Halachos For Pesach

Birkas Hailanos

Birkas Hailanos is recited when seeing a blossoming fruit tree, only if it is the flower that the fruit will eventually grow from.
Customs vary as to how many trees one must see in order to recite the Bracha; some say two trees, and some add two types of trees.
Lehalacha, the Bracha can be recited on one fruit tree.
Some are mehader to recite the Bracha on the trees of fields or orchards. Lehalacha, the Bracha can be said on trees that grow in the yard as well.
One can be lenient to recite the Bracha on a tree that grows in a flowerpot, as long as there is a hole in the base (עציץ נקוב).
The Bracha can be recited Lechatchila, even if the flowers have already fallen off, and the fruits have started to grow, as long as the fruits are not yet edible.
If one did not recite the Bracha upon seeing the tree for the first time, the Bracha can be recited when seeing it a second time, as long as there are still flowers blossoming, but if the flowers have fallen, and the fruits have already started to grow, then a Bracha cannot be recited. If there are other trees blossoming he can recite it on them.
The Bracha can be recited day or night, as long as the trees are clearly visible.

Places that need Bedikah

Any place where one may have brought Chametz, even only occasionally, needs to be checked.
Since cleaning is not considered Bedikah and one needs to check the rooms that were cleaned as well, and since on the night of Bedikas Chametz it is difficult to do Bedikah in the whole house, therefore a good piece of advice is that every cupboard as soon as being cleaned should be checked with a candle (or a flashlight/torch) in all the corners, this way there will be no need to do Bedikah on the night of Bedikas Chametz (see

further on for more dinim about Bedikah Page ז).

Pieces of Chametz smaller than a Kezayis - if they are even mildly soiled, Lehalacha there is no

obligation to destroy them, therefore it is sufficient to spray some cleaning agent on them, that they should become soiled [even where they will remain edible for human consumption].

Pieces of Chametz that are in the cracks and crevices and are inaccessible, as well as pieces of Chametz that access is only possible by dismantling or something similar- are not required to be destroyed, as it has a Din as Chametz that is under a pile of rubble.
Crumbs of Chametz on the floor ['crumbs that are trampled'] - have no obligation of Bi'ur and Bedikah, therefore there is no need to do Bedikah on the floor, nevertheless Chametz in the corners of the house which are not trampled, should be sprayed upon with a cleaning agent. See further page 6 what is written regarding 'floors'.

The kitchen

The kitchen needs extra attention when cleaning since:

It is a typical place to find Chametz.
The kitchen also needs koshering e.g. the sinks, countertops and various appliances, that one may want to use for Pesach.

Cooking and baking appliances

Gas stove (glass, metal or ceramic)

Lechatchila, it is advisable to designate a separate gas range for Pesach, or at least new grates for Pesach use only. The stovetop that is used with Chametz should be covered and the Chametz that may be stuck to it should be sold to a non-Jew.
Where one does not have a gas range specifically for Pesach, he will need to Kasher the grates by making a thorough cleaning with a cleaning agent [so that any remaining crumbs become somewhat spoiled, even if they are still edible], and afterwards

he will need to do 'Libun' with fire by slowly passing a blowtorch over the full area of the grates, each area that one passes one should make sure there is 'Libun Chamur' on that area (until the metal becomes red hot), or by placing the grate on the gas flame, and when the area above the flame gets red hot he should move it with a plier to the next area of the grate until the whole grate was heated by the fire^[1]. Since it is hard to make the grates red hot, it is therefore advisable to be Machmir to wrap the grates with thick aluminum foil.

One can be lenient not to do Libun, if the grates and the whole surface area are covered with aluminum foil very well.

Burners, should be cleaned well with a cleaning agent and the fire should be turned on for a few minutes.
The area of the stovetop should be cleaned thoroughly and covered with thick aluminum foil, preferably Hag'alah should be done first by pouring boiling water from a Kli Rishon.
The cover of the stove should be cleaned and covered with thick aluminum foil.
The knobs of the stove should be thoroughly cleaned (there are some types of gentle grease removers that do not damage the knobs and clean them well). Some are Mehader to cover them with aluminum foil.

Electric stovetops made of metal

Lechatchila it is advisable to use a stovetop specifically for Pesach.
In case one does not have this option, then he should clean the stove thoroughly with a cleaning agent, and should light it on the highest flame for one hour. If possible, one should wrap it in thick aluminum foil.
The knobs of the stovetop should be cleaned

thoroughly (there are some types of gentle grease removers that do not damage the knobs and clean them well). Some are Mehader to cover them with aluminum foil.

Electric stovetops with a glass covering/ceramic stove.

They cannot be Kashered for Pesach^[2].

Lechatchila, it is ideal to use a stove that is for Pesach use only.

However, if one covers the stove with thick aluminum foil [100 microns thick] - it is satisfactory.

Induction stove

It cannot be Kashered for Pesach.

Lechatchila, it is ideal to use a stove that is for Pesach use only.

However, in case one isn’t able to have a Pesach stove, one can cover the stove with a silicon surface but only if he is careful that the silicon fully covers the stove, and the edges of the silicon must be hermetically sealed so that no liquids seep beneath the silicon covering.

The cupboard above the stove

A cabinet above the stove that absorbs cooking vapor, should be cleaned thoroughly and the surface below the cabinet which is facing the stovetop should be covered with aluminum foil.
The range hood should be covered with aluminum foil.

Electric Plate (פלטה חשמלית)

Lechatchila, it is advisable to use an electric plate specifically for Pesach.
If one does not have a different one, then he should clean the electric plate thoroughly with a cleaning agent, and then turn it on for an hour (there are some who are Mehader to also pour boiling water on the electric plate from a Kli Rishon), and afterwards cover it with thick aluminum foil.

Cooking oven

There are some who are lenient and hold that it is permitted to be Machshir an oven for Pesach if there is a waiting period of 24 hours from the last cooking, and subsequently heating the oven on the maximum heat for one hour. It is still optimal to cook the food while covered.

Nevertheless, many are Machmir and hold that an oven cannot be Kashered for the following reasons:

In order to Kasher, Libun Chamur needs to be done which is close to 500 degrees Celsius, while a standard oven reaches at most between 250-300 degrees of heat.
A standard oven has a glass door which according to the Rama cannot be kashered.
The gaskets on the door are considered to be plastic, and we are Machmir not to Kasher plastic by process of Hag'alah or Libun Kal.
The walls of the oven compartment are made from enamel which we are Machmir not to Kasher for Pesach use [see Sha'ar Hatziyun סימן תנ"א ס"ק קצ"א].
For all the above reasons, one should not rely on Kashering a standard oven, rather he should seal it for the duration of Pesach, and include in the sale of Chametz the crumbs that may have remained stuck to the oven.
One who wants to be Mehader, can check the oven superficially for any crumbs of Chametz that might be there, or alternatively should turn on the oven for sufficient time to verify that the Chametz will have been burnt and Batel.
The oven should be moved from its place and the area beneath the oven should be checked, since it is a place where Chametz may be found.

Self-cleaning oven (pyrolytic)

There are ovens that have a self-cleaning cycle that the heat reaches 500 degrees Celsius which is considered 'Libun Chamur'. One must note that not all companies are the same, and there are some ovens that even though the center of the oven reaches this level of heat, yet the walls do not. Therefore, even one who has such an oven should not be lenient to use it for Pesach until he asks a competent Rav who is proficient in these details.

Electric kettle or urn

Lechatchila, one should not use an electric kettle

that was used year-round for the following reasons:

Sometimes tangible Chametz such as bread or pita etc. is placed on the lid to warm it up, and it may need Libun, which cannot be done since it will damage the lid, and an item that might get damaged by Hag'alah, cannot have Hag'alah done on it.
Since sometimes one pours from the kettle directly on noodles, groats, etc. and the vapor is hot enough to cause Bliyos, therefore it needs Hag'alah, which is not practical, since many hold that Hag'alah cannot be done on plastic.

In most cases there is stone sediment in the kettle, and there are Poskim that hold that in such a case Hag'alah does not help. There are some instances as well that some crumbs get in to the kettle which are hard to recognize and remove.

The Din of an electric urn is similar to a kettle, since it has some of the reasons mentioned above.

Microwave oven

There are some who are of the opinion that a microwave oven can be Kashered for Pesach in the following way: after a 24 hour waiting period when the oven was not used, a cup filled with water should be placed in the oven and the microwave should be turned on for a quarter of an hour. Even for those that are lenient, it would be advisable that even after Kashering, the food should only be heated while it is covered.

Indeed, there are many that are strict and consider a microwave oven as something that cannot be Kashered for Pesach; firstly, since it does not get hot enough to be considered 'Libun Chamur', secondly, they usually have glass and plastic parts which many Poskim hold that they cannot be Kashered.

Toaster

A toaster cannot be Kashered for Pesach use, since it does not reach the heat of 'Libun Chamur', and there are crumbs in all the nooks and crannies.

A press toaster, is coated with Teflon which cannot be Kashered.

Refrigerator and freezer

All the parts of the refrigerator and freezer should be taken apart as much as possible and thoroughly cleaned, and afterwards checked for Chametz.

The gaskets in the refrigerator (especially from the lower door) are prone to have crumbs. They should therefore be cleaned thoroughly from any Chametz, see footnote^[3].

All surfaces that are screwed in to the refrigerator, one can be lenient not to do Bedikah on them, since even if Chametz entered that area, it is considered Chametz that is buried, optimally one should pour a cleaning agent over the area [if it will not cause damage to the refrigerator or freezer].

Optimally the shelves should be covered before placing the Pesach food on them.

Working surfaces

Sinks and faucets/taps

Sinks from ceramic/pottery/porcelain that cannot go through the process of Hag'alah (since Hag'alah cannot be done on ceramic materials); if one is not planning to use the sink, it is sufficient to leave them clean. However, if one is planning to use the sink, it must be cleaned thoroughly with a cleaning agent and then an 'insert sink' for Pesach should be placed inside.
Stainless steel sink- should be thoroughly cleaned with a cleaning agent^[4] and then an 'insert sink' for Pesach should be placed inside. If however one wants to use the sink itself, the following procedure has to be followed:

Thoroughly clean the sink.
Wait 24 hours without using anything hot.
"Kashering", The way Kashering is done;
According to the Shulchan Aruch - pouring boiling water from a Kli Rishon is sufficient.
According to the Rama [סימן תנ"א סעיף ו'] - this is insufficient^[5] since there are instances that hot solid food is poured in to the sink such as pasta etc. which then requires Hag'alah inside the Kli Rishon itself, and not just by pouring from a Kli Rishon. Therefore Kashering needs to be done by pouring from a Kli Rishon and passing an Even Milubenes over the sink. A clothes iron can be used as an Even Milubenes, by passing the hot iron over the (dry) surface of the sink.
The faucet/tap; there are instances that it was exposed to boiling Chametz e.g. boiling hot steam rising from pots that contained Chametz, or boiling water pouring from the faucet/tap into pots that contained Chametz. Therefore it must be Kashered as follows:

Wait 24 hours without using anything hot.
Turn on the boiler, and keep it on so that during the Kashering the flowing water will be at maximum heat.
Open the hot water faucet/tap and wait until the water is at maximum heat.
At the same time, pour boiling water on the outside surface of the faucet/tap.

Ceramic or marble countertops

Lechatchila one must wait 24 hours without placing

anything hot on the counters, and then do Hag'alah on the countertop^[6]by pouring from a Kli Rishon [possibly even from a Chametzdige kettle] and then covering the counters with vinyl countertops or with thick aluminum foil. If they are not covered, then Lechatchila Hag'alah should be done by pouring from a Kli Rishon on an Even Milubenes as explained above.

The ceramic wall (backsplash), which is exposed to hot Chametz steam from cooking food, should be covered with aluminium foil or something similar.

A dish stand for drip dry

A drip dry stand, needs to be thoroughly cleaned, and checked to verify that there is no Chametz stuck to it. Many people are Noheg to buy a new stand for Pesach, since the dishes that touch food come in contact with the stand.

Kitchen furniture

Kitchen cabinets/cupboards

Clean shelves that are sold to a non-Jew, do not need Bedikah.
Shelves that one wants to use for Pesach, must be thoroughly cleaned with a sponge and a cleaning agent [it is sufficient that any crumbs get somewhat dirty even if they are still edible for human consumption] (Special attention is needed to reach all the corners), and then Bedikah. Lechatchila one should cover the shelves.

Table and chairs

The table should be thoroughly cleaned, (special attention must be given to clean the underside of the table), and it should only be used when covered with a tablecloth. Lechatchila, one should cover the table with a table cover (aluminum foil, a sheet of paper or vinyl covering), and a tablecloth for Pesach placed on top.
Chairs should be thoroughly cleaned, especially the high chair of infants, since it is full of crumbs in all its nooks and crannies.

Dishes and electrical appliances

In the kitchen there are many different containers for storage, as well as dishes and appliances for preparing food, for example, mixers, blenders, food processors and grinders. There is much to expound upon about the way they should be cleaned, nevertheless, since most people are Noheg to use different containers and dishes for Pesach, it is irrelevant. [all Chametz dishes and containers should be stored, and the crumbs inside should be sold to a non-Jew].

The kitchen floor

The floor under the oven and the refrigerator should be cleaned, as it is very common for there to be Chametz. (see below under the heading 'Floors'). However, there is an option to include the area under and behind the refrigerator/oven in the Mechiras Chametz, which will then absolve one from the obligation of Bedikah. If it is very difficult to move the oven/refrigerator, we can consider the area as a place that the Chametz is unreachable like

Chametz under a collapsed structure which is deemed inaccessible, and therefore one is not obligated to destroy the Chametz.

A baby bottle

A baby bottle which is used for milk substitutes and porridges, it is advisable not to rely on cleaning and Kashering it for Pesach use, rather to use a new bottle for Pesach.

The bedroom

The beds

Bedikah should be done under the mattresses and the beds.

Closets and chests of drawers

In the closets and chests of drawers one needs to check shelves that were possibly accessed while using Chametz, such as towel shelves. Another example: the clothes shelves that people might go to during the meal to change an item of clothing that got dirty. (Every place and cupboard that children have access to, needs to be checked).
The places that need Bedikah; it is sufficient to check for any recognizable Chametz, and to go over the area with a cloth and cleaning agent that will spoil any crumbs that might be there, and since it is spoiled there is no obligation of Bi'ur anymore.
Cupboards that there is no access to the floor beneath them (unless the cupboard is moved from its place) one does not need to check under them. Some cupboards have a bottom drawer that can be removed in order to access the floor beneath them, and therefore need to be checked.

Clothes

One should check the pockets, especially of children's clothes. A piece of good advice is, to have the clothes washed before Pesach with the pockets turned inside out, and then there is no need for checking them. (When the pockets are not turned inside out, it is not sufficient just to wash them, because sometimes there is wrapped Chametz in the pockets).

Pocketbooks/attaché cases

Cases need to be checked, because it is very common that Chametz is left in them, and if possible, they should be laundered. If sold to a non-Jew, it's preferable that no visible Chametz should be left, and the cases do not need to be laundered.

Children's room

Beds

Bedikah should be done under the mattresses and the beds.

Cupboard and drawers

Cupboard and drawers of children's rooms must be checked wherever it is in reach of children's hands. The other shelves, if it is unusual to be accessed during the meal, do not need to be checked.

Toys

Where one sells the toys to a non-Jew there is no need to check them.
Boxes of board games that won't come to use on Pesach, should optimally be sold to a non-Jew. If one wants to use them on Pesach, he needs to check the pieces of the game and the box (it is proper not to use it on Pesach in a place where there is food, such as on the table or on the counters in the kitchen).

Games that are made of plastic that one wants to use on Pesach, should be washed in the washing machine, (the pieces can be placed in a net, sheet or pillowcase), and then even if there are crumbs of Chametz, they are not edible, and there is no obligation of Bedikah and Bi'ur.

Briefcases/schoolbags

Briefcases and schoolbags, should be checked, as it is very common that Chametz is left in them, and it's preferable to launder them. If one sells them to a non-Jew, it's optimal to check them from recognizable Chametz, and there is no need to launder them.

The dining room/living room

Table and chairs

The table should be cleaned thoroughly, and should only be used with a tablecloth. It is proper Lechatchila to cover the surface of the table (with silver foil, paper, a nylon tablecloth or vinyl covering) and then cover with a table cloth.
The chairs should be thoroughly cleaned, especially an infant's high chair since it is common to find crumbs in all its nooks and crannies. Crevices of the chairs that may have Chametz crumbs; it's proper where possible to spray them with a cleaning agent.

Couches/sofas

Should be cleaned well, especially in the spaces and deep gaps between the cushions. If it is inaccessible, we can consider the area as a place that has Chametz that is under a collapsed structure which is deemed inaccessible, and there is no obligation to destroy the Chametz.

Sefarim cupboards

Cupboards and Shelves of Sefarim that may have been used while eating, are obligated in Bedikah. In houses with small children, one needs to check all the places that are in the children's reach, where we can assume that they may have left Chametz there.

Sefarim/books

The Poskim argue if there is a Chiyuv Bedikah, if one is not careful the whole year to avoid eating Chametz while studing from them, since crumbs may have fallen inside. Even those who are lenient not to require Bedikah, nevertheless one needs to be careful not to eat with them on Pesach, and not to put them on places where there is food, such as on the table and on counters.

Benchers

Benchers and Zmiros are difficult to clean, and should be sold to a non-Jew.

General

Floor

The floor doesn't need to be checked, because the crumbs on the floor are constantly being stepped on, and are not obligated in Bi'ur. The corners of the room that are not being stepped on constantly, need to be checked. However, if one washes the floors with a cleaning agent, the crumbs at the corners are also spoiled and hence there is no obligation in Bedikah and Bi'ur.

Windows and shutters

There is no need to clean the windows and the slats of the shutters, but it is common for Chametz to be found in the tracks of the shutters, and should be cleaned from recognizable pieces of Chametz, and a cleaning agent should be sprayed there that will spoil the crumbs that might be there.
Storage areas are usually not used with Chametz, and therefore there is no obligation to do Bedikah, unless one knows that it was used to store Chametz.

Telephone and Computer

Electronic devices that are used while eating, such as a phone or a computer, need to be cleaned since Chametz might be stuck to them (very often Chametz can be found between the keys of the keyboard, which is sufficient to turn upside down and shake well without having to take it apart).

Jointly owned areas

The stairwell

A building that has a spacious entrance hall (lobby), needs to be checked from Chametz. The floor of the stairwell does not need Bedikah, except for the corners that are not stepped on which needs to be checked, but if the floors are washed thoroughly with a cleaning agent, then all the crumbs in the corners are also spoiled which then have no Chiyuv Bi'ur. Therefore, if one eats on Erev Pesach in the stairwell and the floor is not being washed after that, then Bedikah needs to be done in all the corners that are not stepped on.
Service cabinets (electricity, gas counters and water meters) need Bedikah, since sometimes people put things inside them for short periods and forget about them, and children of the building use them to store things there.
Mail boxes that are accessible for children need Bedikah.

Room of the garbage cans

Throwing litter in the garbage container is not considered as Bi'ur Chametz, therefore one must not throw Chametz into the joint garbage can after the last garbage removal before the time of Bi'ur Chametz. One should let his neighbors know the last evacuation time so they shouldn't throw Chametz into the garbage after that time. Someone who has reason to believe that one of the neighbors won't be strict on that mentioned above, needs to be Mafkir his ownership in the garbage cans and the relevant area in front of three people.

The yard

An open yard where animals are common (doves etc.) does not need Bedikah, but if one knows that

Chametz was eaten from the night of Bedikas Chametz and on, it needs to be checked. The scenario is very common, that the residents send their children to eat in the yard after Bedikas Chametz or on the day of the Bi'ur, and then one must check the yard again.

Holes in the yard, that are places that the birds don't reach, need Bedikah.

The shelter

A shelter that may be used with Chametz needs to be checked, or must be rented/let out to a non-Jew with the agreement of all the neighbors (a neighbor can't rent his part without the agreement of all his fellow neighbors). In a building where all the residents are religious, the Vaad Habayit/concierge can rent the shelter to a non-Jew. Where the rental cannot be facilitated, one must be Mafkir his part in the shelter in front of three people.

Hag'alas Keilim

Instructions for the one doing Hag'alah and for the public.

[see the beginning of these Halachos for more Dinim in Kashering the house for Pesach]

If possible, one should buy new pots for Pesach and should not make Hag'alah on old pots from Chametz in order to use them for Pesach (see פסחים ל' ע"ב ומ"ב סימן תנ"א ס"ק י"ט).
The pots shouldn't be used 24 hours prior to the Hag'alah. Lechatchila they should also be cleaned more than 24 hours prior to the Hag'alah (מ"ב סימן תנ"ב ס"ק כ'). Some are careful not to use the pots three days prior to the Hag'alah (ביה"ל סימן תנ"ב).
Hag'alah should not be done if the pot is not totally clean, meaning that there should not be on it known dirt or rust substance.
Pots with cracks or folds cannot have Hag'alah done to them until the cracks and folds are burned out through Libun Kal first.
A pot that has handles: if the handles can be removed, they need to be taken apart and Hag'alah needs to be done on the handles as well. If the handles cannot be removed, Libun needs to be done in the area of the gaps, and since they can get damaged by doing Libun, there is no solution to use it for Pesach.

Likewise, knives that are made from two parts that have gaps where they are attached, needs Libun Kal, and as above if they will get damaged then there is no solution for Kashering them.

Cups that are used only for cold drinks, although they have crevices, one can be lenient to do Hag'alah, and according to the Shulchan Aruch's opinion since most of its use is with cold drinks, then it's sufficient just to wash them, and even for Ashkenazim if they know for sure that it has not come in contact with any hot Chametz (and no Kovush occurred), then just washing it is sufficient.
A utensil that is coated with teflon or any type of ceramic coating or any other coating cannot have Hag'alah done to it.
Baking pans/tins, cannot be Kashered, hence there is no solution to use them for Pesach.
A plastic dish that absorbed Chametz from a Kli rishon or from Iruy Mi'Kli rishon, cannot have Hag'alah done to it.
Hag'alah cannot be done on glass or crystal dishes.
If Hag'alah is done on a few dishes together, they should not be touching each other, and therefore Hag'alah should not be done on many dishes together. If Hag'alah is done on many dishes then one must shake the basket very well while they are in the boiling water so as to verify that the dishes were separated.
Hag'alah for Pesach must be done in a pot that is Kosher for Pesach, and therefore if the pot is not Kosher for Pesach, Hag'alah must first be done on the pot in which one wants to do the Hag'alah. The way to do Hag'alah on this pot and the way to do Hag'alah on the pot which was used for Hag'alah in order to use it for Pesach, will be explained below in paragraphs 15-16.
There must be 24 hours between the usage of the dishes and the Hag'alah.

Details of the laws of Hag'alas Keilim and dishes that Hag'alah cannot be done on them.

As mentioned above, Hag'alah needs to be done in a pot that is Kosher for Pesach and therefore if the pot is a pot of Chametz, Hag'alah needs to be done in the following way - the pot should be filled with water and put on the fire until the water boils and has bubbles rising, and because the water needs to overflow on the sides as well, one should take a Chametzdike electric kettle that is boiling and should pour it into the pot until some water overflows on the sides, and then one can do Hag'alah in it on the Chametz dishes, as explained in the next paragraph.
When Hag'alah is done on Chametz dishes in a pot that was prepared as above, one should wait until the water boils and bubbles rise, and then the dishes should be put inside, and left there for about two seconds before removing them. After Hag'alah on a Chametz dish it should be immersed into cold water, which can also be done by placing it under pouring water from the faucet/tap. That immersing is not Me'akev.
If one wants to use the 'Hag'alah pot' for Pesach, he should do Hag'alah again as explained above in paragraph 14, and when he pours boiling hot water into the pot from the electric kettle as explained, either a Chametz or Pesach one can be used [preferable a Chametz one].

Bedikas Chametz and Bi'ur

After Tzeis Hakochavim one should daven Maariv and afterwards check for Chametz, following the rule of 'תדיר ושאינו תדיר תדיר קודם'. However, if one is planning to daven Maariv later, he can do Bedikah and daven afterwards.
From a half hour before Tzeis Hakochavim (from Shkiah) it is prohibited to do any work that is time consuming (its details are explained in סימן רל"ב סעיף ב'), one is also prohibited from going into a bathhouse.
Eating prior to Bedikah:

It is prohibited to eat more than a Kabeitza of bread, Mezonos or intoxicating drinks.

Te'ima - eating a small amount- is permitted. The definition of Teima:

Eating bread and Mezonos less than a Kabeitza.
Fruits, vegetables and snacks that are not from grain, even a large amount.
Drinks that are not alcoholic, even a lot is considered Te'ima - tasting and is permitted.
The Bi'ur Halacha writes that Te'ima is only allowed during the half hour period prior to Tzeis Hakochavim, but regarding the actual time of Bedika one cannot be lenient even for tasting a small amount.
It is permitted to learn Torah until Tzeis Hakochavim. By the time of Tzeis Hakochavim one must stop learning, even if he started learning before sunset (Shkiah).

More Dinim of Bedikah

The house needs to be cleaned before Bedikah.
It is customary to hide ten small pieces of Chametz so that the one doing Bedikah will find them and burn them. Since it is explained earlier, that any place that is unclean does not need Bedikah and Bi'ur, and since nowadays all the cabinets and cupboards were cleaned with cleaning agents prior to the Bedikah, therefore nowadays one is required according to Halacha to place ten pieces of bread, and one must do Bedikah with a candle (or flashlight/torch) on the night of Bedikas Chametz in these places. See below paragraph 13.
The pieces should preferably be less than a Kezayis, except for one piece which should have a Kezayis, and care should be given not to forget where the pieces were placed. (It is advisable to write down where the pieces of Chametz were placed).
One should wash his hands before Bedikah for cleanliness.
We make a Bracha prior to the Bedikah בא"י אמ"ה אקב"ו על ביעור חמץ and one should have in mind that the Bracha is on the Bitul which is made after the Bedikah, as well as on the burning and the Bitul which will be made the next day.
One should refrain from any speech until the Bedikah is completed. After one started the Bedikah he may speak for the purpose of the Bedikah only.
The Bedikah should be done with a wax candle, and for areas in which it is difficult to perform Bedikah with a candle (such as the car etc.), the Bedikah should be done with a Flashlight/torch.
One who already searched for Chametz in areas that were cleaned a few days before Pesach, should do the Bedikah on the night of Bedikas Chametz where the search was not done yet, as well as going over all the areas of the house to make sure they were cleaned, and that the entire house was searched from Chametz.
After the Bedikah was completed in the house, the Bedikah should continue to the car, office etc. Optimally one should refrain from any talking until those areas are searched as well. Even if one did speak, another Bracha is not said.
After the Bedikah one should recite the Nusach of Bitul Chametz (Kol Chamirah).

However, since it was formulated in Aramaic and since the nullification must be understood, those who do not understand Aramaic should say this English translation instead: “All chametz or leavening which is in my possession which I have not seen or have not removed or whose existence I didn’t know about, I am making null and void ('Hefker') as the dust of the earth".
The Maharil writes (brought down in the Mishnah Brurah סימן תכ"ט ס"ק י"ג) that one should daven Shacharis early on Erev Pesach so that one could finish eating before the end of the time of eating Chametz.

Bi'ur Chametz

18. All the Chametz in his possession should be burnt before the end of the time of Bi'ur Chametz. Preferably it should be burnt as it is, without pouring on it any bleach or flammable materials.

19. After the burning one says the Nusach of Bitul Chametz, and ideally women and children should say this as well.

[1] The reason we say that grates need Libun and not Hag'alah is since it absorbed Chametz through the use of direct fire and not through the use of liquids, and therefore Hag'alah is insufficient. The level of Libun needed - the Mishna Brurah writes (סימן תנ"א ס"ק ל"ד) that Libun Kal is sufficient, which is at most 250 degrees Celsius, which would make it possible to Kasher the grates after cleaning them by placing them in the oven and turning on the highest degrees for one hour. But some say that since the actual fire does not touch all areas of the grates, therefore the grates need Libun Chamur which is approximately 500 degrees Celsius, and according to this there would be no way to be Machshir the grates in a regular oven, only in a self-cleaning oven that reaches 500 degrees Celsius. Another reason to need 'Libun Chamur' is, since regular grates are coated with enamel and it is unclear whether Libun Kal is Machshir them, see Mishna Brura סי' תנ"א Sha'ar Ha'tziun ס"ק קצ"א.

Some Pasken that Libun could be done by placing a sheet of metal or tin on the whole stovetop covering all the flames and turning on all the flames at once.

[2] According to the Rama (סימן תנ"א סעי' כ"ו) Kashering cannot be done on glass dishes. In this case, even according to the Shulchan Aruch one should refrain from using it, since some hold that it is not made of regular glass, and therefore considered earthenware.

[3] One who fears that he will not reach all the folds and crevices of the gaskets, could spray some strong cleaning agent on them, so that even if there are crumbs, they would become inedible which in turn does not require Bi'ur. However, one cannot forgo on the cleaning process by just making the crumbs inedible, since there is the possibility that a crumb may fall into his food, and it is not absolutely clear that the crumb is inedible even for a dog.

[4] Some spray a cleaning agent in the sewage pipe that spoils any remnants of edible food.

[5] There is an argument between the Shulchan Aruch and the Rama (סימן תנ"א סעיף ו') regarding a dish that most of its usage is used in a Kli Sheini or it is mostly used only with Irui Mi'Kli Rishon, and only occasionally it is used in a Kli Rishon, the Shulchan Aruch holds that it has a Din as the way it is used mostly and does not need Hag'alah in a Kli Rishon, and the Rama holds that it must be Kashered in a Kli Rishon since it was also used in a Kli Rishon, even if only once.

[6] There are three types of marble counters: 'Chevron', granite and caesarian marble. 'Chevron' is regular stone which has a Din of stone that can be Kashered. Granite, the basic Din is that Hag'alah can be done on it, but some hold that Hag'alah cannot be done on it, since the owner would be afraid that it would get damaged due to the heat, and the Din is that something that the owner is afraid that might get damaged because of heat 'he might have pity on it' and not do the Hag'alah properly, therefore Hag'alah cannot be done altogether. Nevertheless, Lehalacha, we allow Hag'alah on this (without an 'Even Milubenes') since the heat is only for a very short time, no damage will be done and we do not need to worry that the Hag'alah will not be done properly. Caesarean marble, according to the Chazon Ish and the Yad Yehudah Hag'alah cannot be done on it.

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