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 Minimum Age Requirement for a Judge
Must One Immerse in a Mikveh Before Praying or Learning After Becoming Tameh?
Living in Eretz Yisrael
Giving Charity "Intelligently"
May One Recite Birkat Ha’ilanot During the Month of Adar?
Avoiding Contact With Members of the Opposite Gender
Verifying a Couple’s Status as Husband and Wife Based on a “Hazaka”
If a Woman is Widowed or Divorced While Pregnant or While Nursing an Infant
Remarrying in a Different County After Divorce or a Wife’s Death
Does the Prohibition Against Marrying an Egyptian, Edomite, Amonite or Moabite Apply Nowadays?
The History of the Prohibition Against Bigamy
If One’s Parents Disapprove of His or Her Choice of a Marriage Partner
How Many Times a Day Must a Person Stand in His Parents’ Honor?
Calling a Sinner for an Aliya to the Torah
The Daily Reading of a Verse Corresponding to One's Name
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found