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The mikvah
New metal and glass kitchenware made by a non-Jewish manufacturer is immersed in a mikvah before it is used.
Metal and glass items used for food — pots, cutlery, plates, glasses, a metal kettle. Items made of wood, plastic, paper or stone do not require immersion. China and earthenware are a question worth asking about rather than assuming.
Anything electrical, and anything that would be ruined by water, is its own question. Do not immerse a toaster on the strength of a web page — ask first.
Take off every label, sticker and price tag, and wash off any glue. Nothing should sit between the item and the water. Bring a bag or a basket; a small item can slip out of your hand.
Lower the whole item into the water at once, and let go of it, or hold it very loosely — the water has to reach every surface, and a tight grip keeps it off your fingers’ worth of the handle. One immersion is enough.
A blessing is said before immersing, unless you are immersing only glass or only items whose obligation is uncertain — in which case ask. For a single item:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל טְבִילַת כְּלִי
Baruch atah Ado-nai, Elo-heinu melech ha’olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvosav v’tzivanu al tevilas keli.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us concerning the immersion of a vessel.
For more than one item the last word changes to keilim (כֵּלִים) — vessels, plural. Say the blessing once and then immerse everything.
Not on Shabbat or Yom Tov. Immersing utensils is not done on those days. If you have just moved in and the boxes are open on a Friday afternoon, it will keep — or call and we will work something out.
There is a separate keilim Mikvah for utensils. Call 408-910-2034 and we will tell you where it is and when you can get in — and if you are moving in, or have just set up a kitchen and have a whole boxful, say so and we will help you get through it.
This describes the general practice. Anything unusual is worth a quick call rather than a guess.