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...
Reciting "She'hecheyanu" Upon Being Reunited With a Close Friend
Guidelines for When Food Falls and Becomes Inedible After One Recited the Beracha
Repeating the Beracha of Besamim After Birkat Ha'mazon
In The Event One Forgot To Say Birkat Hamazon or Me’en Shalosh And Left The Place Where He Ate
Making Berachot While Driving, or While Drying Hands Is Not Proper
Proper Concentration While Reciting a Beracha
Cleanliness During a Meal and The Importance of Reciting Berachot Before Eating
The Proper Beracha for Cereals Containing Both Corn and Grains
The Proper Beracha to Recite Over Rice Krispies, Puffed Rice, Rice Cakes, Hot Cereals and Granola
The Proper Beracha for Cereals Produced From Corn
What To Do if One Mistakenly Recited a Beracha Over Food on a Fast Day
Must One Wash His Hands if He Placed His Hands in the Restroom?
Situations Requiring One to Repeat Netilat Yadayim During a Meal
Berachot Order of Varying Types of Food & Fruit
Beracha Aharona for Fruit
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found