As we get closer to Pesach, Am Yisrael wants to fulfill the great mitzvah of Seder night in the best way they can. As it is written in the Shulcan Aruch, one way to beautify the mitzvah of the Seder is to use fancy tableware. Many people may also buy new cookware and appliances for Pesach. All of these items may need to be toveled.
What Vessels are Required to be Toveled?
The laws of Tvilat Kelim state that any vessel that was purchased from a non-Jew or was created by a non-Jew requires toveling.
Even if one is unsure if the vessel they purchased is from a non-Jewish factory, they still needs to tovel it with a bracha. This is based on the principle that says that we follow the majority and since the majority of the factories belong to non-Jews, we assume that it comes from them (כל דפריש מרובה פריש).
Where do we Tovel Vessels?
One can tovel a vessel in the sea, a lake, a river, and of course in a mikvah.
It is not recommended tovel vessels in a regular mikvah, because it might not be clean, and the bracha can't be recited in a dirty place. It can also be dangerous if the vessel breaks and the pieces scatter everywhere because someone using the mikvah can get injured.
We are fortunate in this town to have a special mikvah for toveling vessels.
Preparing vessels for Toveling
You should make sure the vessels is clean and remove any stickers or rust before you tovel the dishes. This way, there is no separation between the water and the vessel itself. You should also make sure to get rid of the left over residue from the sticker that may be left on the vessel. This residue can be removed by hot water or rubbing alcohol.
The Bracha Over Tvilat Keilim
If one is only toveling one vessel he should say al tvilat kli. If one is toveling more than one vessel. they should say al tvilat kelim. A pot with its own cover is considered one vessel, but if someone is toveling a cover that belongs to a different pot they should say al tvilat kli.
The Proper Way to Tovel Kelim
One should immerse the vessel three times. If they can't, once is sufficient. They should also immerse their hands in the mikvah to wet them before immersing the vessels. they should hold the vessel loosely, release the vessels to allow all sides to get in contact with the mikvah water, then catch it quickly before it sinks to the bottom. The water needs to touch every surface, inside and out. Therefore the pot needs to be filled with water.
The kelim mikvah at Congregation Ohr Torah has baskets that make this easier to do.
Even if the handle is plastic, and plastic doesn't require toveling, the handle still needs to be immersed because it is part of the vessel.
There is no need to take a vessel apart to tovel it.
Sepharadim are also allowed to tovel vessels on Shabbat, but it is is better to gift it to a non-Jew and borrow it back to tovel it.
A child cannot tovel vessels unless an adult supervises. However, a child can tovel glass since the obligation to tovel glass comes from the Rabbis.
Which Vessels Require Toveling
If a kitchen appliance or vessel can make food that is immediately eatable. For example, a pot where you cook food that you plan to serve or a knife used to carve a roast or turkey must be toveled with a bracha.
If a kitchen appliance or vessel you use for cooking doesn't make the food itself eatable does not have to be toveled. For example a peeler that only peels potatoes or a mixer that only mixes bread dough or cake batter doesn't have to be toveled. However, you can tovel it, but without a bracha.
This distinction can be difficult to make. For example, if I peel only potatoes with my peeler, it doesn't need to be toveled because a potato is not normally eatable after I peel it. However, if I peel carrots with it too, I can eat the carrot raw, and therefore the peeler must now be toveled. A mixer only used for mixing batter does not have to be toveled, but if I mix icing with it, it need to be toveled.
All tableware such as plates, silverware, glasses, etc. must be toveled with a bracha. You also have to tovel beverage pitchers and carafes.
Only vessels that touch the finished food product need to be toiveled with a bracha. If there is no direct contact with the end food product, it doesn't require tvila.
Vessels made from metal (brass, silver, copper, etc.) must be toveled with a bracha. The Rabbis instituted that glass vessels also need to be toveled with a bracha. Earthenware and porcelain vessels do not need to be toveled, but the Ben Ish Chai said they should be toveled with a bracha. If an earthenware vessel is coated both inside and outside with glass, it has to be toveled with a bracha. If a piece of earthenware is only coated with glass on the inside, it needs to be toveled, but without a bracha.
Plastics do not need to be toveled, but can be toveled without a bracha, and those people who tovel plastic receive a bracha, but not if it's only covered with glass on the inside. Glazes are considered glass.
Toveling an Electric Appliance Such as a Kettle or Toaster
If you are concerned that you will ruin the appliance if you tovel it, you can gift the appliance to a non-Jew then borrow the appliance from them. You can also ask a Jew to remove the vulnerable parts, tovel the vessel, then put the appliance back together.
Selling Chametz Vessels to a Non-Jew on Pesach
If you are selling your chametz pots and pans to a non-Jew, some Rabbis say you need to retovel these vessles after Pesach, but the custom is not to do so.
Sources
שולחן ערוך יור''ד סימן ק''כ סימן ר''א ר''ב בן איש חי פרשת מטות הליכות עולם חלק ז' פרשת מטות יבי''א חלק ד סימן ח' וחלק ו סימן י''א חזון עובדיה פסח פסקי תשובות פסח ספר אור ההלכה )
Wish you all Chag Sameach
Rabbi Tal