A garbage disposal can make cleaning up after meals a lot easier by grinding up and washing away small bits of leftover food. However, the garbage disposal can’t handle everything. There are some items that should never go down the drain into your garbage disposal. Putting the wrong things down the disposal can lead to clogs, damage, and costly repairs.
Page Contents
- 1 Why You Should Avoid Putting Certain Items Down the Garbage Disposal
- 2 Items You Should Never Put Down the Garbage Disposal
- 2.1 1. Egg shells
- 2.2 2. Coffee grounds and tea bags
- 2.3 3. Rice and pasta
- 2.4 4. Potato peels
- 2.5 5. Corn husks
- 2.6 6. Grease and fat trimmings
- 2.7 7. Fruit pits and seeds
- 2.8 8. Bones
- 2.9 9. Fibrous veggies
- 2.10 10. Expandable foods
- 2.11 11. Stringy foods
- 2.12 12. Starchy foods
- 2.13 13. Canned foods
- 2.14 14. Frozen foods
- 2.15 15. Spices
- 2.16 16. Glass
- 2.17 17. Metals
- 2.18 18. Plastic
- 2.19 19. Rubber
- 2.20 20. Paper
- 3 Best Practices for Garbage Disposal Use
- 4 Conclusion
Why You Should Avoid Putting Certain Items Down the Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals are designed to grind up and wash away soft, small food scraps. Hard, dense items can jam the internal components, stopping the motor and blades. Non-food items like glass, plastic, and metal can also cause issues.
Clogs from dense or non-food items can lead to the motor overheating and malfunctioning. Trying to force a jammed disposal to start can burn out the motor. Continuing to use a disposal with a foreign object stuck inside can damage the internal shredder ring, blades, or other parts over time.
A damaged or broken garbage disposal is a hassle and can be expensive to repair or replace. Avoiding harmful items in the first place is the best way to extend the life of your unit and prevent problems.
Items You Should Never Put Down the Garbage Disposal
Here are some common items that should always go in the trash or recycling bin instead of the garbage disposal:
1. Egg shells
Egg shells are very durable and can stick to the inside lining of the disposal. Over time, accumulated shells can degrade performance and lead to clogs.
2. Coffee grounds and tea bags
Coffee grounds and used tea bags are too fibrous and dense to break down completely in the disposal. They can accumulate and cause clogging issues.
3. Rice and pasta
Uncooked rice and pasta swell up with water. They can quickly turn into a thick paste that sticks to the interior and leads to blockages.
4. Potato peels
Potatoes peels can get stringy and twine together inside the garbage disposal. Over time, this can cause slow drains or clogs.
5. Corn husks
The tough exterior of corn husks does not grind easily, even in a garbage disposal. Husks can tangle with other debris and create clogs.
6. Grease and fat trimmings
Pouring grease, fat trimmings, or oil down the drain can lead to buildup in pipes. As it cools, grease congeals and sticks to pipe interiors.
7. Fruit pits and seeds
Fruit pits and seeds from cherries, olives, avocados, and other produce are very hard. They can jam inside the disposal and damage blades.
8. Bones
Bones do not grind down well in disposals, even small fish bones. They can accumulate and lead to obstructions.
9. Fibrous veggies
Fibrous vegetables like celery, asparagus, corn husks, artichokes, onion skins, and Brussels sprouts resist breakdown in the disposal.
10. Expandable foods
Dry rice, pasta, oats, and other grains expand in water. Allowing them to swell in the disposal often leads to clogs.
11. Stringy foods
The stringy nature of celery, lettuce greens, cabbage, and other produce can wrap around blades and shaft.
12. Starchy foods
Foods like potatoes and corn can get gummy and stick inside the garbage disposal unit.
13. Canned foods
Canned foods are very dense and can damage garbage disposal blades and hardware.
14. Frozen foods
Frozen foods like ice cream can be hard on garbage disposal blades. Thawing first is recommended.
15. Spices
Whole spices like cinnamon sticks and cloves can collect inside the disposal and cause damage over time.
16. Glass
Glass should never be put down the disposal. It can shatter and jam the internal parts or injure blades.
17. Metals
Silverware, tabs from aluminum cans, staples, and other metals can blunt or damage disposal blades.
18. Plastic
Plastic of any kind should stay out of the disposal, where it can jam moving parts and pipes.
19. Rubber
Rubber bands, seals from milk jugs, balloons, and condoms can get tangled in the disposal blades.
20. Paper
Paper towels, tissues, and other paper items are fibrous and can wrap around disposal blades.
Best Practices for Garbage Disposal Use
Here are some tips to safely and effectively use your garbage disposal:
- Run plenty of cold water before, during, and after using the disposal to help flush away particles.
- Cut or break larger scraps into smaller pieces before putting them in the disposal.
- Grind citrus peels sparingly, as the oils can deteriorate seals over time.
- Compost vegetable scraps when possible instead of using the disposal.
- Run the disposal for 30-60 seconds after adding waste to thoroughly grind and drain.
- Routinely flush the disposal with baking soda and vinegar to clean the interior.
- Avoid chemical drain cleaners, as they can damage pipes and seals.
Conclusion
Garbage disposals are handy appliances, but they’re not designed to handle everything. Avoid putting dense or non-food items down the drain to prevent damage, clogs, and costly repairs. Stick to soft, small food scraps and run plenty of water when using your disposal. With proper care and maintenance, your garbage disposal can provide years of food waste grinding convenience.