Garbage disposals are one of those kitchen conveniences we tend to take for granted. Toss some leftovers down the sink, flip a switch, and watch them disappear. Easy, right? Well, not exactly. Here’s a little advice from the team at AK Sewer & Drain that might surprise you: The best way to use your garbage disposal is to act like you don’t have one.
We know that sounds ridiculous. Why have a garbage disposal if you’re not supposed to use it? The truth is, garbage disposals are great for handling small food scraps that accidentally make their way into the sink. But treating your disposal like a second trash can is a good way to end up with clogged drains, plumbing problems, and an unexpected service call.
Let’s break down what your garbage disposal should and shouldn’t be doing…
Your Garbage Disposal Is Not a Trash Can
Despite the name, a garbage disposal isn’t designed to handle all your kitchen garbage. Its primary job is to grind up small food particles so they can pass through your plumbing system. The important thing to remember is that just because your disposal can grind something doesn’t mean it belongs in your drain.
Those ground-up food particles still have to travel through your pipes, and certain foods can accumulate over time, creating blockages and recurring drain problems. This is especially important for homes with older plumbing or drain lines that may already have buildup.
Our recommendation is simple: scrape your plates into the trash or compost before rinsing them in the sink. Let your disposal handle the little bits left behind, not an entire meal’s worth of leftovers.
What Should Never Go Down Your Garbage Disposal?
Some things might seem harmless, but they can cause serious problems for your disposal or the drain line connected to it. Even if the disposal manages to grind them up, that doesn’t guarantee they’ll make it through your plumbing without causing trouble.
What Can Cause Clogged Drains?
- Grease, fats, and cooking oils: These can cool, solidify, and collect inside your pipes, trapping other debris.
- Potato peels, pasta, and rice: Starchy foods can create a thick, sticky mess that contributes to drain clogs. Peeling five pounds of potatoes? Definitely use the trash or compost.
- Celery, corn husks, and other fibrous foods: Stringy materials can wrap around internal components or contribute to blockages.
- Eggshells: Despite what you may have heard, eggshells aren’t a disposal-cleaning trick. The ground-up shells can contribute to sediment buildup in drain lines.
- Coffee grounds: They might seem small enough to wash away, but they can collect in pipes and contribute to clogs.
- Bones, fruit pits, and hard objects: These can jam or damage the disposal.
- Large amounts of leftovers: Cleaning out the refrigerator? Your garbage disposal isn’t the place for last week’s dinner.
- Non-food items: Plastic wrappers, paper towels, utensils, and yes, even popsicle sticks have absolutely no business going down there – we’re speaking from experience…
Some of these may be surprising, but you’d be even more surprised by what causes issues in kitchen drains!
How to Use Your Garbage Disposal the Right Way
When you do need to use your disposal, a few simple habits can make a big difference.
- Start with cold water. Turn on the cold water before switching on the disposal.
- Feed small amounts gradually. Don’t overload the unit or force food into it.
- Keep the water running. Flowing water helps carry ground-up scraps through the drain line.
- Let the disposal finish. Allow it to run until the grinding sound returns to normal.
- Flush the drain. Keep the water running briefly after switching off the disposal to help clear remaining particles.
It’s worth mentioning that while we’re all for conserving water when possible, a garbage disposal is one place where running water is necessary. Without adequate water flow, ground-up food can collect in the drain instead of washing away. And if something isn’t grinding properly, don’t keep feeding it more food or trying to force it through. That’s usually how a small problem turns into a bigger one.
What About Garbage Disposal Maintenance?
Keeping your garbage disposal in good shape doesn’t require complicated cleaning tricks or harsh chemicals. In fact, the most important maintenance is simply using it correctly. Avoid overloading the unit, keep grease and problematic foods out of the drain, and always run water when operating the disposal.
Know When to Call for Help
If your disposal starts smelling even after cleaning, draining slowly, making unusual noises, or backing up into the sink, there may be buildup or a blockage somewhere in the system. A few important safety reminders:
- Never stick your hand inside the disposal, even when it’s turned off.
- Don’t use chemical drain cleaners to try to clear a disposal clog.
- If the unit is jammed or making unusual noises, turn it off.
- Never force objects through the disposal or repeatedly run a jammed unit.
If something isn’t working correctly, your safest option is to call a drain company, like us, rather than trying to force a fix.
Buying a Home? Don’t Overlook the Garbage Disposal!
Here’s something that doesn’t get talked about enough: Garbage disposal drain problems can easily go unnoticed during a home inspection. During a home inspection, it’s worth asking about more than whether the disposal runs. A few things to pay attention to include:
- Does the sink drain properly when water is running?
- Is there any gurgling, slow drainage, or water backing up?
- Are there signs of leaks beneath the sink?
- Has the homeowner experienced recurring kitchen drain clogs?
A working garbage disposal doesn’t always mean a healthy drain line. And discovering that after moving in isn’t exactly a great housewarming gift.
When in Doubt, Keep It Out!
At AK Sewer & Drain, we’ve seen firsthand how everyday kitchen habits can turn into bigger plumbing problems. Fortunately, many garbage disposal clogs are preventable with a little common sense and a few better habits. Use your trash can or compost for food waste, let your disposal handle the occasional small scraps, and don’t ignore signs of a slow or clogged kitchen drain.
If your garbage disposal or kitchen sink isn’t draining and you’re wondering why your drains keep clogging. Call AK Sewer & Drain! Our team can help identify the problem and get your drains flowing again.