ribit
mine became like that after maybe a year. Then I too used a long lighter. Finally one day I decided to figure out what happened.
I took off some plates and got a wire brush out and cleaned the burners and holes real well whichimproved the fire coming out of them, and also cleaned the igniter switch end, much like a spark plug.....
Stuck a new AA battery in the ignition started and I have been using that ever since.... First time every time..
Sumpin ya may want to try....