DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 434 KB)
Do Plastic or Teflon Utensils Require Immersion in a Mikveh?

The Torah obligation of Tebilat Kelim – immersing new utensils – applies only to metal utensils, and the Sages extended this obligation to glass utensils. Utensils made from other materials, such as plastic, nylon, rubber and enamel, do not require immersion at all. This is the ruling of Hacham Ovadia Yosef, in Halichot Olam (vol. 7).

The Halachic authorities debate the status of a Teflon pot with respect to Tebilat Kelim. On the one hand, since the pot is made primarily of metal, and the Teflon is just a thin layer of nylon covering the pot, it seemingly should require immersion like other metal utensils. On the other hand, people who acquire Teflon pots are specifically interested in the Teflon, which prevents the food from sticking to the surface of the utensil, and thus perhaps the Teflon should be regarded as the primary material, such that the pot should not require Tebila. As mentioned, the Aharonim (later authorities) debate this question. In light of the difference of opinion in this regard, Teflon utensils should be immersed in a Mikveh, but without a Beracha.

Summary: Utensils made from materials other than metal and glass do not require Tebila. Metal utensils lined with Teflon should be immersed, but without a Beracha.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
The Beracha Over Puffed Wheat and Granola Bars
Situations When One Does Not Recite a Beracha Before Drinking Water
Does One Recite “Ha’mosi” over Sweet Bread, or over So-Called “Mezonot Rolls”?
What Beracha Does One Recite on Pita Chips?
Which Beracha Does One Recite Over Pizza or Calzone?
What Must the Third Person Eat for Three People to Make a Zimun?
Reciting a Zimun if a Third Person Arrives After the First Two Finished Eating
Making a Zimun in a Moving Vehicle, Boat or Plane
Zimun If Ten People Ate Together But Not All of Them Ate Bread
Insight Into the Text of the Zimun
Can Three People Make a Zimun if One of Them Did Not Eat Bread?
Can a Minor be Counted Toward a Zimun?
Zimun in a Yeshiva Cafeteria
The Beracha Recited Over Chocolate Bars with Nuts, and Over Coated Almonds
Berachot If One Falls Asleep During A Meal
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found