what can you throw in a garbage disposal

4 Foods You Can Throw in the Garbage Disposal

1. Fruit and Vegetable Scraps. While there are definitely some exceptions (see the fibrous foods and potato peels above), it’s generally safe to dispose of fruits and veggies through your ...
2. Citrus Rinds. The rinds from citrus fruits, such as lemons and oranges, are safe and easy on your garbage disposal.
3. Cooked Meats. ...
4. Ice. ...

Full Answer

What can you put in a garbage disposal?

What can you put in a garbage disposal unit? Most soft, liquid, and biodegradable foods are safe to put in your garburator. You can put citrus rinds, vegetable scraps, fruits, and cooked meat scraps. We advise you to chop large food items so as not to strain the unit.

Can you put food in a garbage disposal?

Most soft or liquid foods are safe to put in your garbage disposal. If you can feed it to your baby, you can put it down your garbage disposal without too many problems. Many solid foods, such as vegetables or fruits, can also go into your garbage disposal, but you should chop them up first so as not to strain the unit.

What can you throw in the trash?

Toss it in the trash. “Large quantities of starchy foods like rice, pasta, and potatoes break down into a mush that can clog your drain and also gum up your disposal,” says Paul Abrams, the public relations director for Roto-Rooter. Fibrous vegetables and peels.

What not to put in a garbage disposal?

The shells of seafood and other crustaceans are also things not to put in a garbage disposal. The little bits can dull the blades and clog the machinery, causing the food disposal to malfunction. You should also avoid eggshells, nuts, vegetable peels, fruit cores and pits, and corn husks and cobs. Grease, oil, or cooking fat.

What should you not throw in a garbage disposal?

Coffee Grounds. Don't let coffee grounds fool you. ... Pasta, Rice, and Bread. What do these three things have in common? ... Animal Bones. Although it can be hard to accept, the garbage disposal is not indestructible. ... Nuts and Shells. ... Pits and Seeds. ... Onion Layers. ... Egg Shells. ... Fibrous or Stringy Fruits and Vegetables.More items...•

What kind of things can you put in a garbage disposal?

These items are OK to put in:Ice Cubes. Occasionally throw a few ice cubes down the drain. ... Liquids and Soft Foods. Pretty self-explanatory. ... Citrus Rinds. Citrus rinds are something on the list of what can be put in the garbage disposal that benefits the equipment! ... Dish Soap. ... Cold Water. ... Bones. ... Celery. ... Egg Shells.More items...

Can bananas go in garbage disposal?

It's fine to put citrus, apple, or banana peels into the garbage disposal, but be sure to remove any produce stickers before you do.

Can rice go in garbage disposal?

Pasta Or Rice As such, it only makes sense to avoid sticking water-absorbent food down a wet garbage disposal, which could easily lead to a clogged drain. It's best to toss noodles or rice in the trash, but if a stray noodle or rice grain slides down the disposal, that's fine.

Can you put pasta in the garbage disposal?

Rice and pasta Putting cooked pasta and rice down your garbage disposal can turn into a nasty problem. The garbage disposal mashes the rice and pasta and creates a thick paste that can cause your disposal to stop working or clog the drain, which prevents water from going through your disposal.

Can you put meat in a garbage disposal?

Do not put meat, skin from meat, fat or bones down the disposal. Don't put rice, pasta, oatmeal or grits down the disposal; they'll clog up your pipes. Eggshells are a surprising no-no. They will also stick to the inside of your disposal.

Is it okay to put food down the garbage disposal?

Things to Never Put Down a Garbage Disposal & Maintenance Tips. The most important rule of thumb is to avoid putting anything in the garbage disposal that is not biodegradable food. A garbage disposal is not a trash can, it's for food scraps only. Non food items can damage both blades and the motor.

Can you put salad down the garbage disposal?

Stringy, Fibrous Foods Never put veggies like celery, onion peels, lettuce, corn husks, asparagus etc. down your garbage disposal. These items can get wrapped around the blades and could break the disposal.

What to do if you have questions about garbage disposal?

For any questions that you might have about your garbage disposal or your plumbing in general, you should call us to set up a free consultation. We can address your concerns, and help you out with any specific plumbing or garbage disposal issues that you may currently be having.

What to do if your garbage disposal gets clogged?

If your garbage disposal becomes clogged, keep your hands out of the disposal at all costs. The blades could come unstuck and cause horrible injuries. If the disposal is stuck, make use of a wooden spoon handle instead. This will let you shift debris loose without putting yourself at danger.

What happens if you grind metal in a garbage disposal?

If the garbage disposal ends up grinding a piece of metal, it will likely damage the blades and can even burn out the motor.

What to do if you have a bad smell in your drain?

Their acidic nature will kill bacteria and dissolve stuck-on grease. It may be a good idea to chop up a lemon and send lemon chunks and vinegar down the drain if you’ve been dealing with a persistent odor recently.

What foods can cause a clogged drain?

You should also stay away from starches. Pasta, potato peels, rice, and other starchy foods can leave a residue which can cause clogs.

Can you put food in a garbage disposal?

You can put almost all foods in your garbage disposal. It is designed to turn chunks of meat, vegetables, and some grains into a fine slurry that will drain down your plumbing. If used properly, your garbage disposal can greatly reduce the risk of a clog. The primary thing to remember is that garbage disposals are for food waste.

Can a plumber take a garbage disposal apart?

Instead, you should get a professional plumber to come in and take a look at your garbage disposal. They’ll be able to take it apart safely and remove the blockage.

What is the best way to clean a garbage disposal?

Orange and citrus are great for your garbage disposal because they leave it smelling fresh and clean. The rinds of oranges and citrus are easy to grind and drain through the system. So, next time you have some lemon in the house, make sure you shred them down the disposal.

How Does a Garbage Disposal Work?

Before we dive into the type of garbage you should throw in the garbage disposal, it is important to understand how this kitchen tool works.

Can you dispose of coffee grounds after brewing?

We all love coffee, but where do you dispose of the coffee ground after you’re done brewing? Well, you can put coffee grounds at your disposal with no harm. However, a caveat is crucial here.

Can you put vegetable scraps in a garbage disposal?

Like fruits, most vegetable scraps can go through the garbage disposal without the challenge or risk of damaging your garbage disposal grinding teeth or clogging your drainage system. However, this does not mean that you should just let anything go through.

Can you put fruit in a garbage disposal?

Most fruits can go into the garbage disposal without causing any clog or damage. Some of the fruit scraps you can put in the garbage disposal include the grapes, apples, oranges, and berries. What makes these fruits scraps suitable is because they are easy to grind into small pieces, and they are not super fibrous.

Can a garbage disposal grind bones?

Most disposals can handle small bones without causing any problems to the unit. The jury is still out there on how small the bones should be, but according to most people, garbage disposals are capable of grinding small bones without any challenge.

Why is throwing eggshells in garbage disposals wrong?

Throwing eggshells in garbage disposal unit is wrong for two reasons. First, eggshells have an inner and elastic membrane. And some plumbers claim that this inner membrane sticks to grinders. When the elastic inner membrane sticks to the grinding mechanism, they reduce the effectiveness of the garburator to pulverize food waste.

How to dispose of grease and fat?

The best way to dispose of fats and grease is by letting it cool and put it in a sealable container. Then, you freeze it and put it in the garbage can.

How to avoid loading garbage grinder?

One of the best ways to avoid loading your garbage grinder is to create a compost pile with food waste. You can use fruit scraps, fibrous veggies, grains, bread, pasta, rice, coffee grounds, and eggshells. Composting is a great alternative to avoid putting the wrong food waste into your garburator. In case your garbage disposal starts ...

Why won't my garburator work?

The peelings can wrap around the discs and make them stuck. As a result, the garburator won’t work as it should.

What to do if you pour grease down the sink?

Subsequently, it can easily clog the drain pipes when it hardens. The best way to dispose of fats and grease is by letting it cool and put it in a sealable container.

Why do you pour cold water in a waste disposal?

When running the waste disposal unit, make sure to pour cold water because hot water can overheat it.

Can you put potato peels in the trash?

Instead of using the garburator, put potato peels directly into the trash can or onto paper towels before discarding them into your compost bin. You should do the same with other starchy vegetables and beans.

Why put metal spoons down disposals?

In our lab, CR engineers put metal spoons down disposals to assess durability. No grinders were damaged in this test—but the spoons didn't fare so well.

Can fats go in the disposal?

Fats, oils, and grease. All our experts agreed that fats, oils, and grease (what the industry refers to as FOGs) should never go into your disposal—or any drain for that matter.

Can garbage disposals grind?

For the most part, garbage disposals can grind pretty much anything you throw at 'em. Your plumbing, however, is another story. Turns out, that bacon grease you poured down the drain awhile back could be the beginning of a clog down the road.

What can you put in the Garbage Disposal?

There are many myths about is and isn’t safe for a garbage disposal, the truth is modern models can handle just about any food item.

Can you throw bones in the trash?

Bones and fibrous foods require considerable grinding time and are often more easily thrown in the trash. Using the trash will also help prolong the life of your disposal.

Can you use Drano in garbage disposals?

Drano. Maybe. Most garbage disposal manufacturers tell you not to use caustic drain cleaners in their appliances. Drano and other chemical drain cleaners have a variety of products, only some of which are garbage disposals safe. Harsh chemicals can cause corrosion in your garbage disposal, so they should be avoided.

Can garbage disposals destroy food?

Garbage disposals are capable of destroying mot food items, especially high power models. If you follow a few rules, you should have no issues:

Can you grind corn cob in garbage disposal?

Also, the strings and fibers in corn husks can sometime get entangled in the disposals gears. So it’s a good idea to avoid putting corn husks and cobs in the garbage disposal.

Can egg shells clog drains?

No. Big egg shells turn into little egg shells, and they can clog drains over time. You can get away with it occasionally, but don’t make it the norm. They won’t hurt the disposal itself, it’s only an issues for your plumbing.

Can avocado pits be put in the garbage?

Yes, avocado pits and most other fruit pits can be put in garbage disposals. Note, large hard pits are going to bounce around and make a lot of noise. It’s often easier to dispose of these in the trash can.

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How to stop a garbage disposal from clogging?

The following things will either clog up your pipes, get stuck on the edges and inside of your disposal or blades, or will jam up your disposal: 1 Do not pour any grease of any sort down your drain. Wipe out the pan with paper towels or pour the grease into a can and dispose of it in the trash. Chasing grease with dish detergent is not enough to keep it from gunking up your pipes and garbage disposal. Not to mention the fact that rancid grease will start to smell bad if it lines your pipes. Not fun. 2 Avoid letting vegetable peelings or fruit peels down your garbage disposal. Carrot, sweet potato, russet potato, cucumber, etc., etc. They will jam up your disposal and get stuck on the sides of your disposal or your pipes. There was a trend for a while of putting lemon or lime peels down the disposal to freshen your kitchen with that citrus smell, but actually, those will also get stuck in the disposal, so don't do it. 3 Do not put meat, skin from meat, fat or bones down the disposal. 4 Don't put rice, pasta, oatmeal or grits down the disposal; they'll clog up your pipes. 5 Eggshells are a surprising no-no. They will also stick to the inside of your disposal.

What is the phone number for a garbage disposal?

Give us a call at 704-269-1066 or use our online contact form. We're open 24/7, 365 days a years, and we never charge extra for weekends, evenings or holidays. We are open on Thanksgiving and other holidays that often result in garbage disposal problems, and we are always happy to help you with your plumbing issues.

Why is my garbage disposal not turning on?

In many cases, the switch that controls the electricity to your garbage disposal is located next to the switch the controls the electric ity to your dishwasher or a kitchen light. It's easy to accidentally turn it off and not realize you simply need to flip a switch.

How to get rid of rancid grease smell?

Wipe out the pan with paper towels or pour the grease into a can and dispose of it in the trash. Chasing grease with dish detergent is not enough to keep it from gunking up your pipes and garbage disposal. Not to mention the fact that rancid grease will start to smell bad if it lines your pipes. Not fun.

How to sharpen a garbage disposal blade?

Ice cubes and cold water. Sharpens the blades! Just be sure to continuously run the cold water as you run the garbage disposal.

Can you put food scraps down the drain?

You can safely put down small amounts of food scraps (assuming you run water and the disposal while putting them down the drain), but it' s best to use the disposal only for things that accidentally fall into the drain.

Can you put meat down the disposal?

Do not put meat, skin from meat, fat or bones down the disposal.

What are the things that can be left behind in a garbage disposal?

Grease, fats and oils will likely leave behind bits that will accumulate and end up interfering with the garbage disposal’s mechanisms. Nuts and shells: Anything that’s too hard to break down will cause problems, and nuts are often too hard for a garbage disposal to break down. In attempting to break them down, the disposal risks damage, ...

How to make sure garbage disposal doesn't get blocked?

Cut up large foods: A good way to ensure your garbage disposal doesn’t get clogged or blocked is to make sure the waste you put into it is in small pieces. While the mechanisms of a garbage disposal are great at breaking down foods, it’s not designed to break down giant chunks of food, so it’s best to tear or cut up larger pieces ...

Why is garbage disposal important?

One of the most useful advancements in technology is the garbage disposal, which allows us to get rid of waste quickly, easily and without the need to lug bags of garbage to the curb every week. But the purpose of the garbage disposal isn’t to replace the waste bin or the recycling bin, and it’s easy to ignore or overlook garbage disposal ...

How to clear a clogged garbage disposal?

Check for clogs and remove blockages: If you suspect you have a garbage disposal clog, there are ways you can empty it to clear up the obstruction. Simply turn off the garbage disposal and reach in with pliers or kitchen tongs — never your hands alone — and pull out the obstruction.

What happens if you run a garbage disposal with cold water?

If you’ve been using cold water while running your garbage disposal and have avoided putting anything down that shouldn’t be going down a garbage disposal, the grinders may have gotten dull or broken and need replacing.

How long does a garbage disposal last?

Ideally, a well-cared-for garbage disposal should last more than a couple of years, but the better care it gets, the longer it’s likely to last.

How to get a clogged toilet out of a clogged toilet?

Use a plunger: If it’s an especially difficult clog that’s too far down to reach with tongs or pliers, try using a toilet plunger to loosen the obstruction After that you can either pull it out or let it pass down.