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What form of Kashering does a vessel require-General rules-Summary of above?

*The below list only refers to the form of Kashering required for vessels made of Kasherable materials. For a list of those materials that are Kasherable and those materials that are not Kasherable-see Halacha 8! For a list of vessels and their specific Kashering Laws see Halacha 9!

Libun Chamor-A vessel that had Chametz baked in it without liquid:[1] All Kasherable material vessels that had Chametz baked in them [without liquids] are disputed if they require Libun Chamur or Hagala and practically we rule that they need Libun Chamur even Bedieved.[2] However, if one did Libun Kal or Hagala, then one may be lenient in a time of great loss, or Simchas Yom Tov, if one already used the pot for cooking. However, by other Issurim one may never be lenient.

Hagala/Libun Kal-A vessel that had Chametz cooked in liquid:[3] All Kasherable material vessels that had Chametz cook in them with liquids, require Hagala or Libun Kal.

The status of pots:^[4] All Kasherable pots used to cook Chametz foods with liquid have the status of absorbing food through liquid, even if the food burnt inside the pot.[5] Thus, it does not require Libun Chamur but rather Hagala or Libun Kal. For this reason, a pot or pan used to fry Chametz foods with a nice amount of oil, only requires Hagala.[6] If, however, one fried food in it using very little oil, just enough so the food does not stick, then the pot requires Libun Gamur.[7]

Miluiy Veiruiy-Chametz soaked in the vessel:[8] All Kasherable vessels which had Chametz soaked in liquid for 24 hours require Hagala, Libun Kal, or to be soaked three times for 24 hours. This applies even for earthenware vessels which absorbed cold Chametz through having the Chametz soak in it for 24 hours. [Thus, for example, a container which held cold Chametz soup for 24 hours requires Hagala, or soaking three times for 24 hours.]

A vessel which was only on occasion used for hot Chametz foods or soaking:[9] It is disputed if the above required forms of Kashering apply even if the vessel is not Ben Yomo, and was only used for hot Chametz foods, or for soaking Chametz foods, on occasion, while its main usage is for cold foods.[10] Practically, we are initially stringent to require the above forms of Kashering for any food used even one time for hot Chametz or for soaking Chametz, even if the pot is not Ben Yomo.[11] However, Bedieved, if the food was already used for hot Pesach foods, then we are lenient to follow the majority usage of the vessel[12], if the vessel is no longer Ben Yomo. If, however the vessel is still Ben Yomo from its one-time Chametz use, then it must be Kashered according to all, and even Bedieved the food is forbidden.[13]

A vessel that absorbed hot Chametz but not of a Keli Rishon:[14] A vessel which was never used with hot Keli Rishon, or Iruiy Keli Rishon Chametz, but rather only with Keli Sheiyni Chametz, or Iruiy Keli Sheiyni Chametz, or Keli Shelishi or Revi Chametz, is disputed if it requires Hagala or simply washing it [Hadacha] suffices.[15] This dispute applies even if on occasion the vessel was used for hot Keli Rishon Chametz, so long as its main usage was for Keli Sheiyni and onwards and the vessel is not Ben Yomo of its Keli Rishon Chametz use, as explained above. Practically, in all cases that the vessel was used for hot Yad Soledes Chametz foods even on occasion, even of a Keli Revi’i, we are initially stringent to have Hagala done to it before Pesach even if the vessel is no longer Ben Yomo.[16] However, Bedieved, if one used the vessel for hot Pesach foods without doing Hagala, then if the vessel is not Ben Yomo of the Chametz use, the food remains permitted if its main use was for a Keli Sheiyni and onwards.[17] If the vessel was Ben Yomo of a Chametz use of Iruiy Keli Sheiyni and onwards, then in a time of great loss, or Simchas Yom Tov, one may be lenient to eat the food on Pesach.[18]

Hadacha-A vessel that was never used for hot or soaked Chametz: Those vessels that were only used for cold Chametz foods, and never had Chametz soaked in them for 24 hours, are to be Kashered through Hadacha. Once they have been thoroughly cleaned, one may use them on Pesach for even hot foods.[19] Likewise, Hadacha is valid for allowing one to place cold Pesach foods on a Chametz vessel, even if it requires Kashering and was not Kashered.[20] Nonetheless, in the latter case, this may only be done on mere occasion, as explained in Halacha 2! The above is with exception to earthenware. If an earthenware dish was used for only cold Chametz, although it is permitted from the letter of the law to be used even with hot foods after Hadacha, the custom is not place even cold Pesach foods on it during Pesach.[21] Certainly this applies if the earthenware dish was used for hot Chametz foods.[22]

What vessels may be assumed to have only been used with cold Chametz? Initially, one should suspect that all vessels which are left in a sink have absorbed Chametz and should hence be Kashered.[23] This is both due to the chance that the vessel soaked in the Chametz water for 24 hours, or was washed with Yad Soledes water together with other Chametz. Thus, cups are customarily Kashered, as explained in Halacha 9B. If, however, one is certain that a) the vessel never remained soaked for 24 hours in the sink, and b) was never washed with Yad Soledes water together with Chametz, and c) was never used with hot Chametz and never had a Chametz food soak in it for 24 hours, then from the letter of the law it may be washed and used for Pesach without Kashering.[24] Practically, however, it is difficult to ascertain the above as well as we suspect that perhaps a crumb of Chametz once fell inside, and therefore it is to initially be Kashered in all cases.[25]

Vessels that are too large, or immobile for Hagala:[26] All vessels that require Hagala, but cannot have Hagala done to them, such as they are too large and thus cannot fit into a pot, or are immobile [such as a counter], are to have Iruiy Keli Rishon and Even Meluban performed to them. However, in all cases that it is possible to perform Hagala within a Keli Rishon, then one must do so and may not rely on Even Meluban. A large pot is to be Kashered through boiling water inside of it until its very top and then throwing into the boiling water an Even Meluban [red hot stone or slab of metal] which will cause the water to overflow and splash beyond the rims of the pot.[27]

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[1] Admur 451:13

[2] Background: If the vessel absorbed the Chametz directly, without any liquid involved, such as by a baking pan, then a dispute exists as to what type of Kashering it needs. Some say that even Hagala [placing it in boiling water] suffices. Their reasoning is because Chametz before Peach is permitted, and therefore does not require such extreme heat to be Kashered. However, other Poskim rule that it requires “Libun Gamur” which means that it must be heated until sparks begin to fly off from it, or until a layer of it peels off. Practically, we rule like the latter opinion, even bedieved [such as that one already used the pot to cook in] that it needs Libun Gamur. [Admur ibid]

[3] Admur 451:13-14

^[4] Admur 451:36

[5] The reason: As there is always some moisture found on the bottom of the pot, even when the food burns. [Admur ibid]

[6] Admur 451:37; This applies only when Kashering for Pesach, however by other Issurim, the pot needs Libun. [Admur ibid]

[7] Admur 451:36

[8] Admur 451:60

[9] Admur 451:26-31; 72 regarding cups

[10] Background: Some Poskim rule that we follow the main usage of a vessel and hence if the majority usage is only for cold or Keli Sheiyni foods, then all one needs to do is to wash them spotlessly clean, and they may then be used for even hot foods. [1^st opinion in Admur 451:26; Rif; Rambam] The reason for this is because in any event a non-Ben Yomo item is only Rabbinically forbidden, and hence the Sages decided to be lenient to follow the majority usage by non-Ben Yomo vessels. [Admur 451:31] However, other Poskim rule that one must do Hagala to all vessels that were used even one time with hot Chametz, as even after a single usage the taste absorbs into the pot, and the Sages forbade even non-Ben Yomo vessels. [2^nd opinion in Admur ibid; Machzor Vitri; Tosafos; Ravaya; Hagahos Maimanis]

[11] Admur 451:27 “One is to be initially stringent, and so is the custom, and one may not swerve from the custom.” [Admur ibid]; Vetzaruch Iyun if we are stringent to require even Libun Chamur for minority usage. See Admur 451:36-37 who implies Libun Gamur is required; However, see M”B 451:48 that Libun Kal suffices

[12] Admur 451:28

[13] Admur 451:31; M”B 451:46

[14] Admur 451:32-34

[15] Some Poskim rule a Keli Sheiyni and onwards cannot transfer taste into a vessel. Others rule a Keli Sheiyni can transfer taste into a vessel, but not Iruiy Keli Sheiyni and onwards. Others rule that all Yad Soledes foods can transfer taste to a vessel even Keli Revi. [See Admur 451:33-34; Poskim in Y.D. 105:2]

[16] Implication of Admur 451:33 regarding Keli Sheiyni and 451:34 regarding Keli Shelishi and onwards, that on Pesach we Lechatchila suspect for the stringent opinions. Vetzaruch Iyun, as perhaps the stringency of Admur in 451:33 regarding Keli Sheiyni only applies it has minority usage of Keli Rishon. Likewise, perhaps the stringency of Admur in 451:34 regarding Keli Shelishi only applies on Pesach itself if the vessel is Ben Yomo. Vetzaruch Iyun! See Nitei Gavriel 65:7

[17] Admur 451:33

The reason: As we have three opinions to rely upon to say that no Chametz transfer of taste has occurred: 1) The main opinion rules that non-Be Yomo does not prohibit even on Pesach. 2) Some rule Keli Sheiyni and onwards does not transfer taste even if Ben Yomo; 3) Some rule we follow majority usage if not Ben Yomo. [Admur ibid]

[18] See Admur 451:34

[19] Admur 451:43 and 72

[20] Admur 451:2

[21] Admur 451:43

[22] Admur 451:2

[23] See Admur 451:21 regarding the handle of a pot and the same should apply here as well.

[24] See Admur 451:43 and 72

[25] Admur 451:21 regarding the handle of a pot and the same should apply here as well; Admur 451:46 regarding a grinder

[26] Admur 451:27

[27] Admur 452:1 and 24