Preparing meals for Shabbos and Yom Tov can be made easier with a warming drawer. We recently did a post on warming drawers and received a lot of feedback saying that one needs to be very careful when using a warming drawer on Shabbos. Here’s what we learned.
Kashrus of a Warming Drawer for Shabbos
Just like other cooking appliances, you must cover the controls of the warming drawer for Shabbos. Opening the warming drawer will cause a mechanism to call for increased burning to compensate for heat loss. Therefore, it is permitted to open the warming drawer only once to remove all the fully cooked food placed inside before Shabbos. Look for models with a thermostat so you can control the temperature in the drawer.
For models with simpler controls(high-medium-low), ensure the drawer can maintain a minimum temperature of 120°F, or yad soledes bo. This temperature, also known as burning, is the temperature at which someone would withdraw their hand from a heat source. Although warming drawers are treated like ovens when serving food on Shabbos and Yom Tov,it is important to note that Kashrus of a warming drawer on Shabbos might require different steps than a regular oven. It is recommended that you speak with your rav about the best method for using yours.
Keep in mind that Sabbath Mode certification is not the same for all cooking appliances. Essential features to look for are the ability to override 12-hour shutoff built into most cooking appliances today so you can leave the product on for a 2–3-day Yom Tov.
TheBest Star-K Certified Warming Drawers
1. Viking RVEWD330SS 30 Inch Warming Drawer
Viking is a luxurious appliance brand with commercial roots. This drawer has temperature settings from 90°F to 250°F, the best temperature range out there. Its five power levels make it easy to accomplish everything from baking bread to keeping meals piping hot. This model ships with two removable low racks and a removable moisture cup to maintain optimal humidity.
2. Wolf WWD30 30 Inch Panel Ready Warming Drawer
The Wolf Warming Drawer offers an 850-watt heating element, the most powerful drawer on the market. This warming drawer is perfect for indoor or outdoor kitchens, and you can also use it to warm towels. This integrated drawer front allows for a custom wood panel and handles, depending on your kitchen design.This warming drawer offers a timer. Once the timer goes off, the warming drawer cannot be used again for that Shabbos or Yom Tov. An optional accessory includes a six-piece container set, including six stainless steel pans with lids.
3. Dacor Professional IWD30 Panel Ready Warming Drawer
This warming drawer from Dacor comes with four temperature levels–proof, low, medium, and high with a temp range of 100°F to 200°F. Offered in 24-, 27-, and 30-inch widths, Dacor warming drawers can work with every kitchen design. Its panel-ready design blends seamlessly with surrounding cabinetry. This model offers a built-in timer with up to 4 hours or an infinite mode. The Infinite mode is handy when you need the warming drawer for extended periods, like Shabbos and Yom Tov.
4. Thermador WD30WC 30 Inch Warming Drawer
This Thermador warming drawer offers luxurious features, including SoftClose® doors for ultra-smooth closing of the warming drawer. These rails feature a telescoping ball-bearing design for smooth opening and closing that supports up to a 40 lbs. load. Its 1-hour automatic shutoff with an adjustable timer offers a temperature range that runs from 100°F to 190°F.In Sabbath mode, this warming drawer temperature will run at a medium temperature of 165°F for 74hours.
5. Bosch 500 Series HWD5051UC 30 Inch Warming Drawer
A great value option, this 2.2 cubic ft. capacity warming drawer offers three power levels, a special proofing mode for bread baking, and offers a 1-hour automatic shutoff with an adjustable timer. Its temperature range runs from 100°F to 190°F, and its push-to-open door design blends seamlessly with many appliance brands. In Sabbath mode, this warming drawer temperature will run at a medium temperature of 165°F for 74 hours.
This post is brought to you by AJ Madison
