this post was submitted on 23 Jan 2026
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Would it help for her to light the end of a strand of spaghetti (with match or cigarette lighter) and use that to safely light the burner from a distance? It’s a shame there isn’t that ignition button some stoves have.
There’s a stove lighter I got from a supermarket or $2 shop where I just pull the trigger and a flame comes out the end. But that was bought many years ago so maybe they stopped selling that type or something.
Worst case scenario an electric frying pan or a usb hot plate could also be some good options
IKEA has a portable induction plate about the size of a chopping board. But the 80s square electric frypan ic a 'cultural' icon
That looks pretty good too actually.
I saw tiny usb ones that plug into a laptop, not sure how much heat they get but it would be adequate for noodles
An electric frypan eh? 🤔 That'd be handy when she makes pancakes. It's a good idea and I'll look into it, bench and cupboard space be damned! She likes to cook noodles and pasta and she's getting the hang of a Bolognese. The stove lighter we've got is a trigger one but it's got a button thingy you have to push at the same time. Pushing both buttons to operate the lighter whilst being mindful to turn on the gas jet at the right time is a feat of coordination she's still getting used to.
I hear you, I think mine has the button but I prefer to have the steady flame waiting for the gas to come on. It creeps me out to think of the gas seeping out into the air while trying to get it lit.
The big square pan is definitely space hungry but is good for large one pot meals
That's how we do it. But she's got to light the lighter two-handed, let one hand go once it's lit to turn the gas on without letting go of the trigger, get the gas lit and not accidentally turn the knob the other way, this lighting the stove and immediately turning it off again 🤣 we've had a few good laughs about it!
I found it, it was actually a BBQ lighter. The ones at Coles aren’t exactly the same as mine but this sort of thing
https://www.coles.com.au/product/bic-multi-purpose-lighter-1-each-3660287
https://www.coles.com.au/product/bic-multi-purpose-flex-wand-lighter-1-pack-2940197
That's the one we've got, the same colour even 😆 When I bought it I didn't think it'd be so difficult for her to use because I didn't think at all about the child proof aspect of it. At this point I think we're due for a whole new stove but my ex MIL/landlady says that you're not allowed to get a gas one to replace it and it'd have to be electric.
Oh damn, those ones are childproof now? The one I have is much more cheaply made and is a simple trigger, I’ll have to try and remember where I got it.
Bunnings sell those flame at the end lighters in the BBQ section.