10 Best Sabbath Mode Refrigerators [Star-K] for Shabbos & Jewish Holidays (2019)

Why Should You Get It?

Let’s start with the design: magnificent.

And I mean the kind of sleek design that captures the attention of your guests if you let them in the kitchen (expect “Ooooh and Aaahs”)… and yes, it gives you the urge to show them the kitchen… after all, who doesn’t love compliments?

That includes KitchenAid’s innovative 5-door configuration (including 2 soft-close drawers) – who here the first in the industry to introduce such a design. You know what that means…

No more stuffing everything on one shelf, and no more spending 30 minutes finding what you’re looking for every time you open the fridge.

But it’s not just the design… you know, let’s not judge the refrigerator by its cover…but by its size!

KitchenAid’s French door refrigerator has a TON of space – it has 25.8 cu ft. capacity. 

How much is that exactly?

Well, it can hold approximately 26 bags of groceries (!). I don’t know about you, but given my size, even I could fit in that thing…

The massive amount of space and adjustable shelves allow you to organize any way you want, without getting lost in it.

Why Not?

The ice maker, let’s put it simply, isn’t “the best”. Quite often, it starts causing trouble after consistent use.

For example, if you experience a power outage for too long, the ice maker may actually leak (yikes!).

So, my advice for you is this: if an ice maker is a MUST – then this might not be the best option for you.

Who is it For?

Best suited for large families, especially if you have kids running around with big appetites.

That also means it requires a certain amount of kitchen space – so keep that mind.

Also, If you’re used to your fridge being full (I certainly wish that for you), so much so that you often need to stretch your body to grab those drinks from the back of the fridge – then this refrigerator is a blessing.

You’ll FINALLY be able to organize your fridge without searching where every single thing is.

Notable Features

• In-door ice system: The ice system is mounted on the left door, which means– more room in the refrigerator!
• Spill-resistant shelves
• On-dispenser touch controls: Quick access to Door alarm, Max Cool, Measured Fill and Sabbath mode
• Herb storage: You can keep your herbs in a dedicated drawer, so they stay fresh and don’t lose all their flavor
• Built-in air purifier: kiss that awful cabbage smell goodbye (sorry, I hate cabbage). If you store anything that smells “iffy”, the fridge will replace it with a fresh, delightful smell.

Certifications

• Star-K
• 1-UL Listed
• AHAM

Why Should You Get it?

Haier’s Sabbath mode refrigerator is a great option if you’re looking for a small fridge, and are on a relatively tight budget.

From a design perspective – it has a solid style. Although it’s not as chic as KitchenAid’s 5-door refrigerator, it does have a sleek stainless-steel look. Plus, the fridge is counter-depth, so it’ll blend in nicely in any small-medium size kitchen.

It has a cool & quick freeze function – meaning it will quickly cool those dairy products you’ve been carrying around all day in your car, and protect your food from going bad.

It’s easy to use (especially for you technophobes out there), easy to clean, and very reliable.

Why Not?

The storage space is quite limited – both in the fridge as well as the freezer.

Here’s just a small example: you can’t fit a gallon of milk in the fridge door. Now, you might be thinking:

“Oh common, That’s no big deal”…

Fair enough… but if you’re a heavy coffee drinker like me – it sure is… 

Try putting a huge gallon of milk in the center of the fridge, in an an-already limited-space refrigerator – and you get a pain in the ass.

Who is it For?

Ideal for small families with limited kitchen space. It’s counter-depth, so it can blend in perfectly with any kitchen style, without requiring too much space.

Notable Features

• Counter-Depth: Blends in nicely with the surrounding kitchen cabinets & appliances
• Quick cool & quick freeze function: The cooling & freezing of newly stored foods is accelerated while protecting the already-refrigerated food.
• LED Lighting: Uses long-lasting, clear & bright light while preserving energy.

Certifications

• Energy Star

Why Should You Get It?

Electrolux is a famous brand choice among Orthodox Jewish families. They regularly certify their appliances with a Star-K certification (as well as other certifications), so all is good in that regard.

The design is also quite attractive: the LED lighting gives it a nice, luxurious look.

It also comes with a built-in water & ice dispenser (it does have its issues though… keep reading), which is useful.

Why Not?

Here’s where it becomes tricky… Large families who choose this “Jewish” fridge, end up struggling with storage space issues. As a result – food gets put on top of each other, and soon enough, you end up with a food tower in your fridge… good luck reaching your dairy products at the back.

Another common issue is the ice maker. Many people complain that ice often gets jammed, or that the ice dispenser button gets stuck.

Also, this refrigerator is NOISY. At least when you compare it with the alternatives.

Who is it For?

If I base my opinion on size only, then I would say it’s a good option for a small-medium sized Jewish family.

However, I honestly think you’re better off one of the other refrigerators with Sabbath mode for a similar price, even cheaper.

Notable Features

• Water & Ice Dispenser: Accommodate large containers, and delivers ice made with clean, filtered water.
• IQ-Touch Control Panel: Easy to use control panel with LED display.
• Energy Saver Plus: The refrigerator enters “energy-saving mode” if not opened for 24 hours.
• LED Lighting: Uses long-lasting, clear & bright light while preserving energy.

Certifications

• Star-K
• Energy Star
• 4-UL Certified
• NSF Listed

Why Should You Get It?

GE is known for its high-quality appliances, and their Shabbos mode refrigerator definitely fits the bill.

There’s a HUUUGE amount of space in this refrigerator… and I’m not just talking about the fridge part… I’m talking about everything: from the fridge, doors, drawers, all the way down to the freezer.

You could literally store food for an entire Jewish extended family (and that’s saying something), and still have room left.

The price is pretty fair, considering the value and peace of mind you get in return.

Why Not?

This refrigerator is very close to perfect… But there are a few drawbacks:

1. The first, and potentially the biggest downside – it’s not Star-K certified.
   
   UPDATE: As Joey pointed out in the comments – GE created a new device called The Shabbos Keeper (OU certified) that automatically deactivates all electrical functions when Shabbat comes in… including door switches, sensors, touch screens, icemakers, water dispensers, internal computers. No installation is needed – you simply plug the device into the refrigerator’s data port and you’re set.
   
   The device is compatible with over 100 GE refrigerators (here’s the full list), including this one.
   
   
2. Crisper drawer (where you store fruits and vegetables) doesn’t open very far. It’s not that horrible though… you get used to it.
3. The ice maker takes up a significant amount of space

Who is it For?

It’s hard to find a Sabbath mode refrigerator that could fit almost any Jewish household. GE’s fridge is a rare exception.  Doesn’t matter if you’re Jewish Orthodox, conservative, small family or a family of 10:

• GE’s refrigerator doesn’t take up a lot of kitchen-space and has enough space inside to store food for the entire year
• The price point is very reasonable – doesn’t require a mortgage to purchase one
• Thanks to GE’s new Shabbos Keeper device (certified by the OU) you can now safely use it on Shabbos without having to worry about some electric circuit firing behind the scenes

Notable Features

• LED Lighting: Makes it easy to spot and retrieve what you’re looking for
• Ice Maker: No need to waste time filling ice trays
• TwinChill Evaporators: In simple words – a mechanism that separates the climate in the fresh food and freezer sections à keeps the food fresh
• Internal Controls + Digital Display: This is quite unique… You can set the temperature within the refrigerator, and a digital display actually shows you what the temperature is, so you won’t have to guess.

Certifications

• Energy Star
• 1-UL Listed

Why Should You Get It?

If there’s one phrase I would use to summarize Fisher & Paykel’s Sabbath mode refrigerator, it would be “straight to the point”.

In other words, they focus on what you actually need from a refrigerator, and less so on fancy gadgets. I’ll give you a few examples:

• Adjustable shelves & removable bins: This is particularly useful for flexibility, organization, and cleaning. You can easily adjust the shelves to meet your own needs, and easily take out the bins anytime you’re having trouble finding what you’re looking for (and of course, you can easily clean it while you’re at it)
• Meats & cheese drawers: For a Jewish family – this is a godsend. You can easily divide your meats into one drawer, and the cheese into another drawer, without having to worry about them getting tangled up with each other.
• Dead-quiet: There’s nothing more annoying than having your kitchen sound like a garage. Fortunately – this is one of the quietest refrigerators you’ll come across.

Why Not?

You probably noticed the empty “Certifications” area. Unfortunately, Fischer & Paykel didn’t go out of their way to certify their refrigerator… So if a Star-K certification and/or an Energy Star certification are a must for you, then this Sabbath mode fridge is probably a “no-go”.

The ice maker is also a bit shaky and might cause problems over time.

Who is it For?

Small families, AND big families.

But wait, aren’t counter-depth refrigerators limited in space?

There seems to be a common belief that counter-depth refrigerators are often too small for big families. Well, this Sabbath mode fridge completely busts that myth.

So yes – you CAN have your cake and eat it too.

Speaking of cakes – the adjustable trays and removable bins make organizing your food a real piece of cake, and very easy to clean too.

If organization and ease-of-use are important to you, and you don’t mind the (lack of) certifications – then you’ll really like this fridge. 

Notable Features

• Counter-Depth: The fridge is only about 28-inch-deep, so it blends nicely with the rest of the kitchen.
• Ice Maker
• Fast Freeze + Ice Boost: Special modes to quickly & drastically lower the freezer temperature – so you could freeze newly added items
• ActiveSmart Technology: The fridge monitors your behavior, and adapts the temperature accordingly to keep your food fresh for longer periods
• LED Lighting: Clear & bright LED lights all across the shelves, bins, and trays.

Certifications

• None

Why Should You Get It?

If you go to your neighborhood synagogue, and randomly ask 50 observant Jews what refrigerator they have, there’s a pretty good you’ll hear “Frigidaire” come up most of the times.

Jewish households have welcomed Frigidaire’s beautiful and reliable appliances into their homes for many years. And this Star-K certified refrigerator is right at the top of that list.

Wonderfully designed, with an impressive amount of space in the fridge to accommodate a large family. The cool part is the full-width drawer – which means you can safely store your Shabbat pans, platters, and other food and enjoy it for the rest of the week, without bloating your refrigerator.

Why Not?

Like many others refrigerators, the ice maker is a “hit or miss”. After a while, you may run into issues with ice not being dispensed properly, or a jammed button.

Who is it For?

Great for strict Jewish observant families (this refrigerator is Star-K certified) who need a durable Sabbath mode fridge with lots of storage space that can last them for years, without having to pay a small fortune to get one.

Frigidaire is a very reputable brand, with great customer support (but hopefully you won’t need it).

Notable Features

• Full-width Drawer: You can keep large pans & platters without worrying about running out of space (useful on Shabbat and holidays)
• Water & Ice Dispenser: And a tall one, making it easier to fill even big water bottles (the ice is made from PureSource Ultra filtered water)
• Energy Saver Plus: Puts your refrigerator in energy-saving mode if not used for 24 hours
• Express-Select Control Panel: The control panel with LED display is very intuitive, giving you a lot of control at your fingertips

Certifications

• Star-K
• Energy Star
• 1-UL Listed

Why Should You Get It?

OK, this Is a tough one…

If you ask me? You shouldn’t get it.

The only reason I included this fridge is that a lot of people seem to recommend it, especially as a “premium fridge” … So, I figured I’d give my own two cents.

Don’t get me wrong, this fridge does have its benefits:

• Elegant & practical design, both from the outside as well as the inside (as you’d expect from a high-end German brand). This makes it easy to organize your food, instead of cramming everything on one shelf.
• The cooling system is top-notch. They really do keep the food cool & fresh, and rather quickly.
• Lots (and lots) of space.

Now that we’ve given this refrigerator its due, let’s jump into the “Why Not”s…

Why Not?

Why am I telling you this story?

Because I’ve heard too many people going through similar things with their Liebherr refrigerator…

• One thing breaking after another
• Repairmen every few weeks
• Customer service –> Replacement fridge –> Customer service again à Rinse repeat…

So, if there’s something you should take away from my little rant, it’s this:

1. Don’t blindly follow “perceived reputation” – German doesn’t necessarily mean reliable…
2. Do your own research.
3. Get an extended warranty when you can

Who is it For?

Traditional wisdom might say: “For people looking for a premium refrigerator”. And from a design and price standpoint, that’s actually true…

Where it falls through – is in reliability.

For such a high price point, you’d expect a premium refrigerator to last at least a couple of years without problems.

Notable Features

• DuoCooling: Liebherr engineered a dual refrigeration system in both their fridge and freezer, to avoid transfer of unwanted air & moisture between the two systems. This helps increase the shelf life and preserve the flavor of your food.
• Gallon Storage: Exactly what it sounds like: the door rack is so wide it can hold a large gallon of milk or juice.
• Ice Maker: The fridge produces ice cubes automatically from pure water

Certifications

• Star-K
• Energy Star

Why Should You Get It?

Just looking at the “Pros” column will get you a pretty good idea of why you should get it… but allow me to elaborate here:

• The design is simply stunning. The kind of look that invokes a “WOW” response every time a guest steps into your kitchen.
• Doesn’t show any smudges or fingerprints. If you have kids running around the house, you know what I’m talking about.
• Exterior ice & water dispenser that actually works, even while the refrigerator is open (multi-tasking!)
• Space, space, space. You won’t run out of it. And if you think you’re getting close, then you can easily reorganize the shelves and move stuff around.

I can go on and on…but you get the point.

Why Not?

Only one reason I can think of: the price.

Other than that, this refrigerator is nearly flawless. If you can afford it – then it’s as good as it gets.

Who is it For?

Shabbat-observant families (this Sabbath mode fridge is Star-K certified) that don’t mind spending top dollar for top quality, sleek design, and reliability.

There isn’t much more you could hope for from a Kosher refrigerator.

Notable Features

• Exterior Ice & Water Dispenser: Dispenses freshly filtered water, even while the refrigerator is open
• ExtendFresh Plus Temperature Management: Contains a high-tech, sensor-controlled system with a variable-capacity compressor. Essentially – keeps your food & ingredients extra fresh.
• Adjustable Shelves & Door Bins: That includes both the fridge AND freezer. Plus, it’s also spill-resistant. 

Certifications

• Star-K
• Energy Star
• 1-UL Listed
• NSF Listed

Why Should You Get It?

Albert Einstein famously said:

Whirlpool’s Sabbath fridge is a good example of just that: not a whole lot of features, no bells and whistles – but it does what it’s supposed to do, and does it really well.

Small enough to fit in any kitchen, or even smaller rooms like your basement (if you’re looking for a “backup” refrigerator).

It’s cheap, it’s durable and it’s reliable… if that’s all you’ll ever need – then you’ll be satisfied with this refrigerator.

Why Not?

If you DO want the cool features, like an ice & water dispenser, adjustable shelves, showcase door or any of the other cool features you saw in the other refrigerators, then you’re better off going for one of the other refrigerators on this list.

And obviously, if you require a Star-K certification, this isn’t a good fit either.

Who is it For?

Whirlpool’s counter-depth refrigerator is ideal for small-medium sized kitchens.

If you don’t need all the cool toys and functionalities most of the other Sabbath mode refrigerators on this list have, then this is a great choice to consider.

Notable Features

• Counter-Depth: Space efficient and fits in perfectly most kitchens
• Fingerprint-resistant Steel: No annoying smudges or fingerprints whatsoever
• Dual Cooling: Adjust the temperature and humidity levels automatically on both the fridge and freezer (using sensors)
• Full Depth Drawers: Allows you to easily store meat or large platters (useful for Shabbat)

Certifications

• Energy Star
• 1-UL Listed

Why Should You Get It?

There’s a fridge you don’t see every day.

With all those stainless steel refrigerators out here that all look the same (let’s be honest…), I thought it was time for a refreshing change (including for me, I’ve been writing for 5 hours straight!)

After all, what if you don’t like your refrigerator to stand out and bully the rest of the poor kitchen cabinets?

What if you want your refrigerator to seamlessly integrate with the rest of your kitchen?

You want your kitchen to “play” in harmony, just like the Cleveland Orchestra. And to do that – your kitchen appliances need to follow the same dress code. That’s what being a Jewish refrigerator is all about!

(I know – weird analogy, but you get the idea)

In other words – unlike most other refrigerators, this Bosch Sabbath mode fridge accepts custom panels. That means you can match it perfectly to the rest of your kitchen design.

You know, just like those kitchen designs you see on brochures all the time.

Why Not?

Like you’d expect – luxury comes with a price.

Bosch is a premium brand when it comes to kitchen appliances, and you definitely feel it in your pockets.

I definitely don’t recommend this Shabbos mode refrigerator if you’re “just looking for a fridge“. If that’s all you need – then there are lots of “regular” (read: cheaper) refrigerators on this list you can choose from. This is NOT one of those.

Plus, Bosch’s refrigerator also lacks a Star-K certification. That’s a non-starter if you require one.

Who is it For?

Unlike the other refrigerators on this list (and unlike 99% of the refrigerators in the world) – you can install Bosch’s Sabbath mode refrigerator, and make it “blend in” with the rest of your kitchen.

It’s small, too, so it won’t take up a whole lot of your precious kitchen space. It’ll look just like any other kitchen cabinet (only fancier).

A (Jewish) interior designer’s dream.

Notable Features

• Panel-Ready Design: Elegant design that beautifully integrates with the rest of your kitchen 
• Dual Evaporators & Compressors: 2 completely separate refrigerator and freezer compressors to prevent the transfer of iffy smells and keep each section properly cooled.
• Humidity Controlled Crisper Drawer: A dedicated crisper drawer to store your fresh produce
• Full-Width Meat Drawer: An entire drawer just for meat!
• SuperCool & SuperFreeze: Automatic functions to drop the temperature quickly in case someone forgot to close the fridge.
• Filtered Ice Maker: Clean, filtered water all day.

Certifications

• Energy Star

Why Should You Get It?

Flexibility, period.

Imagine this scenario:

Here’s the solution:

1. Store your “on-the-go” items on the showcase door
2. That’s it. There is no step 2.

Another smart thing Samsung did is they allowed us, the consumers, to choose how to organize our fridge. If the storage space isn’t big enough, then you can turn your bottom section into extra fridge space – which is quite unique.

Not to mention you can connect your fridge to your WiFi, and control it from your smartphone (not on Shabbos! naughty!)… how cool is that?

Why Not?

The most irritating part of Samsung’s refrigerator is the limited door space. The door shelves are all fixed, and they can barely fit a single large bottle – so you’ll have to store your bottles on the main shelves.

Another thing I found slightly annoying, is that the door handles attract fingerprints fairly easy (and they’re pretty noticeable). If you have kids running around the kitchen, then it’s a matter of time until you notice it. Thankfully, they’re easy to clean, so I wouldn’t say it’s a big deal.

Who is it For?

Mostly for people who like having control over their refrigerator.

• Want to use the freezer as extra refrigerator space? No problem…
• Need to store taller jars and bottles? Move the shelves around, and voila…
• Like to quickly cool the beers for tonight’s big game? Tap one button on your phone – Done.

Notable Features

• Food Showcase: The outer door provides quick and easy access to your “on-the-go” food
• Counter-Depth: A sleek design that blends into your kitchen style.
• CoolSelect Plus/FlexZone: The bottom section of the fridge can be set as either a refrigerator or a freezer – depending on your needs (it’s flexible, hence the “flex” in FlexZone)
• Water & Ice dispenser: Dispenses fresh & filtered water
• Triple Cooling: The fridge has 3 evaporators, one in each “zone” of the fridge. This adjusts the temperature and humidity to keep your food fresh for a long time.

Certifications

• Energy Star
• 1-UL Listed
• NSF