A garbage disposal is a great invention and makes washing your dishes much easier because you can just let some of the food particles slide right down the drain. To properly use and maintain your garbage disposal, however, you need to follow a few rules.
If you are unfamiliar with garbage disposals and how they actually work, keep reading to find out more so you can keep your system working great.
How Does a Disposal Work?
When you put food scraps into the disposal and turn on the system, blades in the grinding chamber start cutting up the food into tiny particles. This allows the food to easily flow through the drain with the running water.
The blades are powered with an electric motor, and there are two types of disposals from which you can choose. Continuous-feed disposals allow you to turn on the system and keep adding food as the water is running. A batch-feed system requires you to fill the disposal and then turn it on. You can’t feed more food scraps while it’s running.
How Do You Properly Use the Disposal?
While a disposal can chop up pretty big pieces of food, you should cut large pieces into smaller pieces first. This puts less strain on the system, and it prevents larger pieces from sneaking into the drain to clog it. If you have a continuous-feed type system, turn the switch to activate it, and then turn on the water to cold. Using hot water can cause food to get sticky and clog the drain.
While the water and system is running, start slowly putting food into the disposal. However, for batch-feed systems, you’ll load the disposal with the desired food pieces you want to dispose of first. When the disposal is full, you can activate it with a stopper.
What Can’t You Put in the Disposal?
You can put many different types of food scraps in the disposal, but never put non-food items in, including non-edible pieces of food like coffee grounds, peach pits, or bones. If you eat foods that need to be peeled, like potatoes, carrots and cucumbers, don’t put the peels in the disposal because it’s difficult to for the blades to cut them. In some cases, the peels can wrap around the blades.
Speaking of potatoes and carrots, you should not put hard food items like them down the disposal either. They may not break up properly and they can cause your blades to become dull.
Finally, never put grease down your disposal. The grease can clog the disposal and the drains.
How Do You Maintain the System?
A lot of garbage disposal maintenance is just making sure you use it correctly, such as only using cold water. However, you will need to occasionally clean the system. Even with the water running, some pieces of food will get trapped in the disposal. Eventually, this can lead to a sticky, slimy mess inside the system.
Avoid putting your hands inside the disposal to clean it. Simply use gentle cleaners or a DIY cleaning solution of baking soda and vinegar. Grinding ice cubes is another great way to knock some food off the blades. If cleaning the system didn’t seem to work, and you are still having complications, it’s better to contact a professional, so you don’t cut a finger or hand.
With good care, your disposal can work for many years, but using the system wrong can lead to clogged drains. If you would like to know more about how to care for your disposal, or if you need a plumbing repair or replacement,
contact us at Quality Plumbing today.
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- Janeine G.
Quality Plumbing did a rough-in plumbing install for a bathroom and kitchen sink in my basement. Very communicative, helped plan the space, and did a great job on the install. Will be using them again!
- Ian H.
Called them when my water heater broke, they were over same day with a new one. Logan is great, he's fixed a couple things over the last year and is always professional and informative.
- Nick B.
Quality plumbing is amazing 👏 when my brothers home had a problem with water pressure, they were able to schedule quickly, identify the problem and provide cost effective solutions quickly. When they did the work, they were on time on budget and cleaned up everything afterwards. Thank you for your great service Quality Plumbing! …
- Rich R.
Quality Plumbing is my go-to plumbing company for all my projects. I had one big project and after meeting Jeff, I’ve specifically requested him to come out for my other 2 projects. He’s incredibly punctual, efficient, and keeps the area nice and clean. Great to communicate with and provides clear answers to all my questions. Jeff is very professional and knowledgeable in his craft. Every time I call, Delaney will always pick up my phone calls and get me scheduled right away. Never had great success with plumbing companies until I started working with Quality Plumbing. They have unbeatable prices and will provide you with an honest solution to your problems. Highly recommend choosing Quality Plumbing!
- Alex D.
The total process from booking a service call, by phone, to the installation of a steel reinforced waterline hose on our refrigerator, was a pleasurable experience. A retired plumber recommended QP. Jeff had to pull out the refrigerator, remove the plastic waterline, install the new waterline, check to make sure the water dispenser was working and put the refrigerator back. Jeff was careful and mindfull of our wooden floor as the refrigerator was in a built-in cabinet. Since we live in a condo we want to eliminate all possibilities for a water leak. Jeff not only did his skillful job, he also educated us on the different water supply lines. I would recommend QP.
- Janeine G.
Quality Plumbing did a rough-in plumbing install for a bathroom and kitchen sink in my basement. Very communicative, helped plan the space, and did a great job on the install. Will be using them again!
- Ian H.
Called them when my water heater broke, they were over same day with a new one. Logan is great, he's fixed a couple things over the last year and is always professional and informative.
- Nick B.
Quality plumbing is amazing 👏 when my brothers home had a problem with water pressure, they were able to schedule quickly, identify the problem and provide cost effective solutions quickly. When they did the work, they were on time on budget and cleaned up everything afterwards. Thank you for your great service Quality Plumbing! …
- Rich R.
Quality Plumbing is my go-to plumbing company for all my projects. I had one big project and after meeting Jeff, I’ve specifically requested him to come out for my other 2 projects. He’s incredibly punctual, efficient, and keeps the area nice and clean. Great to communicate with and provides clear answers to all my questions. Jeff is very professional and knowledgeable in his craft. Every time I call, Delaney will always pick up my phone calls and get me scheduled right away. Never had great success with plumbing companies until I started working with Quality Plumbing. They have unbeatable prices and will provide you with an honest solution to your problems. Highly recommend choosing Quality Plumbing!
- Alex D.