Kashering Made Simple
By Rabbi Yosef Yeshaya Braun, member of the Badatz of Crown Heights
The following only applies to kashering for Pesach, not when kashering from other issurim.
It is best for a halachically versed person to kasher items because of the nuances.
All items should be clean from visible dirt before kashering. With ליבון גמור, pre-cleaning is not necessary but basic cleaning is advisable.
Where הגעלה is sufficient, one can also substitute with ליבון קל and heat the item to the point that both sides of the item are hot to the extent that one's hand would naturally recoil. This doesn't apply where there is rust or dirt or any concern for actual chometz substance. In this case, ליבון קל must be performed specifically as described in Method #2.
Immersing an item in a pot of bubbling hot water while it is on a source of heat. The item cannot have been used for 24 hours in advance for hot food, and must be clean from substantial dirt and rust. Any non-cleanable parts require ליבון קל.
See detailed הגעלה instructions ↓Heat the item to the point that straw on the other side of the heat contact would burn. In some cases, it's sufficient if the other side is hot to the extent that one's hand would naturally recoil.
Heat the item to the point that it is red hot, most commonly done with a blow torch.
Pour hot water from a kli rishon (water still within the original source of heat) over the surface of the item whilst passing a white-hot stone or a hot iron over the surface. The surface must be dry. Make sure the water pours in a direct flow without interruption before touching the surface.
Pour boiling water from a pot or kettle over the surface of the item.
This item cannot be kashered for Pesach.
Preparing an Item for הגעלה
Clean all cracks and crevices well from dirt or rust and dry well. Discoloration or burn stains are okay.
Any non-cleanable parts require ליבון קל as well. If one didn't do so in advance, it can be done post הגעלה.
Screws, company imprints and the area around handles need extra attention. Clean well or do ליבון קל.
Do not use items to be kashered or the kashering pot with hot food for 24 hours in advance.
One can use the following to remove rust: lemon juice, vinegar, baking soda, steel wool or rust remover.
Preparing a Chametzdik Pot to Be Used for Kashering
Bring a full pot of water to boil. Submerge a white-hot stone so that the pot overflows and becomes kashered.
Empty and rinse with cold water.
Fill with boiling water again and use this water to kasher the items.
Process
When submerging an item in the boiling water, it must be bubbling. Wait in between each item so that the bubbles return.
Item should be submerged entirely but doesn't need to reach the depth of the pot.
Leave it in for a moment so the water can draw out the Chametz but not for too long. Remove when water is still bubbling.
Wash with cold water immediately.
Items Too Large to Be Kashered in One Immersion
One can do it in two parts and try as much as possible that the same section shouldn't be submerged twice.
If any parts don't manage to enter the hot water, one can do ליבון קל on those parts.
Pointers
- It is best not to kasher items that absorb chametz on different levels together, such as an item used only for cold chametz and an item used on the fire for chametz.
- The entire item needs to be in contact with the hot water. If using tongs, make sure to release them and grasp the item at a different part at some point during the immersion. Best to place the item in a basket or such rather than kashering the item part by part with tongs.
- Don't pack the basket with many items. They shouldn't be touching so that they all come in full contact with the water.
- If the item holds liquid, submerge it on its side so that no air pockets are formed.
- The water must be pure water.
- If the water has been reused many times, replace.
- If one wants to use the items used for kashering for Pesach and the water it held wasn't sixty times more than the item it kashered, it needs הגעלה. There is no need to empty the water it is already holding. Add more water and when it reaches boiling point, submerge a white-hot stone or iron within it so that the water overflows the brim. Rinse with cold water.
- If doing הגעלה on erev Pesach, be sure to finish before סוף זמן אכילת חמץ. Some have the custom to kasher three days before Pesach.
- ליבון גמור may be done on Chol Hamoed if it wasn't done before, but it's not recommended to leave it till then, as one may forget and use it without ליבון.
- Use tongs, long sleeves, non-loose clothing and closed shoes when working with hot stones/iron.
- Be mindful of the dangers of using a plugged-in iron.
- It is customary not to use the pot that was used for the kashering on Pesach without kashering it itself afterwards.
- Practically, it's most convenient to do עירוי with an electric cordless kettle.
This guide is also available as a printable PDF. The online version above is the most current.
