When it comes to keeping your kitchen running smoothly, your garbage disposal can be a real lifesaver. However, not everything belongs in there. You need to know which foods can cause clogs or damage to your disposal.
Your garbage disposal is designed to handle soft scraps and small food items, but it’s crucial to avoid certain foods that can lead to major headaches later on.
1. Grease and Fat
When cooking, it’s tempting to pour leftover grease and fat down the disposal. This is a bad idea. Grease can solidify and cause clogs in your pipes over time.
Instead, let it cool and dispose of it in the trash. Even small amounts can build up and lead to bigger problems. Keep your disposal running smoothly by keeping grease out of it.
2. Rice
You might think it’s okay to throw leftover rice down the garbage disposal, but it’s not a good idea. Rice expands when it gets wet, which can lead to serious clogs in your pipes.
Even small amounts can create a mushy mess that gums up your disposal. Instead, consider composting or throwing it in the trash. Keeping your disposal clear will save you from headaches down the road.
3. Pasta
When it comes to pasta, it’s best to avoid putting it down your garbage disposal. Cooked pasta expands when wet, and this can lead to clogs in your pipes.
Even small amounts can turn into a mushy mess, which may gum up the disposal. Stick to tossing leftover pasta in the trash instead. Your disposal is not equipped to handle stretchy, starchy foods efficiently, so play it safe.
4. Coffee Grounds
You might think tossing coffee grounds down the disposal is harmless, but that’s a common myth. While they can help with odors initially, they don’t break down well.
Over time, coffee grounds can build up and create clogs. This can lead to bigger problems that might require a plumber. It’s better to dispose of them in the trash or compost.
5. Eggshells
You might think tossing eggshells down your garbage disposal is harmless. After all, they seem small and easy to grind up.
However, eggshells can actually create problems. They don’t break down as easily as you might expect and can lead to clogs in your pipes.
Instead of putting them in the disposal, consider composting them or throwing them in the trash. Your plumbing will thank you for it!
6. Potato Peels
You might think potato peels are harmless, but they’re actually a problem for your garbage disposal. When you put them in, they can turn into a thick, gluey mass.
This paste can clog your pipes and cause serious issues down the line. Instead of tossing them in, consider throwing your potato peels in the trash for a smoother plumbing experience. Keeping your disposal happy means knowing what to avoid, and potato peels top that list.
7. Onion Skins
You might think tossing onion skins in the garbage disposal is harmless, but it’s not. The thin, papery layers can get tangled and cause clogs.
Even if the inner part of the onion is fine, the skins create a mess. It’s best to dispose of them in your compost or trash. Keep your disposal running smoothly by giving onion skins a hard pass. Your plumbing will thank you!
8. Corn Husks
When you’re prepping corn, it’s easy to toss those husks down the disposal. Don’t do it! Corn husks can tangle and cause serious clogs.
Instead, send them to the compost bin or the trash. They’re bulky and fibrous, which is exactly the kind of thing that can jam up your garbage disposal. Keep your disposal running smoothly by steering clear of corn husks.
9. Celery
You might think celery is harmless to your garbage disposal, but it can actually be a problem. The fibrous strands can tangle around the blades, causing a jam.
When you chop and discard celery, it’s best to toss it in the trash instead. Your disposal will thank you for keeping it free from those pesky strings.
If you’re dealing with a lot of vegetable scraps, consider composting. It’s a great way to reduce waste and keep your kitchen running smoothly.
10. Bones
You might think your garbage disposal can handle bones, but it’s best to avoid them. Even small cooked bones can cause damage to the blades and motor. Raw bones are even worse; they can jam the system completely.
If you have leftover bones from dinner, toss them in the trash instead. Your disposal will thank you, and you’ll keep it running smoothly.
11. Artichokes
Artichokes may seem like a harmless vegetable, but don’t let their appearance fool you. Those fibrous leaves can easily tangle around the blades of your garbage disposal.
When you send artichokes down the drain, they can cause clogs and even damage the motor. It’s best to toss them in the compost or the trash instead of risking your disposal’s health. Keep your kitchen running smoothly by avoiding this tricky veggie!
12. Fruit Pits
You might love munching on juicy peaches or avocados, but their pits are a big no for your garbage disposal. These hard, dense pits can damage the blades and cause jams.
Instead of tossing them down the disposal, throw those pits in your kitchen trash can. It’s a quick fix that keeps your disposal running smoothly. Next time you enjoy fruit, remember: the pit belongs in the trash, not the drain.
13. Nutshells
You might think that nutshells can be ground up easily, but that’s not the case. They’re hard and dense, which can damage your garbage disposal blades. Plus, they can get stuck in the system and cause clogs.
It’s best to toss those nutshells in the compost or trash instead. Keeping your disposal safe will save you headaches down the line!
14. Oatmeal
You might think oatmeal is harmless, but it can cause big problems in your garbage disposal. When you dump it in, oatmeal expands and creates a thick paste. This paste can easily lead to clogs in your pipes.
Instead of sending it down the disposal, consider composting or throwing it away. Keeping oatmeal out of your disposal can save you from expensive plumbing issues down the line.
15. Greasy Foods
Greasy foods can be a nightmare for your garbage disposal. When you pour oils, fats, or greasy leftovers down the drain, they can solidify and create clogs.
Items like leftover cooking oil or melted butter should go in the trash instead. Even small amounts can build up over time, leading to serious plumbing issues. It’s best to dispose of greasy foods in a different way to keep your disposal running smoothly.
