PREPARING YOUR KITCHEN FOR PASSOVER

Preparing one’s home for Passover is a major part of celebrating the holiday. In anticipation of Passover, we strive to clean our homes thoroughly, to remove from them all traces of hametz [leaven] in fulfillment of the Torah’s injunction.

In addition to the following procedures for "kashering" (making utensils and appliances that we use year-round usable for Passover), families typically take extra care in cleaning their homes in order to create within them a true "Passover feeling." This extends to a careful cleaning of the refrigerator, stove and oven, microwave oven, sink and counters. Many people go further and seek to remove hametz which may have fallen into sofas or under furniture, or which may be in coat pockets or cars. Most people maintain separate dishes and cooking utensils just for Passover use.

1. Earthenware (china, pottery, etc.) may not be kashered. However, fine translucent china which has not been used for a year may be used if scoured and cleaned in hot water.

2. Metal (wholly made of metal) must first be thoroughly scrubbed and cleansed, and then made as hot as possible. Those used for cooking (silverware) must be thoroughly cleaned and completely immersed in boiling water. The utensils should not be used for a period of 24 hours between the cleaning and immersion in boiling water.

3. Ovens and ranges - every part that comes in contact with food must be thoroughly cleaned. Then, oven and range should be heated as hot as possible for one hour. Self-cleaning ovens should be scrubbed and cleaned and then put through the self-cleaning cycle. Continuous cleaning ovens must be kashered in the same manner as regular ovens.

4. A microwave oven can be made useable for Passover. First, it should be thoroughly cleaned. Then a cup of water should be placed in it. The oven should be turned on for about 10 minutes. A microwave oven that has a browning element cannot be kashered for Passover.

5. Glassware - 2 opinions: (a) Soak glasses in water for 3 days, changing the water every 24 hours; (b) Thoroughly wash each glass by hand or in the dishwasher. Either opinion is acceptable.

6. Dishwasher - after not using the machine for a period of 24 hours, the empty dishwasher should be run through a full cycle with detergent.

7. Electrical appliances - appliances and/or parts that have come into contact with hametz or been washed with hametz dishes must be kashered for Pesach: if the parts that have come into contact with hametz are removable, they can be kashered by immersing in boiling water or (if metal) by heat. If the parts are not removable, or would be damaged by kashering, then they cannot be used for Passover.

8. Gas stove - all burners should be thoroughly scrubbed, then run at full flame for 15 minutes.

9. Kitchen sink - a metal sink can be kashered by a thorough cleaning and by pouring boiling water over it. A porcelain sink should be cleaned and a sink rack used. If, however, dishes are to be soaked in a porcelain sink, a dish basin or tub must be used.

10. Hametz and non-Passover utensils - should be separated, locked up or covered, and marked where necessary so as to prevent accidental use.

11. Tables should be thoroughly cleaned and used only with a tablecloth. Tablecloths, rags and towels used year-round may be used during Passover after being cleaned in a washing machine.

12. In general, it is usually easier to have separate dishes, cutlery and small appliances set aside from year-to-year and used solely for Passover so that the above kashering procedures can be minimized.