The following are some suggestions regarding maintaining a kosher kitchen when taking a trip. Questions regarding use of utensils often arise when we rent an apartment with a fully furnished kitchen or kitchenette. (Please note that these guidelines are not to be relied on for Passover.)

1. Tevilas Kelim - Metal and glass dishes and utensils which were manufactured by non-Jews and acquired by Jews must be immersed in a kosher mikvah. However, rented dishes and utensils do not have to be immersed prior to being used.

2. Kashering - Any item which is subject to the possibility of kashering must not have been used for 24 hours prior to the kashering process.

   • Microwave - May be kashered if it is thoroughly cleaned. A cup of water must be allowed to boil inside and fill the microwave with steam. The tray on which the containers or food rest must be covered or replaced.

   • Stove and Oven - Any self cleaning oven is self kashering. The stove top on a gas stove is kashered by turning the jets on for one half hour. On an electric top, the coils must be allowed to get red hot. If the oven is not self cleaning, then the oven walls, racks, and the door must be cleaned thoroughly with a chemical cleaner. Then, one should turn the oven on for 2 or 3 hours at the highest setting. If you do not kasher the oven, you can still use the oven to heat food if the food is double wrapped in aluminum foil on all sides.

   • Counter tops - can be kashered with boiling water. If no hot food will be placed directly on them, then cleaning them is sufficient. A towel or a trivet should be used for hot pots before placing them down a counter top.

   • Sinks - Metal sinks only can be kashered by pouring boiling water over the surface area of the sink. Separate inserts should be used if the sink will be used for both meat and dairy.

   • Toaster ovens - cannot be kashered.

   • Cooking pans and sauce pans - can be immersed in a larger clean pan that has not been used for 24 hours which is then filled with boiling water. Skillets, fry pans and ovenware cannot be kashered (bringing along a large pan and skillet from home can be helpful).

   • Silverware - can be kashered the same way as cooking pans. Disposable flatware should be used if possible.

   • Glass - Plates and bowls, if thoroughly cleaned, can be used for hot or cold foods. It is recommended, that wherever possible, you should use disposable dishes.

   • All spoons and bowls - even without being kashered, can be used for cold foods, such as ice cream.

   • Hot water urns - if used exclusively for water, may be used.

   • Brewed Coffee Machines - can generally be used. Be careful that any flavored coffees used have a 'hechsher'.