Going Kosher on a Budget

Question:

What are you to do when you can't afford to redo your entire kitchen to make it kosher? Or if you don't live near a store that carries kosher meat, and you can't afford to buy it online all the time?

Answer:

First of all, it's wonderful to hear that you're seeking to make your kitchen kosher. May you continue to grow and learn in good health and happiness! You're not alone. Many of us are feeling the crunch from the financial situation, and it is indeed possible to go kosher on a budget. I have some suggestions. Please let me know if they work for you.

The prospect of koshering an entire kitchen may seem daunting, but taking a few steps at a time, you will see that it is not that hard. Call the local Chabad rabbi or rebbetzin, and they'll be very happy to help you with the process. (If you need help getting in touch, please let me know.)

Many utensils can be rendered kosher. Stainless steel pots, metal utensils, stainless steel sinks and some counters are all items which fall into this category. Here is a page that outlines which items can be koshered and how.

For those items which cannot be koshered and will need to be replaced, I suggest that you check out a discount store where you can pick up a few really basic pots and a frying pan or two for very cheap. You can certainly make do with two or three pots and a couple of mixing utensils for starters for both dairy and meat respectively. And then, slowly, when you are able to do so, you can gradually add more items. You can also find nice-looking sets of dishes for relatively cheap in the discount stores.

Also, until you have more real pans, I would suggest that you use disposable aluminum pans. They are cheap, easy to use for baking, and you don't have to wash them :).

As for meat, I know a number of people who have been quite successful in getting their local supermarkets to carry frozen kosher meat. If your supermarket is part of a national chain, there is an especially good chance that this can happen. Otherwise, you may want to get together with other local Jewish people and create a co-op of sorts, ordering the meat in bulk from a supplier. If there is not enough interest in your town, you may want to get together people for a larger town who have such a co-op, or start one yourself.

Much success and please feel free to write again if you have any further questions.

Chani Benjaminson

Chabad.org