Halacha for Tuesday 1 Nissan 5784 April 9 2024

Koshering a Pressure Cooker, Mixer, and More

As we explained, utensils must be koshered in the same manner they absorb the prohibited substance, for instance, a pot that Chametz soup was cooked in is koshered through Hagala, i.e., placing it in a bigger pot containing boiling water. This purges the pot of the Chametz flavor that was absorbed in it.

A Pressure Cooker
It is therefore sufficient to purge a pressure cooker in a large pot containing boiling water. Although the temperature within a pressure cooker can reach over 250 degrees Fahrenheit during cooking, which is greater than the heat of the boiling Hagala water which only reaches approximately 212 degrees, nevertheless, this difference in temperature does not affect the laws of koshering and only the method of Chametz absorption is important to us. Thus, anything which absorbs liquid on the fire, such as a pot, can be koshered through Hagala in boiling water on the fire. Something which absorbed only by means of a “Keli Sheni,” such as a metal bowl where boiling Chametz is poured into from a pot on the fire, can be koshered by pouring boiling water from a “Keli Rishon” (such as an electric kettle) onto it. The above applies even to a pan used to fry Chametz falafel, for although the oil in the pan can reach temperatures of approximately 375 degrees, Hagala in boiling water is sufficient to kosher this pan.

Nevertheless, loaf pans or cake pans (molds used to bake breads or cakes) cannot be koshered through Hagala, for they absorb the flavor of dry Chametz, and they must be koshered using a method called “Libbun” or torching. Nowadays, there are specific places in religious neighborhoods where Libbun and Hagala are performed in a professional manner using gas burners and blowtorches.

Stoneware
Stoneware shares the same law as metal vessels and can be koshered using the same method in which it absorbed the Chametz. Thus, just as loaf and cake pans can only be koshered through torching with fire, so too, a chamotte (pizza) stone must be koshered in the same manner. However, since this pizza stone cannot endure such high temperatures, in addition to the fact that some claim that since it is not a natural stone, it is comprised of some materials that cannot be koshered, this chamotte stone should not be koshered for Pesach.

Mixers (Kitchen Aid)
According to the letter of the law, one should have been able to kosher a mixer by taking apart all its various parts and cleaning them well. Nevertheless, since a mixer uses flour and this flour enters the various cracks and crevices of the machine, most great Poskim advise against using such a mixer on Pesach. Indeed, Hagaon Rabbeinu Yitzchak Yosef Shlit”a rules (in his Yalkut Yosef- Pesach, Chapter 451) that one should not use such a mixer on Pesach even after cleaning it well. It is preferable to buy a mixer specifically designated for Pesach use. (If one nevertheless wishes to kosher a mixer, there are some detailed laws for this; see Yalkut Yosef ibid page 421.)

8 Halachot Most Popular

The Fast of the Tenth of Tevet When it Coincides with Erev Shabbat

This coming Friday will mark the Tenth of Tevet, a public fast day observed throughout the Jewish nation until the arrival of Mashiach which marks the day the king of Babylon besieged Jerusalem with the intent of destroying it. The verse (Yechezkel 24) states: “And the word of Hashem was to me......

Read Halacha

Mincha Prayer on the Fast of the Tenth of Tevet

By popular request: This year when the Fast of the Tenth of Tevet coincides with Erev Shabbat, what is the best time for Mincha prayers to be held? The Custom Throughout the Year In general, Mincha on Friday afternoons is held in the synagogue approximately twenty minutes before sunset, after wh......

Read Halacha

Lighting Chanukah Candles on Motza’ei Shabbat and Electric Chanukah Candles

On Motza’ei Shabbat Chanukah, in the synagogue, Chanukah candles are lit first and only following this is Havdala recited in order to delay the departure of Shabbat as much as possible. Although the one lighting the Chanukah candles removes the sanctity of Shabbat from himself, nevertheless, t......

Read Halacha

Parashat Ki Tetze

Gathered from the teachings of Maran Rebbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztzvk”l (from the years 5744-5772) (written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds UK) Ellul is the Time to Engage in Battle Against the Yetzer Hara, ......

Read Halacha


Eating and Washing Oneself on Yom Kippur

Regarding the custom of Kapparot, we have discussed in the past that this custom may be fulfilled through money. A bill is taken ($10, $20, etc.) and circled around the head of the atoned party three times, and the following text is recited: “This money is in your stead, your substitute, and y......

Read Halacha

Lighting the Chanukah Candles

The Mitzvah of Lighting Chanukah Candles There is a Mitzvah to light Chanukah candles throughout all eight nights of Chanukah (beginning from next Wednesday night). The Sephardic custom is to light one set of Chanukah candles per house. The Ashkenazi custom, however, is that every member of the hou......

Read Halacha

Eating Cake on Shabbat Morning

Today's Halacha is dedicated for the merit and protection of All Our Dear Soldiers May Hashem give them strength and courage to vanquish our enemies and may they return home safe and sound amid health and joy. May Hashem protect all the captives and have mercy upon them so that no harm befalls......

Read Halacha

The Order for Lighting Shabbat and Chanukah Candles

Tonight, we shall begin lighting Chanukah candles. One candle is lit tonight, besides for the additional “Shamash” candle. Let us now discuss the laws for lighting Chanukah candles this coming Friday. There is a disagreement among the Rishonim as to the order of lighting Shabbat and C......

Read Halacha