Top-Freezer Refrigerators Will Now be Certified with Built-in Enhanced Shabbos Mode through Collaboration between Kosher Certifying Agencies and Zman Technologies.

In February 2023 GE Appliances (GEA) will begin production of a new line of OU Kosher/CRC Hisachdus-certified top-freezer refrigerators with manually operated, built-in Enhanced Shabbos Mode (EHM). These new appliances will allow users to easily turn EHM 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 EHM. This easy-to-use device plugs into the data port of the refrigerator and automatically sets it to EHM 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 www.zmantechnologies.com

What is Enhanced Shabbos Mode?

During Shabbos and Yom Tov, EHM 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. EHM 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

OU Kosher, through its partnership with Zman Technologies, continues to work with GE Appliances to increase availability of kosher-certified, halachically compliant EHM appliances including ovens, while making them more user friendly.

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.”

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 EHM management.

GEA Ovens With Manual EHM

GE ovens are also certified by OU Kosher with the use of the Shabbos Keeper and in models with manually operated EHM. As with top-door refrigerators, there are also lower-priced ovens that have built-in EHM 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 www.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 EHM 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
[email protected]