Question:
If my crockpot went off Friday night and I’m having guests can I ask a goy to switch the crockpot back on?
Answer:
The idea of allowing a goy to help you on Shabbos when you have guest is only when it doesn’t involve a melacha d’orayso. Turning on a crockpot involves meleches melaben, and therefore a goy may not do it for you even when you have guest at home. Additionalkly it only applies to guest that are indeed needy of the mea, and not for guest invited for social purposes.
Best wishes
Sources:
O:CH 339-1
