Garbage disposals, an integral kitchen component, simplify the process of managing kitchen waste. Efficiently designed, they grind up food remnants, aiding in their disposal and preventing pipe clogging. However, knowing what you can and cannot toss in a your disposal is pivotal for its longevity and functionality.
Households often question, “What is okay to put in a garbage disposal?” In essence, while many soft organic waste items, like certain fruits and vegetables, are safe, many others, such as fibrous veggies and non-food items, can harm the unit.
Garbage disposals might seem like all-powerful devices, but they have their limitations. While they can handle a variety of items, understanding the nuances can ensure they remain effective and reduce unexpected plumbing expenses.
History of Garbage Disposals
How a Garbage Disposal Works
Garbage disposals function through a straightforward mechanism. Positioned under the kitchen sink, these devices shred food remnants into minuscule pieces to ensure safe passage through plumbing.
- Basic Mechanism Every garbage disposal houses a grinding chamber. Inside this chamber, impellers (or lugs) attached to a spinning plate work in tandem with a shredder to break down food particles.
- Grinding Process As the device is activated, food waste combined with cold water swirls inside the chamber. The spinning impellers force the waste onto the shredder, making the pieces small enough to be washed away.
Safe Items for Disposal
Garbage disposals have revolutionized kitchen cleanliness, allowing quick and efficient disposal of food waste. But, to maximize the potential of these machines, it’s vital to feed them the right items. Here’s a deeper dive into what’s safe for your disposal:
- Soft Organic Waste:
- Fruits and Vegetables: While most fruits and vegetables are safe for the disposal, always consider their consistency. Soft items like mashed potatoes, tomato skins, or banana peels grind easily. However, be cautious with harder vegetable parts, such as potato eyes, as they can become lodged.
- Cooked Meats: These can be broken down by disposal, but there’s a caveat. Ensure the meats are devoid of large bones or tough sinews that could jam the blades.
- Cold Water: It might seem trivial, but always run cold water before, during, and after operating your disposal. This assists in moving the pulverized food along, minimizing the chances of blockage. Additionally, cold water helps in solidifying fats and oils, making it easier for the disposal to grind them.
- Ice Cubes: Regularly grinding ice cubes not only assists in cleaning the blades but also helps sharpen them. This practice can enhance the efficiency and lifespan of your unit. For added cleaning benefits, you can freeze white vinegar in ice cube trays and grind them; this will also help deodorize the unit.
- Small Bones: While large bones are a no-go, small ones, particularly from fish, are typically safe. They can assist in cleaning residues from the disposal’s walls. However, avoid larger bones from poultry or pork as they can cause jams or even damage.
- Citrus Rinds: Lemons, limes, oranges, and even grapefruits offer dual benefits. Their rinds clean and deodorize the disposal, leaving a fresh scent. However, use them in moderation and ensure they’re cut into smaller pieces to prevent potential clogs.
Items to Avoid
No matter how powerful a garbage disposal might seem, it’s not a catch-all solution. Certain items can cause damage or clogs. Here’s a more detailed list:
- Hard or Tough Materials:
- Large Bones: These can become lodged or cause undue stress on the disposal motor. Always dispose of large bones using alternative methods.
- Corn Husks and Artichokes: Their fibrous nature is notorious for tangling around disposal blades, leading to jams.
- Fibrous Vegetables:
- Celery Stalks: Much like corn husks, the stringy fibers of celery can wrap around the blades, reducing efficiency and risking motor burnouts.
- Onion Skins: While the fleshy part of an onion is disposal-safe, its thin outer skins can float and get trapped in the disposal, potentially leading to clogs.
- Expanding Foods: Rice, pasta, and other grains swell when in contact with water. When ground, they can create a thick paste-like substance that sticks to the disposal walls, posing a risk of clogs over time.
- Non-food Items: It might seem obvious, but items like glass, metal, rubber, or even paper should never be introduced to a garbage disposal. They can damage the blades, motor, and won’t break down like organic materials.
- Grease and Oils: They might appear harmless in liquid form, but as they cool down, they solidify. This can lead to significant blockages in your plumbing over time.
- Coffee Grounds: While they might seem fine and easily disposable, over time they can accumulate and create blockages in the trap.
- Harsh Chemicals: Drain cleaners and other chemicals can corrode the disposal’s components. If you have a blockage, always try natural methods or consult a professional before resorting to chemicals.
Common Mistakes
With knowledge comes power, and understanding the usual missteps people make with their disposals can prevent you from making the same errors:
- Overloading: It’s tempting to get rid of all your waste at once, but disposals work best with gradual feeding. Introduce food waste piece by piece to ensure efficient grinding and to prevent jams.
- Not Using Water: Water is a disposal’s best friend. It aids in the grinding process and ensures the pulverized food gets flushed down the drain, reducing the risk of blockages.
- Using Hot Water: While it’s fine for cleaning, during grinding operations, always use cold water. Hot water can melt fats, which can then solidify and cause clogs as they move down the drain.
- Pushing Items Forcefully: Let gravity do the work. Forcing items down can lead to unnecessary strain on the motor and potential jams.
Benefits of Proper Use
Using a garbage disposal correctly doesn’t just benefit the machine; it benefits you:
- Longer Lifespan: By avoiding harmful items, you reduce wear and tear, ensuring your unit lasts for years.
- Fewer Repairs: No one likes unexpected expenses. Proper usage minimizes the risk of jams, clogs, or breakdowns.
- Reduced Plumbing Issues: Clogs and back-ups are often a result of improper disposal usage. Knowing what goes in can save you significant plumbing costs.
- Environmental Impact: Disposals are eco-friendly. They reduce the amount of organic waste that ends up in landfills. When treated wastewater is processed, these organic materials can be repurposed as bio-gas or fertilizers.
Maintenance Tips
To get the most out of your garbage disposal, regular upkeep is essential:
- Regular Cleaning:
- Natural Cleaners: A mixture of baking soda followed by white vinegar can be poured into the disposal to create a cleansing foam. After 10 minutes, rinse with cold water. This not only cleans but also deodorizes the unit.
- Store-Bought Options: If opting for commercial cleaners, ensure they’re disposal-friendly and non-corrosive.
- Proper Operation: Every machine comes with a set of guidelines. Familiarize yourself with the manufacturer’s instructions and adhere to them.
- Blade Sharpening: Over time, blades can become dull. Regularly grinding ice cubes, as mentioned earlier, or even a handful of eggshells, can help in maintaining sharp blades, ensuring efficient grinding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do disposals need cold water?
Cold water helps solidify any greases or oils for easier grinding, while hot water might melt them, leading to clogs.
Can I grind eggshells in the disposal?
Yes, eggshells can assist in cleaning the disposal, acting as a scouring agent.
Why is my disposal making a humming noise?
A humming sound might indicate a jam. Turn off the disposal, ensure safety, and then try to locate the obstruction.
Conclusion
A garbage disposal is a practical addition to modern kitchens, reducing waste and streamlining cleanup. But, its efficient operation hinges on proper usage and understanding of what goes in it.
Mistakes, while inevitable, can be costly. Yet, with the knowledge of safe and unsafe items, homeowners can sidestep common pitfalls, ensuring the device operates seamlessly for years.
Lastly, while disposals are robust, remember they aren’t invincible. Regular maintenance paired with correct usage ensures they remain a valuable kitchen ally.