When it comes to kitchen clean-up, the garbage disposal is a game changer. However, after speaking with experts, it’s clear that disposals aren’t quite the kitchen heroes we originally believed. In fact, there’s a long list of items that should never be put down a disposal (which you can read here). In short, despite what the name implies, garbage disposals aren’t as good at their job as the name implies, Hence, it’s easy to feel confused about what actually belongs in this still-handy appliance—and knowing exactly what can go down that drain is crucial to keeping it running smoothly and avoiding costly repairs.
While soft, cooked, non-fibrous foods are generally considered safe for disposals, most professionals recommend not overloading them or packing large amounts of any type of food to them. “A disposal is really designed to handle small scraps and bits remaining after plates have been scraped, not to replace the garbage can,” says licensed contractor Yaeir Moinzadeh, who owns Blue Rise Roofing.
To preserve the life of your disposal, Moinzadeh has a few suggestions: “Always turn cold water on and leave it running when using the disposal as this will help debris flow through the pipes more easily. Allow the water to run for at least 15 seconds before and after operating the disposal. When it stops making the grinding noise, continue running the disposal for a few more seconds to really clean out the debris.”…