Bosch, Neff and Siemens non-certified Sabbath mode instructions

In 2020, FedTech discovered that a number of ovens which had been previously investigated and confirmed to be Shabbos compliant were now being produced with a feature which rendered the devices non-compliant.  

Software had been newly programmed to take account of EU regulation. As a result, when opening and closing the oven door the heating element would shut off and start again. This behaviour was detected even when the device was in Sabbath setting. 

Those who purchased their device at any point in 2020 and onwards, must not use their oven until they have verified that their oven uses the older, more compliant software. This can be done by contacting us at technology@federation.org.uk. Even once verified that an oven uses the older, more compliant software, one should remember to only use the oven in accordance with the instructions outlined below.

Those who purchased their device before the start of 2020 may continue making use of their oven on Shabbos. They should be aware of the following points which were communicated about these ovens in the past: 

• All food must be fully cooked, warm and in place in the oven before Shabbos 

• NO FOOD whether raw or cooked, hot or cold may be PLACED in the oven on Shabbos 

• The oven is set to ‘Sabbath mode’ before Shabbos. 

• The oven should be set to the desired temperature in ‘Sabbath mode’ before Shabbos (the manufacturers have limited this to below 140 degrees). 

• No adjustments may be made to the temperature setting during the course of Shabbos. 

• In ovens which carry an element indicator light (or the user has installed an indicator light), the door should only be opened when the light is ‘on’. 

• An oven which has an indicator light may be opened and closed repeatedly, when the light indicates that the element is working. 

• An indicator light may be installed for these purposes. For more information please click here.

On Yom Tov, the following applies: 

• The oven is set to ‘Sabbath mode’ before Yom Tov. 

• The oven should be set to the desired temperature in ‘Sabbath mode’ before Yom Tov. 

• No adjustments may be made to the temperature setting during the course of Yom Tov. 

• Food may be placed in the oven to cook or heat on Yom Tov and need not be in place from before Yom Tov. 

• The door may be opened and closed without limits as required during the course of cooking.

The reader is reminded to ensure that all use of an oven on Shabbos is done in accordance with the laws of cooking and warming on Shabbos explained in the guide ‘How to keep food hot in an oven over Shabbos’.