10 Worst Things to Put in a Garbage Disposal

Waste King Garbage Disposal

10 Things That Will Clog Even the Best Garbage Disposal

A garbage disposal can be a kitchen’s best friend, however, when not used and maintained properly, garbage disposals can prove to be more trouble than convenient. Here’s a look at 10 things to avoid sending down the drain. It’s important to know which foods not to put down the garbage disposal and also which items can break or clog your disposal.

Garbage disposals are huge time savers, but only if they are well-maintained.

Here Are Some of the Worst Foods to Put Down in the Garbage Disposal:

Vegetable Peelings

If you are peeling a bunch of potatoes or carrots, place them in your garbage instead of sending them down the disposal. The excess peels will create a thick paste and build up on the blades, severely limiting the use of the appliance. If the potatoes and carrot peel paste happen to make it past the garbage disposal it can act like cholesterol in your waste piping system. It will eventually close off the piping and you’ll end up with a waste backup.

Simply put, should you put potato peels down the garbage disposal? No. Should you put carrot peels down the garbage disposal? No.

Fruit Pits

Cherry pits, peach pits, nectarine pits – any type of fruit that has a hard, middle seed. Think of the pit as a piece of wood. Would you throw a piece of wood into the disposal? Probably not.

Your garbage disposal cannot process fruit pits of any kind, so be sure to throw fruit pits in the garbage or compost pile.

Celery Stalks

Celery is stringy and fibrous and can produce the same effects as vegetable peelings. Avoid sending celery down in excess.

Fats & Grease

Fats and grease will adhere to the pipes over time, creating backups and clogged pipes. The best thing you can do is run hot water down the line if you pour grease down a disposal. WE DO NOT RECOMMEND YOU POUR ANY GREASE DOWN YOUR WASTE LINE. This is extremely important to note to improve the longevity of your disposal.

Pasta

Starchy substances will stick to both the blades and the pipes. In excess, pasta can quickly cause backups.

Rice

Rice is similar to pasta and will cause a backup when placed down the disposal in excess.

Coffee Grounds

Please don’t drop these in your garbage disposal. Coffee grounds, in excess, can act in a similar manner to rice and pasta, clogging up both the blades and the pipes. You may believe something so small to be inconsequential, but over time – coffee grounds can cause garbage disposal problems.

Here are some non-food items to avoid dumping down the garbage disposal:

Paper, Plastic & Glass

Avoid sending down paper such as coffee filters, or bits of packaging as you are taking items out of their wrappers. These items are better recycled or thrown away.

Egg Shells

The pieces of an eggshell can linger in the pipes and eventually cause a clog.

Shells From Shellfish or Bones

Bones from items like chicken, or shells from shellfish can break off and get caught in the blades.

As always avoid putting your hands inside the disposal. If maintenance is required please make sure all power is disconnected from the disposal. Avoiding the above will ensure your garbage disposal has a long and useful life.

Contact Skilled Plumbers to Repair or Replace Your Garbage Disposal

All that to say, if you do have a clog in your garbage disposal or need assistance with a replacement or repair – don’t hesitate to call the team at Expert Plumbing Service. Feel free to contact us online as well.