Q. How do you kasher for Pesach a glass-ceramic top stove? What do you do with the area outside of the coils, since the manufacturers recommend that that area should not be covered and you can’t use either a blowtorch, because the glass may crack?

A. Kosher certifying agencies agree that prior to koshering all parts of the stovetop should be thoroughly cleaned including scraping residual food from the surface and catch-tray, and not used for 24 hours. They disagree, however as to the time that the electrical elements should be left on at maximum temperature. CRC maintains one hour while COR says they should be maintained at glowing hot for only ten minutes. Star K rules that it is enough for the elements to get glowing hot, which they advise takes only a few minutes. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that they should stay at maximum heat for forty five minutes.

The area between the burners that does not get hot and can’t be koshered without risking cracking of the glass-ceramic. CRC advises the area should not be used at all. COR directs to cover the rest of the surface around and between the burners with material that will not easily tear. They caution not to cover the whole surface with a Pesach Blech (metal sheet) as the glass might crack. Star K recommends that since the area between the burners cannot practically be kashered, it would be wise to place a trivet or stand on the open glass area so the pots can be transferred. Furthermore, in order to use a large pot that extends beyond the designated cooking area, one should place a metal disc approximately 1/8 of an inch thick onto the burner area in order to raise the Passover pots above the rest of the glass surface.

Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is to cover only the non-heated areas with heavy duty aluminum taped by the edges so it will stay put.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a