Tevilla and Kashering
Click here for a kashering guide and list of what needs to be Toiveled (Mikvah).
Toiveling Instructions
• Utensil to be immersed must be completely clean and free of dirt, dust, rust, stickers, labels or glue. (Practical Tip: WD-40 is very effective in removing adhesive)
• One wets his hands in the mikvah water, holds the vessel in the wet hand and says, “Baruch...Asher Kidshanu B'Mitzvosav V'Tzivanu Al Tevilas Keili” (Keilim for multiple utensils) and immerses the vessel(s).
• If one forgot to recite the brocha, the immersion is valid.
• The water of the mikvah must touch the entire vessel, both inside and out.
• The entire vessel must be under water at one time, but does not have to be submerged for any prolonged period of time.
• If a basket or net is used to hold small utensils, the basket should be immersed in the water, the utensils placed in the basket, and the basket swirled under the water, so that the water will touch all areas of the utensils.
• The cover can be immersed separately if it is removable.
• A pocket knife should be immersed in its open position so that the water will touch all areas of the blade.
• Thermos bottle liners do not need to be removed before immersion.
• A narrow necked bottle should be immersed with the neck facing upwards, so that the inner surface of the bottle will fill completely with mikvah water.
• Care must be taken that no air is trapped in the submerged vessels.
• Anyone may tovel keilim, including a small child or gentile, however, a Jewish adult must be present to verify that the tevila took place. A brocha may be recited only if a Jew performs the immersion.
Therefore, if many utensils are to be immersed with the help of a child or gentile, the owner should first immerse a few vessels with a brocha and then let the child or gentile take over.