How to turn on and off fireplace pilot light

[@theresawilson4820]

Thanks for explaining about the automatic valve in the fireplace! very useful!

[@banderas2000]

does it matter if u turn the colored yellow or valve first before the black knob from on to off?

[@theresawilson4820]

@@banderas2000 no. though generally it is always better to turn off the yellow valve first, if there is one.

[@brannaganchavis1925]

This is how I thought you do it, but I wanted to make sure I wasn’t gonna turn into red mist. Thanks!

[@chuckfreeman7392]

The click is the sound of what's called a "drop out spring" that clicks due to no heat staying on the thermocouple. That's a SIT, 880 gas valve. This system is also known as a "low voltage (milivolt) or "standing pilot model system. It's also recommended that if you turn these off after the seasonal usage period, you still light the fireplace once every month to insure spiders do not clog up the pilot assembly preventing the fireplace from lighting the next season. Spiders happen to make webs inside the pilot orface and tube that will not allow fuel out. Most NFI techs will tell you to just leave the pilot on all year to prevent bigger service calls in the future.

[@JRPLawyeress1]

Thanks. Exactly what I was looking for.

[@wayne149]

This is the information I need. Thank you!

[@redditman1107]

😮

[@mundos1585]

My fireplace does not have that black knob that turns off the pilot light. Does shutting just the gas valve be enough? It has a electric control unit with a button that sparks the pilot light on.

[@GregPeden]

It sounds like a different design so I can't say. The black knob is important for starting it again. You might have a much simpler design which is just a simple gas line running a pilot light... In which case I wouldn't mess with it. Unless your fireplace is ancient I think you likely have a starter of some kind in there.

[@banderas2000]

does it matter if u turn the colored valve first before the black knob?

[@GregPeden]

Not really but for safety reasons related to leaving the operational state clear for others in the future I would definitely make sure the black knob is left in the off position even though the red lever also cuts off gas.

[@nandy70772]

Hi, our fireplace setup doesn't seem to have the gas line valve. We just turned the pilot knob to off position and heard the bang. Should that suffice?

[@GregPeden]

Yeah that's better than nothing. It's likely there but just out of sight, otherwise there would be no safe way to service it. I just suggest both for redundancy but either one is adequate in most cases.

[@jocelynwetzel4790]

Thank you. I understand how to turn off the main valve, but its hard to turn the pilot to off position. Thanks.

[@kevins862]

you have to really push that switch in addition to rotating it

[@edwardderose9168]

My pilot light keeps going out. If I don’t want to use it anyway, can I just leave it out without shutting it and/or the gas valve off?

[@GregPeden]

There's an automatic valve which closes when the heat of the pilot light dissipates, that should work. Manually closing the main valve provides more assurance and prevents line leaks.

[@edwardderose9168]

@@GregPeden Thanks. Also, does running your gas fireplace run up your gas bill?