By “taking out the trash,” a garbage disposal creates a healthier kitchen and, ultimately, a happier home. Just think: When you toss a banana peel into the trash can, it immediately begins to decompose, attracting bacteria, germs, and perhaps bugs. It’s much more sanitary to dispose of food waste down the drain.
To do so, however, they must first be ground into very tiny particles. In fact, even the seemingly harmless small items that most people put down the drain directly, such as diced chives or vegetable scraps, need to be ground up very minutely to ensure they don’t cling to the walls of your pipes. Otherwise, they will lead to buildup, slow-running drains, and plumber’s bills.
Enter the garbage disposal. They aren’t expensive; you can get one starting at just over $100. But while they reduce smells in the kitchen and make clean-up easier, they also come with their own stringent rules for proper use and care. Even though it’s called a garbage disposal, it’s not for actual garbage, nor should you put too much down it at one time.
Not a Garbage Can
The first secret to keeping your garbage disposal happy is to use it often to help prevent rust and corrosion.Flush food scraps with plenty of cold water; hot water will cause oils, fats, and grease to liquefy and clog your drain. Also, be patient and put in no more than a cup of food waste at a time.
Stay away from onion skins, celery stalks, corn husks, egg shells, potato peels, grease, oil, pasta, and rice, all of which can clog the machine. Hard foods including seeds, kernels, and—most definitely—bones are big no-nos, because they can become partially broken down, get wedged under the blades, and jam up the works.
Never put a nonfood item in the disposal.
Sparkling ‘Sposal
Clean the disposal every few days by pouring in a dash of dish soap and running cool water through it for a minute or two. Citrus peels are natural deodorizers; make sure the peel pieces are tiny enough to fit in the disposal easily, then turn on the cold water and grind for one minute. Or, pour in two or three teaspoons of borax and run cold water through it for 30 seconds, to eliminate odors and help to loosen accumulated debris.You can also save money on prepackaged disposal cleaner by pouring a half-cup of baking soda into the disposal, followed by one cup of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Allow it to bubble up, and after it begins to settle down, flush the disposal with cold water for 30 seconds.
The Reset Button
Working on garbage disposals can be a dangerous business. If you don’t feel confident in your ability to repair it safely, call a professional. Never, ever stick your fingers in the disposal, even if it’s unplugged; there are sharp blades in there.Clogs and Jams
When the machine isn’t working optimally, you may have a clog. Unplug it and turn it off at the electrical panel. Shine a flashlight into the unit to see if you can spot the obstruction. Take a pair of long-reach needle-nose pliers or any tool that will reach deep enough, and remove as much of the obstruction as possible.If this doesn’t do the trick, get out a plunger, place it over the drain hole, and fill the sink with water until the plunger is half covered. Next, pump vigorously, then flush the loosened debris with cool water. Power the disposal back up and turn it on. Repeat if needed.
