Q. Someone left on Shabbos by mistake the crock pot on high, and the cholent will likely burn out. If it has a light that shows when the heat is on, can one turn down the level of heat when it is off on Shabbos?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that even when the indicating light is off, one may still be activating electronic circuitry as it often happens with stoves, therefore, besides other considerations, the heat should not be lowered even when the light is off.
The Rov suggested simply to add more water to the pot, following the Halacha permitted procedure for doing so. Also one may place some crumpled silver foil at the bottom of the crock pot thus elevating the insert and bringing down the heat being imparted to the food.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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