Identification

• Piezo electric ignition is a form of ignition common to butane lighters and gas barbecue grills. It is distinguished from traditional forms of ignition by its use of quartz, instead of flint, to create a spark.
  
  

How It Works

• When the button on a piezo electric lighter or grill is pressed, a spring-loaded hammer inside the device releases and strikes a piece of quartz. This creates a spark that ignites the gas inside the device.
  
  

Advantages

• By using quartz instead of flint, piezo electric devices last far longer than traditional ignition devices. Flint is easily eroded by the constant hammer strikes after a few weeks. Quartz, however, holds up far better to the blows of the spring-loaded hammer inside a device.