What can and can’t go in a garbage disposal?

Ever catch yourself staring at the kitchen sink, wondering if it’s okay to toss that leftover spaghetti or those fruit peels down the garbage disposal? Trust me, you’re not alone. Knowing what’s safe to grind up and what to steer clear of can save you from clogs, jams, and those pesky repair bills. So, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of what you can and can’t put in your garbage disposal to keep your kitchen running smoothly.

Just a heads-up: The info we’re sharing might not apply perfectly to your specific appliance model. We do our best to dish out helpful advice for all sorts of DIY appliance fixes, but different models and setups can throw in some quirks with troubleshooting steps, error codes, part swaps—you name it. For the most accurate guidance, it’s a good idea to check out the manufacturer’s manual for your appliance or reach out to us if you’ve got any questions.

What CANNOT go in your garbage disposal

Avoid hard or stringy foods

Certain foods can mess up your disposal’s grinding parts or cause blockages:

• Bones and pits: Chicken bones, pork ribs, peach pits, and other hard stuff are a no-go. They can damage the components and cause jams.
• Fibrous veggies: Celery stalks, corn husks, artichokes, and asparagus have fibers that can wrap around the grinding parts and motor, potentially burning it out.
• Potato peels: In large amounts, the starch can turn into a paste-like gunk, clogging up your disposal and pipes.

Avoid fats, oils, and grease (FOG)

Dumping fats, oils, or grease down the disposal can lead to serious plumbing woes:

• They harden up: Once they cool off, these substances solidify and stick to your pipes, narrowing the space and catching other debris.
• Clog city: Over time, they trap other particles, leading to stubborn blockages that might need a plumber to fix.
• Environmental issues: FOG can cause problems in municipal sewer systems, leading to environmental hazards.

Tip: Instead of pouring grease down the sink, let it cool and harden in a container, then toss it in the trash.

Avoid non-food items

Your garbage disposal isn’t a catch-all trash can:

• Plastics and metals: Don’t put utensil fragments, bottle caps, or plastic wrappers down there. They can wreck the components and motor.
• Paper products: Paper towels, tissues, and napkins don’t break down easily and can cause clogs.
• Glass and rubber: These materials can cause serious damage and are dangerous to remove if they cause a jam.

Safety First: If something non-food falls in, turn off the power before trying to retrieve it to avoid injury.

Avoid eggshells and coffee grounds

They might seem harmless, but they can cause problems:

• Eggshells: The thin membrane inside can stick to the grinding parts, leading to buildup and smells.
• Coffee grounds: They can form a thick, sludge-like paste that clogs pipes over time.
• Nuts and shells: Just like bones, they’re too hard for the disposal to handle.

Avoid overloading your garbage disposal

Even safe items can be trouble if you overdo it:

• Feed it slowly: Add food scraps gradually to avoid overwhelming the disposal and ensure everything gets properly ground up.
• Don’t overload: Large amounts of waste can cause jams and waste to get wedged in the drain which causes overheating.

Avoid using hot water

Contrary to popular belief, hot water isn’t the best during operation:

• Melts fats: Hot water keeps fats in liquid form, which lets them solidify deeper in the pipes, leading to clogs.
• Save hot water for cleanup: After cleaning or clearing clogs, you can use hot water to help flush out any leftover gunk.

Avoid chemicals and harsh cleaners

Avoid using strong chemicals:

• Corrosive substances: Bleach, drain cleaners, and other harsh stuff can corrode your disposal’s parts and harm septic systems.
• Stick to natural cleaners: Use baking soda and vinegar or citrus peels to deodorize.

Avoid starchy and expandable foods

Some seemingly soft foods can cause issues:

• Oatmeal and grains: They expand with water and can clog your disposal and pipes.
• Instant foods: Things like instant mashed potatoes can swell up and create blockages.

What CAN go in your garbage disposal

Toss soft food scraps

Your garbage disposal’s meant to handle soft, biodegradable food waste. Here’s the lowdown on what you can chuck in:

• Fruit and veggie peels: Stuff like cucumber skins, apple peels, and banana peels break down easily, so they’re good to go. Just remember to chop up bigger peels into smaller bits to make things easier.
• Cooked meat leftovers: Small amounts of cooked meat, cut into tiny pieces, usually aren’t a problem. Just avoid tossing in big chunks or raw meat, which can be tougher and more fibrous.
• Leftover pasta and rice: In small doses, these can go down the drain, but be cautious—they can expand when wet. Best to feed them in slowly with plenty of water running.
• Soft dairy products: Things like yogurt, ice cream, or soft cheese can be washed down without causing any fuss.

Keep the cold water flowing

Always run cold water when your disposal’s in action. The cold helps solidify any fats or oils, letting them get chopped up before they hit your pipes, which reduces the risk of clogs. Here’s how to do it:

1. Start the cold tap: Turn on the cold water before you flip on the disposal.
2. Feed gradually: Drop in small amounts of food waste while it’s running.
3. Let it run: After you’re done grinding, keep the water going for another 15-30 seconds to flush everything through.

Use biodegradable wastes in small amounts

Even some tricky items can be okay if you’re careful:

• Bread, rice, and pasta: These can swell up with water, so toss them in sparingly and make sure the water’s flowing to wash them down.
• Citrus peels: Not only are they safe, but they can also freshen up your disposal and fight odors.

Practice good habits for your garbage disposal

Perform regular maintenance

Keeping your disposal in tip-top shape is pretty straightforward:

1. Clean with ice cubes: Grinding ice helps knock off debris and clean the disposal. Just toss ice cubes down the drain and run some cool water.
2. Freshen up with baking soda and vinegar: Pour half a cup of baking soda down the disposal, followed by a cup of vinegar. Let it fizz for about 10-15 minutes, then rinse with hot water to eliminate odors.
3. Add some citrus: Grinding small pieces of lemon or orange peels can give a fresh scent and help clean the unit.
4. Sharpen the blades: Make sure to sharpen the blades of the garbage disposal when they start to get dull.

Troubleshoot common problems

If your disposal’s acting up, you can try a few things before calling in the pros:

• Check the power: Make sure it’s plugged in and the circuit breaker hasn’t tripped.
• Hit the reset button: Many disposals have a reset button on the bottom. Press it to see if that fixes the issue.
• Clear jams manually: If it’s jammed, you can use an Allen wrench (often supplied with the unit) to turn the motor shaft and free things up. Insert the wrench into the hole at the bottom and turn it back and forth.

Remember: Always disconnect the power before trying any repairs or inspections.

Seek professional help when needed

If those basic steps don’t do the trick, a professional can run some advanced diagnostics:

• Continuity tests: They check the electrical path in the disposal’s parts to make sure there aren’t any breaks or faults.
• Resistance tests: These measure the motor windings to see if the motor’s working right or if there are any short circuits.

These tests need special tools and know-how. Don’t try them unless you’re qualified, ’cause messing with electrical items can be dangerous.

Note: Continuity tests are a simple yes-or-no deal and aren’t enough when you need specific resistance values for detailed diagnostics. Resistance tests give you the precise measurements needed to spot complex issues.

Wrapping it up

By knowing what you can and can’t toss in your garbage disposal, you’re not only extending its life but also keeping your kitchen and plumbing hassle-free. When in doubt, throw it out—or better yet, compost it! If you need garbage disposal replacement parts or more help, we’ve got your back. Swing by AppliancePartsPros.com for parts, resources, and expert advice.

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