Kashruth outside Israel

Question

Is it possible to kasher a microwave oven outside Israel? I’m flying abroad and I want to use the microwave in the apartment, where I’ll be staying. Can I kasher the microwave? Am I allowed to use the stove if I’m bringing my own utensils?  

Answer

Concerning the microwave oven, since it absorbed foods that are absolutely forbidden, and since there are authorities who hold that it’s impossible to kasher a microwave oven, it’s best not to kasher it at all, and to use it only for food wrapped in two hermetically-sealed coverings.

Alternatively, you could kasher it in the following way: wait 24 hours after the last use; clean thoroughly; put a cup full of hot water in the oven, turn it on and keep it on until all the water evaporates. But even after this procedure, one has to cover all the food that one heats in the microwave.

Concerning the turning plate in the microwave, one should not put food directly on it. All the food should only be heated when it’s inside closed container.

As for the stove, you should clean it thoroughly from all the visible dirt and grease; then you can use it, provided you only cook in your own pots. 

Source

Shulchan Oruch, section Yore Dea, chapter 121

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