Is your family planning to cook up a storm for the holidays? If so, Richard Hart, owner of plumbing company Harts Services, has a few reminders of what should NOT be put down the disposal.
Celery
The fibers from celery stalks can wrap themselves around the moving parts of a disposal, causing damage.
Egg Shells
EA common misconception among homeowners is that egg shells are good for sharpening your disposal’s blades. In reality, the membrane from the shells can wrap itself around the blades and cause extra stress on the motor.
Coffee Grounds
These will just create a sludge in the drain that can slow it down and lead to more substantial blockages.
Turkey or Ham Bones
The disposal isn’t equipped to chop these up, and even if it was, it’ll never get them small enough to go down the drain.
Diane says
Thanks! I didn’t know this about disposals! It would be great to know what is good for a disposal? Orange peels?
Joan Campion says
I like to use lemons cut up. And I’ve always heard that chicken bones are okay as it will sharpen the blades. True???
V.Jones says
Best of all, do not install or use a disposal. Ideally, put kitchen waste in a compost bin.
My excellent plumber told me to put anything that I wanted to put down my pipes in a cup water to see if that material would dissolve within a week. If the material did not dissolve, It did not belong in any of your pipes.
Pat says
…what about ice cubes for sharpening the blades?