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Hagala Materials
by Rabbi Dovid Bendory, II Adar 5765 (April 2005)
What materials can be kashered by hagala? What
materials can't?
- Clay or China: Earthenware cannot be kashered.
-
Corelle: Some hold that Corelle has the law of glass. Others hold it
is cheres (earthenware) and cannot be kashered.
-
Corningware: Some hold it has the law of glass. Others hold it is
cheres and cannot be kashered.
-
Duralex: Some hold it has the law of glass. Others hold it is
cheres and cannot be kashered.
-
Fiberglass: Fiberglass is considered the same as earthenware and
cannot be kashered. It is made of compressed fibers of glass and has
microscopic pores similar to clay.
-
Glass. Whether or not glass can be kashered by hagala is a
subject of debate. (See the Piskei Teshuva on Orach Chaim
Simon 451.)
-
Some hold that hold glass does not absorb and therefore does not need kashering.
-
Others hold that glass is like metal and can be kashered through hagala.
- Others hold that glass is like clay and cannot be kashered.
Sephardic Jews generally hold like the first opinion, though not with regard
to Pesach. I have seen Ashkenazic Jews follow any one of these three
opinions. Due to the varying opinions on this matter, it is incumbent on
each person to ask the opinion of their rabbi. Also, please note that the
halacha regarding kashering glass for Passover use may be different
than for general kashering, so again please consult with your rabbi.
- Porcelain is like earthenware cannot be kashered.
- Porcelain Enamel: Some hold it has the law of glass. Others hold it is cheres.
- Plastic: Some hold it has the law of glass. Others hold it is cheres.
- Pyrex: Some hold it has the law of glass. Others hold it is cheres.
- Teflon Coated Pots can be kashered by hagala. (שו”ת אג”מ אהע”ז ח”ד סו”ס ז
)
-
Teflon Coated Pans: If food was cooked directly on the pan with
little or no oil, it must be kashered by libun (direct fire). Since
this would ruin the Teflon, you must ask advice of your rabbi. In some
cases, hagala can be done.
There are also many other modern man-made materials that generally fall into
one of the above categories. Note that there is a fundamental argument in
kashrut over all these materials: some say that all materials can be
kashered unless the Torah states otherwise while others say that the Torah
listed only those materials that are able to be kashered and all others are
not. Consult with your rabbi for the proper custom.
Questions to ponder:
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