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This Q&A guide was written by CRC Kashrus (Central Rabbinical Congress / Hisachdus HaRabbonim). The CRC is a premier, internationally recognized kosher certifying agency dedicated to upholding uncompromising halachic standards for Jewish communities worldwide.
Planning a trip involves plenty of logistics, but managing kashrus in a hotel room, Airbnb, or airport shouldn’t leave you guessing. Whether you’re wondering how to use a microwave, buy coffee at a roadside stop, or handle appliances away from home, having clear halachic guidance makes all the difference. This Q&A guide was compiled directly from the kashrus experts at the Central Rabbinical Congress (CRC / Hisachdus HaRabbonim) to provide clear, practical answers for every stage of your journey.
Q) Can I use an oven in a hotel or Airbnb?
A) It’s best not to use it just for convenience, but rather only when there is a real necessity. If you really need to use it, then it needs to be kashered.
Q) How do I kasher an oven if I really need to use it?
A) In order to be able to use the oven, you need to make sure that it’s completely clean. After it’s dry and clean, the oven must not be used for 24 hours. Once it’s been out of service for a full 24 hours, turn on the oven as high as it goes (or on self-clean) for at least a half an hour; after that, put it on broil for 10 minutes. After all that, you are allowed to use the oven, but only in a covered disposable pan that is dry from the outside. If you want to be extra cautious, you can double-wrap the food in a second disposable pan.
Q) How can I use a gas cooktop with my own kosher pots?
A) If it’s completely clean, it can be used after turning it on full blast for several minutes without use. It’s also best if you put a disposable pan between your own pot and the gas cooktop.
Q) Does an electric cooktop have the same rule as a gas cooktop?
A) You don’t need to kasher it, but in order to use it, it needs to be completely dry and clean. Make sure to put a disposable pan between your pot and the electric cooktop, so that you don’t put your pot directly on the cooktop.
Q) How should I handle an induction cooktop?
A) It is almost impossible to kasher an induction cooktop, except with a blow torch, which would ruin the cooktop. If you need to use it, make sure to put something between your pot and the cooktop (like a disposable pan).
Q) How can I use a microwave?
A) First, you need to make sure that the microwave is completely clean. Once it’s clean, make sure to use two separate wrappings, like two bags, each individually closed, and make sure that the wrappers are bone-dry.
Q) Can I use a standard coffee maker?
A) A coffee maker which is designed and meant for hot water use only is permitted to use.
Q) Can I use a Keurig machine?
A) For a Keurig, it’s better not to use it, because many K-Cups might have Cholov Yisroel/Cholov Stam issues or other non-kosher items. However, if the coffee machine can only take coffee grounds, you are allowed to use it.
Q) Can I use drinking glasses in a hotel or Airbnb?
A) You are allowed to use them for cold items only, and only after washing and cleaning the cups.
Q) Can I use hotel dishes or accessories for cold food?
A) Bottle and can openers may be used after washing and cleaning them thoroughly. Regarding other dishes, while in theory you are allowed to use them for cold food- only if you don’t leave food in them for more than 24 hours, and not for spicy food- it is better not to use them.
Q) How should I handle new dishes if a mikvah is not available to toivel them?
A) If you do not have a mikvah nearby, then you can do the following: ask a non-Jew to buy the dishes for $1-$2, and then you can borrow them back, as dishes owned by a non-Jew do not need to be toiveled. When you leave the hotel, you should either buy it back or leave it there. Alternatively, you can buy plastic dishes; even if you usually toivel plastic dishes, when you are traveling, you can use them without toiveling.
Q) Can I toivel my dishes in a swimming pool?
A) A swimming pool cannot be used to toivel dishes, and it does not have the halachic status of being toiveled.
Q) What are some other workarounds for toiveling dishes?
A) There are some ways in which you may use a river to toivel dishes; however, before you do that, make sure to speak to someone who knows the halachos well.
Q) Can I buy fish without a hechsher?
A) You may not rely just on the name of the fish. You should only buy fish that you are accustomed to buying at home, and you should buy fish only with the skin on so you can see if it had scales, or when you can tell by the skin what type of fish it is. Without these, you should not buy it.
Q) Can I use hot water on an airplane for kosher food?
A) Ideally, you should only take hot water from the spout they usually have at the back of the plane, and make sure you mix it yourself- meaning only ask for hot water, and afterwards put in your coffee, not a ready beverage. Some people do rely on using coffee from the pitcher as well.
Q) Can I use hot water from a coffee shop for kosher food?
A) You are allowed to take hot water as long as they have a spout for hot water only. If it’s one big unit with all the other machinery- meaning that all drinks come from one place- it’s better not to use it.
Q) Can I buy cut-up fruit from a hotel?
A) In a hotel, it is better not to buy cut-up fruit because hotels usually have big kitchens and they use the same knife for everything. However, if you want to buy fruit from a place that only sells fruit, you are allowed to.
Q) Can I buy smoothies from a smoothie stand?
A) If the stand is only selling fruit smoothies and the fruit they’re selling doesn’t need to be checked for insects, you are allowed to buy a smoothie at that fruit stand.
Q) Can I buy coffee from a coffee shop?
A) Many coffee shops also sell non-kosher items, which presents issues. In brand-name coffee shops like Starbucks or Dunkin’, you might be allowed to buy an Americano as long as they have a separate machine for it. You should be vigilant to make sure they’re not giving it to you from a pitcher- only from a machine that only sells Americanos. Even if it’s like that, some people don’t buy it because they might be washing the dishes at the same time. If you do buy in such a place, make sure not to drink it there, as it’s prohibited to eat or drink in a non-kosher establishment.
Q) Can I leave kosher food (milk, fish, meat, etc.) in the hotel fridge when I go out?
A) You are allowed to leave food in the fridge while going out of the hotel. If room service might come in to clean the room, it is best to make a siman on the fridge to ensure that it wasn’t opened. If you didn’t make one and you come back and everything is in place, you are allowed to use the food. Also, if you put the “Do Not Disturb” sign up, you don’t need to make a siman and you are allowed to eat the food.
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