Dear Home-Ec 101,
Does “appliance bulb” mean any appliance?
My oven light bulb went out. The previous home owners 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:
As the bulb I took out was labeled 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 possibly approach this temperature would be in a kiln or blast furnace and at that point, lighting is the least of your worries.
The thick glass cover has nothing to do with protecting the light bulb from heat, it simply protects the the appliance light bulb from impact and food spatter. It is possible that if food spatter landed directly on the glass of a hot, bare bulb, the temperature differential could possibly, maybe 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.
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.
Thanks for this information, It is very useful for me. Yes, Our appliance bulb is fine to use in your oven.
Thanks for this information, It is very useful for me. Yes, Our appliance bulb is fine to use in your oven.