Having a garbage disposal in your kitchen can make clean up easy, but they get a serious work out in most homes. Disposals are designed to grind up pieces and bits of food so they can be safely disposed of in your waste system and water pipes, but if not used properly, they can become the source of clogs and other blockages.
In fact, the most common issue plaguing garbage disposals is clogs. There are numerous explanations of why clogs are created by using garbage disposals incorrectly. The most common reasons involve putting things into your disposal that won’t belong there, or not running water while using the disposal. Here are some tips to follow when disposing of food:
No coffee grounds. Coffee grounds are a common culprit for garbage disposal issues. The ground up granules can stick to the insides of the pipes and create a blockage over time. Anytime you see grounds in the bottom of your coffee cup or pot, clean them out with a towel and throw them away.
No food peels. It’s important never to put peels from bananas or potatoes into a garbage disposal. Grinding up these peels can make a mushy, stringy paste which will clog the disposal’s spinning blades. Do not put any peels into your disposal – throw them in the garbage or into your compost pile instead.
No egg shells. Grinding up egg shells can create a similar effect to coffee grounds. The small pieces can clog your pipes and stop up the drain.
Always flush your disposal thoroughly. Make sure to run plenty of water while grinding up food, and to make sure to keep the faucet running for a few more seconds to flush out any remaining food particles.
