Garbage disposals provide a major convenience within any kitchen. But having this type of luxury does not come without some operational tasks. Follow these simple steps recommended by plumbers and you will be able to safely maintain your garbage disposal so that it provides extensive and effective usage.
Feed it Cold and Slow
Always be sure to feed the garbage disposal slow and always use cold water. Items like egg shells and vegetable pilings or prone to clog your disposal if it is fed too fast with not enough water flow. It is also important to use cold water because there is no chance of liquifying any oil or grease. Hot water can break down those substances and make it seem like they are able to go down without a problem. However, that is not the case.
Stay Away From Hard and Fibrous
Garbage disposals are not built to break down every type of food. There are certain foods that will wear down your disposal. Any type of hard food foods should be avoided and that includes bones, seeds, pits and shells. The same goes for fibrous foods which extend to banana peels, potato skins, artichokes and a host of others. Fibrous foods can wrap around the unit’s shredder ring and cause problems. It’s also good to avoid pouring coffee grounds down the disposal.
It is Not a Garbage Can
Don’t confuse the garbage disposal with a garbage can. Small items like twist ties, strings, rags, sponges and bottle caps should be thrown in the trash. Just because these items are smaller does not mean they should be tossed into a garbage disposal.
Clear the Drain
Clearing your drain when using your garbage disposal does not involve anything that is very technical. However, it is important to keep the disposal and water running after all the waste items have cleared the drain. Do this for about 30 to 60 seconds. This will help ensure all the items are carried through your piping as it has some distance to go after disappearing down the drain.
Give it a Good Cleaning
Dropping ice cubes down your garbage disposal every couple of weeks is part of the cleanup. Grinding up the cubes helps to break up any waste that is still clinging to the unit. Adding in some baking soda helps get rid of germs and the addition of some citrus peels can leave a nice aroma lingering around once the cleanup is finished.