How To Take Good Care of Your Garbage Disposal
A properly functioning garbage disposal is a household convenience often taken for granted—until it stops working. This hardworking kitchen appliance keeps sinks clean and kitchens odor-free. However, without proper care, it can quickly turn into a source of frustration, unpleasant odors, and costly garbage disposal repairs. From mysterious grinding noises to slow draining, various issues can arise if the disposal isn’t maintained well.
Understanding how to care for garbage disposal plays a key role in avoiding these problems. With the right tips and tricks, it’s possible to extend the lifespan of the disposal, minimize repair costs, and keep the kitchen running smoothly.
Be Careful What Goes Down the Disposal
A garbage disposal is built to handle soft, biodegradable food scraps. However, damage often occurs when inappropriate items are put into the unit. Fibrous materials like celery stalks, corn husks, and onion skins can wrap around the blades, leading to jams. Coffee grounds, eggshells, and pasta are also problematic, as they can create clogs or form a paste-like substance in the pipes. Grease, oils, and fats pose another issue, solidifying in pipes and causing serious blockages. Additionally, non-food items such as glass, metal, plastic, paper, or cigarette butts should never be placed in a garbage disposal.
Safe items for disposal include small amounts of soft food scraps, such as fruit and vegetable pieces (excluding fibrous ones), small portions of meat scraps without bones, and mild food residue from plates. Running cold water while the disposal is operating and for 15–20 seconds afterward helps flush food particles through the pipes. Even with appropriate items, moderation remains essential. Overloading the unit with large quantities of food waste at once can strain the motor and cause clogs.
Use Cold Water and Ice
Running cold water during garbage disposal operations is essential for maintaining optimal performance and extending the unit's lifespan. Cold water solidifies any grease or oils that may enter the disposal, allowing them to be broken down and flushed through the system instead of coating the blades and pipes. It is recommended to run cold water for at least 15–20 seconds before turning on the disposal, throughout its operation, and for 30 seconds after turning it off to ensure all debris is properly flushed through the drain line.
Ice cubes act as a natural cleaning solution for garbage disposals, effectively removing food particles and buildup from the grinding components. As the disposal crushes the ice, the frozen chunks help clean the blades and dislodge any stuck food debris. Dropping a handful of ice cubes into the disposal once a month, running cold water, and operating the unit until the ice is fully crushed helps maintain cleanliness. This routine also sharpens the grinding components, promoting smooth and efficient operation over time.
Avoid Putting Too Much Down the Disposal at Once
Mindfulness of both the quantity and size of food waste disposed of at any given time is essential for proper garbage disposal use. Overloading the unit with excessive food waste can strain the motor and potentially lead to clogs in the plumbing system. A practical approach involves feeding waste gradually while running cold water, ensuring each portion is fully ground before adding more.
Breaking large food scraps into smaller, manageable pieces before placing them in the garbage disposal helps ensure smooth operation. Pieces around one inch or smaller are ideal, as they are less likely to jam the grinding mechanism or overwhelm the unit's capabilities. Much like a food processor, garbage disposal performs best when handling reasonable amounts of appropriately sized waste. Following this practice helps prevent potential damage and extends the disposal’s operational lifespan.
About the Company
Since 1992, residents of St. Michael, MN, have relied on B & D Plumbing, Heating & A/C for their plumbing and HVAC needs. The company takes pride in its long-standing history of delivering top-quality plumbing, heating, and cooling services. With technicians fully trained in the latest technology, B & D ensures accurate and safe solutions. For reliable and high-quality garbage disposal services in St. Michael, MN, B & D Plumbing, Heating & A/C remains a trusted choice.
