knob positions. Most fireplaces have three settings: "Off," "Pilot," and "On." Some older models have a fourth setting, "Ignition," which you hold down while lighting. Read any labels printed on or near the knob — they tell you which direction to turn for each setting. If the labels are worn away, the "Pilot" position is usually in the middle.
Check that gas is reaching the pilot
If you turn the knob to "Pilot" and press it, but no gas smell reaches you and no flame appears, the gas supply may be off. Look for a gas shut-off valve — a small lever or knob on the gas line leading into your fireplace. It should be parallel to the pipe (in line with the flow) to allow gas through, or perpendicular (across the pipe) to block it. If it is perpendicular, turn it parallel and wait 30 seconds for gas to reach the pilot.
If the valve is already in the "on" position and you still smell no gas, the main gas supply to your home may be off, or there may be a blockage in the line. Do not attempt to clear a gas line yourself. Contact your gas company or a licensed fireplace technician. If you smell gas but the pilot will not light after several attempts, stop trying and call for service — a persistent ignition problem usually means the thermocouple needs replacement or the ignition system has failed.
Turn on the main burner after the pilot is lit
Once the pilot flame is burning steadily (a small blue flame about the size of a pea), you can turn on the main burner. Turn the control knob from "Pilot" to "On." You should hear a soft whoosh as gas flows to the main burner, and the larger flames should ignite from the pilot flame within a few seconds. If the main burner does not light within 10 seconds, turn the knob back to "Off," wait one minute, and try again.
If the main burner lights but the flames look yellow or orange instead of blue, or if you smell gas, turn everything off when ready and let the fireplace cool for 15 minutes. Yellow flames mean incomplete combustion, usually caused by dust or debris in the burner. Open the fireplace door and use a soft brush or compressed air to gently clean the burner ports, then try again. If the problem persists, the burner may need professional cleaning.
Troubleshoot if the pilot will not stay lit
A pilot that lights but goes out as soon as you release the knob usually means the thermocouple is not warming up properly. The thermocouple is a small metal rod that sits in the pilot flame and generates a tiny electrical signal when heated. If it does not get hot enough, the gas valve closes automatically as a safety measure. Try lighting the pilot again, but this time keep the knob pressed for the full 60 seconds — do not rush. The longer the thermocouple sits in the flame, the hotter it gets.
If the pilot still will not hold after a full minute, the thermocouple may be dirty or misaligned. Turn off the gas and let the fireplace cool completely. Look at the thermocouple — it is the thin rod sticking into the pilot flame area. If it is visibly covered in soot or dust, use a soft, dry cloth or a soft brush to gently wipe it clean. Make sure it is positioned directly in the pilot flame, not off to the side. Then try lighting again. If it still fails, the thermocouple likely needs replacement — this is a job for a technician, as it requires disconnecting gas lines.
Safety steps to follow every time
Before you light the pilot, open a window or door in the room where the fireplace is located. This ensures fresh air flows in while the pilot ignites and burns. Never light a pilot in a completely sealed room — you need ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide buildup. If your fireplace has a chimney, make sure the damper is open (you should be able to see daylight up the chimney when you look inside). A closed damper traps fumes inside your home.
Keep your face and hands away from the firebox opening while lighting. Even though the pilot flame is small, it can still burn skin. If you have long hair, tie it back before you lean toward the fireplace. Never leave a lighter or match unattended inside the firebox — remove it as soon as the pilot is lit. If you have children or pets in the home, supervise them closely while the fireplace is on, and keep them at least three feet away from the opening.
If you smell gas at any point — before, during, or after lighting — turn off the control knob when ready, open all windows, and leave the house. Call your gas company's emergency line from outside. Do not use electrical switches, light a match, or do anything that could create a spark. Gas leaks are serious and require professional attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I hold the knob down while lighting the pilot?
Hold the knob pressed inward for 30 to 60 seconds after the pilot flame appears. This gives the thermocouple time to heat up and signal the gas valve to stay open. If you release too quickly, the pilot will go out. If 60 seconds is not enough, try holding for a full 90 seconds on the next attempt.
What if the pilot lights but smells like rotten eggs?
A rotten-egg smell is mercaptan, an odor added to natural gas so you can detect leaks. A faint smell during the first few seconds of ignition is normal, but a strong or persistent smell means gas is leaking. Turn off the fireplace, open windows, and call your gas company when ready from outside your home.
Can I light the pilot with a regular kitchen lighter?
Yes, but a long fireplace lighter or long match is safer because it keeps your hand farther from the flame. If you use a regular lighter, be very careful not to touch the firebox or burner while the flame is lit, as metal parts can become hot quickly.
Why does my pilot light go out every time I turn on the main burner?
This usually means the thermocouple is not positioned correctly in the pilot flame, or it is dirty. Make sure the thermocouple rod is sitting directly in the center of the blue pilot flame, not off to the side. If it is clean and positioned correctly but still fails, the thermocouple may be defective and need replacement by a technician.
Is it normal for the pilot to take a few tries to light?
Yes, especially if the fireplace has not been used in a long time. Dust or air in the gas line can prevent ignition on the first or second attempt. Wait at least one minute between tries to let the thermocouple cool down, then try again. If it takes more than five attempts, stop and call for service.