Brooklyn, NY – With the yomim tovim and their many meals just days away, a small appliance company based out of Rockland County is about to stock store shelves with a safety-tested hotplate that will allow members of the Jewish community to heat up their food without worries.
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The safety of electrical appliances commonly used in Jewish homes, particularly those left unattended for many hours, became a subject of much debate following the devastating fire that took the lives of the seven Sassoon children last March.
As previously reported on VIN News, Chefman employed a team of Orthodox Jewish consultants in the design of its new hotplate, allowing it to create a product that was designed specifically for the extended usage that typically occurs in Jewish homes. According to Chefman CEO Ralph Newhouse, the company’s hotplate is the first that was developed specifically for use by religiously observant Jews.
“The Orthodox Jewish community is very much a niche market and none of the major players have ever gotten involved in a product like this because of the small size of the market,” Newhouse told VIN News.
Newhouse said that the product, which will be sold by Amazing Savings for $39.99, will be on store shelves next week, the day after Rosh Hashana.
In addition to having both a regular fuse and backup fuse which will automatically shut off the product if it overheats, the hotplate features covered temperature controls and cool touch handles. The stainless steel warming tray was rigorously tested by three independent laboratories and is constructed entirely of Underwriters Laboratories certified components, according to Newhouse. The product bears the safety seals of the ETL, a North American product testing laboratory whose certification ensures that the product passes all UL requirements, and the SGS, an international laboratory that tests product safety.
“We really wanted to test it to the max,” explained Newhouse. “The average frum person runs a hotplate for 24, 48 or even 72 hours of continuous use. We tested units by the week, by the month and we have some that have been running for 6 months. We were looking to really strain the device and push it to the limits.”
Newhouse noted that Chefman deliberately kept the price point low on the 21 by 18 inch hotplate so that it would be affordable to all.
“The Orthodox community really deserves a product that is safe, something they can plug in and not have any fear about its usage on Shabbos or yom tov,” said Newhouse.
This sounds great and I hope to do some research and buy.
Just curious, is it safer than a standard crock pot and in what way?
Same question goes for an open flame on the stove without a blech – besides for the kids factor…
Who would I even ask these questions to; my local fire department?
iS IT UL APPROVED ?
What Rav approved of it?
It is very very rare for UL approved warming plates to catch fire. Having a working fire alarm is more important.
excuse my ignorance the product will be sold for $39.00. now lets get out the calculator lets say Amazing Savings makes $10.00 that brings the product to $29.00 the Company needs to make $10.00 we are talking about $19.00 the real manufacturer/Supplies (i am giving the benefit of the doubt is $10.00) that leaves a $9.00. now you can think this company is releasing the same mechanistic that lifts a Boeing 757 on a stormy night.
ETL is a recognized lab and is similar to UL.
Major department stores in the USA accept either UL or ETL approval.
For all those who are wondering. ETL is the lab that does the testing to approve a product for UL. So if something is approved by ETL than it meets the UL standards and is considered approved by UL. So to clarify, this warming tray is approved by UL.
I wasn’t talking about a Rav approving it for safety. I was talking about a Rav approving it for halachic reasons. There are many things a Rav needs to look at. Is it filled with water? Does its use of electricity change when you remove something from it, etc. Not only should it be UL approved, it should be halachically approved. BOTH are important.
Its rarely just the appliance that just catches fire, but due to the previous usage and/or damage, other flammable materials nearby, the surrounding temperature and ventilation and many other conditions. Always follow manufacturer instructions as well as common sense safety precautions.
how do you buy it out of NY area?
Why do they not add a shabbos clock? It will solve many of the unnecessary heat to the kitchen during shabbos and yom tov. Once they are tackling the hot plate issue, and redesigning it, should they not also think it through completely?
Are manufacturers required to use UL for their compliance testing?
No. In fact, this misconception has misled many to believe that they don’t have a
choice in third-party testing partners. The only major requirement is that the
laboratory performing the testing is an OSHA-recognized NRTL. The ETL Listed
Mark serves as an indicator of compliance with applicable product safety standards.
• Do local Inspectors know the ETL Listed Mark?
Yes. The ETL Listed Mark is recognized by local inspectors and Authorities Having
Jurisdiction (AHJs) throughout North America and also in some areas of South
America. The ETL Listed Mark is an accepted alternative to UL and, as such,
inspectors and AHJs recognize, acknowledge, and accept the mark as proof of product
compliance.
• How long has the ETL Listed Mark been around?
“ETL” has been around over 100 years. In fact, the original Electrical Testing Labs
(ETL) was founded by Thomas Edison in 1896.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/900922798/shabbos-safe-hotplate
Reply to 16 the Shabbos clock is also dangerous. It is the conduit between a high power source and the high power hot plate
I saw it in Amazing Savings. It says on the box : Intertek Tested for safety. Anyone here familiar with electronics would know what that means?
Nice that you are estimating amazing savings totals… I guess you got insiders info
Hello I am not sure this hotplate has all safety standards
It might be better then there is but for that price it can’t be to great
Check shaboss hot plate on kickstarter you will see what a hot plate safe needs to look like
would be nice if they could get it in stores before Rosh Hashanah….
Most rabbanim would allow a shabbos clock to turn OFF a hotplate on Shabbos. The main issue is that halachically one can not turn ON a hotplate on Shabbos.
Why are there not any listing of Amperage and Wattage? Please explain more about testing, leaving it running for 6 months, is not very scientific? What kind of heating element does it have? The 3 certification agencies have minimal requirements, what exactly makes it specifically designed for Jewish Observance?
I have been using a PRESTO hot plate that is UL approved for many years. Very safe and it’s teflon coated. Cost about $25
Macy’s. Do NOT buy any electric device unless it is UL approved. History should NOT have to be repeated.
blech failed one hour in to shabbat