Why are over the range microwave lights so weak?

[isisdave]

I tried to do this too a few years ago, but found the place for the bulb was too small and mostly too recessed, such that the light pretty much shines straight down -- between the two columns of burners. I'll try again.

 

[chemEguy]

I think the bulb is running at 130 volt and it’s made that way to extend operating time, but at lower light output. At least, that’s what I read. I’m not an electrical engineer so I’m only parroting what I read.

Changing it isn’t hard, but I did put down a heavy towel to protect the cooktop and sure enough, I dropped the metal cover as I removed it. So perhaps the the thinking was to minimize frequency of replacement.

I’ll take burnouts with high light output. I like a very well lit range top as I cook frequently and want it bright. I also prefer the color of 6000K over warm white as it gives a better representation of the food conditions as I’m cooking.

It’s personal preference. When we built the house I added a lot of overhead, recessed lights in the kitchen and laid out the pattern of lights over the island (hockey stick shape).

If I were to do it again, I’d add a pair of small, angled spotlights to illuminate the range.

 

[Graybeard]

I just replaced my over the range original MV that lasted almost 27 years a month ago. The other day I was wondering why the light onto the stove is so poor. It is located way to the back of the MV and illuminates the backsplash on the wall just fine.

 

[Tetto]

I just replaced my over the range original MV that lasted almost 27 years a month ago. The other day I was wondering why the light onto the stove is so poor. It is located way to the back of the MV and illuminates the backsplash on the wall just fine.

What’s the MV?

 

[Koolau]

We replaced our halogen units with LED units under our cabinets. Kind of expensive but they don't fail every couple of weeks. They're cooler, brighter and use a lot less electricity.

 

[JBTX]

Not exactly the same issue but what can you do when the number pad timer LED lights go out? The microwave still works but you can’t see the clock / timer values

 

[hesperus]

We just got done replacing all the major appliances in our kitchen. The fridge, microwave, and oven all had non functioning features or something broken. Only the dishwasher was in good shape but it was less expensive to bundle all four than buy three. And mismatching would have driven my mildly OCD wife bonkers.

Anyway, I noticed immediately that the microwave light was poor. It’s a single 50 watt, 2 pin halogen bulb. Not nearly enough light to illuminate the range top to my satisfaction.

Fortunately Amazon to the rescue as I found corncob style, G8 pin LED bulbs. Specifically, a 100 watt equivalent that puts out 1000 lumens of 6000K color light at only 10 watts consumed power.

Huge, huge improvement. I can actually see what I’m cooking. Even with under cabinet lights and numerous recessed lights in the ceiling I still need something on the range.

I don’t understand why microwaves are not equipped with brighter lights from the factory for this purpose.

Most manufacturers keep those lights weak on purpose because of heat and space limits. The bulb sits in a tiny metal compartment inside the microwave hood and stronger halogen bulbs would run hotter and shorten the life of nearby components. They also assume the range light is just a helper light, not the main task lighting, since many kitchens already have overhead or under cabinet lights. That is why the factory bulbs are usually low output even though brighter LED replacements like the one you used work much better.