Abstract: A hot melt glue gun comprising a main housing (5) having a glue stick accommodating bore (8) extending therethrough and terminating in a dispensing nozzle (9) through which melted glue is dispensed. A catalytic combustion element (16) is located in a combustion chamber (15) for raising the temperature of the main housing (5) to an appropriate temperature for melting the glue stick. Fuel gas is supplied to the catalytic combustion element (16) through a fuel gas valve (20) having a spindle (40) extending therefrom. A piezo electric ignition unit (27) generates an EMF for generating a spark across a pair of electrodes (25) in the combustion chamber (15) for igniting the fuel gas to initially burn with flame combustion to raise the temperature of the catalytic element (16) to its ignition temperature.