Butane Stove Knobs

[threechrome]

I have a butane stove that I am still getting comfortable with. As I understand the blue valve turns the gas on or off. I have found it easier to light the stove by leaving the black knob turned horizontal, turning on blue valve, and using a big lighter stick over the ceramic stove. My question is: Can I always leave the black knob turned on at horizontal while I remove and install the butane can as long as the blue gas valve is off?  I want to do this to avoid having the black knob click each time I turn to off position and back on. Ideally I would like to leave the black knob at horizontal permanently. 

[SusanJoM]

I have a butane stove that I am still getting comfortable with. As I understand the blue valve turns the gas on or off. I have found it easier to light the stove by leaving the black knob turned horizontal, turning on blue valve, and using a big lighter stick over the ceramic stove. My question is: Can I always leave the black knob turned on at horizontal while I remove and install the butane can as long as the blue gas valve is off?  I want to do this to avoid having the black knob click each time I turn to off position and back on. Ideally I would like to leave the black knob at horizontal permanently.

The black knob should be your on > 1flame >2flame>3flame.  It also controls the piezzi switch/spark to light the gas.
The blue knob is your fine tuner.

The common usage is to turn the needle valve (blue knob) quite open to allow some gas flow and then turn the black knob sharply to the 3flame setting once or twice until the stove 'catches'.  Then the stove gets left at 3flames and all adjustments can be made with the needle valve. 

Leaving the black knob at 3 flames even when you are not using the stove means there is an open gas valve.  That seems unsafe to me...I turn both knobs off, turn off the gas at the tank, turn off the gas again right before the stove, and then bleed both of those lines to purge them of gas. 

[threechrome]

Ah. Thanks for the tips. I was going to take out the 8oz butane can after each use but was concerned that it would be hazardous to leave it on 3flame setting while removing can. That and the fact I was using lighter stick. Better be to safe than sorry. Thanks again.

[SusanJoM]

What is your reasoning for wanting to leave that knob set to the 3-flame position all the time?   

[threechrome]

I seem to be having trouble getting the stove to light consistently.  I have to keep clicking the black knob to light. I get it lit about 3 out of 10 tries.     Me using the bic lighter stick to light: I got the idea from watching a Huky video where roaster uses the lighter stick to light.
My main problem is getting the stove to catch. Me wanting to leave it on the 3flame position was just to keep stove from having to click each time. In hindsight and after your advice, it makes much more sense to turn off both knobs after each use.
  I'll keep practicing getting the stove to catch consistently before I try roasting. Lol if this is as far as I get. I'm being patient about it just to be on the safe side.
I no longer want to leave it on 3flame position. 

[SusanJoM]

Okay, that makes sense.  Thanks for clarifying.

My stove always takes two good clicks all the way to the left;  it starts quite reliably on the second one.   I remember a thread though where members reported needing more, so....be firm and persist.   

[threechrome]

Im getting better at it so im confident there is a large degree of user error.     Is it often that I would be turning the stove off during a roast then back on again before roast is complete?

[SusanJoM]

No.
Sometimes you might want to turn the stove off at the very end of the roast to let it cruise, but I can't imagine you ever having to turn it off and back on again during the roast.

[threechrome]

Thanks for all your help SusanJoM!   
back on track now.