Firegear Outdoors · Ignition & Hot Rod
Firegear Match Throw (MT) Manual Ignition Setup
Match Throw is Firegear's simplest ignition — a manual valve with a match port. No electronics, no pilot, no thermocouple. Light directly with a long match or long-neck lighter. Lowest cost, simplest service, and the right choice when the fire feature will be used infrequently or in truly off-grid sites.
By Rob · Updated November 8, 2026
What you need
- Pipe-thread sealant
- Long-neck lighter (12 inch or longer) OR fireplace matches
Step by step
Confirm MT valve matches burner's fuel type
MT valves are fuel-specific. Match the valve to your burner's -N or -P designation.
Connect the valve to the gas supply
Standard pipe-sealant gas connection. Pressure-test and soap-test per the burner's install manual.
Install the match port in a safe, accessible location
The match port is where you'll insert the lighter. It needs to be reachable by the homeowner but not something kids can access accidentally. Typical locations: side of the enclosure facing a seating area, hidden behind a removable stone.
Light procedure for the homeowner
Open the gas shutoff, open the MT valve to ON, insert the lit lighter through the match port, confirm burner lights, remove the lighter. Close the valve and shutoff when done.
Common mistakes
- Match port installed somewhere kids can reach it. Code requires the ignition point be inaccessible to children. Match ports hidden behind removable stones or in a locked service compartment satisfy this; exposed ports facing a backyard do not.
Hands-on tips
- Keep a 12-inch butane lighter in a weatherproof box near the fire feature — long-match sticks tend to get soaked by rain.
- Teach the homeowner to let the valve on the gas supply be the primary shutoff; the MT valve is the operating valve, not the safety valve.
Questions people ask
Can I upgrade a Match Throw to AWS later?
Yes, but it requires buying the AWS retrofit kit (burner-specific) and routing new low-voltage wire plus a 120V circuit to the control box. Plan for 2-3 hours of labor plus the electrician.
Was this guide helpful?
Shopping for Firegear Outdoors?
See Firegear Outdoors products