## How to Kasher Kitchen Appliances
**Introduction**
Kashering is the process of removing all traces of non-kosher food from kitchen appliances and utensils. This is necessary to ensure that all food prepared in the kitchen is kosher. There are two main methods of kashering: **immersion in a mikveh** and **heating to a high temperature**. The method used depends on the type of appliance.
**Appliances That Can Be Kashered by Immersion**
The following appliances can be kashered by immersion in a mikveh:
* Pots
* Pans
* Dishes
* Silverware
* Glassware
* Ceramics
* Plasticware (if it is heat-resistant)
To kasher an appliance by immersion, follow these steps:
1. Fill a mikveh with cold water.
2. Submerge the appliance in the water.
3. Leave the appliance submerged for at least 30 minutes.
4. Remove the appliance from the water and rinse it with cold water.
**Appliances That Can Be Kashered by Heating**
The following appliances can be kashered by heating to a high temperature:
* Ovens
* Stoves
* Grills
* Broilers
* Toasters
* Waffle irons
* Electric skillets
To kasher an appliance by heating, follow these steps:
1. Preheat the appliance to the highest temperature setting.
2. Place the appliance in a self-cleaning cycle (if it has one).
3. Run the appliance through the self-cleaning cycle.
4. If the appliance does not have a self-cleaning cycle, heat it to the highest temperature setting for at least 30 minutes.
**Appliances That Cannot Be Kashered**
The following appliances cannot be kashered:
* Microwaves
* Refrigerators
* Freezers
* Dishwashers
* Garbage disposals
These appliances cannot be kashered because they cannot be heated to a high enough temperature or because they contain non-removable parts that cannot be submerged in water.
**Special Considerations for Passover**
During Passover, it is necessary to kasher all kitchen appliances and utensils that have been used with chametz (leavened products). This includes all of the appliances listed above, as well as cutting boards, countertops, and sinks.
To kasher an appliance for Passover, follow the same steps as for regular kashering. However, it is important to use boiling water for immersion kashering and to heat the appliance to the highest temperature setting for at least 30 minutes for heating kashering.
**Tips for Kashering Kitchen Appliances**
* It is important to clean the appliance thoroughly before kashering it. This will remove any food residue that could interfere with the kashering process.
* If you are kashering an appliance by immersion, make sure that the appliance is completely submerged in the water.
* If you are kashering an appliance by heating, make sure that the appliance reaches the highest temperature setting.
* After kashering an appliance, it is important to rinse it with cold water. This will remove any residual kashering solution.