Are Oven Light Bulbs Special

There are things that keep you up at night. Like if the moon landing was true or not, does a tree grow out of yourself if you swallow a fruit seed, or who is behind the refrigerator light turning off.

Often times as a kid, we used to close the refrigerator door slowly to see what happens. Same thing with the oven. It’s a wonder for a lot of us.

The funny thing about an oven light and a refrigerator light is that they both are the same type of light bulb. But are oven light bulbs special in any way?

To answer your question and end the confusion, we have come up with this article.

Are Oven Light Bulbs Special Than House Bulbs

Some might think that whenever an oven light bulb goes out, you can simply replace it with any house bulb of the same size. But boy you are wrong! Oven light bulbs are very much different than any household bulb. They might not be as powerful and lacks the illuminating capability of a household bulb, but they shine in other areas.

What Kind of Bulb Is Used in an Oven and Refrigerator

The chemistry of an oven light bulb is almost identical to a household bulb. But the main difference is they are like your oven-safe bowl. It has a heat resistance that no other bulb has.

It is made with heat treatment, shatter resistance and long-lasting qualities. The reason behind that is they are exposed to temperatures above 500 degrees in the oven.

Any normal household bulb would shatter in the oven quicker than a snap due to the heat. Whereas an appliance bulb can go over 2000 hours without any trouble.

Quick information, refrigerators also use the same appliance bulb. They can also take on the freezing temperature much like the oven heat.

Difference Between House Bulb and an Oven Light Bulb

There are a few distinct differences between a household bulb and an oven light bulb. 

Heat Resistance: An household bulb can only take the normal atmospheric temperature. Above that, say 200 degrees, they will shatter.

On the other hand, an oven light bulb keeps on going even if the temperature reaches 600 degrees in the oven. 

Different Filament: The household bulb has a very fragile filament or LED construction. Which can be damaged at any voltage issue or change of temperature.

The oven light bulbs are not prone to any temperature or voltage issues. The temperature resistance coating makes it possible for the filament of the light not to get damaged. No matter how cold or hot it gets, the lights function as they should be.

Luminosity: This is where the household light bulbs shine. They are more powerful, as they are used in bigger spaces and are necessary to view everything. They range from 40W to 100W normally. And can even go higher.

The oven light bulb on the other hand has just a 15W-25W capacity. They are not meant to light up significantly as your eyes might hurt due to the close operation. 

Availability: Though it might sound that the oven light bulbs are superior to the household ones, they are fairly available at any home depot store. You can find them in the appliance accessories aisle. And they don’t cost much.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do ovens use special light bulbs?

Yes. Ovens use a special kind of light bulb that is heat resistant. And they are called appliance lights rather than normal household light bulbs. They are also used in other household appliances like the freezer and refrigerators.

What kind of lightbulb goes above an oven?

Appliances light bulb goes above, or inside the oven. They are not prone to heat, can withstand a huge amount of temperature, and do not shatter at any pressure. This is why they are used in household appliances. 

Can I put regular light bulbs in an oven?

No. Regular light bulbs don’t have the heat resistance quality of an appliance light bulb. Appliance light bulbs are made to hold their integrity in high heat in the oven. Hence they are different than household light bulbs. And they are very low in power, which makes them suitable for the eyes of the user. 

Conclusion

By now, you might have understood the difference between a normal household bulb and an oven light bulb. They are differently made, heat-treated, and have more ruggedness to them. So next time your oven light goes out, you can simply go to the corner home improvement store and get one yourself. And for the secret behind the light turning off of your oven and refrigerator, there is a little man turning off the switch for you.