Foods That Are Safe to Put Through Your Garbage Disposal

A garbage disposal can make after-meal cleanup much easier. However, putting the wrong items in the garbage disposal can cause a lot of damage. We’ve covered items that will clog your kitchen pipes. This time, we’ll focus on foods that your disposal can handle. We’ll also remind you about foods that are dangerous for your garbage disposal.

Disposal-Safe Foods

Fruit scraps, vegetable scraps, and fruit pits are disposal-friendly. In addition, grinding citrus peels in a garbage disposal helps remove unpleasant odors caused by everyday usage. Surprisingly, corn cobs are safe for garbage disposals as well. Cooked meat is okay for disposal, but be mindful of lingering odors. Most modern garbage disposals can grind down bones without problems since the disposals don’t have blades. Ice is another material that is okay for garbage disposal usage. Finally, garbage disposals can handle most types of leftovers without issues. Our team recommends a garbage disposal with at least 1 horsepower for heavy-duty grinding. Consumer Reports provides a list of disposal-friendly foods as well as recommendations for garbage disposal units.

Disposal-Unsafe Foods and Items

Foods rich in fats, oils, or grease should not go into a garbage disposal. Fats, oils, and grease will harden, blocking pipes and causing damage. Starchy foods break down into a paste-like goop that a garbage disposal cannot break down. Do not put fibrous vegetables or fruit in a garbage disposal, as the fibrous material will clog pipes. Eggshells do not degrade quickly, allowing them to gather – even in small fragments — and block pipes. Shellfish and coffee grounds block pipes similarly to eggshells, but they’re also oily as well, causing further blockages and damages. Finally, do not put any non-food items into the garbage disposal. These items can either damage the garbage disposal or interfere with its functionality.

When in Doubt, Call Open Drains

Our staff understands that life happens. You might overestimate your garbage disposal. Perhaps, one of your housemates isn’t familiar with the dos and don’ts of garbage disposal care. There’s no telling when circumstances beyond your control can cause plumbing disasters. Whether you want to be cautious or need us to respond to a plumbing emergency, call our office today. Our staff will be happy to assist you.