Is it permissible to put challas on the blech on shabbat morning on top of another pot that’s turned upside down and then putting a small towel on top of it but making sure the challah is not covered on all sides?
Thanks!
Answer:
Yes, this is permitted.
But putting something between the challah and the blech there is no longer a problem of “mechzi kemevashel” (resembling cooking) and if part of the challah is uncovered there won’t be a problem of hatmanah.
Although some are stringent and only permit placing foods on a full pot (and not an upside down empty pot), one can be lenient in this matter.
Concerning heating up bread, see Iggros Moshe Orach Chaim 4:74:34; Otzros Shabbos p. 101, citing from Shevet Ha-Levi; Orchos Shabbos 1:p. 100. See also Yevakesh Torah, Shabbos, p. 172, who writes at length concerning whether one must be concerned for the hardening of the challah (and its becoming toast-like), and concludes that one may be lenient in this matter.
Concerning the matter of placing food on an upside down pot, see Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasah note 112; Shevet Halevi 1:91; and see also here, note 12-13.
Best wishes.