I just moved into a new apartment. The one that lived there before probably didn’t keep Kashrus. How can I Kasher Formica counters?
Kashering a countertop:
Granite countertops:
- Preparing the countertop: The countertop must be thoroughly cleaned. if any dirt is on the countertop it cannot be Koshered (generally speaking). A mere discoloration however is fine. (feel the discoloration with your hand to ascertain if it is just a discoloration or if there is actual dirt). Do no use items to be kashered or the kashering pot with hot food for 24 hours in advance. The countertop must be completely dry before koshering.
- Pour boiling water over entire countertop and move a hot stone or iron over counter top. Rinse counter with cold water.
Formica countertops:
- Pour boiling water (no stone). Best to do so three times.
- Do not place hot food or pots directly on counter.
Epoxy countertops:
#5361 (1)
What constitutes boiling water? If I bring water to a boil and then remove it from the fire/base and begin pouring, it will not be bubbling any more. Is that fine?
This method in kashering is called in Halacha עירוי ואבן מלובן:
עירוי means when you pour water from the kli rishon (the original pot that the water was boiled in) thus containing the heat as much as possible, but because, as you mentioned, it is no longer on the heat source, for this reason – we use also the אבן מלובן – the heated stone to “reboil” the water after it hits the surface being kashered.