Garbage disposals are like unsung heroes in our kitchens, tirelessly working to make our lives easier. If you’re fortunate to have one, you’ve likely experienced the sheer satisfaction of effortlessly disposing of food scraps with a simple flick of a switch. However, it’s all too common for us to treat our garbage disposal as a catch-all, which can spell trouble for our plumbing in the long run. To spare yourself from headaches and costly repairs, adhere to these essential guidelines on what should never find its way into your garbage disposal.
Exploring the Uses of Coffee Grounds
Watch out for coffee grounds – despite their finely milled appearance, they’re deceptively dense and can form a paste-like substance when removed from a filter. If you toss them down your garbage disposal, you might find yourself dealing with a buildup of gunky sediment in your drain, which could lead to a nasty clog.
Pasta, Rice, and Bread
These three things—pasta, rice, and bread—swell up when they get wet, which can block your drain. It’s okay if a little spaghetti goes down the drain, but don’t make it a habit. If you do need to put these foods down the disposal, run it for at least 30 seconds and use cold water to wash them down. The same goes for oats and other grains that soak up water.
Animal Bones
While it’s tempting to think of garbage disposals as invincible, they do have their limits. They’re not designed to pulverize extremely tough items. Bones, for instance, are among the hardest natural materials and can quickly wear down your disposal if disposed of improperly. If you accidentally let a small fish or chicken bone slip down the drain, your disposal should manage just fine. But larger bones will only cause trouble, potentially damaging the grinding components as they swirl around.
Nuts and Shells
Just like bones, nuts, and shells (even from seafood) can really mess up your garbage disposal. Even softer nuts like peanuts aren’t good for it. Your disposal works like a nut grinder. When you grind up peanuts, you don’t get smooth peanut butter, but a thick paste that can clog your drain.
Pits and Seeds
If something doesn’t yield to a knife, it’s definitely not suitable for your garbage disposal. Pits and seeds, being small and round, are particularly troublesome. Not only are they difficult to grind, but they also create a noisy ruckus in your disposal. Spare your disposal the hassle and opt for tossing them in the trash instead.
Layers of the Onion
When disposing of onions, remember it’s not just the chopped pieces you should be cautious about. The thin membrane beneath the dry outer layer can slip past the disposal’s blades, potentially causing blockages or entanglements in the drain. It’s essential to dispose of onion scraps carefully to avoid any mishaps with your disposal system.
Navigating Egg Shell Disposal
It’s a widespread misconception that eggshells can sharpen the “blades” of your garbage disposal. However, garbage disposals don’t actually have blades; they operate with impellers that grind food waste rather than cutting it like a blender. Eggshells, which are not effective for sharpening knives either, can cause issues in your disposal unit as their membranes can wrap around the grinder, potentially leading to malfunctions.
Textured Fruits and Vegetables
Some fruits and veggies contain fibrous strands that can cause issues with your disposal’s grinder. It’s best to dispose of items like celery, asparagus, banana peels, corn husks, and rhubarb in the trash instead of down the disposal. While the occasional small amount may not cause immediate harm, it’s wise to avoid them to maintain the optimal performance and longevity of your appliance.
Potato Peels
When you put potato peels in the garbage disposal, two things might occur:
- The peels could be thin enough to go through the disposal without getting ground up, which might lead to clogs in the drain.
- If they do get ground up, they turn into a thick paste because of the starch in them. This paste can block the pipes later on. The same problem can happen with other starchy veggies and beans.
Grease, Oil, and Fat
Navigating the realm of grease, oil, and fats can be quite the challenge. While they may appear liquid at first glance, they’re notorious for transforming into stubborn blockages in your drain. To steer clear of potential plumbing headaches, it’s wise to let these substances cool down and then properly dispose of them in the trash.
Also Read: Most Common Summer Health Hazards And How To Prevent Them
Conclusion
In conclusion, being mindful of what goes down your garbage disposal can save you from costly repairs and environmental concerns. The ten foods highlighted in this discussion—such as grease, coffee grounds, and eggshells—pose a threat to the functionality of your disposal unit and can even harm the plumbing system. By avoiding these items and opting for proper disposal methods like composting or trash disposal, you can maintain a smoothly running kitchen and contribute to a healthier environment. Remember, a little care in what you dispose of today can prevent a headache tomorrow.
