Does a Can Opener, a Meat Thermometer, or an Oven Rack Require Tevilas Keilim?

The general rule is that any utensil, made from metal or glass, which touches the food and is used for preparing, serving, or eating the food requires tevilah. Though a can opener and a meat thermometer will come in direct contact with food, they do not require tevilah, since they are not directly involved in preparing the food. Although they are useful tools, they do not actually cook or change the food in any way. (See Shach, Yoreh De’ah 120:11.)

If one places food directly on an oven rack, then the rack will require tevilah. But if one only places pots or pans on the racks, and the oven racks never have direct contact with food, then they do not require tevilah. (See Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah 120:4.)

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.