Why Oklahoma Joe Igniter Not Working [Reasons + Solutions]

Your Oklahoma Joe igniter not working because of a bad extension cord, unsuitable weather, a malfunctioning power outlet, bad wiring connections, a broken combustion fan, corrosion in the burning pot, LCD screen won’t turn on, failure of ignition, an automatic start-up is not working, and mishandling P-settings.

Keep scrolling to learn all you need to fix your heater ASAP.

Why My Oklahoma Joe Igniter Not Working [Reasons + Solutions]

We’ll now take an in-depth look at why your Oklahoma Joe igniter is not working and how to fix it. If your smoker is showing any error codes, read our article on Oklahoma Joe pellet smoker error codes to know what it means.

1. Bad Extension Cord

Before you get too worked up over your Oklahoma Joe Rider DLX igniter not working, check the extension cable first since it could be the source of the problem. 

Solution:

Check for any cracks or exposed wires, and see if it’s too hot to touch. If the extension cable is the source of the problem, it’s time to replace it. If you need to replace an extension cord, make sure it’s an outdoor one or one that can be used both indoors and outside. 

Also, make sure it’s a 3-prong grounded outlet with the right gauge. Remember to utilize a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) breaker with it.

2. Unsuitable Weather

One of the most prevalent causes of the Oklahoma Joe grill igniter not working is bad weather. 

Wind, direct sunlight, rain, humidity, and hot or cold conditions can all affect the temperature of your Oklahoma Joe Grill and cause strange swings. This means that the weather can make it difficult for your grill to heat up.

Solution:

Check to see if the weather is conducive to grilling. Avoid using your grill outside during any of the above-mentioned weather conditions.

Protect your Oklahoma Joe Grill from the elements by covering it. For ultimate protection, we recommend using the Cloakman Premium Heavy-Duty Cover.

3 Malfunctioning Power Outlet

Your Oklahoma Joe Rider DLX problems can also be caused by a bad power outlet. Your grill is most likely powered by an outside GFCI outlet. You should test the outlet to rule out the possibility of any outlet malfunction…

Solution:

Plug the Oklahoma Joe smoker directly into the outlet to see if it’s an outlet issue. If the smoker still won’t turn on, the fault is most likely with the outlet.

You can see if it works by plugging in a different appliance. If nothing happens, it’s time to consult a professional electrician.

4. Bad Wiring Connections

When your Oklahoma Joe smoker won’t light or produce heat, it could be due to loose wiring. 

Solution:

Remove the control board to inspect for loose wiring and make sure the wires are correctly connected.

Because Oklahoma Joe uses a color-coding system, it’s simple to figure out which cable to connect. 

The igniter wires are purple and white, so look for these. When you replace the fuses or control panel, loose wiring or misconnected cords are common.

5. Broken Combustion Fan

If your Oklahoma Joe has been with you for a long time, grease accumulation may have caused the combustion fan to fail. This usually occurs when the grill is not properly maintained.

The fan will not be able to pull air into the firepot to produce fire and blow smoke if it is unable to move properly. The heating capacity of the Pit Boss smoker will be affected if this occurs. 

Solution:

Cleaning the combustion fan is one technique to remedy this problem. Before cleaning, make sure everything is turned off. If cleaning it does not solve the problem, it may be time to replace it.

6. Corrosion In Burning Pot

If the burn pot on your Oklahoma Joe Grill has holes, heat can easily escape, resulting in your grill not heating up.

This is very common with older Oklahoma Joe grills. The burn pot, however, can corrode and develop pinholes that allow the heat to escape depending on how you maintain your barbecue.

Solution:

Unfortunately, you can’t repair a corroded burn pot; the only option is to replace it. If the rust is bad enough, you may need to replace the Oklahoma Joe Grill.

7. LCD Screen Won’t Turn On

If your Oklahoma Joe Grill’s LCD screen isn’t lit up, your grill won’t get hot. There are four main reasons why an LCD panel won’t turn on:

• The grill isn’t plugged in properly.
• The Circuit board fuse has blown out.
• A ground-fault circuit interrupter has tripped (GFCI)
• The temperature dial is turned off.

Solution:

Here are the steps to Oklahoma Joe troubleshooting-

1. Ensure that your grill is connected to a working power supply. Ascertain that all electrical cable connections are secure.
2. Look for a broken wire in the fuse. Check to see if the fuse cables have become black and replace them if necessary.
3. Make sure your GFCI is rated for 10 to 15 amps.

5. Use your grill at a distance of no more than 25 feet.
6. To start the grill, set the temperature dial to “SMOKE.”

8. Failure of Ignition

Another common cause of a lack of heat is an ignition failure. Ash build-up, old pellets, low-quality pellets, damp pellets, or malfunctioning igniters are all common causes of ignition problems.

Solution:

Here’s how you can deal with an ignition failure.

• After each cook, clean up the ashes.
• In your firepot, replace any burned black pellets.
• Make sure your firepot doesn’t have any damp pellets in it.
• To avoid problems with igniting, use high-quality pellets.
• If the igniter is damaged, clean it or replace it. 

9. Automatic Startup Is Not Working

As previously discussed, mechanical igniter difficulties can cause your Oklahoma Joe Grill to start up automatically but fail to heat up. If this happens, you’ll have to manually start the grill.

Solution:

Follow these steps to fix ignition failure:

Step 1: Remove the temperature dial from the on position and place it in the off position.

Step 2: Connect your power cord to a grounded 110V outlet.

Step 3: Make that the auger feed or hopper system is free of foreign things.

Step 4: Dry pellets should be placed in the hopper.

Step 5: To expose the firepot, remove the flame broiler and cooking grids.

Step 6: Add a tiny solid fuel fire-starting or squirt any certified pellet starter. Over the fire starter, sprinkle a few dry pellets.

Step 7: Light the starter with a lighter or a long fireplace match and let it burn for about 5 minutes.

Step 8: Quickly but gently replace the cooking grids and flame broiler. Set your thermostat to SMOKE.

Step 9: Allow 10 to 20 minutes for your Pit Boss Grill to heat up after turning on the temperature control.

10. Mishandling P-setting

If you adjust the P (Pause) Settings too far or too often, the flames will go out and the temperature will be erratic, which will prevent the smoker from getting hot.

Solution:

Allow 30 minutes between adjustments to allow the P settings to settle. In “smoke” mode, just use the P setting. Reduce the P setting if the temperature is decreasing.

FAQ

Do grill igniters have batteries?

No, like with all grill igniters, igniters do not have batteries.

How do electric grill igniters work?

When you press the ignitor button, electricity sent to the electrode jumps from the electrode to the top of the collecting box, igniting the gas in both the box and the burner.

How many volts is a piezo?

One piezo disc produces a voltage of 13 volts. As a result, the maximum voltage created across the piezo tile is roughly 39 volts.

What is a charcoal lighter fluid made out of?

Petroleum has traditionally been used to make charcoal lighter fluid. The manufacturers of charcoal lighter fluid employ a light-refined grade of kerosene known as Isoparaffinic Hydrocarbon.

How do you test a grill igniter?

While viewing the ignitor in the mirror, press the ignitor button on the grill’s control panel a few times. The ignitor is working properly if you see a spark with each click.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you will now be able to easily fix your Oklahoma Joe igniter not working. You should hire an electrician if fixing the problem is beyond your scope. We wouldn’t recommend you tinkering with your smoker when you’re not sure of what you are doing.