From the Rav’s Desk: Placing hot pots and hot foods on counters during Pesach

1. Question: [Thursday, 1^st Nissan, 5783]

I have been told in the past that on Pesach I cannot place any hot foods directly on my counter even if I Kosher it for Pesach? Is this correct?

Answer:

If your counter is made of a Kasherable material, such as genuine un-engineered stone marbel, then if it was properly Koshered with Iruiy Keli Rishon and Even Meluban then it is permitted for you to place hot foods even directly on the counter. If, however, your counter is made of a non-Kasherable material or a questionably Kasherable material, such as engineered stone or plastic, then it is advisable to never place hot foods or a hot pot of food directly on top of the counter even if the counter has been “Koshered” and covered with tinfoil or PVC and the like. Certainly, it is forbidden to do so if the counter was not covered at all. Rather, all hot pots are to be placed on a trivet and the like.

Explanation: If your counter is made of a Kasherable material, and was properly Koshered with Iruiy Keli Rishon and Even Meluban, then it is permitted to place hot foods even directly on the counter, just as it is permitted to Kosher any Chametz vessel, such as a chametz pot, and then use it for Pesach cooking. However, if the counter is made of a non-Kasherable material or a questionably Kasherable material then since it cannot be Koshered, it is initially forbidden to place hot food directly on top of it, as it will absorb a peels worth from the Non-Ben Yomo Chametz tatse that is absorbed within the countertop. Likewise, for this reason one is not the place a hot pot directly on top of it, as if there is any moisture between the pot and the counter, it can carry the Chametz taste from the countertop into the pot. Now, technically this problem can be solved by simply covering the non-Kasherable counter, which is anyways the custom to be done by all counters, as the covering separates between the counter and the pot. However, experience shows that this does not suffice, as often water gets in between the covering and the counter, and hence if there is moisture between the pot and the covering, then the Chametz taste can transfer from the countertop through the covering and into the pot. Thus, it is advisable to never place hot foods or a hot pot of food directly on top of the non-Kasherable counter even if the counter has been “Koshered” and covered with tinfoil or PVC and the like.

Sources: See Machon Horah Umishpat 7 p. 310;  See regarding Kashering a table or counter: Admur 451:58 regarding tables; Michaber 451:20; Peri Chadash 451:20; Beis Yosef 451; Ravaya 464; Hagahos Maimanis end of Chametz Umatzah Piskeiy Teshuvos 451:44 See regarding that if there is liquid in between the covering and the counter then takes us transfer: Admur 451:67; Chochmas Adam 45:19; Sheilas Yaavetz 1:113; Chavos Daas 92; Hakashrus 1:20; Pischei Halacha 1:30; Igros Moshe Yoreh Deah 1:40 and 59 regarding grates; See regarding that engineered stone is not Kosherable: Piskeiy Teshuvos 451:33