Tips on Keeping a Kosher Kitchen

Even the slightest taste or residue of a non-kosher matter would make food non-kosher. Therefore, if you want to eat and prepare kosher meals, buying kosher food is not enough. Your kitchen should be kosher as well. In general, this means all preparation surfaces and cooking utensils have to be used exclusively for kosher food. Furthermore, separate pots, dishes, cutlery, stoves, coverings and counter surfaces  should be used for dairy and milk. According to kosher rules, anytime hot food comes in contact with a utensil or another food, its taste will be absorbed. Cold utensils and foods would also, under certain circumstances, transit their taste. But, don’t worry, we are going to share some basic tips on how to make your cooking space kosher.

Separate sets of dishes for meat and dairy products will help you avoid preparing, serving and eating non-kosher food. In order not to be confused what dish to use for certain foods, it’s recommended to have two distinct patterns, styles or colors for meat or dairy. Also, designate separate cabinets for the meat equipment and dairy equipment. When you organize your kitchen, label the cabinets on the outside as meat (Basar) and dairy (Chalav). If you don’t think you are creative enough, check out some of Jewish stores for beautiful and practical labels for meat and dairy. Labeling is also recommended for people who have housekeepers.

Although you don’t have to use different refrigerators for storing meat and dairy products, make sure there is no contact between open packages. Oven, however, shouldn’t be used for meat and dairy at the same time. Additionally, between using the oven for meat and dairy, it should be cleaned, especially if spillage has occurred. The same rule goes for stove-tops.

When it comes to dishwashers, the opinion is divided. While Orthodox authorities hold that the same dishwasher shouldn’t be used for dairy and meat utensils, liberal authorities do not agree with that. According to the latter, the same dishwasher can be used, provided its interior is made of stainless steel. Additional requirements are: meat and dairy utensils have to be washed at different times and an empty full cycle must be run in between them. Some claim the dishwasher must be left unused for at least 24h before running an empty cycle with dishwashing soap using the hottest water possible.