Page 31 - cRc Pesach Guide 2021

NOTE: Microwave ovens may be used on Chol HaMoed, but are seams where two pieces of laminate meet, creating the
not on Shabbos and Yom Tov. potential for chametz collecting in that area during the year,
and special attention should be paid to cleaning those seams.
REFRIGERATORS Many kitchens use natural stone such as granite, marble,
AND FREEZERS SEPHARDIC limestone, quartzite, soapstone, slate, and onyx for
countertops. These can be kashered for Pesach regardless of
All parts of refrigerators and APPLICATIONS which sealant is used.
freezers, including storage Refrigerators
bins, must be thoroughly Rav Ovadia Yosef Another material used for countertops is quartz resin, a
cleaned and washed. The does not require the man-made material made to look like granite or marble.
shelves should be lined with shelves to be covered, Some common brands are Cambria, Caesar Stone, Silestone,
plastic or foil, which should be assuming the general QStone, and Zodiaq. These may be kashered for Pesach.
perforated with small holes to usage does not involve Similarly, countertops made of acrylic or polyester look like
allow for air circulation. placing boiling hot pots stone. Some popular brands are Avonite, Corian, Gibraltar,
and pans directly on Hi-Macs, Meganite, Staron, Surrell, and Swanstone. These
the racks. To his view, materials can be kashered for Pesach if they do not contain
COUNTERTOPS washing and cleaning any scratches or stains; otherwise they must be covered.

In any situation where the the shelves is sufficient Others create counters from butcher block or wood. In
countertop cannot or will not (Chazon Ovadia – Pesach general, wood may be kashered only if it contains no cracks
be kashered, it may only be 2003 edition page 148). that might trap chametz. Due to the likelihood of such cracks
used on Pesach after being developing, it was the practice to sand down wooden surfaces
covered with a non-porous material which will not easily rip in butcher shops before Pesach. If sanding the countertops
or tear. is practical in one’s home, or if the countertop contains
The procedure for kashering a countertop is to clean it no cracks, the countertop can be kashered; otherwise the
thoroughly, not use it for 24 hours, boil a kettle of water, wooden countertop should be covered for Pesach.
and carefully pour that water over all surfaces of the from There are also glass, ceramic, cement, and porcelain
the kettle. Once the countertop is kashered, it may be used countertops available. These countertops cannot be kashered
without being covered. However, many people have a custom for Pesach and must be covered.
to both kasher and cover their countertops. As noted at the Stainless steel, copper, and zinc countertops are also
beginning of this article, one may not kasher utensils made of available, and they can be kashered for Pesach.
certain materials (ceramic, cement, glass), or with materials
which are not robust enough to withstanding kashering, and Special thanks to Rick Glickman of “Dream Kitchens” in
one may also not kasher any utensil that has cracks, nicks, Highland Park, Illinois, for his assistance with our countertop
or scratches where pieces of food might get stuck. These research.
same restrictions apply to countertops. Practical examples As with all halachic issues, if a question arises regarding
of counters which can and cannot be kashered are detailed kashering one’s kitchen, contact your Rabbi.
below.
A summary of the information about countertops is included
Plastic laminate (Formica) is manufactured by laminating a in the chart on the following page.
plastic material onto a thin piece of wood. In some cases, there

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