Materials Requiring Teviloh
14. Metal. Dishes made of all types of metal require teviloh with a brochoh (שו"ע שם ס"א ). This includes gold, silver, and steel/stainless steel. Some say aluminum is only derabonon since it is a new metal not specified in the posuk; even so, it is toveled with a brochoh just like glass (אג "מ יו"ד ח"ג סי' כ"ב ). However, most poskim hold that all types of metals require teviloh mide’oraiso, even those not listed in the posuk (ערוה"ש ס כ"ג, תשוה"נ ח"א סי' תנ"א ). The Shulchon Oruch implies this is also his opinion.
15. Glass. All types of glass require teviloh miderabonon with a brochoh (above, 4). This includes crystal, Pyrex, and Duralex.
16. Corelle dishes are made of opaque glass with an outer layer to prevent them from breaking. Thus, they are toveled with a brochoh like glass. Some say they are toveled without a brochoh.
17. Mirror tray. Even flat glass dishes require teviloh (שו"ת שבט הלוי ח"ו סי' רמ"ה ). Thus, if one buys a mirror or piece of glass manufactured by a non-Jew to place cookies or miniature desserts on it for a kiddush or simchoh, even though it was not made for food, it must be toveled since it is being used as a dish for food.
18. Pottery, stone, wood. Dishes made of clay, earthenware, stone [e.g., marble], or wood do not require teviloh.
19. Glazed ceramics. Many types of dishes are made mainly out of clay, but glazed or mixed with a type of glass, e.g. porcelain. These make up most bowls and plates commonly used today at meals. Some poskim say these do not require teviloh (שו"ת יעב"ץ ח"א סי' ס"ז הובא ב פתח"ת סק"ב, חכ"א כלל ע"ג אות א', בעל אג"מ הובא בקובץ לת ורה והוראה חו' ב' עמ' 20).
20. However, many poskim are of the opinion that they should be toveled without a brochoh or together with another dish which requires a brochoh (ערוה"ש סכ"ט, שו"ת שלמת חיים ח"א סי' י"ג וי"ד, תשוה"נ ח"ד סי' קצ"א). It is proper to do so.
21. Plastic. Some say that dishes made of firm plastic require teviloh – albeit without a brochoh – since, like glass, they can be melted down (שו"ת מנח"י ח"ג סי' ע"ו-ע"ח, שו"ת קנין תורה ח"ב סי' פ"ד ). However, most poskim hold they are potur from teviloh (שו"ת חלקת יעקב ח"ב סי' קס"ג, חזו"א הובא בס' טבילת כלים עמ' רכ"ז ועוד ). This is the common practice.
22. Silicone. Silicone dishes or trays do not require teviloh.
