GE Appliances is widely considered the most Shabbos-observant appliance manufacturer offering the first and only 100 percent Shabbos-compliant refrigerator solution on more than 100 of its French-Door refrigerator models. The Shabbos Keeper is a pocket-sized device that connects to refrigerators through a data port that automatically puts the appliance into Shabbos Mode each week based on the Jewish calendar.
Powered by ZMAN Technologies, the device has been endorsed by the Orthodox Union (OU), Central Rabbinical Congress (CRC) and Halachic Tech USA and goes beyond typical Shabbos Modes to cover all electrical functions that are in operation without resorting to any extreme methods.
According to Rabbi Tzvi Ortner, advisor to the Orthodox Union and head of Halachic Tech USA, the most important aspect of the Shabbos Keeper is what the eye can’t see. Inside refrigerators there are multiple electronic systems that activate each time the door is opened and closed. There are door sensors, lights and computer readings, but the most significant hazard to Shabbos observance is the auto-defrost.
“Most people are not aware that running along inside the refrigerator walls is a heating coil that turns red hot. The auto defrost is activated by computers reading your refrigerator usage. So, you can have a potential situation where a Shabbos-observing person is turning on a hot coil, similar to an oven, on Shabbos,” Rabbi Ortner said. “The Shabbos Keeper goes above and beyond anything else that’s available to cover all electric devices that you can see and the ones that you can’t for a truly stress-free experience.”
How the Shabbos Keeper WorksOne of the Shabbos Keeper’s key features is an automatic setting developed by Clifton, New Jersey-based ZMAN Technologies that uses location to determine the time of sunset. When in Enhanced Shabbos Mode (EHM), the Shabbos Keeper automatically sets the refrigerator to the Shabbos settings each week, and then reverts to weekday mode after Shabbos (and Yom Tov).
Other features and benefits of the Shabbos Keeper include:
Simple setup and activation that is done once and programmed through 2050.
Smart-look that can be placed on the front, side, or top of refrigerator.
Interior lighting that stays lit during Shabbos.
Automatic defrosting system.
Automatic deactivation of door switches, sensors, internal computers, touch screens, water dispensers and ice makers.
72-hour power backup with automatic memory reset after power failure.
According to GE Appliances and ZMAN Technologies, the Shabbos Keeper is just the beginning. They are continuing their collaboration to make it available on more refrigerator models, as well as seeking opportunities to create other Shabbos-compliant appliance solutions.
“Observant Jewish households have been limited in their choice of Shabbos Mode appliances—until now,” said Kevin Nolan, president and CEO of GE Appliances. “Nothing of this magnitude has ever been done for the Jewish community by any appliance manufacturer and we are proud to be the frontrunner. We look forward to a continued collaboration to provide a much wider selection of compatible refrigerators and potentially other types of appliances.”
The Shabbos Keeper is currently compatible with more than 100 GE Appliances refrigerator models with more to be added in the future. It is currently available through GE Appliances dealers and online at GEApplianceParts.com or ZMANtechnologies.com.
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One Response
Where can this be purchased?