turning oven knowb to zero

Asked by yakov · November 15, 2004 · Shabbat

Question

Is it permissible on Shabbat to turn the knob of an oven to zero, while the oven is switched off by its thermostat. How similar (or different) is it to switching off lights during the period when a shabbat clock (shaon-shabbat) has disconnected all electricity, which seems to be permitted -- lechatchila. Also, would there be a difference between shabbat or Yom Tov?

Answer

Answered by Aaron Abadi

Many ovens have an igniter on even when the thermostat turns the oven off. If the oven is off completely and you are only turning the knob, but not affecting anything now, it is OK. AA