Put the 60W bulb back in by itself and operate the switch and the dimmer. It should be ok.

If it is, get two more 60W bulbs and you should be good to go. I just replaced a kitchen fixture and used Halogena bulbs by Phillips. They look great and use just 53W and use a regular dimmer.

Don't use a higher wattage than what the sticker near the sockets calls for. 3X60W is probably right for a kitchen ceiling fixture.

You can dim compact fluorescents, but you need the right dimmer and lamps. Changing out the dimmer isn't that complicated nor are the ones rated for CFL's particularly expensive.

Note that even when the bulbs are dimmable and the right dimmer is used, they typically don't dim all that well especially on the low end. The ones I have get to about perhaps 25% brightness and attempting to go further just shuts them off.

The only real rub with the CF-compatible dimmers is that they usually require a neutral connection at the dimmer and older switch loops may NOT provide that.

Thanks for all your responses! Once I figure out what breaker the fixture is on I'm going to stick the 60w back in. I really don't like the CFL bulbs!

the cfl bulbs are your problem at the moment. Remove them. You've probably fried them anyway. Put the incandescent back in. Breath easier.

Then when you're in the mood, go get a dimmer rated for fluorescent, and CFL bulbs listed as dimmable.

The buzzing continued and I couldn't get the light to turn off.

Is this a typo? Even when the switch was in the fully off position, the light was still on?

"Then when you're in the mood, go get a dimmer rated for fluorescent, and CFL bulbs listed as dimmable."

Check with the CFL maker about EXACTLY what dimers (by brand name and type, and by dimmer part number is better) the CFL is compatible with.

I put regular bulbs back in the fixture and it has been working fine for a month now. I think I'll not buy CFLs any more.

I think I'll not buy CFLs any more."

sarcasm] You are going to overheat the planet.[/sarcasm]