If the ignition rod fails, it is possible to still run your Z Grills pellet smoker. This is important to know if you have a huge cook-up planned!
Ignition rods are responsible for lighting the wood pellets in the fire-pot, using electricity to get red hot. To learn more about how ignition rods work and the different types, click here.

Diagnose a failed ignition rod
If wood pellets are dropping into the fire-pot, the fan is blowing air, but there is no sign of smoke or fire, then the ignition rod may have failed. Wood pellets will pile up in the fire-pot but never ignite. Eventually the grill will display an error:
- Basic PID Controller:
- Low temperature (LER)
- Wireless Controller:
- Flame Out (ERROR 3)
- No Fire (ERROR 4)
- Ignition Rod Failure (ERROR 7)
Fan failure?
If there is a little bit of smoke, but no fire (or very weak fire) that is more likely to be fan issue (no air flow). Click here for instructions to replace a fan.
Ignition rod failure?
Ignition rods operate for the first 2-7 minutes during Fire Up, so if a fuse blows, or power trips shortly after starting the grill it is most likely the ignition rod that has a problem. Auger motor or fan motor failures are often associated with a strong “burning plastic” smell and generally happen mid cook.
If the grill is less than 3 years old, a new ignition rod will be provided under warranty. Click here to submit a support request (Australia only).
If out of warranty a replacement ignition rod can be ordered here.
Instructions to replace an ignition rod in 700 series grill, 450A grill.
Basic PID Controller
If the ignition rod has failed, you can still use the grill by manually lighting the fire. Once a fire is established the grill can be turned on and will run as normal. Follow the instructions below to manually light the fire.
No power (replace fuse)
If the fuse is blown click here and follow steps 1 through 9 to remove the cover, get access to the controller and check and replace the fuse.
Unplug ignition rod
Unplug the HOT plug that supplies power to the ignition rod. Click here for instructions to remove the cover and get access to the HOT plug.

Manually light fire
- Place some wood pellets in the hopper and remove the grill racks, grease pan and heat baffle.
- Pour 1/2 cup of wood pellets into the fire-pot. Do NOT add too many pellets!
- Place a fire-lighter cube into the fire-pot or squirt a small amount of firelighting gel onto the pellets. DO NOT use alcohol, petrol or any other flammable liquids. Never add any firelighting gel to an already lit fire.
- Carefully light the pellets with a long match or long reach fire lighter.
- Alternatively a gas torch can be used to light the pellets.
- Once there is fire in the fire-pot, switch the grill ON and turn to the desired temperature setting. The grill will still go through the normal startup cycle and drop lots of pellets, so expect to see a lot of smoke during startup.
- Carefully replace the heat baffle, grease tray and grilling racks.
- Close the lid so the grill temperature can rise.
- Run the grill as per normal operation with a minimum temperature setting of 107ºC. This is because at lower temperature settings the ignition rod may need to turn on periodically to maintain the fire.
Wireless Controller
No power (replace fuse)
If the controller doesn’t have any power the fuse has likely blown. Click here and follow steps 1 through 9 to remove the cover, get access to the controller and check and replace the fuse.
Deactivation Ignition Rod
- While the grill is NOT operating, press and hold the control knob for 2 seconds to enter the MENU, then rotate to I-ROD and press again to enter the sub-menu.
- USE I-ROD is the default setting, so scroll one click to -NO I-ROD and press to confirm. The grill will be able to operate as normal but will not provide any power to the ignition rod, so the fire must be manually lit.
- Once new ignition rod is supplied and switched out, return this setting to USE I-ROD.

Manually Light Fire
- Place some wood pellets in the hopper and remove the grill racks, grease pan and heat baffle.
- Pour 1/2 cup of wood pellets into the fire-pot. Do NOT add too many pellets!
- Place a fire-lighter cube into the fire-pot or squirt a small amount of firelighting gel onto the pellets. DO NOT use alcohol, petrol or any other flammable liquids. Never add any firelighting gel to an already lit fire.
- Carefully light the pellets with a long match or long reach fire lighter.
- Alternatively a gas torch can be used to light the pellets.
- Once there is fire in the fire-pot, select FIRE UP from the MENU as per normal operation. More pellets will be delivered and the fan will run.
- Carefully replace the heat baffle, grease tray and grilling racks.
- Close the grill lid and allow the grill temperature to rise and Fire Lit message to appear.
- Run the grill as per normal operation with a minimum temperature setting of 90ºC in cool weather (<90ºC), or 110ºC in hotter weather, or in direct sunlight. This is because at lower temperature settings the ignition rod may need to turn on periodically to maintain the fire.