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 Liability of a “Shomer Hinam” – an Unpaid Guardian
Is it Permissible to Photocopy Pages From a Published Sefer?
Separating Halla from the Dough – When Does the Obligation Apply?
Omitting Lamenase’ah and Tefila Le’David on Days When Tahanunim Omitted
Reciting Yag Midot and Nefilat Apayim After Sunset
Fasting on Friday
Is it Proper to Sleep During the Day?
Wigs and Alternate Head Coverings for Ladies
Pressuring One’s Fellow to Sell His Possessions
Asking Forgiveness From Those Whom We Have Wronged
Rosh Hashanah – Proper Foods, and Avoiding Anger
Reciting Sheheheyanu When Purchasing a New Garment
The Communal Obligation of Bikur Holim
Hiring a Jew Who Has Not Recited Habdala Since the Previous Shabbat
Invitations Printed in “Ketab Ashurit” – The Writing Style of a Sefer Torah
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found