Toiveling Dishes

Gold Member Joined: Oct 22 2007 Posts: 1711

What's the halacha in regards to toiveling kitchen products? Dishes, cookware, bakeware, cutlery, appliances, etc? I remember learning that certain kinds of items do not need to be toiveled but I don't remember what. Or am I remembering wrong?

Thanks!

Platinum Member Joined: Jan 01 2006 Posts: 48153

list each item and what they're made of.

Platinum Member Joined: Sep 10 2006 Posts: 6565

In the 4 volume grey Lamed-Tes Melochos set, in the area of Makeh b'Patish, R. Ribiat discusses the inyanim of toiveling, types of keilim toiveled, materials, brocha/no brochah, technique necessary for a kosher tevilah for various keilim, etc. I recently found this to be a very good overview of toiveling keilim b'klal.

To toivel or not depends on materials, type of kli, etc. Even not needing tevilah m'doraisah may still require without a brachah, and there are strong minhagim to toivel many things, again without a brachah.

Actual particulars for an individual should still go to their LOR, but the sefer above gave a very good overview and background IMHO.
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Gold Member Joined: Oct 22 2007 Posts: 1711

A silicone brush, a confection sugar sifter, stainless steel sifter, plastic decorating kit, rice cooker/steamer, knife, tfal pot, plastic spice carousel, colander, stainless steel bowl...?

Platinum Member Joined: Sep 10 2006 Posts: 6565

I'm not a rav, but I would think:

1. To toivel: rice cooker, knife (I assume a regular knife), the pot, a metal colander?, the bowl....probably all with brochahs (well, one brachoh for all)...
2. the spice rack? I'm not clear why that would need to be toiveled, or maybe I'm misunderstanding what it is. It basically sounds like a type of shelf to me.
3. What's the brush for?
4. It's possible the sifters may not need to be toiveled, but I'd ask your LOR. Depends what you use them for in theory.

Gold Member Joined: Oct 22 2007 Posts: 1711

Thanks.

The spice rack is a carousel with spice containers. I fill each container with a spice, and place all plastic containers on the carousel. Very neat looking Smile

Brush is for basting meats or any food, while baking in oven.

I bought the sifter only for flour.

Platinum Member Joined: Sep 10 2006 Posts: 6565

The spice containers may need to be toiveled, but I don't think the carousel needs to be. (It's not really a kli, it's more like a shelf, you aren't putting actual food on it.)

The brush, probably, but maybe not with a brochah.

Sifter possibly more likely needs to be toiveled since you are using it as an integral part of cooking (not the finishing touches, which some say then it doesn't need, ie. just sifting powdered sugar on cookies may not require a toiveled keli.)

If I didn't have a rav to run this by (and I strongly suggest you ask yours), I'd toivel the questionable things at the same time with the things that must be toiveled with a brochah. might be extra time but then I'd know I'm covered.

Also, some rabbonim say plastic that is reused MUST be toiveled and others say not, so really really please ask LOR.

Gold Member Joined: Oct 22 2007 Posts: 1711

Thank you so much for your help!

Diamond Member Joined: Sep 16 2007 Posts: 4185

in general, any item that food is directly placed on it (and it's not made of wood or other plant fiber) needs to be toiveled. For more particulars, as well as if you should include plastic, etc - ask your LOR!!

Posted: Sun, Dec 21 2008, 3:55 pm Post subject:

General rule of thumb:

Wood & plastic do not need to be toveled, unless attached to something metal. Metal needs to be toveled with a bracha. Glass is debatable, especially if it's Pyrex (halachic status is questionable). I have been told, and I believe the common practice is, to tovel glass AFTER something that for sure needs a bracha, so you've covered the safek without making a bracha l'vatala. Silicone is also up in the air; ask your LOR. (Mine says not necessary.)
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