295. When and Where to Bentch

44:8 One may not delay bentching the time it takes to digest and become hungry again, which many authorities place at 72 minutes. If one did delay that long, he may no longer bentch. At a large gathering, people might sit together talking for a longer period than that after eating before they bentch. This is okay since they continue to drink and eat dessert but one should nevertheless be careful not to delay bentching for too long a period of time.

44:9 If one left the place where he ate before bentching, if there is bread at his destination (even less than an olive-sized portion – MB 184:9), he may eat some without saying hamotzi and then bentch there. (Only bread accomplishes this, not other foods – MB 184:9 again.) If there’s no bread there, he must return to his original location to bentch. If he is so far away that he cannot return before the time limit for bentching has expired, he can bentch at his new location.