After probably 6+ years, it finally broke.  It was tripping the GFI and I found the igniter was dead. I had to start it with lighter fluid last night.  Oh well I will give me chance to give it a good cleaning when I install the replacement part.

My cast iron grill is just about burned through, that replacement stainless one for $121 is steep.  Anyone replace their cast iron with anything else?  I was thinking of getting a scrap of flattened expanded steel, stainless if the metal dealer has it.

lighter fluid - really?  why?

Needed something to light some pellets on fire.  I could stand there with a match and I didn't have any kindling.  I just grabbed some pellets, gave them a squirt of charcoal lighter and let them burn enough so that the combustion fan didn't blow the fire out.  Probably only a teaspoon on a couple of dozen pellet bits.

I had to start it with lighter fluid last night.

Next time consider soaking a cotton ball or two in alcohol and light that way.  It's how I light charcoal.

Just remember that alcohol flame is invisible so you may not realize that it's burning.

 Expanded may need some support.

After probably 6+ years, it finally broke.  It was tripping the GFI and I found the igniter was dead. I had to start it with lighter fluid last night.  Oh well I will give me chance to give it a good cleaning when I install the replacement part.

It's a very simple replacement.  Should not take but just a few minutes.