I just moved into a new apartment. The one that lived there before probably didn’t keep Kashrus. How should I Kasher the sink?

 

Kashering a sink:

Which sinks can be Kashered:

Only a metal/stainless steel sink can be koshered. porcelain and enamel sinks cannot be Kashered.

 

Preparing the sink:

Wait 24 hours. The sink must be thoroughly cleaned. If any dirt or rust is on the sink it cannot be koshered (generally speaking). however a mere discoloration is fine. (feel the rusty looking spot with your hand to ascertain if it is just a discoloration or if there is actual rust).

 

Kashering:

1. Prepare a red hot stone {practically this means either A- placing a brick on a fire on the stove top and waiting for it to get red hot and later picking it up with (very) large tongs or B- buying a “kashering set” which includes a brick with a special holder or C- using a plugged in heated electric iron}
2. Bring water to a boil in a clean, hot water urn.
3. Pour boiling water over entire basin and faucet handles while simultaneously placing the hot stone on the areas were the water is falling. {practically- for some it is best and slightly safer if done by two separate people but you then run the risk of the water pourer pouring the boiling water on the arm of the one holding the stone. It is a judgment call}
4. Turn on the faucet to its hottest {let it heat up if necessary} and then pour the boiling water from your urn over the running faucet. (if you can remove the entire spout and Kasher it separately, even better.)
5. Turn on the cold water and rinse the basin and faucet.
6. Remove the strainer in the faucet.

 

 

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