after grain 16 has been coated with fluid 24 if desired the main ignition charge 44 may be eliminated and the hot gases from initiator 32 vented directly to grain 16 through ports extending from tube 36 to sealing layer 48 in operation fluid 24 is not only sprayed onto grain 16 by the compressive force of piston 34 but also by the vented gases from the initiator 32 and the main ignition charge 44 a cloud of fluid 24 within grain 16 and around the igniter 20 is driven down the length of surface 18 by the expanding gases in this way the surface 18 is wetted with fluid an instant before being ignited by the hot gases from the igniter fluid 24 may comprise ethylene glycol light silicone oil fire extinguishing materials like halon 1011 or halon 1211 carbon dioxide or even just water all of which suppress combustion fluid 24 may even comprise a flowable dry powdered combustion suppressing material halon 1211 when used with a main ignition charge 44 of a magnesium teflon mixture has been found to actually enhance flame spread as the hot particles of the charge 44 react with halogens in the halon 1211 to speed up heat transfer to the grain 16 the structural parts of igniter.