Garbage Disposal Do’s, Don’ts and Did You Know!

If you have a garbage disposal in your kitchen, you know that it’s a great appliance that makes household duties less demanding. But if not operated or maintained properly, a garbage disposal can easily break down, block and clog the drains and cause a long list of expensive plumbing and drain nightmares. Below is a list of Do’s, Don’ts and Did You Know!

 

  • Do grind food waste w/ a strong flow of cold water. Why cold water? It will cause any grease or oils that may get into the unit to solidify, so that they can be chopped up before reaching the trap.

 

  • Do grind certain hard materials such as small chicken and fish bones, egg shells, small fruit pits, etc. A scouring action is created by these particles inside the grind chamber that cleans the garbage disposal’s walls.

 

 

  • Don’t pour grease, oil or fat into your garbage disposal or drain. Grease will slowly accumulate and impede your garbage disposal’s grinding ability as well as clog drains.

 

  • Don’t grind extremely fibrous material like corn husks, celery stalks, onion skins, and artichokes. Fibers from these can tangle and jam the garbage disposal motor and block drains

 

 

  • Did You Know that although you may hear your disposal spinning, the teeth on the grinder may have corroded away and it’s not chopping anything. You can tell this has happened if you start to experience slow drains, odors and stoppages.

 

If you’re in the market to purchase a new garbage disposal, be sure that you look to see that the blades are made of stainless steel and not galvanized materials which corrode and rust away.

 

The most important rule of thumb: Don’t Put 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. When in doubt, throw it out!

 

Contact MacGregor Plumbing & Heating for service on your current disposal or for an estimate on a new one! 231.526.9633

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