Top-Freezer Refrigerators Will Now be Certified with Built-in Enhanced Shabbos Mode through Collaboration between Kosher Certifying Agencies and Zman Technologies
GE Appliances (GEA) has begun production of a new line of OU Kosher/CRC Hisachdus–certified top-freezer refrigerators with manually operated, built-in Enhanced Shabbos Mode (ESM). These new appliances will allow users to easily turn ESM on and off. The OU Kosher symbol on the product will confirm certification.
Other OU Kosher-Certified Refrigerators
All other OU Kosher-certified refrigerator platforms from GEA, including Monogram, Profile and Café models require ZMAN Technologies’ Shabbos Keeper for ESM. This easy-to-use device plugs into the data port of the refrigerator and automatically sets it to ESM each week, then sets it back to weekday mode after Shabbos (and Yom Tov). Built by GE Appliances, the Shabbos Keeper deactivates door switches and controls interior lights; auto defrost sensors; touch screens; ice makers; and water dispensers. Some models require manually disconnecting the ice maker. For more details, see zmantechnologies.com
Said Rabbi Menachem Genack, CEO of OU Kosher, “Improving access to kosher-certified appliances is in keeping with our mandate to support kosher observance. We’re pleased to be part of this important collaboration that offers consumers another option to maintain kashrus in their homes.”
What is Enhanced Shabbos Mode?
During Shabbos and Yom Tov, ESM automates the cooling or heating system and disables electrical flow through door switches while automating sensors so computers can’t turn on any systems when opening or closing the door. It also controls interior lights that stay on throughout Shabbos at reduced brightness. ESM is the only standard that’s OU Kosher certified and isn’t to be confused with standard Shabbos Mode which is not certified by OU Kosher.
OU Kosher’s Partnerships
Left to right: Director of OU Kosher Technology Rabbi Tzvi Ortner with President and CEO of GE Appliances Kevin Nolan at GE Appliances’ headquarters in Louisville, Ky.
OU Kosher, through its partnership with Zman Technologies, continues to work with GE Appliances to increase availability of kosher-certified, halachically compliant ESM appliances including ovens, while making them more user friendly.
Said Rabbi Elefant, COO of OU Kosher, “When people think of kosher, they typically just think about food. This development shows yet another way we’re evolving with the needs of kosher consumers and expanding in the realm of technology.”
Zman Technologies, under the guidance of OU Kosher, is working with GE on an app to control the functionality of these smart appliances including ESM management.
Said Rabbi Ortner, Director of OU Kosher technology, “This relationship with GE Appliances and Zman Technologies is a model we’re currently working to extend to other appliances and partners.”
GEA Ovens With Manual ESM
GE ovens are also certified by OU Kosher with the use of the Shabbos Keeper and in models with manually operated ESM. As with top-door refrigerators, there are also lower-priced ovens that have built-in ESM operated manually.
These and other new models as well as other OU Kosher-certified appliances will be available at local appliance dealers in March. For additional information, visit zmantechnologies.com . The complete list of Rabbinical endorsements is available at zmantechnologies.com/endorsements
The model numbers of the top-freezer refrigerators with built-in ESM are GIE17GSN, GIE18DTN, GIE18GCN, GIE18GSN, GIE18GTN, GIE19JSN, GIE22JMN, GIE22JSN, GIE22JTN, GPE17CTN, GTE16DTN, GTE16GTN, GTE17DTN, GTE17GSN, GTE17GTN, GTE18DCN, GTE18DTN, GTE18GMN, GTE18GSN, GTE18GTN, GTE19DTN, GTE19JSN, GTE19JTN, GTE22JMN, GTE22JSN, GTE22JTN, GTS16DTN, GTS17DTN, GTS17GSN, GTS17GTN, GTS18DTN, GTS18GSN, GTS18GTN, GTS18HGN, GTS18HMN, GTS18HSN, GTS18HYN, GTS19KGN, GTS19KMN, GTS19KSN, GTS19KYN, GTS22KGN, GTS22KMN, GTS22KSN, GTS22KYN
For more information, contact:
Rabbi Tzvi Ortner, Director of Kosher Technology
Ortnert@ou.org
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