Toiveling Made Simple

Batya

The one who turned ‘someone should really explain this’ into Your Big Sister.

Important Note
Halachic content in this article has been reviewed and approved by Rav Binyomin Hollander. This guide covers the most common household items. If you’re unsure about a specific item or situation, ask your Rav, as the halachos can be complex.

There’s something so nice about opening all your new kitchen things. Everything feels fresh and exciting.

And then at some point, you realize… a lot of it needs toiveling.

Suddenly you’re standing there with a pile of pots, cutlery and appliances, not totally sure what actually needs to be done, what doesn’t, and how to even start.

This guide is here to make the process feel simple and manageable without overcomplicating it.

The Quick Version

Metal + glass → needs tevilah 
Plastic + wood → doesn’t need tevilah
Electric → often complicated → ask your Rav or check the table below

How to Toivel an Item

  1. Make sure the item is completely clean.
  2. Remove stickers, labels, and glue. A label intended to remain on the item, such as a brand label, may not be considered a chatzitzah. 
  3. The item must be fully submerged at once.
  4. Water must touch every part of the item, so hold it loosely while dipping. If the item is too heavy, wet your hands in the mikvah first and then hold it.
  5. If required, say the brocha before dipping the item.
  6. Some have the custom to toivel an item three times. If that isn’t your minhag, once is enough.

YesYes · NoNo · DependsDepends · Parts onlyParts only

Appliances

Item Needs tevilah? Brocha? Notes 
Microwave Parts only No The microwave itself does not require tevilah. The glass turntable does.
Toaster Yes Depends If the toaster has a Teflon coating, it does not require a brocha.
Domo Pizza Maker Yes Yes  
Food Processor Parts only No If the blade is metal, it needs tevilah without a brocha.
Blender  Parts only Yes Only the part containing the blade needs tevilah.
Mixer  Parts only Yes The mixer itself does not require tevilah. Removable metal attachments that touch food do require tevilah and a brocha.
Coffee Machine Yes No Best to take apart and put back together again.
Hot Water Urn  Yes Yes  
Metal Kettle  Yes Yes  
Plastic Kettle Yes No  
Waffle Maker Yes Depends If the machine has a Teflon coating, no brocha is needed.
George Foreman Grill Yes Yes If the removable plate can be taken out, only that needs tevilah. If it cannot be removed, you should immerse the whole appliance.
Air Fryer Parts only No The basket inside needs tevilah.
One-Piece Crockpot  Yes Yes  
Two-Piece Crockpot Yes No If the inner part is made of glazed earthenware, toivel it without a brocha.

Kitchen Tools

Item Needs tevilah? Brocha? Notes
Can Opener No No  
Flour Sieve No No  
Peeler  Yes No  
Grater  Yes Yes  
Garlic Press Yes Yes  
Nutcracker Yes Depends Some people toivel with a brocha.
Ice Cream Scoop Yes Yes  
Measuring Cups and Spoons Yes Depends If they are used to eat or drink from directly, a brocha is required.
Wine Opener No No  
Serving Spoons Yes Yes  
Meat Thermometer No No  
Kitchen Scissors Sefardim NoAshkenazim Yes No  

Baking and Cooking

Item Needs tevilah? Brocha? Notes 
Metal Cake Tin Yes Yes  
Silicone Cake Tin No No  
Metal Oven Rack Depends Depends If food comes into direct contact with the rack, it requires tevilah. If food is always kept in a dish or on thick baking paper so that it cannot touch the rack, it does not require tevilah.
Wooden Rolling Pin No No  

Tableware and Serving

Item Needs tevilah? Brocha?  Notes 
Dishes  Depends Depends Porcelain dishes do not require tevilah. Other dishes may require tevilah depending on their material.
Cutlery  Yes Yes  
Glass Cups Yes Yes  
Crystal Items Yes Yes  
Kiddush Cup Depends Depends Anything manufactured by a Jew does not require tevilah.
Challah Board Depends Depends A challah board with a glass surface requires tevilah and a brocha.
Decorative Bowls Depends No They do not require tevilah if they are used only for decoration and do not come into direct contact with food.
Serving Platter Yes Yes  
Pyrex Dishes Yes Yes  

Storage

Item Needs tevilah?  Brocha? Notes 
Storage Jars Depends Depends If you normally eat directly from the jar, a brocha is required.
Thermos  Yes Yes  
Metal Reusable Water Bottle Yes Yes  
Plastic Reusable Water Bottle No No  
Plastic Mixing Bowls No No  

Still unsure about an item?
Send us your question. We may answer it in a future article.

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