The refrigerator must be cleaned and lined in much the same manner. Many gas or electric ranges and ovens are quite easy to kasher. All a person has to do is turn on the self-clean cycle after cleaning them of any chametz. Ovens and ranges without this feature should be thoroughly scrubbed and then heated at the highest temperature for an hour. The use of blowtorches presents many serious problems and only someone trained properly should consider using them. Specific details about your appliances should be discussed with your rabbi.
Chametz that is sold via mechirat chametz to a gentile, traditionally done through a rabbi, must be removed from cabinets that will be used on Passover and stored in sealed cabinets. Only chametz is sold to the gentile – not the actual utensils, dishes, pots, or pans. Thus, it is best that all utensils be thoroughly cleaned prior to storing them.
Regarding kashering utensils that one wishes to use on Passover, there are numerous English publications available at most Judaica stores that are quite helpful. The Orthodox Union in New York publishes a very helpful OU Guide to Passover. The fine work of Rabbi Avrohom Blumenkrantz, zt”l (now edited by his children) Kovetz Hilchot Pesach – The Laws of Pesach, a Digest is also popular. Both these works are updated annually and list all the Passover preparation procedures in great detail. Of course, your greatest resource is your rabbi, who I am sure will be ready and willing to help you in your quest.
My uncle HaRav Sholom Klass, zt”l discussed this topic in his Responsa of Modern Judaism, Vol. 1, much of which is based on the Mechaber, Orach Chayim 451 – 452, the Rema ad loc. and the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 116. HaRav Klass writes:
“[H]ere is a brief summary of what may and may not be used and or purged:
“(1) You can purchase disposable [or inexpensive plastic] dishes and paper plates, which can solve many of your problems. The cost is nominal.
“(2) You can purge your utensils [as discussed in Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 451-452], which basically means, as we will explain further on, to cleanse them for Passover use by means of hagalah – scalding hot water. As we state further on, there are numerous means of cleansing or purging.
“Earthen vessels and chinaware [which were chametz] cannot be purged and may not be used [since they are too absorbent, making it impossible to remove all the chametz].
“Wooden [implements, for cold usage only], metal and stone utensils may be used after having been purged by means of hagalah, but if it is an article that will be damaged by hot water, such as a vessel [with parts that are] glued together, even if only the handle is glued on, purging is of no avail.
“Before the vessel is purged, it should be thoroughly cleansed of rust and the like, and made perfectly clean, but stains do not matter. If the vessel is dented, it should be carefully scraped. If it is made of metal, hot coals should be placed upon the dents until they glow, and the vessel should be purged thereafter. If, however, it is impossible to thoroughly cleanse the dents and cracks, or to ‘glow’ them [i.e., libun, making them turn white from the heat], it cannot be made valid for use. Hence it is necessary to carefully observe whether purging will avail for knives with handles. It is best, if one can afford it, to buy new knives for Passover.
“Utensils into which water is not generally placed when used over the fire (such as frying pans and the like) require libun gamur – heavier [higher temperature] glowing. One should glow them to the extent of making them emit sparks. A wooden spoon cannot be made valid for use.
