The last weeks of August are prime time for summer vacation and the perfect way to take advantage of time between camp and school. Although many destinations nowadays offer plenty of kosher meals, having your own kosher kitchen is extremely convenient, whether you use it to supplement meals or to cook thoroughly.
The following tips can guide you through setting up your kosher kitchen and can be applied to both Airbnb rooms and hotel rooms with kitchens.
- Tables and counters
- Non-kosher tables can be eaten after thoroughly cleaning them assuming the table does not regularly come into contact with hot food. However, it is common to place some sort of separation between the food and the table, such as a placemat. The same goes for worktops that do not regularly come into contact with hot food.
- microwave
- It is recommended to double wrap any food that is reheated in a non-kosher microwave oven. If the food is on a plate, the plate can be considered one of two layers for the bottom of the food. This method (as long as there is no liquid between the layers) prevents the taste from entering the food.
- Ovens
- Ovens must be hidden before use. Self-cleaning ovens should run for at least two hours and conventional ovens should be thoroughly cleaned (including racks and doors) then left on the hottest setting for two hours.
- Ranges
- Electric and gas stoves should be cleaned well. Electric stoves should be turned to the hottest setting for 10 minutes. For gas grills, a wide pot with water should be placed on the burner while they are turned to their hottest setting for 10 minutes.
For both methods, for safety, avoid hiding all the burners at the same time. - Glass-top stoves (including Corning, Halogen, Ceran) should be thoroughly cleaned and then turned to the hottest setting for 10 minutes. The area between the burners must not be used
- Electric and gas stoves should be cleaned well. Electric stoves should be turned to the hottest setting for 10 minutes. For gas grills, a wide pot with water should be placed on the burner while they are turned to their hottest setting for 10 minutes.
- The wells
- Sinks are permitted for occasional use if the sink has been thoroughly cleaned and the water is not hot.
- Spring water machines
- Spring water machines are allowed for hot and cold water if they are clean.
- Urns and Kettles
- Urns and metal kettles that get hot on the outside should be sealed. Insulated urns that do not heat up on the outside can be used.
- Coffee, coffee makers and Keurig
- Coffee makers and machines used only for regular or decaffeinated coffee, or with certified kosher coffee can be used. Machines that are used with non-certified flavored coffee cannot be used. Keurig machines that have only used kosher-certified pods are allowed.
Thanks to the COR for providing the information for this article. Original COR article here.
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