How to Take Good Care of Your Garbage Disposal
A well-functioning garbage disposal is a kitchen essential, often taken for granted—until it stops working. This reliable appliance helps manage food waste, prevents clogs, and keeps the kitchen clean and odor-free. Unfortunately, improper use and lack of maintenance can lead to costly repairs and inconvenient disruptions. Whether dealing with strange noises, bad smells, or slow draining, knowing how to care for a garbage disposal can save both time and money while preventing the need for emergency plumbing services. Follow these simple tips to ensure the disposal runs smoothly and lasts longer, keeping the kitchen a functional, hassle-free space.
Be Careful What Goes Down the Disposal
Garbage disposals are designed for light food waste, but certain items can easily cause damage. Avoid putting fibrous or stringy foods like celery, onion skins, corn husks, and banana peels down the disposal. These can wrap around the blades, causing jams. Coffee grounds, eggshells, and pasta should also be kept out, as they can create clogs or form paste-like substances in the pipes. Grease, oils, and fats are a big no-no, as they solidify in the pipes, leading to serious blockages. Bones, fruit pits, and non-food items should never be disposed of in the unit.
What can go down the disposal? Small food scraps, soft fruits and vegetables, and minimal plate scrapings are safe. Always run cold water while the disposal is in use and for about 15-20 seconds afterward to help flush food particles through the pipes. Cut larger items into smaller pieces before feeding them in, and avoid overloading the disposal by adding waste gradually. When in doubt, it’s safer to throw something in the trash rather than risk clogging the system.
Use Cold Water and Ice
To maintain a garbage disposal's efficiency and longevity, cold water should always be run while it is in use. Cold water helps solidify grease and oils, preventing them from coating the blades and pipes. This makes it easier to grind and flush them away.
Running ice cubes through the disposal regularly provides additional benefits. The ice scrubs the grinding chamber and blades, helping to remove stuck-on food particles, while the cold temperature helps preserve the disposal's components.
After turning off the disposal, cold water should be run for 15-30 seconds to flush away all waste and prevent blockages and odors caused by leftover food debris.
For optimal maintenance, a handful of ice cubes should be run through the disposal with cold water once a month. The ice’s scouring action removes food particles and debris while sharpening the grinding blades, improving efficiency.
Avoid Putting Too Much Down the Disposal at Once
Being mindful of both the quantity and size of the food waste going into the disposal is crucial. Overloading the unit with too much waste at once can strain the motor, cause clogs, and lead to long-term damage. Think of the disposal as having a limited "stomach capacity"—pushing too much waste through at once can impair its grinding ability.
For best performance, break down large food scraps into smaller pieces before putting them in the garbage disposal. Feed the pieces in gradually while running cold water, allowing each portion to be fully ground before adding more. This method ensures better-grinding efficiency and reduces the risk of clogs. As a rule of thumb, avoid putting more than one cup of food waste into the disposal at a time. Listen for any straining or slowing of the motor—if the sound changes, stop adding waste until the motor returns to normal operation.
About Charles Krull & Son, Inc. Plumbing & Heating
Charles Krull & Son, Inc. Plumbing & Heating is a family-owned heating and plumbing company serving Nassau County since 1910. They offer flat-rate pricing, expert workmanship, and clear communication. Call them for heating and plumbing services in Malverne, NY.
