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Approval for Use on Shabbos and Yom Tov
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or the “Shabbos Safe Hotplate”
To Our Dear Friend, Ben Tzion Davis ש"ומע,
After reviewing your safer and more energy efficient new hotplate, we can safely say that halachically, it
is the same as any other hotplates on the market, which Klal Yisrael have been using for years. It has no
knobs to adjust the heat level, and acts only as a warming plate. In addition, you have wisely crafted
your device out of stainless steel, a material that can be kashered. With regards to both the Shabbos use
of a hotplate, and kashering such a hot plate, one should of course seek the advice of their own local
community Orthodox Rabbi; however, we can attest that this hotplate poses no additional concerns
beyond those of other stainless steel hotplates on the market. The world of Torah Judaism will certainly
benefit from having a product such as yours available. It will surely make for a safer Shabbos experience
for many families. May you be blessed with continued hatzlacha in this and all of your endeavors.
Be’Birchas Hatzlacha Rabbah Ve’Kol Tuv!
Guidelines for Use on Shabbos and Yom Tov
For the “Shabbos Safe Hotplate”
The Shabbos Safe hotplate is permissible for use on Shabbos. Classic use of the hotplate is for foods that
are already cooked and need to remain hot for Shabbos. When such foods are placed on the stove before
Shabbos, they require a blech, or cover over the flame. The Shabbos Safe hotplate does not require a
blech. The Shabbos Safe unit only has one setting and there is no method for changing the temperature.
Additionally, the heating element is mounted by metal framework to the bottom housing. There is a one
inch gap of internal airspace between the heating element and the surface of the hotplate. Thus, the
surface acts as the blech. Another use of the hotplate is to place fully cooked, dry foods on the hotplate,
on Shabbos. The Shabbos Safe hotplate has surface temperature of 210°F. With cold food on it the
surface is much cooler. Multiple tests have shown that the Shabbos Safe hotplate cannot efficiently cook
food, if at all. Thus, in a manner specified by Halacha, one may use the Shabbos Safe hotplate for
warming fully cooked, dry foods.
ONE SHOULD CONSULT THEIR HALACHIC AUTHORITY
REGARDING HOW TO PROPERLY USE A HOTPLATE IN THIS MANNER.
