Kosher Guidelines for Vacation Rentals & Guesthouses – Koshering an Airbnb, Tzimmer, Hotel room

Kosher Guidelines for Vacation Rentals & Guesthouses – Koshering an Airbnb, Tzimmer, Hotel room:[1]

A. Introduction:

Whether staying in a rental apartment, Tzimmer, or hotel room, maintaining kosher standards while away from home requires careful planning and attention to detail. These accommodations are designed to service guests from all backgrounds, Jew and Gentile, Orthodox and unobservant, and hence it is almost certain that the kitchen facilities have in the past been used for non-kosher foods. Indeed, due to this reason, all of the kitchenware and appliances are considered to be not kosher and either require Koshering prior to use, or the following of restricted usage.[2] Nonetheless, there are certain appliances and kitchenware utensils that despite the above do not have Kashrus concerns, and from the letter of the law may be used as they are. Likewise, different techniques can be used to make use of appliances even without Koshering then beforehand. Below is a full synopsis on the subject, delineating the status of common appliances and kitchenware found in a guesthouse for the kosher abiding guests, and under what circumstances they may be used.

B. Foods provided by Guesthouse:

Often guesthouses and hotel rooms provide complementary snacks and beverages, including fruits, tea, coffee, sodas, and even wine. As a rule, one should only use sealed products that contain a reliable Hashgacha. Products which require kosher supervision that are not sealed and have been previously opened should be avoided.[3] Certainly, only kosher wine that has not been opened may be consumed.[4] It goes without stating that all homemade complementary baked goods must be avoided unless the service provider is an Orthodox Jew. However, certain common complementary products do not require any kosher supervision and may be consumed without worry. Such products include:

1. Fruits and vegetables: Fresh fruits and vegetables if one is outside of Israel. [In Israel, it is problematic to eat these foods as they require supervision for Terumos Umaasros, as well as Arla supervision for fruits. However, regarding vegetables and fruits that do not have a worry of Arla, one can simply remove the Teruma Umaaser himself without a blessing.]
2. Coffee:[5] Coffee grinds, including coffee pods, do not require a Hashgacha so long as they are unflavored. However, instant coffee requires a Kashrus supervision being that some factories use the same machinery for nonkosher food production. All flavored coffee need a Kashrus supervision for their flavoring to make sure that only kosher ingredients are used. Accordingly, flavored coffee and espresso pods need a Hashgacha and hence one must check the ingredients of the pod prior to using it.
3. Tea:[6] All unflavored and natural teas may be used without a Hashgacha. All scented teas, herbal teas, decaffeinated teas, and instant tea, must have a Hashgacha.

• Water: Unflavored water bottles do not need kosher supervision.

C. Kitchenware utensils

As a rule, and as stated above in the introduction, all kitchenware utensils are considered to have been used in the past with nonkosher foods, and hence need to either be cleaned and/or Kashered prior to using them, depending on the utensils. For this reason, it is best for one to bring with him his own disposable or personal utensils for use while staying in the guesthouse. Nonetheless, if necessary, the following guidelines apply regarding using the utensils that are found there:

Pots and pans: Cooking pots and pans must be properly cleaned and Kashered prior to use with either Hagalah or Libun, depending on their prior use for cooking or baking.[7] Due to lack of Kashering equipment [i.e. a large Hagalah pot], it is usually unfeasible for one to properly Kasher these items during one’s stay and hence they must be avoided.[8] Non-stick cookware, according to many authorities cannot be Koshered and therefore may not be used.[9]

Plates, bowls, dishes, Chinaware: All porcelain or china dishes are considered not kosher and cannot be koshered.[10] They hence may only be used for cold foods[11] that are not Charif[12] [i.e. spicy] and even then only after a thorough cleaning. It is forbidden to use them for hot foods.[13] However, glass plates and bowls may be used even for hot foods after a thorough cleaning.[14] Plastic utensils, are debated if they are Kasherable and should preferably be avoided.[15]

Cutlery: Cutlery, such as forks, knives, and spoons, should be considered non-Kosher and require thorough cleaning and proper Kashering in order to use. Hence, unless they are Koshered, they may only be used for cold foods[16] that are not Charif[17] [i.e. spicy] and even then only after a thorough cleaning.

How to Kasher the cutlery: One can facilitate the Kashering of the cutlery by boiling water in a water urn, or non-Ben Yomo clean pot[18], together with some soap and then immerse the cutlery inside while the water is boiling. This may be done even if one is not certain that the vessel is not Ben Yomo.[19] It is obvious that one must clean the cutlery well prior to this Koshering. It is not necessary for the cutlery to be entirely simultaneously immersed into the boiling water, and it suffices if one does one side at a time.[20] The cutlery should be placed into cold water after it is removed from the boiling water.^[21]

Tevilas Keilim by Jewish owned guesthouse: In the event that the guesthouse is owned by a Jew, then in addition to the need to Kasher the kitchenware utensils, it may also require Tevila in a Mikveh. The general rule is that metal and glassware utensils need immersion in a mikvah, while wood utensils do not. Nonetheless, many are accustomed to be lenient to not require immersion for utensils purchased for the sake of use in a guesthouse, as they are considered business utensils [as opposed to utensils of personal use] which some Poskim[22] exempt from requiring immersion. Once again, while those who are lenient have upon whom to rely, it is best for one to bring with him disposable kitchenware in order to avoid the necessity of using their non-immersed items.

Peeler:[23] A peeler may be used without restriction, and in general does not require immersion even if the guesthouse is owned by a Jew.

Can opener:[24] A can opener may be used to open cans so long as it is properly cleaned beforehand to get rid of any nonkosher remnants that it may contain from previous opening of cans.

Cork opener: A Cork opener should be properly washed and may then be used to open a kosher bottle of wine, despite the fact that it has been used in the past to open nonkosher wine bottles.

Beer bottle opener: A beer bottle opener may be used without restriction.

Cutting board: Although it is preferable to not use a cutting board due to the difficulty in cleaning it properly, nonetheless, if one does clean it properly especially in the areas that contain slits from the knives then it may be used to cut non-Charif foods. It is however proper not to use it to cut Charif foods.[25]

Tablecloths: Towels and table cloths may be used without regulation, so long as they are clean having come through a fresh wash.

Oven mitts and gloves and potholders: Oven mitts and gloves and potholders may only be used if they are clean, which is often not the case, and hence one should avoid using them in direct contact with food or one’s kosher utensils.

[1] See Hakashrus Lemaaseh [Pinchasi] pp. 515-520; Koshorot Vol. 2

[2] See Michaberand Rama Y.D. 122:9; Shach 122:8; Taz 122:8; Igros Moshe Y.D. 3:61; To note, however, that when one rents his home or Tzimmer to a gentile, or non-religious Jew, all the vessels must be Koshered, and the leniency of waiting 24 hours does not apply. This is not similar to the case mentioned in the Poskim above where the gentile did not have permission to use the vessels as he wishes, in contrast to here where the gentile has become a temporary owner of the vessels and was able to use it for whatever he wishes. It is thus no different than purchasing a vessel from a gentile, in which the law is that it must be Koshered.

[3] See Michaber and Rama Y.D. 118:1 regarding when two signs are required versus one sign and the various opinions relevant; Rama 118:2 that we only suspect if there is benefit for the gentile to switch; Michaber 118:3 that each written letter is considered one Chosem; Rama 118:4 that signing on the outside of the sack is worthless; Michaber 118:8 that by Derech Harabim we do not worry; Michaber 118:10 regarding Yotzei Venichnas; See Pesakim Uteshuvos 118:6 [regarding the Geder of a valid Siman/Chosem], 7 [Deliveries which require Chosmos], 11 [Relying on Lo Meira Nafshei]

[4] See regarding its status of Yayin Nesech: Shach Y.D. 125:17; See regarding its status of needing Chosmos: Michaber Y.D. 118:1 that ideally non-Mevushal wine needs 2 Chosmos; Rama ibid that this especially applies by a Yisrael Chashud; Taz 118:4 that by wine today everyone agrees that one Chosem suffices [seemingly even initially] and so also rules Harokeiach 496, Or Zarua Piskei A.Z. 2:160, Aruch Hashulchan 118:13 and 18 that we rule like the Taz; Tzitz Eliezer 12:56-7; Shevet Halevi 8:187-5

[5] So I received from a representative of the Vaad Hakashrus of the Eida Hachareidis that roasted coffee beans and coffee grinds do not require a Hashgacha as they have no known Kashrus worry and that they therefore may be purchased from any store. When asked as to why then they provide a Hashgacha for ground coffee, they replied that this was requested by the company and is not due to a true Kashrus concern

[6] Madrich of the OU and CRC

[7] See Admur 451:36; 13; Michaber 451:4 and 15

[8] Ben Yomo: However, technically, it is not necessary for one to wait 24 hours before Kashering them, as Stam Keilim are not Ben Yomo. [Michaber Y.D. 122:4] If, however, one knows that they are not Ben Yomo, then when using Hagala one must wait 24 hours prior to Kashering. [See Admur 452:9-11]

[9] See Piskeiy Teshuvos 451:35; Pesakim Uteshuvos 121:7

[10] Admur 451:9

[11] See Admur 451:2; 450:13; Michaber and Rama 121:5; Pesakim Uteshuvos 121:15

[12] See Shach 91:3 and 121:10; P”M 91 S.D. 3; Pesakim Uteshuvos 121:15

[13] See Michaber 91:2; Taz 91:3

[14] See Darkei Teshuvah Y.D. 121:2; Kneses Hagedola Y.D. 121:25 [that even the Machmirim are only stringent regarding Pesach], recorded in P”M 451 M”Z 31 [see Minchas Yitzchak 1:86]; Kehal Yehuda Y.D. 121 “Regarding other Issurim the custom is not to be stringent at all”; Yad Yehuda Y.D. 69 Aruch 89 Katzar 17; Shevilei David Y.D. 121:6 [lenient to use for cold foods by opposite meal]; Aruch Hashulchan Y.D. 121:2 “So is the widespread custom to buy all forms of glass vessels from gentiles and use them without Kashering.”; Poskim in Darkei Teshuvah Y.D. 121:2; Mishneh Halachos 9:168 “The world is accustomed to use it for meat and milk and since this is the case, leave them be, as if they are not prophets they are the son of prophets.”; See Hakashrus 3:53 that the Ashkenazi custom is to be lenient to Kasher them; See Admur 87:2 regarding a glass potty and in Kuntrus Achron 87:2 “In 451 it is only an initial stringency”; See M”A 451:48 who contrasts the stringency of Chametz to the leniency by Yayin Nesech “Although we are stringent by Chametz, do not compare it to Yayin Nesech, as many leniencies apply by Yayin Nesech and not by Chametz”;

[15] See Piskeiy Teshuvos 451:53; Some Poskim rule it has the same status as earthenware, and is thus not Kasherable. [Igros Moshe 2:92; Kinyan Torah 2:84; Lehoros Nasan 6:69] Others rule it is Kasherable. [Chelkas Yaakov 2:163; Minchas Yitzchak 3:67; Tzitz Eliezer 4:6; Chazon Ovadia; Beir Moshe 2:53; ]

[16] See Admur 451:2; 450:13; Michaber and Rama 121:5

[17] See Shach 91:3 and 121:10; P”M 91 S.D. 3

[18] See Admur 452:8 and 12 that if the vessel used for the Kashering is not Ben Yomo, then from the letter of the law it does not to be Kashered beforehand. [Admur 452:12]

[19] See Michaber Y.D. 122:4 that Stam Keilim are not Ben Yomo. If, however, one knows that they are not Ben Yomo, then when using Hagala one must wait 24 hours prior to Kashering. [See Admur 452:9-11]

[20] Admur 451:37

[21] Admur 452:5

[22] Darkei Teshuvah Y.D. 120:70; Shevet Sofer Y.D. 67; Tuv Taam Vadas Telisa 2:22; Divrei Yatziv Y.D. 37; Yechaveh Daas 4:44; Pesakim Uteshuvos 120:35

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that even such vessels require immersion. [Levushei Mordechai Y.D. 141:83; Igros Moshe Y.D. 3:22; Minchas Shlomo 2:66]

[23] Hakashrus Lemaaseh ibid

[24] Hakashrus Lemaaseh ibid

[25] See Chochmas Adam 56:2; Tuv Taam Vadaas 3:215; Daas Torah 96; Sefer Yehoshua Pesakim Ukesavim 122, brought in Daas Torah 96 [p. 260]; See Sefer Hakashrus 10:110; Sefer Davar Charif 1:13