What Not To Put In Your Garbage Disposal

The garbage disposal is an essential tool in many homes. It provides a convenient way to dispose of specific foods and liquids. As the name implies, it can be highly efficient for waste management.

There are several foods, liquids, and hard objects that should never go in the garbage disposal. Doing so can severely damage your garbage disposal or the plumbing system connected to it.

Foods & Liquids To Avoid

Certain foods and liquids can be particularly harmful to your garbage disposal. Here are some common items to avoid:

• Popcorn Kernels: These hard kernels can jam your disposal and damage the blades.
• Grease: When hot grease cools, it solidifies, leading to clogs in your drain line and plumbing.
• Oils: Similar to grease, oils can congeal and cause blockages in your drain piping.
• Bones: Larger objects can get stuck in the disposal and dull the blades. Larger animal bones can lead to jams.
• Chemical Cleaners: Harsh chemicals can corrode the metal components of your garbage disposal and damage your plumbing.
• Coffee Grounds: These can accumulate and create a thick sludge that clogs your drainage system.
• Potato Peelings: Starchy foods like potato peelings can form a paste that clogs the disposal and pipes.
• Onion Skins: These fibrous foods can wrap around the disposal blades, causing malfunctions.

Other Objects To Avoid

A garbage disposal doesn’t operate like a garbage can. It is not designed to dispose of certain objects. This includes items that are too hard, fibrous, or damaging to your plumbing system. Here are some examples of a few of these items and why you should avoid placing them down this drain:

• Hard Plastics and Recyclable Materials: These items can break the disposal’s blades and lead to costly repairs.
• Glass: Not only can glass damage the blades, but it can also pose a safety risk when trying to retrieve the pieces.
• Batteries: These contain harmful chemicals that can leak and damage your disposal and pipes.
• Wrappers: Plastic and paper wrappers can wrap around the blades, causing the disposal to malfunction.
• Styrofoam: This material can break into small pieces that clog your plumbing and damage the disposal.

Foods and Liquids You Can Safely Put Down a Garbage Disposal

Understanding what you can safely put down your garbage disposal is just as important as knowing what to avoid. Using your garbage disposal correctly helps maintain its functionality and longevity. Here’s a guide to the types of foods and liquids that are typically safe to dispose of using your garbage disposal:

• Soft Foods:
  • Foods that break down easily are generally safe for your disposal. This includes items like:
    • Fruit scraps (without pits)
    • Vegetable peelings (excluding fibrous vegetables like celery)
    • Eggshells
    • Small amounts of meat scraps (without bones)
• Liquids:
  • Most liquids can go down the disposal without issue. This includes:
    • Broths
    • Soups
    • Juices
    • Water from boiling vegetables or pasta
• Small Food Particles:
  • Most leftovers on your dishes can typically be washed down the disposal.

When using your garbage disposal, it’s important to remember a few key practices:

• Run Cold Water:
  • Always run cold water while using your garbage disposal. Cold water helps solidify any grease or oils, preventing them from sticking to the blades and pipes.
• Feed Gradually:
  • Avoid overloading your disposal by feeding it small amounts of food waste at a time. This prevents jams and ensures efficient grinding.
• Regular Maintenance:
  • Clean your disposal with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. This will keep it fresh and free of buildup.
• Use Ice Cubes:
  • Grinding ice cubes followed by dish soap can help clean the disposal blades. Ice cubes can also help sharpen the blades and make grinding food waste even smoother.
• Dispose Fruit Slices:
  • Put lemon, lime, and other citrus slices in your garbage disposal to keep it smelling fresh. They can also help clean the blades. This is a great way to rid your kitchen sink of foul odors due to other food waste that has passed through.
  • Remember, like other large objects listed on the avoidances lists above, you should not dispose of whole fruit. Disposing an entire lemon or lime at once can damage the blades and result in a clog. Also, remove pits and slice other fruits like cherries and avocados, before throwing them in.

Using your garbage disposal correctly ensures that it remains a helpful and efficient tool in your kitchen. By following these guidelines, you can help maintain its functionality and avoid costly repairs.

Signs That Your Garbage Disposal Might Need Repairs

Ridding your food scraps into your garbage disposal is an excellent convenience when you have one that’s functioning well. Your garbage disposal can handle hundreds of rounds of operation until it usually runs into a problem.

It is essential to recognize when your garbage disposal is not functioning correctly. Here are some common garbage disposal problems that could be a sign that you need to pursue repairs:

• Garbage Disposal Switch Is Not Working: This might indicate electrical issues or a tripped circuit breaker.
• Unusual Noises: Grinding, screeching, or rattling sounds often signal that something is wrong with the disposal.
• Frequent Clogs: If your disposal frequently clogs, it might not be processing food waste effectively.
• Leaks: Water leaking from the disposal or the plumbing connected to it can indicate a significant issue.
• Foul Odors: Persistent bad smells that don’t go away after cleaning might suggest trapped food particles or mold growth.
• Slow Draining: If water drains slowly from your sink, it could be a sign of a blockage in the disposal or the connected plumbing.

Garbage Disposal Repairs & Replacements With Anthony

If you notice any of these signs, it’s crucial to address the issue promptly to avoid more severe problems. At Anthony Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric, our experienced technicians can quickly diagnose and repair your garbage disposal.

We know how inconvenient it can be when your garbage disposal stops working. That’s why our technicians offer reliable and efficient service, from minor repairs to full replacements.

Don’t wait until a minor issue becomes a significant plumbing or drain problem. Contact Anthony Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric today at (913) 298-0444 to schedule your garbage disposal repair or replacement. Keep your kitchen running smoothly with professional help from our skilled team.