Do you have a garbage disposal in your kitchen? If so, this post is for you! We get plenty of calls about broken or clogged garbage disposals. They can lead to a long list of expensive plumbing and drain nightmares. Follow these tips and tricks to keep your garbage disposal properly maintained and running smoothly.
GRIND HARD MATERIALS
It's safe, and helpful, to grind up waste such as: egg shells, small chicken and fish bones, small fruit pits, etc. They will clean the garbage disposal walls as they are ground up.
USE COLD WATER
When you are grinding your food waste in your garbage disposal, use cold water to solidify any grease or oil that may be in the drain. This way it will get chopped up before it reaches the trap.
AVOID GREASE, OIL AND FATS
Don't pour grease down your drain. Instead, pour it into a container already headed to the garbage or recycling, and let it sit on the counter until it solidfies. Then you can safely dispose of it in the garbage. For example, after your fry up that bacon dump the pan into an empty paper half gallon milk container. If you pour it down the drain, it will slowly accumulate and eventually it will clog your drain and damage your disposal.
DON'T GRIND FIBROUS VEGETABLES
Vegetables like celery stalks, onion skins, and corn husks contain fibers that can tangle and jam the garbage disposal motor. They can also trap waste and clog drains. Send them to the trash or the compost pile instead!
KEEP AN EYE (AND NOSE) OUT
Does your drain smell? Is it draining slowly or stopping altogether? It's possible that while you can hear your garbage disposal running, the teeth on it have worn away and it's not chopping your waste. You should always choose stainless steel blades for this reason, because they will not corrode or rust.
MUST BE BIODEGRADABLE
Garbage disposals aren't meant for trash – FOOD SCRAPS ONLY! Anything else can cause damange to the blades and motor. If you aren't sure if it can go in the disposal, then throw it in the garbage can.