Things You Should Never Put Down Your Garbage Disposal
Things you should never put down your garbage disposal. Are you unsure if the garbage disposal can handle chicken bones or eggshells? Look at this list of things to keep out of your drain before you learn the hard way.
In this article, we will tackle the things you should never put down your garbage disposal. So keep on reading to find out more. But if you need garbage disposal repair, call us at (561) 689-8885.
13 Things You Should Never Put Down Your Garbage Disposal
Under the kitchen sink, there is electronic equipment called garbage disposal. Food waste is ground into tiny pieces by blades so the plumbing system can remove it. Since food is disposed of in the water system rather than in a landfill, it is a quick, easy, and environmentally beneficial way to eliminate kitchen waste.
While plenty of things can be put down in garbage disposal with no issues, such as fruit, vegetables, prepared foods, and even ice, other items may damage the blades or clog your pipes. Knowing how to operate one correctly is vital because having this repaired can be costly. Keep these 13 things away from the drain to prolong the life of garbage disposal.
Coffee Grounds
You may have heard a myth suggesting coffee grounds might prevent odors and benefit your plumbing system. As they can clog your pipes and turn them into a sludgy mess, they’re among the worst things you can dispose of. The easiest way to get rid of coffee grounds is to compost them so that their nutrients may be used.
Potato Peels
Plumbing blockages can be caused by the gluey, sticky mess that potato peels can leave behind. The peels become wet and sticky after they go through the garbage disposal blades and into the pipes. At first, tiny amounts might not cause harm, but more significant amounts and ongoing use might lead to problems.
Fibrous Vegetables
Produce is generally safe to throw away, but some fibrous veggies, like kale, lettuce, asparagus, rhubarb, celery, artichokes, and pumpkin insides, might tangle up the blades and break them. Additionally, before you throw your fruit and vegetable peels at your disposal, remember to remove the stickers. These may cling to pipes or blades and obstruct them as well. Composting or using an organic waste container is the most environmentally friendly way to get rid of vegetable and potato peels.
Starchy Foods
Oats, pasta, rice, beans, and other starchy foods swell when they absorb water. This swelling can lead to obstructions and improper sink drainage when food gets stuck in the kitchen pipes or garbage disposal blades. A professional might be needed for repairs. The starchy, sticky substance can also coat the disposal’s blades, reducing efficiency or leading to a malfunction. Throw these things in the trash.
Fats and Grease
Oils, butter, chicken skin, and bacon grease can easily slide off your disposal, but they solidify and clog your pipes. Their accumulation may result in serious plumbing problems like backups or leaks, which may be expensive and time-consuming. The best way to get rid of them is to put them in the trash in jars or cans, or even better, identify a local facility that recycles fats like cooking oil.
Onion Skins and Eggs
According to some experts, the membrane directly beneath the eggshell is the issue. Some claim that eggshells are safe and could keep garbage disposal blades sharp. It can wrap onto the blades, reducing their efficiency. Onion skins can clog your pipes by doing the same or slipping past the blades unharmed. If pieces become tangled around the blades, they stop the disposal and pick up the fragments with pliers or tongs. Throw a pot of hot water down the disposal to clear the clog. If this doesn’t work, you might have to clear the clog with a plunger or a plumbing snake. A plumber or an appliance repair professional in West Palm Beach will be required in the worst situation. Disposing of onions and eggshells as nutrient-rich compost heap additions is preferable.
Paint
While it may seem odd that you would voluntarily spill paint in your kitchen sink, washing supplies or hands in the sink with the garbage disposal could be alluring if it’s the nearest water supply to a child’s art project or maintenance site. Pouring paint and other strong chemicals like bleach down the drain will harm the pipes and your disposal; therefore, you should avoid doing so. Paints like latex and oil may cover your pipes before solidifying and clogging them.
Nuts
Using food processor blades, crush nuts into a paste to make nut butter. Imagine the filth in your pipes right now. Nuts can become stuck in pipes and clog your disposal, so try not to throw a lot of them down there. Their accumulation over time may result in blockages that harm your plumbing system by enabling water to back up. Bacterial growth and unpleasant odors can also result from untreated obstructions. Instead, toss the nuts in the compost or the garbage.
Corn Husks
The garbage disposal unit faces a challenge from the firm, fibrous husks, and the stringy silks within the husk. When husking corn, keep the task out of the garbage disposal. Husk the corn directly into the compost instead.
Pits and Seeds
A garbage disposal can handle soft food waste. Mango seeds, peach pits, and other large stones can be too rough for your equipment. They can overwork, bend, or shatter the blades or burn out the motor because they are so durable. Fruit pits from avocados and peaches are also big enough to cause clogs. Fruits like cherries and grapes with smaller seeds and pits can also be problematic. Fruit skins or pulp should be disposed of in the compost or garbage.
Bones and Shells
Shellfish, like crabs, lobsters, oysters, and even shrimp, have a stiff exoskeleton that can damage pipes and be harsh on disposal blades. Large bones, like ribs, shouldn’t be put in a garbage disposal since they could shatter the blades. Small bones are still up for debate. While some experts advise against this, others claim the equipment is strong enough to handle it. Throw them into the trash instead to prevent any mishaps.
Non-Food Items
It should go without stating that non-food items like paper towels, napkins, foil, wrappers, and cellophane belong in your trash rather than in your garbage disposal. Still, glass breaks in the sink occasionally, or metal silverware falls in by accident. These items may cause clogs or cause the blades at your disposal to break or bend when you turn them on. Additionally, there is a chance that broken glass or glass shards will fly out from disposal. Ensure the disposal has been turned off before attempting to collect non-food items, and then remove them using tongs or pliers. To ensure no more harm is done, hire a plumber or an West Palm Beach appliance repair expert, depending on the location or extent of the damage.
Medicine
It would be best if you did not dispose of medicine in your garbage disposal because everything that your disposal grinds ends up in the water supply. Ensure you properly dispose of your medication to prevent contaminating the water supply. If you’re given disposal instructions, read the label to ensure you follow them. Contact them to determine if a nearby pharmacy or health facility accepts returned or expired medications. If you must dispose of them, place them in an inflatable plastic bag and combine them with coffee grounds or animal waste to render them unusable.
What Can You Put In A Garbage Disposal?
Even though there are many things you should never put in a garbage disposal, some foods, such as soft vegetables, fruits, and non-hardening liquids, can be safely put in one without harming it or creating clogs. That is especially true if the disposal is appropriately cleaned.
How to Maintain Garbage Disposal Properly?
You should clean out the garbage disposal once a week to keep it sanitary and in good working order. By including garbage disposal cleaning in your weekly kitchen cleaning routine, you may reduce the possibility of blockages and maintain the components’ good condition, extending their lifespan and reducing the need for replacements.
Summary
Thus, the list of things that could harm your garbage disposal could appear extensive. However, there is excellent news! Most food particles can be disposed of by garbage disposal.
Steer clear of expensive replacements or major plumbing overhauls. Keep your drain for sauces and tiny bits of food that are left over. And always remember to discard anything when in doubt!
AAA Appliance Repair West Palm Beach is merely a call away if problems occur. We have a solid track record as the most excellent appliance repair company in West Palm Beach. For more information and questions, call us at (561) 689-8885.
