Flaky Oven Light Bulb

[DADoES]

The oven light bulb on my GE Profile range has gone out, for the 2nd time in two years, and I don't use often use the oven. Are there contributing factors, i.e. design factors, causing the early/frequent failures? Convection or hidden bake element causing heat stress? Self-cleaning (only run twice in the two years, but need to do it again soon)?

 

[scott55405]

I can't think of any of those things that would cause an issue, so long as you're not using the light when the self cleaning is on. That I know you're not supposed to do. I'm sure you're using a special appliance bulb.

I lived in my last place in Minnesota about 3 years, and I think I changed the bulb in that stove twice during that time. The bulb in my current oven was new when I moved in since I got the stove with it burned out, and that one thus far has lasted nearly two years.

 

[toggleswitch]

Don't slam the door! "LOL"

Although behind a glass heat shield, I'm guessing it's still best to use an appliance bulb /lamp which is more temperature and (probably) vibration resistant.

 

[DADoES]

The bulb is an appliance-type. Maybe the last replacement was a dud.

 

[maytagbear]

Well, very likely-

Incandescent light bulbs are not precision affairs, and it is very possible that you got a bum one.

Some 40 watt appliance bulbs last for years, and some do not. In my experience, and only my experience, it is the bulb, not the appliance.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[DADoES]

Shortly after posting the previous detail about a possible bum-bulb, I remembered that the replacement in question was a WM house-brand. I thought at the time, it's half-price of a "name" brand, so if it lasts half as long ...

 

[gansky1]

I usually make sure to buy 130v appliance bulbs as the filament is a little heavier and supposedly lasts a lot longer. They aren't as bright, a little more yellowish than other incandescant bulbs but they do seem to last. The guy at the electrical supply store yammered all this at me one day when buying bulbs for one of my accounts - and it's pretty much held true as the standard bulbs for fixtures have seemed to last about twice as long as standard 60 watt'ers.

 

[sudsmaster]

I haven't had any problem keeping the oven light going in my GE P-7 wall oven. I replaced the stock 40 watt one anyway, because I was experimenting around with seeing if a higher wattage would keep the oven at the correct temp for making yogurt. (It sort of worked, but then I realized the little yogurt maker I have is more convenient, and I really don't need to be making gallons of yogurt anyway, lol).

I am wondering if your GE Profile has a bad lamp socket, which is arcing and maybe causing the filament to vibrate unnecessarily. Make sure you cut the power to the oven at the breaker panel before investigating further! You could check to see if the socket is corroded, or loose.

Also, I would recommend handling a new bulb only with a towel or gloved hands. Oil from fingerprints could be shortening the life of the bulb.