KitchenAid Refrigerator Alert

March 28, 2024

It has come to our attention that some KitchenAid KRFF577KPS 26.8 Cu. Ft. Standard-Depth French Door Refrigerator with Exterior Ice & Water Dispenser units have a malfunctioning Sabbath Mode. This issue has been identified in recently purchased units.

To determine if you own an affected unit, enter Sabbath Mode and hold down the door switches. If you hear a fan activate or deactivate when the switches are pressed and released, then Sabbath Mode is not working correctly.

KitchenAid is working on a solution to resolve the issue. In the interim, to use on Shabbos or Yom Tov, STAR-K recommends taping down the door switches along with setting Sabbath Mode.

Please email [email protected] if you would like to be notified when a fix is available.

Sub-Zero Legacy Designer Series (IT, IC, ID, IW) Appliance Purchased Between 2017-Present: Important Guidance for Consumers

September 26, 2023

Please be advised that Designer Series products (models IT, IC, ID, IW) that have the Smart Grid Option enabled for connection to either the Sub-Zero Group Owner’s App or third-party home system do not return to Sabbath Mode after a power outage.

Please refer consumers to the manufacturer’s recommendations at the Sub-Zero website which notes:

To prevent this, the Smart Grid Option must be disabled.

Disabling the Smart Grid Option prevents the unit from being connected to the Sub-Zero Group Owner’s App or third-party home system.

A Wi-Fi icon or home and power cord icon appears when the unit has the Smart Grid Option enabled.

The unit does not have to be paired to the Sub-Zero Group Owner’s App or a third-party home system for this issue to occur. The Smart Grid Option must be disabled regardless of connected status.

This issue has been resolved in newer models but affects consumers of […]

Wolf Cooktop Alert

January 27, 2023

It has come to STAR-K’s attention that there is a potential halachic issue with some Wolf cooktops that have the auto-ignite feature.

When a burner is on, opening or closing a drawer or cabinet door near the cooktop might extinguish the burner flame, which will automatically reignite.

The manufacturer has informed us that this poses no safety concern, as the flame comes back right away. However, this does present a halachic concern for Shabbos and Yom Tov.

STAR-K advises consumers to conduct the following test on a weekday:

Observe the cooktop under normal cooking conditions while opening and closing drawers and cabinet doors in the vicinity of the cooktop.

Verify that the burner remains on without interruption.

If testing indicates that opening or shutting a particular door or drawer does cause the burner to extinguish and reignite, that drawer should not be opened or closed on Shabbos and Yom Tov when the […]

STAR-K Appliance-Related Articles & Videos

The STAR-K site offers a variety of informative articles and videos related to the general use of cooking and refrigeration appliances, various Sabbath Mode features in STAR-K certified models, the halachic implications of using them on Shabbos and Yom Tov, as well as pre-purchase advice.

See the list of articles and videos below.

ARTICLES

OVEN KASHRUS: FOR SHABBOS USE

OVEN KASHRUS: FOR YOM TOV USE

USING AN OVEN ON SHABBOS & YOM TOV

TEN MYTHS ABOUT STAR-K SABBATH MODE OVENS

ALL ABOUT SABBATH MODE APPLIANCES AND WARMING DRAWERS: STAR-K ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

PRE-PURCHASE ADVICE FOR OVENS AND COOKTOPS

KEEPING YOUR COOL: ALL ABOUT REFRIGERATORS

PRE-PURCHASE ADVICE FOR REFRIGERATORS

PRE-PURCHASE ADVICE FOR DISHWASHERS

VIDEOS

STAR-K VIDEO PRESENTATION: SABBATH MODE APPLIANCES

STAR-K WEBINAR: APPLIANCE PRE-PURCHASE ADVICE

VIDEO DEMO: REFRIGERATOR WITH MAGNETIC SWITCH

VIDEO DEMO: REFRIGERATOR WITH PLUNGER SWITCH

Thermador Oven Alert

April 7, 2021

BSH Home Appliances has recently discovered a glitch in the
Thermador Professional Series Double Wall Ovens. The Sabbath mode operation is
working properly, but the temperature adjustment allowance during Sabbath mode
is not working once Sabbath is activated.

The following products are affected:

Product

Description

PO302W

Pro
Dbl Oven, 30″, SS, Select

POD302LW

Pro
Dbl Oven, 30″, SS, Deluxe, Left Side-Opening

POD302RW

Pro
Dbl Oven, 30″, SS, Deluxe, Right Side-Opening

POD302W

Pro
Dbl Oven, 30″, SS, Deluxe

PODS302W

Pro
Spec Dbl, 30″, SS, Deluxe, Steam and Convection Oven

This issue can be fixed through
a software update and BSH has already initiated actions to implement the fix
within the factory, as well as an […]

GE Sabbath Mode Oven Alert

Effective January 1, 2022, GE began marketing their Sabbath Mode ovens without STAR-K certification. Certified ovens purchased and delivered prior to January 1, 2022, remain certified.

Consumers seeking to purchase cooking appliances compatible with Shabbos and Yom Tov are advised to select models certified by a reliable kashrus organization.

Consumers who have questions or concerns about this issue can contact GE directly at 1-800-626-2005.