Garbage Disposal FAQ’s

While garbage disposals can be handy, they are one of the most incorrectly used fixtures in a unit. They are not designed to scrape an entire plate into, or clean out left overs from the fridge. Take a look at this short guide of how and what to use in your garbage disposal.

 

• Before you start: Turn on a steady stream of cold water and run it for a few seconds.
• Grind food: Turn on the disposal, then slowly add food scraps into the unit.
• After grinding: Once the grinding noise stops, turn off the motor, but let the cold water run for another 15-30 seconds to flush the drain pipe completely.
• Run it regularly: Use the disposal several times a week, even with just ice cubes, to keep parts clean and lubricated, and to help keep blades sharp.

• Soft food scraps like fruit peels, vegetable scraps, and small amounts of leftovers.
• Small amounts of cooked meat and fish, cheese, or bread.
• Small, hard items like eggshells and small fruit pits, which help scour the inside of the disposal.
• Ice cubes, which can be used for cleaning and maintaining the blades.

What to avoid:

• Fats, oils, and grease: These will build up and clog pipes.
• Fibrous foods: Things like celery, corn husks, and asparagus can wrap around the blades and cause jams.
• Starchy foods: Pasta and rice can expand in water and clog the drain.
• Hard materials: Avoid large bones, large fruit pits, and nuts, as these can damage the grinding mechanism.
• Non-food items: Never put glass, plastic, metal, paper, or harsh chemicals like drain cleaner down the disposal.