What NOT to Put Down Your Garbage Disposal

A garbage disposal is a powerful kitchen tool, but it’s not invincible. Treating it like a trash can is a sure way to cause clogs, dull the blades, and burn out the motor. Knowing what to avoid putting down the drain can save you from a messy plumbing emergency and a costly repair bill.

To keep your disposal running smoothly, make sure these items always go in the trash or compost bin instead.

1. Grease, Oil, and Fat

This is the number one enemy of your disposal and your pipes. Liquid fats solidify as they cool, creating thick, stubborn clogs that can completely block your plumbing.

2. Starchy and Fibrous Foods

• Potato Peels: They can turn into a starchy paste, similar to mashed potatoes, that clogs the drain.
• Pasta and Rice: These foods expand with water, even after they’re cooked, and can quickly create a blockage.
• Celery, Corn Husks, and Asparagus: The long, tough fibers can wrap around the disposal’s blades, causing the motor to jam.

3. Coffee Grounds

While they seem to go down easily, coffee grounds don’t get flushed out completely. They accumulate in the pipes like sediment, leading to slow drains and clogs over time.

4. Eggshells

This is a common myth. People believe eggshells sharpen the blades, but they don’t. The thin membrane on the inside of the shell can stick to the pipes, and the ground-up shells add to sediment buildup.

5. Bones and Fruit Pits

Your garbage disposal is not designed to grind through extremely hard items like chicken bones, or peach and avocado pits. These can jam or break the grinding components.

How to Properly Care for Your Disposal

• Use Cold Water: Always run a strong stream of cold water before, during, and for 15 seconds after using the disposal. Cold water helps keep any grease that does go down in a solid state so it can be chopped up and flushed away more easily.
• Cut Up Large Scraps: Feed food waste into the disposal gradually instead of all at once.
• Freshen it Up: Grind up a few ice cubes and some citrus peels (lemon, lime, orange) to clean the blades and freshen the drain.

If your disposal is humming, jammed, or completely silent, don’t risk injury by reaching into it. The expert technicians at Appliance Surgeon can safely diagnose and repair any disposal issue.

For fast and reliable garbage disposal repair, contact Appliance Surgeon today!