Take the 2-minute tour ×

Is it permitted or forbidden to pour milk directly into a fleshig (meat-use) sink?

share|improve this question

2 Answers 2

up vote 4 down vote accepted

The following is a quote from http://www.dinonline.org/2010/05/30/cooking-in-the-garbage-bin regarding using the same garbage bin for both meat and milk, which I think is directly relevant to your question:

In answering this question, it is important to note that although various authorities quote the concept of a davar gush (solid body) as being able to “cook” (see Magen Avraham 318, Nishmas Adam 20:3), it remains a chumra that is widely disputed (see Rema, Darchei Moshe 105:4, Pleiti (ibid.), Chasam Sofer YD 95, Shut Pnei Yehoshua 2:23, and others). This opening point gives the following considerations significant weight.

  1. Davar She’eino Miskaven: See Iggros Moshe YD 39, Yad Yehudah 92, among others, who write that (like other prohibitions) the prohibition of cooking meat and milk does not apply where it is a davar she’eino miskaven. In our case it is hard to call the single garbage bin a “pesik reishei” for mixing meat and milk — by the time the teabag gets thrown in it might be cold, it might not come into contact with the meat, and so on.

  2. According to many sources, the prohibition of cooking meat and milk together is due to the concern that one might come to eat the mixture (see Kesef Mishnah Tumas Mes 1:4). Accordingly, where there is no chance of this happening, some authorities are lenient (Dovev Meisharim, Har Tzvi).

  3. Even if a davar gush cooks, it might not be called “derech bishul” to prohibit the cooking of meat and milk together (see Pri Megadim, Intro., s.v. Od Adaber).

  4. Because both foods are (usually) already cooked, some authorities maintain there is no longer a prohibition of cooking meat and milk (see Chasam Sofer YD 82; Pri Toar 87:3; Aruch Hashulchan 87:13; Machazik Berachah 87:12).

The combination of the factors above would seem sufficient to permit the use of a single garbage bin for meat and milk.

share|improve this answer
The drain is even better than the garbage bin, as there's likely to be a chunk of hot solid meat/cheese anywhere. –  Shalom Feb 25 '11 at 15:33
I think you mean "unlikely to..."? –  Alex Feb 25 '11 at 15:35

Lchatchila it is not recommended even directly down the drain. If it happenned and there were dishes that got splattered it would not make your dishes Treif as the milk is cold.

share|improve this answer
@gers i meant directly into the drain –  avrohom Jan 26 '11 at 15:58
Not recommended, as someone might forget and pour hot water in the sink a minute later, cooking some of the remaining milk into the sink. But if milk was poured down the drain, just make sure everything's throughly washed down (with soap and cold water), and you're fine. –  Shalom Jan 26 '11 at 17:02
@R'avrohom, please clarify that in the question, then. –  msh210 Jan 26 '11 at 17:10
@R'Shalom, why soap? Cold milk will run down the drain with just water. In any event, do you have a source, please? @R'Gershon Gold, do you have a source, please? –  msh210 Jan 26 '11 at 17:12

Your Answer


