The laws of Pesach-Summary-Part 8-Kashering 3

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How to Kasher-List of items:

Pots, Cutlery and Kitchenware

Forks/Spoons:

• All forks, spoons and other cutlery made of Kasherable material, such as silver or stainless steel, is to be Kashered through Hagalah.

Knives:

• It is a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar for all those which have the capability of doing so, to buy new knives for Pesach. However, from the letter of the law doing Hagalah to them does suffice [and one may certainly rely on this if it is not so feasible for him to get new knives.] One must sharpen the blade prior to doing Hagalah in order to remove any rust the blade may contain. If the knife contains a handle and the blade is inserted into the handle, then it cannot be koshered due to the inability to remove any Chametz from in between the crevices. Likewise, if the blade is attached to the handle with glue, it cannot be Kashered.

Cups:

• The custom is to Kasher cups through Hagalah. If one used the cup for a hot Pesach drink without previously Kashering it, the drink remains Kosher.
• Glass cups: Are not Kasherable.
• May one Kasher a Kiddush cup that contains an upper lip? Yes, as the lip is external and there is thus no worry that Chametz entered inside.

Pots:

• Whether or not a pot may be Kashered is dependent on the material that it contains of-See previous Halacha E! If the pot is made of a Kasherable material, such as metal without a Teflon coating, then if it is used for cooking with liquid it requires Hagalah.
• Teflon/Enamel: If coated with enamel/Teflon then it may not be Kashered.
• Do the handles of pots and pans need to be Kashered? From the letter of the law, they do not need to be Kashered and certainly one need not worry of the cracks that they contain [which may have food on them]. Nevertheless, one should clean it and do Hagalah to it, or do Iruiy Keli Rishon without needing a stone.
• Do pot covers need Hagalah?

Frying pans and all pots used for frying:

• If one used this pot to fry the food with a nice amount of oil, then by Kashering for Pesach the pan needs Hagalah. If, however, one fried food in it using very little oil, just enough so the food does not stick, then the pot needs Libun Chamur.
• Teflon/Enamel: If coated with enamel/Teflon then it may not be Kashered.

Water urn/Kumkum:

Water urns are to be Kashered for Pesach and it is thus advised to purchase a new one for Pesach. If the urn is made of metal, then it is to be Kashered through Hagalah.  If it contains plastic, it is disputed if it can be Kashered. In all cases, one must beware to remove the hardened calcium from the urn before Kashering.

Grater:

• A grater requires Libun Kal.

Appliances and furniture

The stove:

• The grates: Need Libun Chamur. If one cannot do Libbun Chamor, then one is to clean it very well and wrap the grates in thick aluminum that will last throughout Pesach.
• Burners: One is to clean the burners and use toothpicks or needles to remove any dirt or food from within the gas holes of the burner. Afterwards, turn on the fire for some time to accomplish Libun Kal.
• Stove top surface: One is to clean the stove surface well and then do Iruiy Keli Rishon to it. If the surface is made of non-Kasherable material, such as enamel, that it must be covered with aluminum.
• Knobs: One is to clean the stove knobs very well, cover them or attach clean replacement knobs.
• Covering all items: Practically, the custom is that even after Kashering all the above items of the stove, one covers all the surfaces with aluminum.

Electric hot plate [Shabbos Plata]:

• If possible, one is to purchase a new electric hot plate for Pesach.
• In a time of need, one is to clean the entire hot plate, including the cord, its sides, and bottom areas, with a killing agent such as bleach. After 24 hours pass, one is to then turn the hot plate on to its hottest setting for some time and then pour boiling water over it. One is to then cover the hot plate with a thick piece of tinfoil.  For extra care, one can place a second sheet of tinfoil or aluminum pan on the hot plate.

Oven:

From the letter of the law an oven requires Libun Chamur. If one’s oven does not have a self-clean oven it is very difficult to accomplish Libun Chamur through using a blow torch, as the oven can break in the process. One is thus to buy a Pesach oven or alternatively Kasher it in the following way:

1. Clean the oven well using a Chametz killing agent such as bleach or oven stain remover.
2. Wait 24 hours prior to Kashering.
3. Turn the oven on for a period of at least one hour to its highest temperature or blow torch the oven from the inside.
4. After the Kashering process is complete one should cover the walls and floors with aluminum foil.

Self cleaning oven:

An oven with self cleaning mode reaches a temperature of 900° F and is equivalent to Libun Chamur. An oven with a “Continuous cleaning” cycle is not equivalent to Libbun Chamur, and hence the above-mentioned method must be used.

Counters/Tables:

• If one is accustomed to place hot pots on his counter or table then the custom is to do Iruiy Keli Rishon with Even Meluban. However other surfaces on which one is not accustomed to place hot Chametz pots do not need to be Kashered.
• Covering the counter or table: If one covers his table or counter then from the letter of the law it does not need to be Kashered. Likewise, if the counter or table has been Kashered it does not need to be covered. However, the custom is to do both, to Kasher and cover the areas.
• The walls of the counter: They are to have Iruiy Keli Rishon performed and then covered.
• Must one cover all kitchen surfaces such as tables, counters, cabinets, refrigerator shelves and the like?
• From the letter of the law, once these areas have been properly cleaned and Kashered they may be used for all foods without any cover. However, some Poskim rule that one is to cover the surfaces even after they are Kashered due to suspicion that perhaps they still contain actual Chametz that was not properly removed. Practically, the widespread custom is to cover all items that contact food even after they have been cleaned and Kashered.

Tablecloths: 

• It is best to buy new tablecloths for Pesach. Nevertheless, from the letter of the law one may Kasher and use the tablecloths that he uses during the year. The following is how they are Kashered: One is to wash them with hot water and laundry detergent.

The Fridge:

• One is to wash it down very well using a water based Chametz killing agent, such as bleach and the like.
• The elastic insulation material: One must take special care to wash well the elastic area from Chametz crumbs. A suggestive form of cleaning is to use Q-tips dipped in bleach.
• Bedikas Chametz: One is to perform Bedikas Chametz to his fridge prior to entering the Pesach foods back into or and prior to covering it shelves.
• Covering the shelves: Some are accustomed to cover the shelves of the fridge. This is not required from the letter of the law.
• Cord: One is to clean the electric cord of the fridge that enters into the outlet.

Sink:

• The actual sink: The Kashering of a sink is dependent on the material that it is made of. A metal sink can be Kashered through Iruiy Keli Rishon. Most sinks are made of Porcelain or enamel which are non-Kasherable materials and thus cannot be Kashered. Nevertheless, the custom is to do Iruiy Keli Rishon on such material sinks. One is then to insert a sink insert which will be used throughout Pesach.
• The spout: The custom is to clean and wash the spouts of the sink as throughout the year they have been used with hands that are dirty from Chametz. [One is to pour boiling water of the spout, and leave it open with the hot water running.]
• Knobs: Wash and clean.
• The drain: Pour boiling water that contains bleach or Drano down the drain.
• Metal strainer: Iruiy Keli Rishon.
• Using the hot water on Pesach: It is advised not to use hot water that is over Yad Soledes [110° F] on Pesach, in a sink that is not Kasherable, as one can possibly Treif up the vessels in the sink through doing so. Thus, one should not turn on the hot water to the point of Yad Soledes and is likewise not to pour hot water into the sink. If the water is warm, below Yad Soledes, it may be poured into the sink. Likewise, if the hot water of a pot was placed in a Keli Sheiyni, it may be poured into the sink even if it is still very hot.

Microwave:

• One is to purchase a new one for Pesach. If this is not possible, some Poskim rule the microwave is to be cleaned, not used for 24 hours and have water with bleach placed in it and heated for about 10-20 minutes, until it steams out.

Teeth; Fillings and Braces:

• Natural teeth without fillings and the like: Do not have to be cleaned or Kashered from the letter of the law. Nevertheless, the custom is to clean them well and wash them with water to make sure that no crumb of Chametz has remained in one’s teeth.
• Teeth with fillings: Although there is much room to say that they to need not to be Kashered, nevertheless practically the Rabbinical directive given is to clean them out prior to the 5^th hour and then swish ones mouth with the hottest temperature of water, from a Keli Sheiyni, that he can intake. It is best to not eat hot Chametz 24 hours prior to doing. [Although this is a mere stringency and is not required.]
• Braces: If possible, are to be removed by a dentist, cleaned and Kashered. If not possible, then one is to clean them to the best of his ability, and follow the above mentioned order for fillings.
• Dentures: Are to be removed, cleaned and Kashered. If this is not possible then one is to clean them to the best of his ability, and follow the above mentioned order for fillings.