Permissible ways to heat up food on Shabbat: Difference between revisions

* The Pri Megadim E”A 253:33 explains that the above leniency only applies is the bottom pot is filled with food, and not is it is empty. Bei’ur Halacha 253:3 D”H Veyezaher agrees. Thus, Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 1:42 rules that one may place cold fully cooked solid food on top of another pot of food that is on the fire, even if it will become Yad Soldet Bo. </ref>

# Some say that placing food on a “Kedeirah Blech,” a rectangular box filled with water placed on top of the fire before Shabbat, is the same as placing food on top of a pot on the fire, while others say that it merely like a covered fire, to which one may not return food without fulfilling certain conditions (see note #1). <Ref> A “Kedeirah Blech” is a covered rectangular metal box containing water that is meant to serve as a “pot” on top of the fire upon which pots can rest. Rav Hershel Schachter (“Hilchos Bishul B’Shabbos”, min 56-9) rules that a “Kedeirah Blech” is like a pot on top of a pot and is permissible. Rav Mordechai Willig (Am Mordechai p. 28), though, argues that since the water inside the “Kedierah Blech” isn’t meant to be consumed, it is not similar to the case of a pot on top of a pot. Rabbi Elyashiv (cited by The 39 Melachos Bishul #211-2), Rabbi Belsky (ibid.), and Rabbi Dovid Cohen (oukosher.org) agree. </ref>

# Many authorities permit placing food on an electric hotplate which does not have an adjustable temperature setting, even without fulfilling the conditions of Hachzara, since it is not a usual way of cooking. However, others say that it is considered like a covered fire, upon which one may not return food without fulfilling the conditions of Hachzara. <Ref>  

* Rav Mordechai Willig (Am Mordecahi p. 48) writes that one may heat up cold fully cooked solid food on an electric hotplate which is not used for cooking and has only one temperature setting. Halachos of Shabbos (p. 313), Shabbos Kitchen (p. 43), and Chazon Ovadyah (p. 78) agree. See Sh”t Igrot Moshe 4:74:35 who rules that if it is impossible cook on a particular electric hotplate, one may heat up already warm food on it if it has only one setting. Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 1:30, however, rules that an electric hot plate is a like a covered fire and one may not return food onto it without fulfilling the other conditions of Hachzara. Rabbi Belsky (quoted by Halachically Speaking 4:16:3) and Orchot Shabbat (p. 99) agree.