Biggest. Failure. Ever.

[miladycarol]

I cleaned my oven last night. I’ve never done it before with one of those self-cleaning jobbies, but it looked like everything went well. I removed everything that wasn’t stapled down… all the racks, the thermometer, everything. Except the light bulb. I read the directions and it didn’t say anything about removing the light bulb. I didn’t even think of it, to be honest. This morning, I opened the oven door to clean the residue out and put the racks back and the bulb sparked and died. I went to the appliance center to buy a new one and it cost me all of $1. I turned off the power to the stove and then tried to unscrew the dead bulb and the whole glass case came off in my hand… leaving the metal bits firmly screwed into the porcelain socket. I’ve tried 4 different pairs of pliers, several non-skid substances and even the old potato trick. Nothing. It won’t budge. I can’t believe I have to call in an electrician at $58/hour to change a $1 light bulb. Crap, crap, crap!

Comments

[biomekanic.livejournal.com]

Can it wait till tea tomorrow? I'd be happy to give it a go.

[miladycarol.livejournal.com]

Do you have special tools I do not? I gave a call to the electrician and they are supposed to come later this afternoon. I'll call them off if you really think you can do it, though.

[karjack.livejournal.com]

This might sound strange, but have you tried a potato? I've heard, but never attempted this, that if you use half a potato it'll pop that casing right off. Even if it doesn't work, it's at least kind of amusing?

[biomekanic.livejournal.com]

Reread the original...

[karjack.livejournal.com]

D'oh. And I did read it! I just have a case of the stupid.

[miladycarol.livejournal.com]

S'all right. You can't be any more stupid than I feel having to write that check for the electrician's labour. Stupid light bulb.

[miladycarol.livejournal.com]

Yes. I tried the potato. And stiff clay. And a dry sponge. And non-skid rubber mats around the outside of the pliers. *hangs head in dispair*

[biomekanic.livejournal.com]

Special tools: only my sheer cussedness and determination to prove mastery over machines.

Have you tried this: put a pair of needle nose into the inside of the bulb socket and open them up, use that pressure to help you turn the bulb.
Worth a shot.

[miladycarol.livejournal.com]

I tried it with 4 pairs of pliers... including parallel pliers... then I tried wrapping non-skid rubber on the outsides of the pliers as well and tried it again. Nothing works. The thing won't budge for me.

[wyliekat.livejournal.com]

It's not a failure. It's not like you didn't try everything short of the ol' potato trick (which never works anyway). I appreciate that you didn't electrocute yourself in the trying.

[miladycarol.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your words of comfort. My wisdom comes from the knowledge that I should turn off the current to the unit before attempting assult with tubers.

Still, I'm in a sour mood for a while. I need to do something fruitful and constructive to break it. *grimace* Stupid light bulb. Grr.

I think I'll go manicure the lawn. That always gives me a feeling of accomplishment.

[wyliekat.livejournal.com]

before attempting assult with tubers

Lol - Can you imagine the electrician pulling fried bits of 'tater out of the socket? Do you suppose they get a lot of that?

[miladycarol.livejournal.com]

I don't know. *giggles at the thought, though* I am not planning to turn the electricity on for the range, though, until this is resolved. Not only is there potato goo around the inside of the metal bits but little shards of glass everywhere. I figure I'll keep the current off until the bulb is successfully changed and I have completely swept and scrubbed the inside of the oven. I'm not anxious for fried potato bits with crunchy glass. *shudders*

You know, I'm thinking it may have been far more efficient use of my time and efforts to actually scrub the oven myself. I may not ever use that self-cleaning feature again. This is far more trouble than I thought it could be. Fancy that. A time saving feature that costs more money, effort and time than the original task of scrubbing the oven. Gah!

[wyliekat.livejournal.com]

Truthfully, I've never been so happy to have a cleaning service as I am right now. And given the amount of eased tension in my household since we got them, that's saying something.

The oven in our new place was scary greasy when we moved in and the girls cleaned that thing to a high gloss, I'm telling you. No fume inhalation on my part and no need to live with a grotty oven. It was a nice feeling.

this may sound odd but

[davesc4545.livejournal.com]

ok turn off the power and maybe take a pair of plyers but insted of trying to grab from the outside try from the inside you may also need a degreaser to try and spry on that socket but ask some one with more eltircal know how than me on that .i am not sure if you tryed it that way or not .

Re: this may sound odd but

[miladycarol.livejournal.com]

Okay, I've tried W-D 40 around the edges now, as well. It was a good suggestion and I hadn't thought of that one. Yet, still, the bulb casing mocks my efforts. I am defeated. But I'll continue to entertain any bright ideas.

Re: this may sound odd but

[davesc4545.livejournal.com]

ok well i meant no flamebel items so i hope you do not have a small flame up in there .