Dear Rabbis,
At the moment, I share a flat with one non-Jewish housemate (I live in chutz l’aretz).
There is one oven in the kitchen with two sections; the ‘halves’ of the oven can be independently operated but are obviously part of the same machine; the two halves sit one atop each other and are completely sealed between; a separate fan powers each half such that the lower oven doesn’t rely on the top for heat or vice-versa.
While up to now I’ve just been using a George Foreman grill to cook, my flat-mate, who is surprisingly knowledgable in Jewish tradition, suggested that I kasher the lower half and use it for either milk or meat.
Assuming that I can kasher my half of the oven fine, does the fact that it’s adjoined to the non kosher half present a problem?
Answer:
It is in principle fine to kasher the lower oven, and use it for meat or for dairy, as you see fit.
If the oven has a self-cleaning feature, this is the easiest way to kasher an oven. If it does not, some work will be involved, yet it can be done.
Best wishes.
