Topic: Halogen oven lifespan!

[Tommy Timebomb]

A few years back i brought a JML Halogen oven.
I think I paid around the

[George]

JML do not do a replacement bulb but I have spotted them on ebay. I have taken apart the machine and it is neigh on impossible to replace the bulb even if I had one, they are not exactly user serviceable.

I don't have a halogen oven but I did buy a bulb on eBay, to use as a heater for non-cooking purposes. It blew after a few minutes and I concluded that it probably needs a fan blowing over it to keep the bulb from overheating, as well as transfer the heat into the cooking bowl or wherever. Is your fan working OK? I'd be surprised if the bulb can't be replaced. My bulb came with instructions for fitting the bulb into an oven.

[natterjak]

Hi tommy. Thanks for the tip off. Lamp life may be the Achilles heel of these devices which may be why the one I bought (Andrew James ltd halogen oven) came with a spare lamp included. It's also mercifully designed for the lamp to be easily removable so they clearly realise replacements will be needed.

I don't use mine often but do find it sensational for grilling chicken tikka. Easy to get the right degree of browning on the edges while still keeping the chicken moist when compared to conventional grilling. So I'll continue to use it but perhaps will try to handle the lid gently to avoid damaging the lamp prematurely.

[Peripatetic Phil]

I don't have a halogen oven but I did buy a bulb on eBay, to use as a heater for non-cooking purposes. It blew after a few minutes and I concluded that it probably needs a fan blowing over it to keep the bulb from overheating, as well as transfer the heat into the cooking bowl or wherever. Is your fan working OK? I'd be surprised if the bulb can't be replaced. My bulb came with instructions for fitting the bulb into an oven.

George, is there any possibility that you handled the quartz ("glass") part of the bulb with your bare hands ?  If so, that would account for the premature failure; they are incredibly sensitive to oil secretions which affect the thermal distribution in a very deleterious manner.

"Why shouldn't I touch my halogen bulb with my fingers?"

"Do not touch the surface of a quartz halogen bulb with
 bare fingers, as the quartz surface will be exposed to
 the salts and oils in the hand. This will cause a weak
 area and lead to premature lamp failure.  If you happen
 to contact the bulb with your fingers, carefully clean
 the quartz surface with a gentle solvent such as alchohol."
http://www.teklight.com/faq_s.html

** Phil.

[976bar]

I totally agree with Phil. Having been in the security industry for over 30 years, early on in the beginning I used to change halogen bulbs for security lighting with bare hands and they didn't last anytime.

The oil and salt in your skin affects the quartz, you need to use either clean lint gloves or a paper towel when handling these things. This will prolong the life of the bulb.....

[George]

George, is there any possibility that you handled the quartz ("glass") part of the bulb with your bare hands ?  If so, that would account for the premature failure;

That's certainly a possibility. Thank you for the suggestion. It was the filament inside which 'snapped', like with most other broken bulbs. Could that really have been caused by deposits of any kind on the outside of the glass?

[976bar]

If the quartz is weekend by handling, then yes that is possible...