What Does It Mean To Put An Oven On Sabbath Mode (& Why Would You Want To?)

Have you ever wondered what the Sabbath mode setting on your oven is for? Sabbath mode is a feature for individuals observing the Sabbath, a tradition in the Jewish faith that takes place every Friday at sunset until sundown on Saturday. Sabbath is considered a day of rest; during this time, many tasks are prohibited because they are regarded as forms of work that go against the intended purpose of the Sabbath, which is to slow down and reflect. The use of electricity is also limited during this time. As such, the setting allows the oven to run using limited electricity and is compliant with the Sabbath laws.

Although ovens are among the most common kitchen appliances with a Sabbath mode setting, other devices have this feature as well. Many refrigerators manufactured today come with this setting, although its functions are somewhat different. Other appliances that come with a Sabbath mode feature include dishwashers, wine fridges, stovetops, and microwaves. Although Sabbath-friendly appliances are not necessarily a must-have feature for every kitchen, they can be a worthwhile investment that brings value for potential buyers if you plan to sell your home. 

As we've established, performing work duties such as cooking and operating electric appliances like ovens is prohibited during Sabbath. However, the Sabbath mode setting works around this rule by keeping the oven running continuously throughout a predetermined period. This way, the oven can be used to warm food previously prepared but not for actually cooking a meal. When Sabbath mode is activated, the oven's automatic shut-off is disabled, allowing the oven to run for up to 12 hours at a consistent temperature. This means the oven can be used for baking and roasting but not convection baking or broiling. 

Traditionally, turning electrical devices on and off is not allowed during Sabbath. For this reason, the Sabbath mode setting may also deactivates other elements such as your oven's self-cleaning feature, the clock, temperature control, and sounds. However, you may be required to manually turn on or disable certain features, such as the oven light or the warming drawer, before the start of Sabbath because they will remain as you set them. So, if you've ever wondered why your oven light isn't turning off, check to see if Sabbath mode is enabled. 

Sabbath mode can be found on nearly all major kitchen appliances these days, including refrigerators, dishwashers, and cooktops. In Sabbath mode, a refrigerator keeps its interior lights running instead of automatically shutting off when the doors are closed. It also disables features like the ice maker, water filter, and touchscreen. While in Sabbath mode, the fridge is set to a specific temperature that cannot be changed or it may be put on a timed defrost setting automatically.

On stovetops, Sabbath mode enables only the basic settings, such as Start, Cancel, and Off. All other features are deactivated, but the burners can still be used for cooking. This is similar to the Sabbath mode setting on dishwashers — the appliance can still be powered on, but all additional settings, sounds, and interior lights will remain off. Although not all dishwashers have this feature, various appliance brands do have it available. Other appliances that may come with a Sabbath mode or similar feature include wine fridges, beverage coolers, and microwaves.