With what may we insulate [hot food], and with what may we not insulate [them]? We may not insulate [them] neither with marc, nor with manure, nor with salt, nor with lime, nor with sand, either wet or dry; nor with straw, nor with grape skins, nor with flocking, nor with grasses, when they are moist, but we may insulate [hot food] with them when they are dry. We may insulate [hot food] with clothing, with produce, with pigeon feathers, with carpenters’ sawdust, or with fine flax combings. R’ Yehudah prohibits fine [combings] but permits coarse [combings].

We may insulate [hot food] with pelts, and we may move them; with wool shearings, but we may not move them. What should one do? He removes the lid, and they fall. R’ Elazar ben Azaryah says: He tilts the box on its side and removes [the food], lest he remove [the pot] and be unable to replace [it]. But, the Sages say: He may remove [it] and replace [it]. If he did not cover it when it was yet day, he may not cover it after dark. If he covered it and it became uncovered, he may cover it. One may fill a bottle and place it under a cushion or under a bolster.