Does an Electric Kettle Require Immersion?

The authorities are divided on whether an electric kettle requires immersion, because we have a rule that a utensil connected to the ground does not require immersion, as there is no obligation to immerse a vessel that cannot become ritually impure. And anything connected to the ground cannot become ritually impure. Based on this, several authorities, including Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach of blessed memory, wrote that this should apply to electric kettles. Since its primary use is when it is connected to the electrical outlet, it is considered connected to the ground and exempt from immersion. However, in practice, even Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach did not want to rely on this reason alone to exempt the kettle from immersion, because it still has use even when not connected to electricity.

Also, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef wrote that it is good to be stringent and immerse an electric kettle. If one is concerned that immersing it in water might damage the kettle, it is advisable to give it as a gift to a non-Jew, and then borrow it back from them. This is because one who borrows or rents utensils from a non-Jew is exempt from immersing them, since they have not purchased them to be their own. This is different from the incident with the vessels of Midian, where the vessels were completely owned by Israelites. Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach added another way to exempt the kettle from immersion: taking it to a qualified Jewish electrician who will disassemble the kettle professionally in a way that not everyone can do at home, and then reassemble it. This is considered as if the vessel was purchased from a Jew, and therefore it is exempt from immersion.

In conclusion: An electric kettle requires immersion without a blessing. It can be exempted from the immersion requirement by giving it as a gift to a non-Jew and asking them to lend it back. Alternatively, a Jewish electrician can professionally disassemble the kettle and then reassemble it. In such cases, the vessel is exempt from immersion.

Rulings of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef courtesy of "Daily Halacha" website