As a homeowner, your garbage disposal is one of the most convenient kitchen appliances you own. This handy device makes cleanup faster and helps manage kitchen waste efficiently.
However, not everything can safely go down your disposal without causing damage or clogs. At Williams Plumbing & Drain, we’ve seen countless disposal emergencies across Oklahoma that could have been prevented with proper knowledge.
So, we’re sharing our professional expertise on what items you should avoid putting in your garbage disposal to keep it running smoothly and avoid costly repairs.
Common Food Items That Damage Your Garbage Disposal
Your garbage disposal is designed to handle many types of food waste, but certain items can wreak havoc on its internal components. The impeller blades and motor weren’t built to process everything, regardless of what you might have heard.
Starchy Foods
Pasta, rice, and potatoes might seem harmless, but these starchy foods create significant problems in your plumbing system. When these items go down your drain, they continue to absorb water and expand, creating a paste-like substance that sticks to the disposal’s impeller and pipes.
This starchy paste can harden over time, leading to clogs that are difficult to remove. Even small amounts of rice or pasta can accumulate and cause blockages in your pipes. Instead of disposing of these leftovers in your garbage disposal, consider composting them or tossing them in your regular trash.
Fibrous Vegetables
Celery, asparagus, corn husks, onion skins, and artichokes contain strong fibers that can wrap around your disposal’s impeller like string around a spool. These stringy fibers resist grinding and can eventually cause your motor to jam or burn out.
Kale, lettuce, and other leafy greens might seem soft enough, but their fibrous nature can also cause problems, especially in large quantities. The same goes for pumpkin and carrot peels, which are tougher than they appear and can dull your disposal’s blades.
For these items, your compost bin is a much better destination than your sink.
Oils, Fats, and Problem Liquids
These fluids can damage more than just the garbage disposal — they can damage your drainage system, too!
Cooking Oils and Grease
One of the most common causes of kitchen plumbing emergencies is pouring fats, oils, and grease down the drain. When hot grease or cooking oil cools, it solidifies and creates stubborn clogs in your pipes that are difficult to remove without professional help.
Butter, chicken fat, and other animal fats are particularly problematic. These substances not only clog your disposal but can also lead to sewage backups further down your plumbing system. Instead of pouring grease down the drain, let it cool in a container and then dispose of it in your trash.
Problematic Liquids
While your disposal is connected to your water system, not all liquids should go down your drain. Avoid pouring paint, household chemicals, or drain cleaners into your disposal. These substances can corrode the metal components of your unit and damage your pipes.
Vinegar can be used occasionally for cleaning your disposal, but harsh chemicals should be avoided as they can break down the seals and shorten your unit’s lifespan.
Hard Items That Can Break Your Disposal
A good rule of thumb to follow is that all hard food should immediately be tossed in the trash can.
Bones and Shells
Your garbage disposal isn’t designed to handle hard materials like chicken bones, fish bones, or seafood shells. These items are too dense for the disposal’s blades and can cause them to dull or break.
Eggshells, despite popular myths, aren’t good for your disposal either. The membrane can stick to the sides of your disposal or pipes, and the shells themselves can create granular waste that accumulates in pipes.
Fruit Pits and Seeds
Peach pits, avocado seeds, and other fruit stones are much too hard for your disposal to grind. These dense objects can damage the blades and motor of your unit. Even smaller seeds in large quantities can accumulate and cause problems.
Banana peels and citrus peels, while not as hard, are fibrous and can wrap around the impeller. Lemon peels in small amounts can help clean and freshen your disposal, but large quantities should be avoided.
Surprising Foods That Cause Disposal Problems
Surprised to see your favorite sweet treat here? We were surprised to find it in the garbage disposal!
Nut Butters and Sticky Foods
Peanut butter and other nut butters are too thick and sticky for your garbage disposal to handle effectively. These substances adhere to the sides of your disposal and pipes, creating a sticky residue that accumulates other debris and eventually forms clogs.
The same principle applies to oatmeal, which expands when wet and creates a thick paste that can jam your disposal. Bread can also become soggy and create a gummy substance that sticks to your disposal’s components.
Non-Food Items
It might seem obvious, but we’ve seen everything from bottle caps to small utensils find their way into garbage disposals. Glass, plastic, metal items, and even small pieces of debris can damage your disposal’s impeller and motor beyond repair.
Coffee filters, fruit stickers, and other paper or plastic products should never go down your disposal. These non-biodegradable materials can cause serious clogs and damage.
Maintaining Your Garbage Disposal for Longevity
Regular maintenance can extend the life of your garbage disposal and prevent costly repairs. Here are some tips:
- Run cold water before, during, and after using your disposal to help flush food particles through the pipes.
- Cut larger food items into smaller pieces before disposal.
- Use ice occasionally to help clean the blades.
- Regularly clean your disposal with natural methods like baking soda and vinegar.
- Be mindful of what goes down your drain.
Most home warranties cover garbage disposal replacement if your unit fails from normal wear and tear, but damage caused by improper use is typically not covered. This makes proper usage even more important.
Protecting Your Plumbing Investment
Your garbage disposal is a valuable kitchen tool that, with proper care, can provide years of reliable service. By avoiding problematic foods like pasta, rice, fibrous vegetables, bones, grease, and hard items, you’re protecting both your disposal and your broader plumbing system from unnecessary damage and clogs.
Remember, what goes down your sink impacts your entire home’s plumbing. When in doubt about whether something can safely go in your disposal, it’s better to throw it in the trash or compost it instead.
At Williams Plumbing & Drain, we’re committed to helping Oklahoma homeowners maintain their plumbing systems and avoid unnecessary repairs. If your garbage disposal is making unusual noises, emitting odors, or not functioning properly, don’t wait until it becomes a major issue. Contact our expert plumbers anytime for professional plumbing repair or drain cleaning in Tulsa, OK. We’re here to ensure your kitchen plumbing works efficiently for years to come.