Pesach Kashering Guide

Below is a guide for kashering items used during the year for use on Pesach.  If you have any questions, contact Rabbi Dan directly.

Tabletops

Clean tabletop thoroughly, then cover with a clean tablecloth, or another non-permeable material.

Towels and Linens

Simply run the towels and linens through a hot water cycle in the washer with soap. 

Refrigerator/Freezer

Empty the refrigerator and the freezer of all contents and clean all surfaces and compartments thoroughly with a cleaning agent. One need not cover the shelves of the refrigerator or freezer, as they have only cold surfaces and hot foods are not placed on them. However, if one wishes to cover the shelves of the refrigerator with foil as a stringency, one may. 

Microwave

Clean all surfaces very well with a cleaning agent.  Do not use for 24 hours. Kasher by placing a microwave-safe cup of water in the microwave and allow it to boil for 10 minutes, or until you see the water inside the cup boil and fill the microwave with steam. Repeat a second time with the cup being placed in a different spot in the microwave. (This is to ensure that the spot where the cup was placed initially will also be kashered). Be sure to remove the rotating glass plate in the microwave and replace it with a kosher for Pesach one, if available. If not, simply remove the plate. The glass plate cannot be kashered for Pesach. Alternatively, microwave-safe plastic wrap may be used over the glass. (Please note, only use microwave-safe products should you choose this option!) Lastly, some place a piece of cardboard over the glass on the inside of the microwave’s door in order to create distance between the glass of the door and the food. 

Stove Top

Clean stove top and burners. Do not use for 24 hours. Put the burners back on and let it run on the highest flame for 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can place the burners in a self-cleaning oven and kasher them while simultaneously kashering the oven and its grates. Cover the stove top with foil.

Electric Stove Top

Clean well and do not use for 24 hours. Leave the burners on high for 15 minutes. Please do not leave while kashering! New drip pans will be necessary. 

Glass Stove Top

According to Ashkenazi custom, glass used for food preparation with the application of heat cannot be kashered. Thus, clean the whole surface thoroughly with a cleaning agent, and then run the burners on the highest setting for 15 minutes. The rest of the surface cannot be kashered. Place trivets or other safe objects on the surface, reminding you not to use the surface. 

Oven

Self-cleaning ovens can be kashered immediately by using the self-clean option. A non-self-cleaning oven must be cleaned from all grease and stains with a strong cleaning agent, and then put on the highest setting for an hour. The grates need not be removed, as they will be kashered together with the oven. 

Dishwasher

Metal dishwasher: Clean. Do not use for 24 hours. Run hot water cycle to kasher. Non-metal dishwasher: Clean. Do not use for 24 hours. Run 3 back to back to back cycles. Porcelain dishwasher: Please contact Rabbi Dan. 

Countertop

All types and materials: Clean. Do not use for 24 hours. Pour boiling water on the entirety of the surface. It’s important to note that the water must be boiling while pouring, and the pouring must be continuous, that is, without breaking the stream. You may need to repeat this process a few times, depending on how large your countertops are. Upon completing this process, no additional covering is necessary. If you have a material which cannot be kashered, or, if you do not want to go through the process of kashering, simply clean the countertop well, and then cover the countertop with a non-permeable material. 

Hot Plate (Plata)

Clean thoroughly. Do not use for 24 hours, and then allow it to run at its highest setting for an hour. Place at least two layers of aluminum foil around the hot plate, covering it completely. 

Hot Water Urn

Fill up the hot water urn with water to the top and allow it to boil at its highest setting. Drip some of the boiling water out through the spout, just as you would normally dispense the water. If the urn was ever used with chametz (i.e., heating up frozen challah), it cannot be koshered. 

Sink

For stainless-steel or other kasherable materials, clean thoroughly with a cleaning agent and do not use for 24 hours. Pour boiling water over the entirety of the sink. The pouring must be continuous, and the water must be at a rolling boil. The boiling water should be poured over the faucets and knobs as well. The faucet filter may not be kashered for Pesach, and a new one will need to be used. Rinse off with cold water. If you have a sink which is not able to be kashered, clean it thoroughly with a cleaning agent, and cover the sink with an insert rack and a wash basin. Some will cover the sink with aluminum foil, and then use an insert. 

Drying Racks

Ideally should be replaced. If this is impossible, clean thoroughly and use.

Sponges

Ideally new sponges should be purchased. If this is not possible, clean thoroughly and use. 

Sink Racks

Ideally should be replaced. If this is not possible, then thoroughly clean. Do not use for 24 hours. Pour boiling water on the entirely of the surface.

Flatware/Knives

Clean. Do not use for 24 hours. Immerse in a kosher for Pesach boiling pot of water one at a time. If the utensil is large, it may be manipulated, immersing one section of the utensil at a time for at least 3 seconds. The water must be boiling during immersion. Please take care to use protective gear while performing all kashering procedures, including close-toed shoes! 

Stainless Steel Pans

Clean. Place in 450-degree oven for 45 minutes. Alternatively, you can place them in the oven while kashering it. Also, you can flip the pan over an open flame on a gas burner. Please a square of tissue paper on its back. When the tissue paper begins to singe, remove the pan from the flame. Be very attentive if using this method! Teflon and non-stick surfaces cannot be kashered. 

Stainless Steel Pots and Pot Covers

Clean. Wait 24 hours. (If you can’t wait 24 hours, add soap to the bottom of the pot and then add the water). Select the largest pot as your kashering pot. Along with that pot, use a separate saucepan. Fill up both vessels (the large pot and the saucepan) with water and let them boil. Once boiling, take the saucepan and immerse it into the large pot. The water will overflow on the outside of the pot, and this will kasher the outside of the pot. (Note, if the pot has handles, use the saucepan to kasher those). If using a gas burner, be sure to be extra attentive, as the water may extinguish the flame. The water from the large pot should be discarded, and it should be rinsed off with cold water. The large pot can now be used to kasher kitchenware which requires hagalah. 

*Please note that any vessel or implement made of kasherable material but has cracks, small holes, or rolled lips cannot be kashered for Pesach.  (Strainers, colanders, flatware which have detachable handles and pots with rolled lips are examples of this)

BBQ Grill

This can be kashered through the direct application of heat to the grate. Use a blowtorch against the whole surface of the grate until it glows red-hot. Also, the cover of the grill may not be used during Pesach!

Kiddush Cup

Clean and rinse off, then place in a kosher for Pesach pot of boiling water. Remove and let sit. 

Kitchenaid/Food Processor/Toaster Oven

These cannot be made kosher for Pesach.