A Toaster That Was Not Sold to a Non-Jew
Question
Good evening! At work I have a toaster that belongs only to me for reasons of kashruth. Before Passover, I forgot to sell it to a non-Jew (but we did sell chametz at home). What is its status? Is it permitted to use or is it forbidden?
Answer
Greetings,
The toaster is permitted for use.
Explanation of the law:
There is absolutely no need to sell a clean chametz utensil to a non-Jew, if it only absorbed chametz (and does not have actual chametz items inside). It is sufficient to place such a utensil in a hidden area, so that it will not be used on Passover, and after Passover, it can be used as usual.
However, if there were crumbs in the toaster, it should be cleaned after Passover, because chametz crumbs that remain in utensils become forbidden during Passover, if they’re are not dirty (and thus unfit for consumption),.
Also, if someone sold his chametz, the toaster was included in that sale, even if he did not explicitly state the place where the toaster was. The reason is that it was written in the contract that the chametz will be sold 'wherever it is'.