Dear Home-Ec 101,
Does “appliance bulb” mean any appliance?
My oven light bulb went out. The previous homeowners did not leave the manual, and I’ve had no luck finding one on the internet.
My Lowe’s sales clerk was “almost positive” that the bulbs that include “appliances” in the list of recommended uses would be safe because of the thick glass cover that goes over the bulb. I also found the following statement:
“Most interior oven lights require a universal 40-watt appliance bulb, which can be found in our parts section.”
As the bulb I took out was labeled a 40-watt appliance bulb, I suspect that I am fine using the Sylvania 40-watt appliance bulb that I bought (I cannot find any information on whether there are special appliance bulbs for ovens on the company’s website).
But I could start a fire here. So I thought I would ask Home-Ec 101.
Signed,
Burnt-Out in Berkeley
Heather says:
Yes, appliance bulbs are simply the standard size for most appliances. Glass has a ridiculously high melting point, and the tungsten filament burns hot. An oven designed for residential use, even with the self-cleaning setting, is not going to come anywhere close to the design threshold of the light.
The only time you could approach this temperature would be in a kiln or blast furnace; at that point, lighting is the least of your worries.
The thick glass cover does not protect the light bulb from heat. It simply protects the appliance light bulb from impact and food spatter. If the food spatter landed directly on the glass of a hot, bare bulb, the temperature differential could possibly cause the bulb to shatter.
Don’t stress. Your appliance bulb is just fine to use in your oven.
Submit your questions to helpme@home-ec101.com.
Thank you so very much for the answer, Heather! Now I can get an apple cake in the oven in time for my Mom and my Aunt to come over this weekend!! (P.S.–sorry for the delayed response, especially given your lightening-fast turn around! Today was, alas, one of those days.)
@SouthernFriedTech oh you are quite welcome. The speed at which I answer questions can vary greatly. Sometimes I star the questions and then get hit with an avalanche of mail. Some questions are easy to answer quickly (like this one) others take more research or maybe I have to be in just the right mood because they are a sensitive topic.
After many years our oven light burned out. I replaced with an appliance bulb as I was told that would work. We blew through two of those in as many weeks. Finally found an actual “oven” light at Ace Hardware and it work fine until we got a new stove recently from Sears. The brand new “oven” light in the Kenmore range just blew so it’s back to Ace. Regular appliance bulbs don’t work—it has to have a special coating inside to keep from burning out. Kenmore should know that!
This is really one of those handyman questions people feel silly for asking, but it honestly is a good question, and the answer is even better! Those appliance bulbs are definitely made to go into almost any appliance, and they’re something most people don’t even give much thought about–until they go out. Thanks for this information!
That’s why this site is “101” there’s no question too basic for me to address. Heck, I’ve explained how to sweep. 🙂
Would the answer be the same if the bulb was an LED bulb?
KellyL, I think the answer would be same for LED bulbs too.
KellyL,
LED’s and CFL’s are both not recommended for high temperature applications.
Please read this to mean ovens of any type.
John
The appliance bulb is fine for the oven or fridge. An led if you can find one that fits would work in the fridge but would burn up in the oven. A CFL if it fit might work in the fridge but they don’t like cold Temps are fragile and would release a small amount of mercury and the glass when it brakes. A CFL would burn up in the oven.
Damn..I thought I could use one of these in my blast furnace.
I have put two “appliance” bulbs in my open since my original one burned out. Both failed within a couple of weeks. So I would do more research and find out what we really need.
If we use LED Bulbs (which are quite energy efficient) would be your answer same? Thanks in advance.
Only if it is rated for oven use. While I have seen LEDs for the refrigerator, I haven’t seen it for the oven, yet. That said, I also have not specifically been looking for this either.
I used a Westinghouse LED 40W A15 Appliance bulb to replace burned out bulb in my self cleaning oven.
Once the oven started the self cleaning, the house filled up with a heavy, almost caustic odor. There was nothing on the packaging that recommended against oven use. The smell was horrible and permiated through the whole house.
Just wanted to share with others, I won’t use LED anymore and am looking for the old fashioned bulb for the oven.
The appliance bulbs maybe OK but from my experience with our Thermador oven the glass bulb separates from the base making it very difficult to replace.
Using LED bulbs in an oven environment would require one that specifically says it’s good for high temps. As of this date, I’m not sure about any (haven’t looked thoroughly yet), because many LED bulbs are made with a plastic casing as well as other plastic base parts. This would’ve likely been the issue with at least one comment that mentioned they put one in and has smoking. Anyone with common sense should’ve thought “maybe I should not put plastic in my oven, unless it’s a very special kind of heavy duty heat rated”. If they do make any oven safe LED’s they would likely use metal and glass parts.
I just replaced my oven light with a Westinghouse “appliance bulb,” and it burned out right away. I had used the cleaning cycle, and thought that might have been the cause.
Is the oven light suppose to be hot
I have an sylvania Appliance/ceiling fan light purchased quite a few years ago package says use in refrigerators, ovens, microwave, and ceiling fans can be dimmed) actually bought in 2009. for refrigerator. Is extra light okay for oven
If the package says that it is for ovens, yes.