Lava lamps are one of those futuristic magic lamps that have survived in time. Matter of fact, they even got better.
With a better chemical compound and a more stable stylish look, it is one of the must-haves if you like a light show of wax bubbles floating around. And with light as an added bonus.
But the thing that remained the same is the glass case. Inside the wax and chemicals do the heating and cooling trick that lets the bubbles form.
As heat and glass are not friendly from the very beginning, you might be asking yourself, can a Lava lamp explode or not.
We will discuss that in our article today.
3 Reasons How Can a Lava Lamp Explode
Although Lava lamps are secured and operate at a controlled temperature, they are still made of glass with liquid substances inside.
As you know the sudden change in temperature for any glassware develops cracks in them, and the lava lamp is no different.
The lava lamp can explode in very few circumstances. And we can narrow it down to only three.
- Exposed to sudden temperature changes.
- Cracked outer glass.
- Overpower incandescent bulbs.
Exposed to Sudden Temperature Changes
This is the most common reason a lava lamp might explode. As the lamp functions with an incandescent bulb that not only provides you with light but also provides the heat to melt the wax inside it.
This in return warms up the outer glass casing. If there is enough moisture in the air, chances are that they will cause a negative effect and your lamp might explode.
Some people also try to heat them up on stoves. Yes! People have done that to make the warm-up process faster. Which is a big no.
And as a result, the lamps explode after some use.
Cracked Outer Glass
Sometime your lamp might have fallen. Although it is microscopic, the outer glass shell has developed a crack due to that fall.
And after reheating and cooling for some time, the cracks start to react. One day you might leave the lamp on more than the usual time and it will explode due to the past crack that it developed.
Over-Powered Incandescent Bulb
One of the customizations that are offered with a lava lamp is you can change the bulbs. Some might want the process to go faster as a lava lamp takes a lot of time to heat up.
So you might think a higher wattage bulb will do the trick. And without reading the recommended wattage limit, you simply put in the bulb of your choice.
This in return made the lamp heat up faster. But be warned, it will explode in time. It’s like a ticking time bomb as it is crossing its expected limit of heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are lava lamps safe to leave on all night?
Yes. Good quality lava lamps can be left on overnight. But it might also mess up the paraffin wax mix and you won’t be able to have any bubble shows anymore. Normally a lava lamp is suggested to operate between 7-8 hours at a time.
How safe is a lava lamp?
A lava lamp is perfectly safe if you have bought it from a trusted and well-known manufacturer. They regulate the wattage of the bulb to the perfect chemical compound and the glass shell. But be warned, they become hot with use. So keep it out of reach of children and pets.
How do I know if my lava lamp is too hot?
You can tell a lava lamp is too hot by the wax bubbles. If the lamp is overheating, the bubbles will not form anymore. Rather the wax will float around like a play dough inside the lamp.
Conclusion
As much fun and aesthetic as a lava lamp can be, it can also harm you if it is not operated properly. The best way to keep it lighting up your room is to follow the instructions that came with it. As different size lava lamps operate and function differently, it is the best way to ensure their safety and longevity.
