Sabbath Mode on a digital oven display

What is Sabbath Mode?

During the Sabbath or Shabbat, and religious holidays in Judaism, there may be restrictions on certain activities that can extend to the use of appliances. Restrictions may include turning appliances on or off, using control panels or activating lights and sounds.

Sabbath Mode allows people to use their household appliances without violating their religious laws. When appliances are put into Sabbath Mode, certain features may be modified or disabled to accommodate these needs.

A black slide-in range with various dishes baking inside A black slide-in range with various dishes baking inside

What is Sabbath Mode on a stove or cooktop?

You can cook on your stove when it’s in Sabbath Mode, but additional features and functionality are disabled. Here are some common features and functions of stoves or cooktops with Sabbath Mode:

  • Cooktop burners can still be operated.

  • Sounds such as tones or chimes are disabled.

  • Displays will not indicate temperature changes.

  • Timers are disabled.

  • Cooktop Lockout, a feature that prevents unintended use of the cooktop, is disabled.

  • Energy Save is disabled in select models.

  • Start, Cancel and Off keys, as well as Warming Zone on/off (select models), remain enabled. All other keys are disabled.

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A Whirlpool® stainless steel wall oven in a modern kitchen A Whirlpool® stainless steel wall oven in a modern kitchen

What is Sabbath Mode on an oven?

When in Sabbath Mode, your oven will disable its automatic shut-off function to stay on longer than 12 hours. This means that the oven will stay in a Bake mode until shut off, which will allow you to use the oven for cooking or warming food. It is important to remember that certain features will need to be enabled or disabled before using Sabbath Mode. This includes the following:

Oven Light: Turn your oven light on or off before engaging Sabbath Mode. Your oven light will remain as it was set until Sabbath Mode is turned off – it will not be affected by the Oven Light switch or by opening or closing your oven door.

Warming Drawer: If you plan to use your warming drawer, it must be turned on prior to enabling Sabbath Mode. Adjust your warming drawer settings prior to turning on Sabbath Mode, as these settings cannot be changed once the Mode is engaged.

While your oven is in Sabbath Mode, only the Bake setting can be enabled – all other oven settings, including temperature displays, sounds and cleaning cycles, are disabled.

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A stainless steel French door refrigerator with bottom freezer A stainless steel French door refrigerator with bottom freezer

What is Sabbath Mode on a refrigerator or freezer?

Sabbath Mode allows you to open and close the refrigerator or freezer doors without activating interior lights, sounds or other controls. While your fridge is in Sabbath Mode, water filter status lights are disabled and temperatures cannot be adjusted.

The refrigerator is at the heart of the kitchen, making Sabbath Mode for this appliance particularly important. Sabbath Mode on a refrigerator allows the appliance to keep food and ingredients cool while limiting interaction with the electrical system.

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What is Sabbath Mode on a wine refrigerator?

When Sabbath Mode is activated on your wine fridge or wine cooler, the exterior lights and display will be deactivated. This will make your appliance appear as if it is turned off, but your wine cooler will keep running as normal and its temperature settings will remain unchanged. Activate Sabbath Mode on your wine refrigerator to keep your wine bottles cool during Shabbat.

To learn more about Sabbath Mode or for further instructions, refer to your appliance’s Use and Care Guide. To download or view your product manual, visit the Whirlpool® Manuals and Literature page.

How to use Sabbath Mode

Knowing how and when to use Sabbath Mode can help you take full advantage of your kitchen appliances throughout the week. While the exact process for using Sabbath Mode varies by brand, you can use these tips to learn how Sabbath Mode works with each of the following Whirlpool® appliances in your home to create a quiet and comfortable atmosphere for your family during Shabbat. For product-specific information, be sure to consult the owner’s manual for each appliance.

A freestanding range with an open door and various dishes inside

Stove or cooktop

  • Select Sabbath Mode from the mode options on your Whirlpool® cooktop or range
  • Set the cooktop elements or burners to the desired temperature level
  • Warm dishes by placing them on the stove or cooktop

  • Deactivate the stove and cooktop elements when you’re finished cooking or warming your food

  • Exit Sabbath Mode on your Whirlpool® cooktop or range by holding the touchscreen or button for three seconds
A wall oven with an open door and various dishes inside

Oven

  • Select Sabbath Mode on your wall oven or range from the baking cycle options

  • Select your desired temperature to enable the baking cycle

  • Exit Sabbath Mode on your Whirlpool® wall oven or range by holding the touchscreen or button for three seconds
A stainless steel French door refrigerator with bottom freezer and food inside

Refrigerator or freezer

  • Activate Sabbath Mode on your Whirlpool® refrigerator by holding the mode button for three seconds

  • Open and close the fridge door to access chilled food, ingredients and beverages

  • Exit Sabbath Mode on your Whirlpool® refrigerator by holding the mode button three seconds
A wine refrigerator with an open door

Wine refrigerator

  • Activate Sabbath Mode on your Whirlpool® wine fridge or undercounter refrigerator by holding the mode button for three seconds

  • Open and close the fridge door to access chilled beverages

  • Exit Sabbath Mode on your Whirlpool® wine refrigerator by holding the mode button three seconds

Learn more about Whirlpool® ovens and ranges

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