Kosher Barbecuing


 
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Lance

TVWBB Super Fan
I am going to barbecue for a friend of mine who is Jewish and who eats Orthodox Koshher. I have read some things on the net about what is and is not acceptable to cook. I will have to buy Kosher meat which shouldn't be too much of a problem. My question is does anyone normally barbecue Kosher meat for friends and if so, what do you barbecue for them? I am thinking possibly beef ribs, but I am hoping for some input. The reason I am thinking ribs is that Kosher meat costs much more than non-Kosher meat.
Lance
 
Do you plan to cook on a new smoker/grill that has never been used to cook pork? That's something else to consider.

Here is a link to some information.
 
you really need to talk to yer friend. it may be near impossible for you to cook kosher. i have several friends who are of the jewish faith but luckily they are not strict about it as long as the basic animal is allowed. thus any beef cooked would be ok as long as its not mixed with dairy. so go talk.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">it may be near impossible for you to cook kosher. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Mike Mill's "Peace love and BBQ" touched on the subject. He had a regular customer at his restaurant who was Jewish and loved pulled pork, however he told him it was "chopped beef" so he wouldn't feel guilty eating it.
 
Well, Long time no post folks! It sure has been a while....Neways, Been alerted to this post by Mr. Hays, Good man he is!!

First, let me welcome back Lance and personally thank you for the work you have done for myself, family and our country! Thank you, its def something I am not brave enough to do!

Neways, Hi Chris and gang!!
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Lance, the first thing that you really have to find out is "how kosher" he is? Some people just dont eat Pork, but will eat everything else. Its the "traditional" types of people. So thats the first thing. If he is indeed Orthodox and only eats kosher meats....well, you got yourself a little bit of a problem..not a problem, but youll see.

Lance, as you can search some of my posts I have done some smoking way back when with only Glatt Kosher meats (highest level of kosher) ! I can probably find some Orthodox Kosher butchers that I would eat from in your area. The problem lies in something Larry D (hey there ol friend) mentioned. The utensils that you use to cook the meat must be "Kosher" as well. Meaning, only Kosher meats were cooked on the grills that are in the smoker/oven/pot. You can never have cooked any Non Kosher meats or even anything without a reliable "kosher" symbol in your WSM. If you did, it renders it NOT kosher and no Stricly Kosher eating person would eat from it. No offense.

If he only eats "Glatt Kosher"meats, well, time to buy a brand new WSM, cooking utensils, pots, pans, plates....well if you only use your WSM, then just WSM and tongs.

Advise what he says and good luck.

ahhh, felt nice to post here again.
 
Lance,
How is it that your friend accepted an invitation for BBQ if he eats strictly kosher?
Is it possible that in his house he eats strictly kosher, but when eating outside he eats nonkosher or at least some nonkosher foods?
 
Mords,

Thanks for your input here. I knew it had been a while since you posted and when Lance posted this, I immediately thought of you and that you might be able to help out.
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Good to hear from you again!!

Bill
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Don't be a stranger!!
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Mords,

I almost referred Lance to your past posts, but I wasn't sure if you were still reading this board so I didn't. I suspect he'll have some more questions, and now he'll have a source for reliable information.
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Larry, Bill gave me a heads up about the post. I do check the site periodically but really havent been active on in for awhile. If Lance had any further questions or anyone else of course post and I will try to send you in the correct direction

Good day
 
Even if he keeps the strictest standards of kosher, it would be possible to "kasher" your WSM. Kashering is what orthodox kosher caterers do when they want to use a previously non-kosher kitchen (say at a hotel).

The kashering process for a WSM would consist of basically cleaning the cooker out perfectly (easy off) from all food and grease, and then lighting an ultra-hot fire inside of it and letting it burn for a while (make sure to toss in any utensils you want to have touching the food later on). Kashering is not a particularly difficult process and your friend can get the exact details from his rabbi, (or email me if you need more info).

As stated above, make absolutely sure your friend is comfortable with the process you use because everyone has (if only slightly) different standards.


Edit here's a website with kashing info:
http://www.njop.org/html/how_kosher.html#oven

Some of the stuff related to ovens likely wouldn't apply to a charcoal grill, especially if you can get the heat high enough (to mimick a self cleaning oven). Also, dipping the grates and other utensils that come into direct contact with the food in a mikvah after they are kashered may be neccessary - he should ask his rabbi.
 
You are correct in what you say about kashering an oven and that kosher caterers use this process when they "take over' a hotel kitchen.But as im sure you noticed with your link it didnt mention BBQ's. They are way diff then an oven. Just short and simple, since the food actually touches the grates of the grill (as appossed to an oven) you have to heat the grates and the sides of the BBQ that the food actually touches to a heat where the grills glow red. Ya, you have to make them red hot for a period of time. YUp, major blow torch action. Its quite fun actually. And then there is a bigger problem of cleaning a BBQ entirely out. The junk pretty much gets in every nick and cranny and almost impossible to clean it out entirely. Very diff then an oven. SO most ppl hold that you really cant really kasher a BBQ properly but teq can be done.

You know how the food tastes much better the more the BBQ gets used, thats because even when you have a clean BBQ some part of the food is still there.....

until....
 
Lance, I can tell you that the Texas BBQ Rub I sent you is ok for your Jewish friend to have. Mords had cleared this with Bill Cannon of Texas BBQ Rubs way back when.
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Bryan S!!!!!!!!! Good to see your post ol buddy!! I just finished that box of apple wood you gave me 3 years back. (bryan gave me some awsome wood....a huge box of it with enough wood to last me...well three years...)

Neways, you are correct about the Texas BBQrub. I still use it on my meats even when I dont smoke. I spoke to Bill Cannon a few years back and when through his entire list of ingredients. Of course he didnt give me amounts and I told him to list me a few more ingredients that he didnt necessarly put in. (thats what coke does) They were all Kosher! He does not put any fillers or oils in his rubs. I did not go down and check out his plant so its his word. If I wanted to go down and check out his "plant" he had no problems with that as well.

Love both of the rubs he sells.

Take care and enjoy

Keep Smilin
Keep Smokin
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Mordechai Striks:

Love both of the rubs he sells.

Take care and enjoy </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Mords,

They now sell a 3rd rub, Texas Wild. In fact, there's a 10% discount going on for TVWB members 'till the end of the month, if you need to stock up.
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Bill
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Thanks Bill for the heads up on the new rub, ill have to try it out.

Craig, are you asking if Hebrew National Hot dogs are "kosher". (Its amazing how I cant give you a straight answer.) Yes, Hebrew Natinal hot dogs do have a "kosher" certification. HOWEVER, most orthodox ppl in the United States do not eat their products. This is because it is not "glatt" kosher.

But for all intensive purposes, Hebrew National is "kosher" and No, I have never eaten their products.

Have a great night
Keep Smokin
 
Craig,
Hebrew national is what my friend suggested. I just refuse to give up. Everyone should have some great barbecue in their life. My buddy still needs to write me back but he is a little busy right now. I have looked on the link from Larry D to learn about kosher foods. Luckily, on the WSM I have here I have never done pork. The meat hasn't been kosher but I should be able to kasher the WSM if I must. I found a web site to buy kosher meat and that is why I am still thinking beef ribs. I will have to practice beef ribs because I have never done them before. Thanks for all of the great advice so far.
Lance
 
It seems like there would be the same cooking considerations for a simple kosher hot dog as there would be for a fancy rib dinner. The food itself has to start out kosher, but either kind would have to be prepared according to the rules too. Can't just throw a kosher dog on the grill next to a bratwurst squirting pork juice all over the place.
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Hebrew National are my favorite dogs (and I'm not Kosher or Jewish), but I agree with your thinking, Lance. If you're going to make the effort to properly cook a kosher meal for your friend, might as well make it something nice and memorable.
 
I just talked to my friend and he said that as long as the food is Kosher he is fine with whatever I cook. He has had beef ribs before. I may end up buying some cheap bbq tools for the party. Does anyone know a Kosher butcher in the Nashville, TN area or on the TN/KY border along I-24?
Lance
 
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