Garbage Disposal Tips

A garbage disposal can be a time and energy saver. However, a clogged or jammed disposal can be a headache. Here are a few tips to keep your garbage disposal running freely:

- Always use cold water when operating the disposal and run the water a few minutes before and after as well as during use. The disposal works by grinding the garbage into a “puree” and water acts as a lubricant to move the matter through the pipes. Letting the water run before use will coat the pipes. Running water during the disposal process helps liquefy the garbage and keeping the tap flowing afterwards help “wash down” those garbage tidbits. Cool water helps make fatty substances form solids, which are easier to grind.

- Run the disposal each time you put something into it.  Cheaper models, which contain few if any stainless steel components, are susceptible to corrosion from food waste left sitting inside.

- Please don’t “force feed” the disposal.  Give it tiny bites or chunks with lots of water to wash it down.

- When preparing your meals, eliminate one stress by not putting your potato peels, celery, onion and carrot skins down the disposal.  We’re often in a hurry during our prep work and stuff the disposal.

- Do not grind corn husks and avoid onion skins, which are slick and might slip through to clog plumbing.  In older homes with galvanized pipe, experts recommend avoiding rice, which could clog pipes and swell is water is absorbed. InSinkerator says fibrous foods may ground into small amounts with a full flow of water, but avoid lettuce, coffee grounds, spinach and celery.

- Never pour drain cleaner chemicals down your disposal.  They can destroy the seals on the unit and harm the cutting elements or blades.

- If you begin to notice unpleasant odors from your disposal, grind ice cubes made of vinegar and then apply a treatment of BioClean to clean your pipes of the smells.