Kashering - Dishes and Utensils

Sets of dishes, pots and pans, flatware and other necessary utensils should be set aside specifically for Passover use. Certain utensils, such as flatware, metal pots and pans, etc., however, may be made Kosher for Passover use, a process known as “kashering.” Since the laws of kashering are many and varied, you should consult your Orthodox Rabbi if you wish to “kasher” for Passover.

Here are some guidelines for handling utensils designated for Passover use:

§ All new metal, aluminum and glass vessels and utensils require t'vilat kelim (ritual immersion) in a kosher mikvah (ritual bath).

§ New disposable aluminum pans are acceptable for Passover without special certification. Ritual immersion, however, is required if they are to be used more than once, and they do require a bracha like any other metal object.

§ The following may not be kashered:

a) China, pottery, earthenware, rubber, non-stick and Teflon and similarly coated pots and pans, plastic dishes, enameled pots, pans and ladles, and utensils with wooden or plastic handles.
b) Utensils or vessels which cannot be thoroughly cleaned, such as those having crevices in which chametz can accumalate, (e.g. bottles with narrow necks, sieves etc.)
c) Dishwashers.

§ Drinking glasses (not plastic) may be kashered for Passover by soaking them in water for three days. The water should be changed every 24 hours.

Note: This method of kashering does not apply to glass ovenware, whiskey glasses, glass dishes in which hot food is served, or bottles used to store beverages that are chametz or that contained vinegar or grain alcohol.

§ If new, Teflon and similarly coated pots and pans, plastic, Styrofoam, coated paper dishes, serving utensils, glasses, and plastic tablecloths may be used on Passover. Tablecloths must be freshly laundered before Passover; however, no starch should be used.

Kashering - Electric Mixers, Food Processors and Blenders

Since the motor area of electric appliances is often exposed to chametz and can be cleaned only with great difficulty, it is recommended that a special mixer for Passover be used. However, those food processors and blenders that have totally sealed units in their motor area may be used if the bowls and mixers are changed. 
Please consult your Orthodox Rabbi with questions about your particular brand or type of electric appliance.

Kashering - Sinks, Shelves and Counters

Special care must be taken to prevent Passover foods and utensils from coming in contact with your kitchen sink or countertops. After thoroughly cleansing and scalding all surfaces with boiling hot water, new liners should be used to cover the surfaces from the time chametz is prohibited until after the Passover holiday. 

This procedure is also required for table or countertops made of Formica®. Vendura®, Avonite® and Corian® countertops, as well as those made of granite, must be thoroughly cleaned and scalded with boiling water, but may be left uncovered unless the countertops have cracks or crevices; in those cases, the counter must be covered. Also, special dish racks, sink racks and washbasins should be used.

Kashering - Ranges and Ovens

Ranges and ovens may be kashered for Passover use, and the process for doing so is as follows:

§ For ranges: Thoroughly clean every part of range-tops — including scraping residual foods from the surface and catch trays — and do not use them for a full 24-hour period. Then, they must be burned at maximum temperature for at least one hour (this applies to electric and gas ranges). Finally, cover knobs, surfaces and catch trays with aluminum foil.

§ For non-self-cleaning ovens: Thoroughly clean the interior and exterior surfaces of the oven and do not use it for a full 24-hour period. Then, it must be burned at maximum temperature for at least one hour. Once this process is complete, cover the racks and grates on both sides with aluminum foil (with perforations for air circulation).

§ For self-cleaning ovens: When kashering a self-cleaning oven, running a complete self-cleaning cycle — with the racks inside the oven — is sufficient without waiting 24 hours from the time it is manually cleaned to the time it is kashered. For ovens kashered in this fashion, racks need not be covered.

Great care should be taken not to permit any food to touch the sides, top, or bottom of the oven. During Passover, range-top surfaces should be covered to prevent contact with Passover foods or utensils.

Note: Oven cleaners acceptable for year-round use may be used for Passover.

§ Microwave ovens may be used on Chol Ha-Moed (not on Shabbat and Yom Tov). To kasher your microwave for Passover, clean the inside thoroughly and do not use the microwave for 24 complete hours. Then, fill a large paper container with water and bring to a boil. The glass tray cannot be kashered. Either a new glass tray should be purchased or paper should be used in its place. 

Note: Some microwaves have a metal grate. Since the grate cannot be lined with aluminum foil, remove the grate from the microwave for the duration of Passover.

For convection microwave ovens, follow the same kashering process as conventional ovens.

Cleaning Refrigerators and Freezers

All parts of refrigerators and freezers must be thoroughly cleaned and washed, including storage bins. The shelves should be lined with plastic or foil with small perforations to allow for air circulation.

Note: All kashering must be completed before the deadline for eating chometz on Monday, April 05, 2004