Does an Electric Kettle Need Immersion in a Mikvah? Halachic Rulings Explained

Is an electric kettle required to be immersed (toveled) in a mikvah before use?

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The halachic authorities (poskim) have debated whether an electric kettle requires tevilah (immersion in a mikvah). The issue arises from the general halachic principle that any utensil permanently attached to the ground does not require immersion, since only vessels capable of becoming tamei (ritually impure) must be immersed — and anything connected to the ground cannot contract impurity.

Based on this rule, several authorities — among them Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, reasoned that an electric kettle might be exempt. Since its main function is performed while plugged into the electrical outlet, it could be viewed as connected to the ground, and thus exempt from tevilah.

However, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach did not rely solely on this rationale, because the kettle can also be used while unplugged, even if that is not its primary mode of use.

Similarly, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef wrote that it is best to be stringent and immerse an electric kettle. Yet, if one fears the kettle will be damaged by immersion, there is a halachically valid alternative:
He can give the kettle as a gift to a non-Jew, and then borrow it back. A borrowed utensil belonging to a non-Jew does not require tevilah, since the borrower does not acquire ownership of it. This differs from the vessels taken from Midian in the Torah, which became fully owned by Israel and therefore required immersion.

Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach offered another practical solution:
Take the kettle to a qualified Jewish electrician who can professionally disassemble and reassemble it — in a way not feasible for an average person. Once reassembled, the appliance is considered as if it was newly “acquired” from a Jew, and therefore exempt from tevilah.

An electric kettle requires tevilah without a blessing (toveling without a beracha). However, one may exempt it by either:

1. Gifting it to a non-Jew and then borrowing it back, or

2. Having a qualified Jewish electrician professionally disassemble and reassemble it.

Based on the rulings of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, courtesy of the “Halacha Yomit” website.