Kashering Granite

Q. How do I kasher my granite countertops for Pesach?

A. Granite countertops are typically a solid slab of stone. Stone can be kashered as indicated in Shulchan Aruch (O.C. 451:8). Granite counters can be kashered even though a sealant is applied to the surface. The sealant is absorbed into the stone, and is not a chatzitza (barrier) to kashering.

How is kashering done? There is a general rule that kbol’o kach polto (in the same manner that the material absorbed, it must be kashered). Since it is possible that hot chametz was spilled on the counter, the kashering must be with iruy (pouring) of boiling water over the entire counter. The water cannot be poured on one area and allowed to flow to other parts of the surface; rather the water must be poured directly on each area of the counter. Mishnah Berurah (451:114) adds that if hot bread was placed on the counter, iruy alone is insufficient. In such instances, a hot stone must be placed on the surface to raise the water temperature. The stone must be reheated several times, so that it continuously remains hotter than the boiling water.

When using a hot stone, there is an interesting side benefit: as long as the heated stone follows after the water, the boiling water need not hit each spot directly.

On a practical level, Rav Belsky, zt”l recommended that countertops should be covered and not kashered, as it is difficult to kasher counters correctly and safely. In addition, if done properly with sufficient water to hit each area of the counter, the kitchen floor will probably be flooded.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.