It consists of a small, spring-loaded hammer which, when a button is pressed, hits a quartz crystal which produces a spark to ignite the gas. A piezo ignition system creates a spark to light the gas by triggering an impact upon a special crystal. No electric connection is required.

Piezo ignition systems can operate by either a lever, separate push button, or built into the control knob. Only one spark per turn of the knob or press of the button is generated.