What Should (and Shouldn't) Go Into Your Garbage Disposal

Arctic Air employee speaking with a customer

Do you know that the most common plumbing breakdown during any holiday season is blamed on the garbage disposer? Well, this is partly because when the drain line serving the sink in the kitchen is clogged, it backs up through the garbage disposer.

However, in a few cases, the garbage disposer is the culprit. Many homeowners still don’t understand what not to put in the garbage disposal. Overloading the disposer beyond its capacity and not running enough cold water to flush will for sure clog the drain.

The Proper Use Of a Garbage Disposer

Keep in mind that the garbage disposer and the drain line that are connected to it are not intended for use in disposing of meat bones, fat, and fibrous material. These things have a high tendency to clog the drain line and cause it to back up. Thus, you will notice a stinky mess in your kitchen sink.

What you need to do is place the fat and grease in a can or a bottle. Dispose of them through your solid waste trash. For solid trash such as meat bones, you can place them in a zip-lock bag and have them disposed of through normal trash. For the rest of your waste material, such as fibrous waste, artichokes, or cornhusks, you can throw them with the regular trash.

After you’ve used your garbage disposer, it’s time to wash it. Run plenty of cold water to eliminate food waste. Turn off the disposer, plug the drain for the sink, and fill it with cold water. Then pull the drain plug and turn on the garbage disposer. This should be enough to wash the drain line of any waste material that caused a partial blockage.

Note: Using hot water for cleaning the garbage disposer might seem to be a good idea, but it can cause blockage further downstream. Use cold water as it helps to keep the fat and grease in a solid form, and helps it move down the drain easily.

Garbage Disposal Dos And Don’ts

Dos of Garbage Disposer

· Flush the water with cold water before you start to use the appliance. Run the water for more than 15 seconds after the grinding has ceased.

· You can also put a small number of ice cubes in the garbage disposer for cleaning the inside of the grinder area. Make sure to place the drain stopper in order to avoid any flying particles that are ejected from the disposer chamber.

· It is always a good thing to use a degreaser once in a while. The degreaser helps in eliminating the grease that may cause blockage and a bad smell.

· Every year, you should have your kitchen drain line snaked as part of preventive maintenance.

· After all, a plumber will be able to give you the best possible advice on the methods to maintain your drain and to help it stay clean for a long time.

· Want to keep your grinder area smelling fresh? Grind up citrus fruits like lemon and oranges. Just make sure that you flush it with cold water afterwards.

Don’ts Of Garbage Disposer

· Do not use hot water while grinding food. You can use hot water after it, but not during the process, as hot water will cause the fat and grease to become soft and stick to the drain pipes, causing blockages.

· Do not put fat, grease, or any fibrous material in the garbage disposer.

· Never fill the grinding chamber until the top is full of peels, and turn it on and expect it to handle the load. Keep the cuttings, peels, fat and grease, and meat bones separate.

· Do not use harsh chemicals to clean the garbage disposer, as they can harm the plumbing system and the user.

Bottom Line

If your kitchen garbage disposer is more than 7 years old, it is a good option to get the entire system replaced. Pick up your phone and call our experts at Arctic Air & Plumbing. We will inspect your plumbing system, your needs, and suggest the best kitchen sink garbage disposer. Also, our team will help you with any plumbing problems. So, don’t wait until it’s too late. You can also visit our website to learn more about our range of services.