A complete self-clean cycle should be run with the racks inside the oven. The the oven may then be used for Pesach without needing to cover the racks. Being that self-clean has a status of libun gamur, this method may be done even if the oven was used in the 24 hours prior and does not require the application of a cleaning agent prior running the cycle. Note: If the racks were not present inside the oven during the koshering process, they should be koshered separately.
For regular ovens with no self-clean option, deep clean the oven using a cleaning agent such as easy off. Be sure to wipe off as much grease as possible. The oven should remain out of use for twenty-four hours prior to koshering. Thereafter, operate the oven at the highest possible temperature for a minimum of one hour. Note: This method does not work to kosher the oven racks; they should be placed into a self-cleaning oven and left for an hour on the self-cleaning cycle. If this is not feasible, please contact your Rabbi. If one is not accustomed to placing food on the grills, it would be enough to heat it with the rest of the oven.
After running the cleaning cycle, it is not necessary for Sefaradim to line the glass window inside the oven door.
Electric stove tops must be cleaned thoroughly to resemble a like-new state. This includes the metal rim around the element, the enamel surface between burners, the drip pans, and the area under the drip pans if accessible. Stove knobs should be removed, cleaned, covered or replaced. After waiting twenty-four hours from its last use, the enamel surface of the stove top should be koshered through irui kli rishon. Even according to Sefardic custom, some cover the enamel surface following koshering.
Element borders and drip pans require irui kli rishon or hagalah. If neither of these options are possible, one should double-wrap the borders very well. Electric elements should then be koshered by turning them on the highest setting for 5 minutes. Caution: Do not leave the stove unattended. Do not kosher all burners at the same time.
Glass stove tops are made of a glass-ceramic material. As implied by its name, and due to its nonporous properties, these stove tops have the Halachic status of glass. For Sefaradim only, the glass stove top may be koshered. To do so, clean the surface with a cleaning agent. This includes cleaning the knobs, buttons, sides, and corners. It is recommended to change or cover the knobs. After twenty-four hours of not using the stovetop, pour hot water over the entire surface of the stovetop. Turn on each element for 15 minutes. Caution: Do not leave the stove unattended. Do not kosher all the burners at the same time.
Follow the same steps as delineated for glass stove tops. In order to kosher the elements, use a Chametz pot that has not been used for twenty-four hours and heat the element at the highest temperature for 15 minutes.
Gas stove tops must be cleaned thoroughly to resemble a like-new state. This includes the iron grid on which the pot rests, the enamel surface between burners, drip pans, and the area under the drip pans if they are accessible. The stove knobs should be removed, cleaned, covered or replaced. The iron grids which have been cleaned thoroughly, should be placed into a self-cleaning oven and left for an hour on the self-cleaning cycle. If this is not feasible, the iron grid should remain on the stove top, and each burner should be turned on to the highest temperature for fifteen minutes. It is preferable that for those 15 minutes, the burner should be covered with a piece of metal such as a Blech. Kosher one burner at a time. After letting it sit for twenty-four hours, the enamel surface of the stove top should be koshered through irui kli rishon. Even according to Sefardic custom, some nonetheless have the custom to cover the enamel surface after koshering. Element borders and drip pans require irui kli rishon or hagalah. If neither of these options are possible, one can double wrap the borders very well and use them. Do not leave the stove unattended.
Being that the oven hood retains food remnants and absorbed Chametz vapor, it is required to be cleaned well and koshered for Pesach. One should clean the hood surface with a cleaning agent, leave it idle for twenty-four hours, and then boil water so the steam koshers the hood. Alternatively, one can carefully clean the hood surface with a cleaning agent and cover the hood with aluminum. The filter should be washed well or changed.
Ideally, one should not kosher a Microwave. In the event that one needs to use the microwave during Pesach the following steps should be followed: Remove the glass dish and carefully clean the entire surface of the microwave and glass dish. After leaving the microwave idle for 24 hours, put the glass plate back into the microwave and heat a cup of water mixed with dishwashing soap until the water evaporates (approximately 10 min). One should then move the cup to another area and boil a second cup of water, this time without soap. Even after the koshering process, one should still double wrap food heated in the microwave during Pesach.
If one is accustomed to placing foods directly on a hot plate, it cannot be koshered. The only solution is to clean the hot plate well, turn it on for 1 hour, and then carefully double wrap it with heavy duty aluminum foil. If one is accustomed to only placing foods on the hot plate in a pan, it can be koshered. The hot plate must be cleaned well. After letting it sit idle for 24 hours, pour boiling hot water from a kli rishon over the entire surface. Even after this process, ideally, one should wrap the entire surface with aluminum foil.
Mixers, grinders and food processors that were used throughout the year for Non-Chametz can be koshered. All removable parts should be removed and koshered using hagalah. Parts that cannot be removed and are easily accessible should be wiped down very well. If the parts cannot be removed and are not easily accessible to clean, it cannot be koshered. Note: Bread mixers, or machines that were used to grind Chametz at any time throughout the year cannot be koshered.
If bread was not heated on top of the urn, clean the urn well and attempt to remove all the calcium buildup in the urn. Fill the urn to the top with water and let it boil. Although if bread was heated on top of the urn, the entire urn must be koshered. For a metal urn, perform libun kal. If not feasible, perform hagalah. For plastic urns, perform hagalah.
According to many Sefardic Poskim, the interior of a dishwasher can be koshered, regardless if it is made of metal or plastic. To kosher, clean the washer well, remove and pay special attention to the food trap and the filtration system, and clean out all food remnants. (If one cannot properly remove all food remnants, consult your Rabbi). After letting it sit idle for 24 hours, run an empty cycle using soap on the hottest setting. Some run a second cycle with water only. Ideally, one should change the baskets. If not feasible, wash them well. Note: For porcelain dishwashers, consult your Rabbi.
According to all Poskim, metal sinks can be koshered. According to many Sefardic Poskim, all sinks, no matter the material, can be koshered (consult your Rabbi.) The sink must be thoroughly cleaned to a like-new state, paying special attention to cracks and crevices. Additionally, the taps as well as the faucets must be cleaned thoroughly. After cleaning, the sinks must not be used with hot water for a minimum of 24 hours. Prior to koshering, in order to ensure that no hot water is used, it is advisable to shut the hot water valve beneath the sink. Pour a very strong cleaner down and around the drain/s. The method of Koshering is a irui kli rishon. The entire sink surface must be dry prior to the pouring of the boiling water so as not to cool down the water. Therefore, it is recommended to kosher the base of the sink first and then the sides. Take a special Passover koshering kettle and fill it with water. Bring the kettle to a boil. Immediately after the water boils, it should be poured over the surface to be koshered. Pour boiling water over every part of the sink, concentrating on small areas at a time, ensuring that as the water is poured, it remains boiling hot. Following koshering, pour cold water over the sinks. Boiling hot water must also be poured over the faucet/s as well as the hot and cold-water knobs. If the spout has a strainer, it must be changed for Passover. Sink stoppers should also be changed. Note: Some have the custom to perform irui three times for porcelain sinks.
According to Sefaradim, all countertop materials can be koshered with the following process The surface to be koshered must first be thoroughly cleaned to a likenew state. After cleaning and prior to koshering, the countertops must not be used with anything hot for a minimum of 24 hours. The entire surface of the countertop must be dry prior to pouring the boiling water. Then, kosher the counter through irui: Take a special Passover koshering kettle and fill it up with water. Bring the kettle to a boil. Immediately after the water boils, it should be poured over the surface to be koshered. Pour boiling water over every part of these surfaces, concentrating on small areas at a time, ensuring that as you pour the water it remains boiling hot. After the counter is koshered, pour cold water over it. After the koshering, some have a custom to cover the surface. If polished marble or granite is cracked, filled, or when installed, coated with a special sealant, please consult your Halachic authority as to whether it can be koshered or not.
If one is accustomed to eating with a tablecloth all year-round, it suffices to meticulously wipe down the table. If one is accustomed to eating without a tablecloth, one should kosher the table using irui kli rishon. According to Sefardic custom, a glass table can be used in all cases if meticulously wiped down.
Refrigerators and freezers must be washed well with soap and water. It is not necessary to line shelves, since they are only used for cold food. Lining the shelf improperly may also impair the operation of the machine.
Kitchen cupboards must be thoroughly cleaned. Most people have the custom to line their shelves.
The usual method of cleaning (e.g. dry cleaning) or laundering via washing machine is sufficient. There are those who prefer to have separate tablecloths and dish towels for Pesach. Make sure that starch is not used. Towels and tablecloths should be washed with detergent, with the machine set to the hottest setting it will go. New tablecloths may contain a starch, which is not acceptable for Passover. Be sure to wash them before Pesach use. Plastic tablecloths previously used for Chametz should not be used on Pesach.