Modern Day Kitchen Appliances on Yom Tov
Question: Is there any difference between the gas stovetops of today and the ones used years ago?
Discussion: Indeed, there is. Years ago, people used simple gas cooktops. It was permitted to turn on the gas and use a lit match to start the fire (though it was necessary to light the match from a pre-existing flame and not by striking it, as mentioned above). Today, many stoves have automatic igniters, so that whenever the gas is turned on, the flame is automatically ignited. This is prohibited on Yom Tov for two reasons: First, because starting a new flame is prohibited; it is permitted only to transfer fire from an existing flame. Second, because the automatic igniter uses electricity, which is also prohibited on Yom Tov.
If one wishes to turn on the stove on Yom Tov itself (and transfer pre-existing fire to it), he may do so if he can deactivate or bypass the self-ignite.43 This can be done by simply unplugging the stove from the electricity before Yom Tov (the gas can usually be used even when the electricity is off).
Question: May one turn off or lower the flame on Yom Tov?
Discussion: Generally speaking, turning off a flame, or even lowering it,44 is considered mechabeh45 – and mechabeh is permitted only for the sake of food preparation.46 For example, if there is a pot of food on the stovetop which still requires cooking, and the flame is too high and may burn the food, one may lower the flame.47 Some Poskim48 say that this is true even if one could light another, smaller flame on a different burner. However, some Poskim49 say that, if possible, one should light a separate, smaller flame instead of lowering a pre-existing flame.
Question: I really like fresh bread on Yom Tov, but I do not want to deal with the mess of making bread. Can I set a bread maker on a timer to bake bread on Yom Tov?
Discussion: Although this is technically permitted, some Poskim maintain that it is not in the spirit of Yom Tov.50
43 Some newer stovetops are equipped with a safety valve that automatically turns off the gas when there is no flame. Turning on the flame, even from a pre-existing flame, creates some form of electricity. Poskim grapple with the use of such a stovetop on Yom Tov; see Yom Tov Kehilchaso, Simanim, 33; Oz Veorah VIII, page 14.
44 Based on Mishnah Berurah 514, note 16. See also Hilchos Chag Bechag 12:7.
45 See Meorei Eish Hashalem I, page 268; Tosefes Orah 15; Even Yisrael IX:62; Chut Shani, page 119.
46 See Avnei Hamakom 284 regarding this restriction.
47 514:1.
48 Igros Moshe, Orach Chaim IV:103; Hilchos Chag Bechag, Yom Tov I:12, footnote 7, citing R’ Yosef Shalom Elyashiv.
49 Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasah 13:10; Yom Tov Kehilchaso 11:18. See also Hilchos Chag Bechag, Yom Tov I, pages 399-401.
50 See Piskei Teshuvos 502, footnote 27; Aliba Dehilchesa volume 92, page 67.