How to Take Good Care of Your Garbage Disposal
A properly functioning garbage disposal is a household convenience often taken for granted—until it stops working. This hardworking kitchen companion helps keep sinks clean and kitchens odor-free, but without proper care, it can quickly become a source of frustration, unpleasant smells, and costly repairs. Whether dealing with mysterious grinding noises, slow draining, or wanting to prevent future issues, understanding how to maintain a garbage disposal is essential. Here are some practical, easy-to-follow tips to extend the disposal’s life, save money on repairs, and keep the kitchen running efficiently.
Be Careful What Goes Down the Disposal
A garbage disposal is designed to handle light food scraps, but many items can damage the unit or cause serious clogs. Never put fibrous materials like celery stalks, corn husks, or onion skins down the disposal, as they can wrap around the blades and jam the motor. Avoid disposing of coffee grounds, eggshells, and pasta, which can create a thick, paste-like substance that clogs drains. Starchy foods such as potato peels, rice, and beans should also be kept out of the disposal, as they expand with water and form a dense mass. Additionally, never put non-food items, grease, oil, or hard materials like bones or fruit pits through the disposal.
Safe items to put down the garbage disposal include small bits of soft food scraps, citrus peels (which help clean and deodorize the unit), small amounts of vegetable scraps cut into smaller pieces, and minimal food particles from dirty dishes. Always run cold water while operating the disposal and for about 15-20 seconds after grinding is complete to help flush food particles through the drain lines. When in doubt about whether something can go down the disposal, it’s better to dispose of it in the trash instead.
Use Cold Water and Ice
Cold water is essential for garbage disposal maintenance. It solidifies grease and oil for proper disposal, prevents food from sticking, and ensures efficient grinding. Run cold water for 15 seconds before, during, and 30 seconds after operating the disposal. Grinding ice cubes occasionally acts as a natural cleaning method, scrubbing away food particles and sharpening the blades.
For optimal results, run cold water and ice cubes through the disposal for 30 seconds. The ice scours and cleans the grinding chamber, while the cold water solidifies and flushes away grease. Repeat monthly or more frequently for heavy use. Always use cold water, as hot water can liquefy grease and cause blockages.
Avoid Putting Too Much Down the Disposal at Once
When using a garbage disposal, it's important to be mindful of both the quantity and size of food waste. Overloading the disposal with too much food waste can strain the motor and cause jams or clogs in the plumbing system. The disposal works most efficiently when processing smaller amounts of food gradually, allowing each portion to be thoroughly ground before adding more.
For optimal performance, break down larger food scraps into smaller, more manageable pieces before feeding them into the disposal. A good rule of thumb is to keep food pieces no larger than 1 inch in size and add them slowly while running cold water. This approach allows the disposal’s grinding mechanism to effectively break down the waste without overwhelming the system. It’s better to feed the disposal in “bites” rather than trying to process everything at once, which will help maintain the unit’s efficiency and extend its lifespan.
For best results, drop a handful of ice cubes into the disposal while running cold water and activate the unit for about 30 seconds. The ice will create a scouring action as it’s crushed, helping to clean the grinding chamber and blades without causing damage to the mechanism. This process can be repeated monthly as part of regular maintenance or more frequently for heavy use. Always use cold water, as hot water can liquefy grease and cause it to redeposit further down in the plumbing system.
About Allore's Plumbing Services LLC
Allore's Plumbing Services LLC is a veteran-owned and operated company serving since 1986. They offer emergency plumbing, highly trained technicians, and guaranteed satisfaction. Call them for garbage disposal services in Stuart, FL.
