If it’s time to replace your home lighting, LED bulbs are pretty much the go-to option. But when it comes to your oven, are they the right choice?
Lighting in this kitchen appliance allows you to keep an eye on the cooking process and avoid burnt meals. Today, we’re discussing high-temperature LED oven light bulbs, whether they’re safe to use in an oven, and the best alternatives you can install.
Can You Use an LED Light Bulb on High in the Oven?
In short, no. LED light bulbs are mostly made out of plastic materials. These materials will melt when exposed to high temperatures in an oven.
If you’re not convinced with the brief answer, here’s an explanation of how high temperature in the oven affects an LED bulb:
Ovens that are meant for domestic use can go up to 500 °F (260 °C) during average cooking and sometimes even another 100 °F (~35 °C) more. Such high heat can actually burn any food debris stuck inside the oven, turning it into ash that you can just blow away with a poof.
As you picture this extra hot environment, what do you think will happen if we place a tiny computer consisting of microprocessors and semiconductors covered in a plastic body inside the oven?
It will melt, as simple as that. Now, what if we told you that the “computer” we’re talking about is basically the composition of an LED bulb? This means that an LED light bulb will melt if subjected to high temperatures in the oven.
The technology behind LED lights is more similar to a computer than traditional lighting. As a result, these bulbs should be kept cool while turned on to provide optimum performance as the heat is transferred away from the sensitive circuitry inside an LED bulb.
LED light bulbs generally work most efficiently within a temperature range between 77°F and 104°F (25°C and 40°C), with a “the cooler the better” attitude. In fact, LED bulbs will lose light output the higher the junction temperature and anything too high will start melting the body.
In conclusion, using fragile electronics like LED light bulbs inside an oven is going to fail.
How Long Will an LED Light Bulb Last in the Oven?
We know that LED bulbs feature plastic materials in their construction and that installing an LED light bulb in the oven is far from a good idea. If you’re wondering how much time an LED light bulb can last in such a high-temperature environment, well the answer is: not long.
The LED bulb will blow out within a short period from when you turn on the appliance. The plastic material will melt even before the oven is thoroughly heated. It’ll produce some unpleasant smelling fumes once it’s heated.
Not only do light bulbs age faster when exposed to high temperatures, but they also blow out faster when placed under extreme heat. So, the only way to extend the lifespan of an LED light bulb is to use it outside the oven, perhaps to illuminate the stove in a range hood.
On top of all that, the fumes produced by the burning of the LED light bulb’s plastic can very well reduce the efficiency of the oven. Additionally, the cooked food will have an unappetizing plastic-like smell which could cause stomach upset.
Is It Safe to Use LED Light Bulb in the Oven?
We can’t stress this enough: never use an LED light bulb in the oven. The LED bulb will completely melt in a very short time.
Regarding the safety of using LED light bulbs in the oven, here’s how dangerous this scenario can get:
- Placing the bulb in the oven during cooking will cause it to shatter due to the excessive heat. This shattering will make a sound similar to an explosion, which can be quite scary and startling.
Such a sound can have a negative effect on older people, people with health conditions, and folks using a knife in the kitchen.
- In addition to smelling bad, the fumes produced by the melting of the plastic part of the lamp can cause health issues such as irritation of the eyes and stomach upsets.
- The chemicals and gases resulting from a melted LED light bulb can leach into the food being cooked. It’s important to immediately dispose of this food as it’s likely to be toxic.
- After the plastic part of the LED light bulb melts, it’s also possible that the exposed circuitry or any other part of the lamp may catch fire in a hot oven, so it’s best to stay safe and not try to test it.
If you’re considering lighting up your oven with LED bulbs, don’t. Instead, use specialized oven light bulbs that are meant to endure the extreme and constant high temperatures inside the oven.
Best High-Temperature Oven Light Bulbs
1. SouLight Oven Light Bulbs – 40 Watt Appliance Replacement Bulbs for Oven
Specs
- Light Source Wattage — 40 Watts
- Voltage — 110 Volts
- Maximum Working Temperature — 570 °F (300 °C)
If you frequently use your oven in everyday meals, then the SouLight Oven Light Bulbs are an excellent choice for replacing your old oven bulb. This widely popular lamp is as heat-resisting as they get, resisting temperatures up to 570 °F (300 °C) with an output of 400 lumens of brightness.
This oven light bulb requires only 40 watts of power to work. It’s compatible with all E26 and E27 sockets to achieve a near-universal fit.
The SouLight Oven Light Bulbs are long-lasting incandescent bulbs, delivering approximately 2,000 hours of light per bulb. They come with a 100% money-back guarantee for 30 days.
2. YMEGS 520 Appliance Oven Light Bulb
Specs
- Light Source Wattage — 40 Watts
- Voltage — 120 Volts
- Maximum Working Temperature — 570 °F (300 °C)
The YMEGS 520 Appliance Oven Light Bulb is another great option for use in ovens. It can withstand exposure to high temperatures up to 570 °F (300 °C), outputting 415 lumens of brightness.
This led-alternative oven light bulb operates with only 40 watts of power. It also fits all E26 and E27 sockets for extra convenience.
The YMEGS 520 Appliance Oven Light Bulb is rated at 1,500 hours of light per bulb, so you won’t need to replace it too frequently. It comes in a 2-pack package with a generous 1-year warranty.
3. Jslinter 40 watt Appliance Oven Light Bulb
Specs
- Light Source Wattage — 40 Watts
- Voltage — 120 Volts
- Maximum Working Temperature — 570 Degree °F (300 °C)
The Jslinter Appliance Oven Light Bulb is a great choice if you’re looking to save a few bucks and keep a stash of oven bulbs. It generates 415 lumens of brightness with 40 watts of power and resists extreme heat up to 570 Degree °F (300 °C).
It also offers excellent heat dissipation thanks to the featured E26 / E27 medium brass base and special silicone seal. This bulb provides extra durability and safety, sold in packs of 4 pieces.
The Jslinter Appliance Oven Light Bulb is rated at 1,500 hours and is free of lead and mercury, so it’s harmless to you as well as the environment.
4. Haraqi 40 Watt Oven Light Bulb
Specs
- Light Source Wattage — 40 Watts
- Voltage — 110 Volts
- Maximum Working Temperature — 570 °F (300 °C)
Another high-temperature oven light bulb that you can use instead of LED bulbs is Haraqi Oven Light Bulb. It’s made to endure excessive heat up to 570 °F (300 °C), outputting 360 lumens of brightness with 40 watts of power.
This incandescent oven light bulb fits all E26 and E27 sockets for extra convenience. With a 2,000 hour rating per bulb, they should provide a long-lasting service.
5. Visther 40 Watt Oven Light Bulb G45
Specs
- Light Source Wattage — 40 Watts
- Voltage — 110 Volts
- Maximum Working Temperature — 570 °F (300 °C)
Last but not least, the Visther Oven Light Bulb generates 415 Lumens of brightness with 40 watts of power. It can ensure high temperatures up to 570 °F (300 °C), so you don’t have to worry about it melting or burning out.
The E26 / E27 medium brass base and silicone seal offer excellent heat dissipation and boost durability as well as safety. Besides ovens, you can use this light bulb in microwaves, refrigerators, and cooker hoods.
The Visther Oven Light Bulb can deliver around 1,500 hours of light per lamp, sold on packs of 4 for better value.
Wrap Up
When choosing a light bulb to use in your oven, you must be extra careful. You can’t just install any lamp you have lying around the house, especially if it’s an LED bulb.
Instead, go for a specialized incandescent lamp. Those can withstand excessive heat. Any option on our list of the best high-temperature oven light bulbs will do the trick.