'tis a helluva price, but I only ever bought one. I have 2 active and one spare. If I have a problem I swap the spare in and service the problem burner at my leisure. After I got the measure of the stove I never really seem to have difficulties. (Having said that, I'm having to do a hell of a lot of pricking this season - anxious that I've acquired some muck that's going to to haunt me, but no serious problem yet.)