If you are trying to follow Kosher rules when it comes to preparing and eating food, you may wonder how to Kasher a microwave. The best microwaves can easily accommodate the Kosher lifestyle with a bit of forethought. Keep reading to learn more about Kashering microwave ovens.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- If you are following a Kosher lifestyle, you will have to Kasher a microwave after it has been used to cook non-kosher food.
- Begin by cleaning the microwave thoroughly and letting it sit idle for 24 hours or more.
- Next, fill a cup with hot water or cold water and heat it for ten minutes, allowing it to boil and steam the interior.
Why Kasher a Microwave?
This isn’t a specific microwave like a flatbed microwave, it’s a process of cleaning a microwave. A microwave will need to undergo the Kasher process before its initial use or after it has been used to cook non-kosher food. This will keep it compliant for those following a Kosher lifestyle as part of their religious faith.
Insider Tip
It is not recommended by Rabbis to use your microwave to repeatedly cook non-kosher food.
How to Kasher a Microwave
Here are the various steps to Kasher a microwave oven. The process should be the same across all designs, if you are wondering what is a drawer microwave and if the Kashering process will be different. Feel free to repeat this process if you use the microwave to cook non-kosher ingredients. Try learning what you cannot put in a microwave, which includes foil and metal.
Tools Needed: Cup of water, various cleaning supplies
SKIP 1 Clean the Microwave
- The first thing you should do is to clean the microwave thoroughly, both inside and out.
- Use high-grade cleaning supplies as you see fit and take your time with them.
- Pay special attention to the glass plate turntable, as this component likely came into direct contact with the non-kosher food items.
- After cleaning, leave the microwave oven idle for 24 hours or more.
SKIP 2 Steam the Interior
- Fill a large cup with water.
- Feel free to fill it as high as you want, as you will be allowing it to overflow inside of the microwave anyways.
- Place the cup in the microwave and heat it for ten minutes, allowing steam to fill the interior of the appliance.
- Let the steam sit inside the microwave for a few minutes.
SKIP 3Rinse and Repeat
- Take some time to move the cup around the interior of the microwave.
- Repeat the steaming process one or two more times with the cup in a different location.
- Keep allowing the steam to rest in the microwave interior for a few minutes.
- Your microwave can now be used once again and will be Kosher compliant.
F.A.Q.S
How to Kasher a sink?
If it is metal, pour boiling hot water over the entire sink. Porcelain sinks cannot be Kashered, even with hot water.
What can I do to prevent this in the future?
Keep an eye on what your microwave is being used for and refuse to heat up non-kosher food items, as even hot food can run into this issue.
Can I Kasher a conventional oven or a self-cleaning oven?
You may be able to Kasher any oven type, though the steps will differ depending on the materials and the design.
STAT: Kosher foods are those that conform to the Jewish dietary regulations of kashrut (dietary law), primarily derived from Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14:1-21. (source)
