There are some general rules when using a garbage disposal in your sink to keep it running and free from repair.
Here are some simple do’s and don’ts when it comes to running your garbage disposal in your home.
Garbage Disposal Do’s
Run cold water before you turn on the disposal.
Continue running the cold water while grinding food. This hardens any excess fats and oils so they can pass through the drain line.
Keep the water running for around 10-15 seconds after turning the disposal off. This helps clear the disposal and drain line. You can also add a little dish soap to the running water.
TURN OFF THE POWER AT THE SOURCE if you ever need to work on or remove something from the unit. This means getting under the sink and unplugging the unit from the wall.
Garbage Disposal Don’ts
Don’t pour fats, oils, or grease (FOG) down any of your drains, including your garbage disposal. Not only can this clog your pipes and lead to raw sewage overflows.
Don’t use hot water when running your garbage disposal. Hot water liquefies excess oil, raising the risk of a clog.
Never grind any of the following items:
- Inorganic material (glass, plastic, paper, etc.)
- Fats, oils, and grease
- Stringy and starchy vegetables
- Expanding foods (rice, pasta, etc.)
- Hard stuff (large bones, pits, seeds, etc.)
- Excess amounts of anything (feed items in slowly)
The good people at Able Appliance repair want to make sure that your garbage disposal and other home appliances are running in their best condition. If you need some professional appliance repair help, contact the experts at Able Appliance and we can assist with your garbage disposal repair needs!
