Food Waste Disposer Guide

What Can I Put In the Garbage Disposal? GOOD BAD COLD WATER (NOT HOT) Water should be running the whole time the garbage disposal is on. Cold water is best because it solidifies grease and fatty foods. BONES, FRUIT PITS, SMALL PEBBLES Generally speaking if it is something that you can not chew up yourself then it should probably not go into your garbage disposal HOT WATER CAN CAUSE OVERHEATING CAUSES: BLADE DAMAGE AND CLOGS SMALL BITS OF FOOD GREASE, OIL, GREASY FOODS Small scraps of food left over on your plate after a meal is what a garbage disposal is intended for. Grind Away! Grease and oil do not mix well with water, just ask your mechanic. It hardens when cooled and is very bad for septic systems AVOID LARGE AMOUNTS OR BIG CHUNKS CAUSES: CLOGS AND GUMS UP BLADES FOOD WAS NASTE DISPOSE BREADS PASTA OR RICE Breads break up easily and dissolve quickly in water. Use plenty of water to avoid turning to paste Large quantities of rice and pasta will soak up the water and expand in your pipes CAUSES: CLOGS IN THE PIPES AVOID USING THE WHOLE LOAF COOKED VEGETABLES AND MEAT Most cooked vegetables and meats are soft enough to grind up in the disposal with ease STRINGY VEGETABLES Things like celery or asparagus can wrap around the blades and stop them from spinning NOTA TRASH CAN AVOID BONES AND STRINGY VEGGIES CAUSES: IMPEDE FUNCTIONALITY EGG SHELLS VEGETABLE AND FRUIT PEELS This is a controversial subject, but they break up easily and are not heavy so they won't sit in your drain and build up. So go for it! The exteriors of most fruits and vegetables are harder than you think. A little at a time would be ok but avoid a whole fruit salad THE CARTON THEY COME IN IS NOT OK CAUSES: BLADE DAMAGE AND CLOGS ICE CUBES AND/OR ROCK SALT OTHER ITEMS TO AVOID Yes, it makes a horrible noise but ice will beat the rock salt around the blades and will help scrape things off and keep things clean. Stems, Shrimp Shells, Cigarette Butts, Glass, Plastic, Banana Peels, Onion Skins, Nut Shells, Artichokes, Silverware, Rocks, Jewelry, Wood THIS WILL NOT SHARPEN THE BLADES NEVER PUT YOUR HAND IN THE DISPOSAL SINKWASTECARE