Pesach Prep

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Dear Rabbi Simon,
We’re beginning our Pesach prep and have a few questions; I hope you can help!
1. How does one kasher a gas-fired barbecue?
2. Does one need to kasher an electric or manual coffee bean grinder?
3. We have a new (very hot) Shabbat platta (hot plate, popular in Israel, albeit likely made in China) – which we have kept covered in foil when using for Shabbat. Am I allowed to use the platta for milky food or for Pesach if I change the foil (which I would anyway do each time I use it)?
Thanks,
Pessi

Hi Pessi
Thank you for your questions.
1. Clean thoroughly and leave it on high for 30 minutes.
2. Coffee grinders: if only used for plain, unflavoured coffee, they may be carefully cleaned and then used for Pesach.
3. If you clean the platta and turn it on for 30 minutes, you can use it for dairy and also for Pesach. Changing the foil each time you use it is the way to go.
Best wishes,
Rabbi Rashi Simon

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Ask the Rabbi: Quinoa on Pesach
Dear Rabbi Simon,
Where do you stand on quinoa (and the kitniyot ban) for Pesach?
Many thanks,
Tzippy
***
Dear Tzippy,
In line with other American authorities, I am in favour of quinoa. Although I reject completely the voices (mostly from Israel) seeking to abolish the ban on kitniyot entirely, IMO we do not need to include in the prohibition pseudo-grains that were unknown in the Old World until modern times. Best to buy with a Pesach hechsher though, to be free of any possible wheat contamination.
Rabbi Rashi Simon
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