Garbage Disposal Tips: What to Put In & What to Never Dump Down
Your garbage disposal is one of the hardest-working appliances in your kitchen. It helps keep your sink clean and prevents food waste from building up—but only if it’s treated right.
At TLH Plumbing, we get dozens of calls each year for jammed or broken garbage disposals. Most of the time, the problem comes down to putting the wrong things down the drain.
If you want to keep your disposal running smoothly and avoid costly repairs, here’s a simple guide on what to put in—and what to never dump down—your garbage disposal.
What’s Safe to Put in Your Garbage Disposal
1. Soft Food Scraps
Small bits of soft foods like cooked vegetables, fruit scraps, and small amounts of rice or pasta are fine in moderation. Always run cold water while the disposal is on to help flush food down the drain.
Pro tip: Feed food slowly into the disposal—don’t overload it.
2. Citrus Peels (in small amounts)
A few slices of orange, lemon, or lime peel can help freshen up odors and clean the disposal blades naturally. Just don’t overdo it—too many peels can strain the motor or clog pipes.
3. Cold Water & Ice Cubes
Running ice cubes through the disposal helps clean off gunk and sharpen the impellers. Cold water keeps grease solid so it can be ground up and flushed away instead of sticking to your pipes.
4. Small Bones (occasionally)
Tiny chicken bones or fish bones are generally safe in small amounts. They actually help scrape the inside of the disposal. Avoid large or dense bones like beef or pork—they’re too hard and can jam the blades.
What You Should NEVER Put Down a Garbage Disposal
1. Grease, Oil, or Fat
Grease might go down as a liquid, but once it cools, it hardens and clogs pipes. It also coats your disposal and reduces performance.
Better option: Pour grease into a disposable container and toss it in the trash.
2. Fibrous or Stringy Foods
Celery, corn husks, asparagus, artichokes, onion skins, and banana peels are all big troublemakers. Their fibers wrap around the blades and stop the motor from turning.
3. Coffee Grounds
They seem harmless, but coffee grounds clump together inside pipes and create a thick sludge that’s difficult to remove.
Better option: Compost them or use them in your garden soil instead.
4. Eggshells
This one surprises many homeowners. The thin membrane inside the shell can stick to the blades and cause buildup. The small shell pieces can also combine with grease and form blockages further down the line.
5. Pasta, Rice, or Oatmeal
These foods expand with water—even after being ground up. They can swell in your pipes and create serious blockages over time.
6. Potato Peels
They turn into a sticky paste that gums up the blades and the drain line. Dispose of them in the trash or compost instead.
7. Large Bones, Pits, or Shells
Avoid putting in anything rock-hard like steak bones, fruit pits, or nutshells. These can break your disposal’s grinding chamber instantly.
8. Non-Food Items (Ever!)
Plastic, paper towels, twist ties, rubber bands—these don’t belong anywhere near a garbage disposal. Even small items can destroy the motor or damage your plumbing.
Bonus Tips for Keeping Your Disposal in Great Shape
- Run cold water before, during, and after every use. This keeps food moving and prevents grease buildup.
- Grind in small batches. Let the disposal clear one load before adding more.
- Clean weekly. Drop in a few ice cubes and lemon slices, run the disposal for 30 seconds, and rinse with cold water.
- Never use harsh chemicals or drain cleaners. These can corrode metal parts and ruin your disposal seals.
- Listen for changes. Unusual noises, grinding sounds, or slower drainage could mean a jam or motor issue—call a professional before it burns out.
Why Proper Use Matters
A single mistake—like dumping grease or fibrous veggies—can lead to expensive clogs or even motor replacement. At TLH Plumbing, we’ve seen small disposal problems turn into full kitchen drain backups.
If your disposal is jammed, humming, or completely dead, don’t risk injury trying to fix it yourself. Our licensed plumbers can safely repair or replace your garbage disposal anywhere in Middle Tennessee, often the same day you call. Contact us today!
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