Using an Oven on Shabbos and Yom Tov

Reviewed March 2024

To download and print a handy summary of these halachos, click here.

Cooking in the modern kitchen is a whole new experience. Technological advances have taken the old stovetop and oven and upgraded them to be safer, more efficient, and “smart” for today’s lifestyle. They are also far more complicated. With these transformations, the observant Jew is faced with challenges that did not confront him in the past.

To understand how these changes affect the halachic use of ovens and cooktops on Shabbos and Yom Tov, it is worthwhile to review some laws and concepts as they relate to cooking on Shabbos and Yom Tov.

A. Terms and Prohibitions Pertaining to Food Preparation on Shabbos and Yom Tov

Definitions of Basic Terms

Melacha A melacha is a Torah prohibited act derived from the constructive acts performed in erecting the Mishkan . These forbidden acts are known […]

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; appliance pre-purchase advice; as well as articles about other Sabbath Mode technologies, such as medical devices and elevators.

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STAR-K GUIDE TO USING OVENS ON SHABBOS & YOM TOV (PDF)

ARTICLES ABOUT COOKING APPLIANCES

ARTICLE ON OVEN USE (PUBLISHED IN YESHURUN, VOL. 36) – HaRav Moshe Heinemann shlit”a

TESHUVA ON OVEN USE ON YOM TOV – HaRav Moshe Heinemann shlit”a

USING AN OVEN ON SHABBOS & YOM TOV – Rabbi Avrohom D. Mushell (March 2024)

OVEN KASHRUS 101: USING THE SAME OVEN FOR MEAT, DAIRY, FISH AND PAREVE – Rabbi Dovid Heber (Spring 2016)

OVEN KASHRUS: FOR SHABBOS USE – Rabbi Avrohom D. Mushell (Winter 2005)

OVEN KASHRUS: FOR YOM TOV USE […]

STAR-K Tevilas Keilim Chart
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Kashrus Kurrents Summer 2015 | Updated March 2024

(ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED AS: A Practical Guide to Tevilas Keilim)

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For a summary of the halachos involved, refer to Tevilas Keilim: Basic Guidelines.

UTENSIL
NEED FOR TEVILA – WITH OR WITHOUT A BRACHA

Aluminum Pan, Disposable
Tevila without a bracha if intended to be used only once; tevila with a bracha if intended to be used more than once.[1]

Aluminum Pan, Non-disposable
Tevila with a bracha[2]

Apple Corer (metal)
Tevila with a bracha

Baking/Cookie Sheet
Tevila with a bracha

Barbeque Grill
Racks require tevila with a bracha, other components do not require tevila.

Blech
No tevila

Blender/Mixer
Glass or metal bowl, metal blades and other attachments require tevila with a bracha, other components do not require tevila.  Handheld immersion blender requires tevila with a bracha.

Bottle (metal or glass)
Tevila with a bracha. If bought filled with food and subsequently emptied by a Jew, does not require tevila.[3]

Brush (grill, egg yolk, pastry)
No tevila

Cake Plate (metal or glass)
Plate needs tevila with a bracha, cake plate cover does not require tevila.

Can (metal or glass)
Tevila with a bracha. If bought filled with food and subsequently emptied by […]