Garbage disposal is one of the handiest kitchen appliances. It makes clean up in the kitchen so much easier than it ever was in the past. Fortunately, many homes now come standard with this simple appliance built into the sink drain system. If you are lucky enough to have one of these grinding machines in your kitchen, there are a few things you should know about how to keep it working in tip-top shape over the years ahead.
Understanding what you can and cannot put down the garbage disposal is the most important thing you should learn. Let’s take a closer look at the items that you should discard in the trash instead.
Coffee Grounds
Many people hate the aroma of lingering coffee grounds in their trash cans. It is tempting to dump your entire basket into the sink and flip on the garbage disposal. However, coffee grounds can pose a problem for the mechanics of your disposal. They can easily get caught in the drain trap and cause chaos in your unit.
Egg Shells
Eggshells might seem like they are certainly soft enough to go down the garbage disposal, but they can pose a problem for the blades. That special membrane on the inside of the shell can really do some damage to your unit. These could easily be composted outdoors if you wanted a quick and easy way to rid your kitchen of a few leftover eggshells.
Fibrous Foods
Avoid foods that are considered to be fibrous such as potato peels, celery, lettuce, or onion skins. When these items are ground down to a smaller state, their fibers are likely to get caught around the blades. The blades will not be able to break the food down into smaller pieces and everything will become stuck.
Fruit Pits and Apple Cores
There are some things that are simply too hard for a garbage disposal to break into smaller pieces. Fruit pits from stone fruits like peaches and plums will not be broken down in the garbage disposal. Apple cores are similarly too solid for this method of waste management.
Bones
Bones, like fruit pits, are too solid to be placed down the garbage disposal. If they do get broken down, they often splinter and create extremely sharp pieces. Every kind of bone should be discarded with your regular kitchen trash by default.
Grease
Whether you have a garbage disposal or not, grease should never go down the kitchen sink. It might slide down alright while it is hot, but it will congeal inside your pipes as it cools. This congealed mass collects other debris that filters down your sink and creates a serious clog. Grease should always be discarded into a separate container.
Taking Care of Your Garbage Disposal
Taking care of your garbage disposal is essential if you want it to last for years to come. Avoid putting these foods down the drain to preserve the strength and integrity of your unit. If you need a new garbage disposal or some help with your residential plumbing in Winnipeg, be sure to give Clean Line a call! Our experienced technicians are always ready and willing to help you with your plumbing needs.
