Four Foods You Should Never Put Down Your Garbage Disposal

Tossing everything down the drain while cleaning up may seem tempting, but it’s important to be mindful of what goes down the drain and into your garbage disposal. While garbage disposals can make kitchen clean up quick and convenient, they aren’t designed to handle everything. Some food waste can clog your disposal, jam its moving parts, or damage the motor if you’re not careful. 

In this blog, we’re covering four types of foods you should never put down your garbage disposal to help prevent damage to your disposal or plumbing system. 

Grease, oils, and fats 

You should never put anything containing oil, fat, or grease down your kitchen sink. These include cooking oil, butter, dairy products, and other similar foods.  

When hot oils, fats, or grease are poured down the drain, they’re typically liquid. As they cool down, they begin to solidify, and they may stick to the insides of your pipes. Grease, in particular, can attract other food particles and trap them, creating even larger blockages. Over time, these blockages can become so big that they can restrict water flow and cause messy backups. Allowing fats, oils, and grease to cool before throwing them in the trash is a simple way to prevent major clogs and protect your plumbing system. 

Starches and grains 

You should also avoid putting any starchy foods down the drain. Some examples include rice, pasta, potato peels, and oatmeal. These types of foods can absorb water and expand, creating a thick, sticky paste that can clog your pipes. While small amounts may not cause immediate issues, repeatedly putting starchy foods down your drain can lead to unexpected problems in the future. 

Fibrous foods 

Fibrous foods are another type of food you should avoid putting down your garbage disposal. Any foods with stringy fibers such as asparagus, corn husks, celery, or onion skins, have a hard time breaking down. Instead, these stringy pieces may wrap around the moving parts and jam the garbage disposal. As these fibers build up, you may notice your disposal struggles to work properly, increasing the risk of clogs and drainage issues. 

Non-food items 

Non-food items should never go down your garbage disposal. Your disposal was not designed to be a catch-all for food scraps and household items. Hard foods like fruit pits, animal bones, or shells do not break down as easily as other foods, putting unnecessary strain on your disposal.

Non-food items like paper towels, plastic wrappers, and silverware should also stay out of your disposal. Attempting to grind down these items can jam your disposal, burn out the motor, and cause internal damage. 

Accidents happen, and sometimes we put things down the garbage disposal without realizing the damage it could cause. If this happens, keep an eye out for signs of damage, such as clogs and unusual noises. If you notice any signs of a clog, unusual noises, or other problems with your garbage disposal, call Allen Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing for expert plumbing services.

Contact Allen Heating Cooling and Plumbing today for all of your heating, cooling, and plumbing needs 

If you’re looking for an honest and fair local HVAC and plumbing company, we’re Rockford’s trusted HVAC and plumbing experts for AC repair, maintenance, replacement, and more. We carry top-of-the-line products from the industry’s best brands, including Honeywell, American Standard, Mitsubishi, and more. Our technicians can make expert recommendations tailored to your home’s needs at a fair, affordable price.

With over 29 years of service under our belt, we’re well-equipped to handle all of your heating, cooling, ventilation, and plumbing needs in Northern Illinois. So call our office today at 815-298-8020 to schedule your next service appointment.