Piezo ignition

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Please help improve this article or section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion.

Piezo ignition is a type of ignition that is used in portable camping stoves and gas grills. It consists of a small, spring-loaded hammer which, when a button is pressed, hits a crystal of PZT or quartz crystal. Quartz is piezoelectric, which means that it creates a voltage when deformed. This sudden forceful deformation produces a high voltage and subsequent electrical discharge, which ignites the gas.

No electric connection is required, though wires are sometimes used to move the sparking location away from the crystal itself. Piezo ignition systems can be operated by either a lever, separate push button or built into the control knob. Only one spark is generated per turn of the knob or press of the button.