Obligation of Immersing a Pancake Maker

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Question

I have a new pancake maker with removable plates, manufactured abroad. What needs to be immersed?

Answer

The device itself does not need to be immersed, as it is not a food utensil. The plates should be immersed without a blessing, as they are made of Teflon.

Source

The device is similar to what is written in the Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah, Siman 120, סעיף 4, that the item on which pots are placed does not require immersion, as it is not considered a food utensil. The same applies to the device on which trays are placed.

Regarding the Teflon coating, the Shulchan Aruch, Siman 120, סעיף 1, states: "Vessels coated with tin from the inside, even if they are new, must be immersed in a mikvah or a spring with forty seah." The Rema writes: "There are those who say that vessels coated with tin, even on the inside, should be immersed without a blessing, and this is the custom." This means that the Shulchan Aruch and the Rema disagree on two points: 1. A vessel coated on the inside but not on the outside, according to the Shulchan Aruch, requires immersion with a blessing, while according to the Rema, it is immersed without a blessing. 2. A vessel coated on the outside but not on the inside, according to the Shulchan Aruch, does not require immersion at all, while according to the Rema, it is immersed without a blessing. If it is coated both inside and outside, the Reak A'eer writes that, certainly, according to all opinions, it is immersed with a blessing.

In Shut Maharsham, part 3, Siman 20, there is a doubt regarding a vessel coated with enamel, whether the coating is considered insignificant relative to the vessel, as the coating is made to prevent rust and is very thin. The same applies to Teflon, whose coating is very thin and plastic, it should be immersed without a blessing.

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