Hi,
How are you,
I just purchased a waffle maker similar to a sandwich maker but the ceramic plates are not removable. I just wanted to know how to kosherize it since i cant really dip it in the mikveh, or do I leave it on for one cycle, etc.
I’m not sure what to do! here is the link of the product I purchased.
Also, when I usually buy gifts like glassware,etc I usually dip it in the mikveh beforehand because most of people recieving the gifts are non-observant Jews who will not dip it in the mikveh anyways so I figured it was the right thing to do. However, I read somewhere that only the owner of the utensils must dip it and not someone else without their consent, which does not seem relevant in this case. But again I’m not sure if I should dip it or not.
Thank you for your help and wishing you and all your close ones all the brachot BH!
Answer:
The two main options for the waffle maker are:
1) to immerse it in water, and then leave it to dry for a couple of days. Expereience generally shows that this is not damaging to electrical applicances such as sandwich makers, and the same till apply here.
2) to take the appliance apart and re-assemble it. It is sufficient to remove a couple of “central screws” and to re-assemble them. Note that this might affect the warranty.
3) some are lenient concerning the immersion of electrical appliances (see sources, below), but most authorities do not concur with this leniency.
There is something of a dispute concerning tevillah for utensils intended as gifts, and the Minchas Shlomo writes that it is better not to do tevillah for such utensils (because they are like utensils intended for sale and not for eating).
However, others opine that it is “simple” that tevillah can be done on behalf of the recipient (see Minchas Asher, Matos 68), though not with a berachah. It is better to make a “kinyan” on behalf of the recipient, so that the uetnsils will belong to him already.
For an observant Jew this should not be done, because the beracha is lost – but for somebody who might not tovel the utensils this is the best option.
Best wishes.
Sources:
However, many dispute this position, and rule that the connection of an electrical cord does not render an appliance “connected to the earth.” The appliance therefore requires tevillah (see Shevet HaLevi, Yoreh De’ah 2:57:3; Chai Ha’Levi 4:60:5, 5:66:12).
Some suggest that because the appliance will get ruined, there is no obligation of tevillah; however, this position is not generally accepted by poskim (see Iggros Moshe, Yoreh De’ah 1:57-58).
A possible option for rendering such appliances exempt from the obligation of tevillah is to have the appliance taken apart and re-assembled by a Jew. In this situation one would not be obligated to tovel the utensil since it is considered as if the Jew created a new utensil (see Chochmas Adam 73:13; Be’er Moshe 4:100; Tevilas Keilim 11:50; among others).
However, experience has shown that in spite of the warning on the label, immersing an appliance in water does not cause it damage, and therefore the appliance should be toveled, and then left to dry for a lengthy period of time until it is completely dry. A blow drier can also be used to speed up the drying process. See Be’er Moshe 4:100; Rivevos Ephraim 2:172:10, see 3:502.
Note that although this is the writer’s personal experience, there are no guarantees, and for a particularly expensive appliance it may be worth considering the above option of taking apart and re-assembling the appliance. Yet, this this might imply losing the warranty.
