Garbage Disposal SOS: Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
Everything You Need to Know About Garbage Disposals: From Installation to Repair
Did you know that nearly 50% of American homes have a garbage disposal? That’s right, this humble kitchen appliance has become a staple in millions of households across the country. But here’s the kicker – many of us are using them all wrong!
I’ll never forget the day I learned this lesson the hard way.
Picture this: I have the neighborhood over at my new house, for a barbeque. Everything’s going great until I hear a sickening grinding noise from the kitchen sink. Yep, you guessed it – I’d jammed my brand-new garbage disposal with potato peels and celery stalks.
… obviously not the best news.
That annoying incident led me down a rabbit hole of garbage disposal dos and don’ts. And let me tell you, there’s a lot more to these complicated machines than one would expect. Whether you have just recently changed from the sink strainers to a garbage disposal or a long-time user, understanding how to properly use and maintain your disposal is crucial for keeping your kitchen running smoothly and avoiding costly plumbing disasters.
Now that I am a plumber I want to tell you everything about garbage disposal care: NO Gatekeeping.
I’ll share all the tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years – from what you should (and shouldn’t!) put down your disposal to proper cleaning techniques and troubleshooting common issues. By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped and ready to tackle any kitchen cleanup with confidence.
Understanding Your Garbage Disposal
Alright, let’s talk about one of the most valuable tools of your kitchen – the garbage disposal. Now, I’ll be honest, before I was a plumber, I thought this thing was some kind of magic blender that could handle anything I threw at it. Boy, was I wrong!
So, how do these contraptions actually work?
Well, contrary to popular belief, garbage disposals don’t have blades.
I know, mind-blown, right?
Instead, they use something called impellers – these are blunt metal lugs mounted on a spinning plate. When you turn on the disposal, these impellers spin really fast, flinging food particles against a stationary (non-moving) grind ring. This ring breaks down the food into tiny pieces that can safely flow through your plumbing.
Pretty cool, right?
Now, not all garbage disposals are created equal.
There are two main types: continuous feed and batch feed.
Continuous feed disposals are the most common – these are the ones you can keep running as you add food scraps.
Batch feed disposals, on the other hand, require you to fill the chamber and then activate it with a special cover. They’re a bit safer but less convenient.
I learned about the difference the hard way when I house-sat for my cousin. I kept trying to run her batch feed disposal like my continuous feed one at home. That led to a very clog situation and an angry cousin…
What’s important: understanding how your garbage disposal works and what type you have is crucial for proper usage. It’s like knowing whether you’ve got a gas or electric stove – sure, they both cook food, but you’d use them differently, right?
Proper usage and maintenance are key to keeping your disposal happy and healthy. Treat it right, and it’ll be your kitchen’s best friend for years to come.
Abuse it, and well… let’s just say you might find yourself on a first-name basis with your local plumber.
In my early days of homeownership, I treated my disposal like a bottomless pit. Coffee grounds, eggshells, banana peels – you name it, I tried to grind it. The result? A clogged sink, a hefty plumber’s bill, and a valuable lesson learned. Trust me, a little knowledge goes a long way in avoiding those kinds of headaches!
So, now that we’ve got the basics down, let’s dive into the dos and don’ts of garbage disposal use; Some of these might surprise you!
The Do's of Garbage Disposal Use
Alright, think of these as the golden rules – follow them, and your disposal will work great. Ignore them, and you might be giving me or some other plumber a call.
1. Always run cold water before, during, and after use.
I know, I know – it seems counterintuitive.
Wouldn’t hot water work better?
That’s what I thought too, until a plumber friend set me straight.
See, cold water helps solidify any grease or oils so they can be chopped up and washed away. Hot water, on the other hand, can melt fats and cause them to redeposit in your pipes. Trust me, this is a nasty clog!
2. (Food) Size Matters! The key is to cut large items into smaller pieces.
Think bite-sized or smaller. Your disposal might seem tough, but it’s not a wood chipper.
**Here’s a tip that might surprise you: use your disposal regularly. I used to think that using it less would make it last longer.
Wrong! Regular use actually helps prevent rust and corrosion. Plus, it helps prevent food debris from drying out and causing odors. So go ahead, give your disposal a little workout every day!
3. Keep It Clean!
A smelly disposal is nobody’s friend. I’ve found that running a mixture of ice cubes and rock salt through the disposal once a month works wonders. The ice helps clean the blades (or impellers, as we now know), while the salt scrubs away any buildup. Plus, it’s way cheaper than disposal cleaning products!
**Bonus Tip
Grind up some citrus peels (lemon, lime, or orange) in your disposal. Not only does it help clean, but it leaves your kitchen smelling fresh. Just don’t go overboard – a little goes a long way.
Remember, a well-maintained garbage disposal is a happy garbage disposal. And a happy disposal means fewer headaches (and plumber visits) for you. So do well by your disposal, and it’ll return the favor by keeping your kitchen running smoothly.
The Don'ts of Garbage Disposal Use
Consider this your “what not to do” guide, learned and mastered through working on hundreds of garbage disposals.
1.) Fibrous or Starchy Foods.
I’m talking about things like celery, corn husks, potato peels, and artichokes. The fibers of these foods can wrap around the disposal’s moving parts and create a big mess. As for starchy foods, they can turn into a thick paste that clogs your pipes. It’s like trying to wash mashed potatoes down the drain…not a good idea.
2.) Grease and Oils.
I know it’s tempting to pour that leftover bacon grease down the sink, but resist the urge!
Grease might go down as a liquid, but it solidifies as it cools, which coats your pipes and leads to nasty clogs.
Remember how we talked about using cold water earlier? Well, here’s the flip side: avoid using hot water while grinding. Hot water can melt fats and grease, causing them to redeposit further down your pipes. Stick with cold water – your pipes will run much clearer.
3.) Don't Overload Your Disposal.
It might seem tough, but it’s not a bottomless pit. I used to think of my disposal as a magic food-disappearing machine. Spoiler alert: it’s not. Overloading can jam the disposal, burn out the motor, or worse.
Oh, and here’s a bonus don’t that might surprise you:
Avoid putting coffee grounds down your disposal.
Remember, your garbage disposal is a handy kitchen tool, not a trash can.
And when in doubt? Throw it out! (in the actual trash).
Now that we’ve covered the dos and don’ts, let’s talk cleaning and maintenance.
Trust me, these tips will make your life so much easier – and your kitchen a whole lot fresher!
Proper Cleaning and Maintenance Techniques
It’s DIY time! Contrary to what you might think, it’s not as scary as it sounds. In fact, with these tips, you’ll be keeping your disposal in tip-top shape without breaking a sweat (or the bank).
Let’s start with cleaning.
Now, I used to think that as long as I ran water while using the disposal, it was clean. Since becoming a plumber, I learned that this was wrong.
Best Natural Way to Clean Garbage Disposal
Ice and salt…
Yep, you read that right!
Just toss a handful of ice cubes and a quarter cup of rock salt into your disposal and turn it on. The ice helps scrape off any buildup on the grind components, while the salt acts as a scouring agent.
For a fresh scent, try grinding up some citrus peels. Lemon, lime, orange – take your pick! Not only does it leave your kitchen smelling zesty, but the citric acid also helps clean and deodorize.
Just don’t go overboard – a quarter of a peel is plenty.
Now, let’s talk odors. If your disposal is starting to smell, a simple mixture of baking soda and vinegar can work wonders.
Pour about half a cup of baking soda down the disposal, followed by a cup of white vinegar. Let it fizz for a few minutes, then flush with hot water. Voila! Freshness restored.
When it comes to maintenance, consistency is key.
Run your disposal regularly, even if you’re not grinding food. This helps prevent rust and corrosion. And always, always run water while using it and for a few seconds after. Give your disposal a good rinse after a meal.
**Here’s a pro tip I wish I’d known years ago: sharpen your disposal’s grinding components by grinding up a handful of egg shells once a month.