Potato Peels and Mashed Potatoes
The holiday season often means an abundance of mashed potatoes and potato dishes, but be cautious about what ends up in your garbage disposal. Potato peels and mashed potatoes can form a thick, glue-like paste that clogs the disposal and pipes. The starch in potatoes has a tendency to expand when exposed to water, creating a sticky mess that can block your plumbing. This can lead to slow drainage or even a complete blockage, requiring professional intervention to clear. Instead of risking a clog, consider composting potato peels or disposing of them in the trash.
Pasta and Rice
Pasta and rice are other starchy foods that can wreak havoc on your garbage disposal. These foods absorb water and expand, potentially causing significant clogs in your disposal and pipes. Even small amounts can accumulate over time, leading to a major blockage. The expansion of pasta and rice can fill up the disposal, making it difficult for the blades to function properly. To avoid these issues, scrape leftover pasta and rice into the trash or compost bin rather than rinsing them down the sink.
Celery and Asparagus
Celery and asparagus are notorious for their long, fibrous strands that can easily wrap around the blades of your garbage disposal. These strands can cause the disposal to jam and malfunction, leading to costly repairs. The fibrous nature of these vegetables makes them difficult for the disposal to break down, resulting in potential clogs. To keep your disposal running smoothly, it's best to dispose of celery and asparagus in the trash or compost them if possible.
Corn Husks and Artichokes
Corn husks and artichokes are tough, fibrous items that are difficult for garbage disposals to handle. These materials can get caught in the disposal blades, causing jams and potential damage to the motor. The tough fibers can also create blockages in your plumbing, leading to slow drainage or complete clogs. Instead of risking damage to your disposal, dispose of corn husks and artichokes in the trash or compost them if you have a composting system in place.
Cooking Oils and Grease
Pouring cooking oils and grease down your garbage disposal is a recipe for disaster. These substances can solidify in your pipes, creating stubborn blockages that are difficult to remove. Grease can also coat the blades of your disposal, reducing their efficiency and leading to potential mechanical issues. To avoid these problems, pour cooking oils and grease into a container and dispose of them in the trash once they have solidified. Alternatively, you can recycle used cooking oil at designated recycling centers.
Butter and Lard
Similar to cooking oils, butter and lard can solidify and cause clogs in your pipes. These fats can also attract other debris, worsening the blockage and making it more difficult to clear. Butter and lard can coat the blades of your disposal, reducing their effectiveness and potentially causing damage. To prevent these issues, dispose of butter and lard in the trash rather than rinsing them down the sink. You can also consider composting small amounts of these fats if your composting system can handle them.
Bones and Shells
Bones from turkey, chicken, or ham, as well as shellfish shells, are too hard for your garbage disposal to handle. These items can damage the blades or motor, leading to costly repairs or the need for a replacement disposal. Bones and shells can also create blockages in your pipes, causing slow drainage or complete clogs. To avoid these issues, dispose of bones and shells in the trash rather than attempting to grind them in your disposal.
Fruit Pits and Seeds
Fruit pits and seeds, such as peach pits, cherry pits, and avocado seeds, are too hard for your garbage disposal to handle. These items can cause significant damage to the disposal blades and motor, leading to costly repairs. Fruit pits and seeds can also create blockages in your pipes, causing slow drainage or complete clogs. To prevent these problems, dispose of fruit pits and seeds in the trash rather than attempting to grind them in your disposal.
Holiday Decorations
Holiday decorations, such as tinsel, small ornaments, and other festive items, should never be put down your garbage disposal. These items can cause severe damage to the disposal blades and motor, leading to costly repairs or the need for a replacement disposal. Decorations can also create blockages in your pipes, causing slow drainage or complete clogs. To avoid these issues, dispose of holiday decorations in the trash rather than attempting to grind them in your disposal.
Plastic and Paper Products
Plastic utensils, wrapping paper, and other non-food items should never be put down your garbage disposal. These materials can jam the disposal and damage the motor, leading to costly repairs. Plastic and paper products can also create blockages in your pipes, causing slow drainage or complete clogs. To prevent these problems, dispose of plastic and paper products in the trash rather than attempting to grind them in your disposal.
Mr. Drain Is Here for You This Holiday Season
The holiday season is a time for celebration and feasting, but it's important to be mindful of what goes down your garbage disposal. By avoiding starchy foods, fibrous vegetables, grease and fat, hard foods, and non-food items, you can keep your disposal running smoothly and avoid costly repairs. Instead, consider alternative disposal methods such as composting or disposing of problematic items in the trash.
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, remember that if you find yourself dealing with a clogged or malfunctioning garbage disposal this holiday season, don't hesitate to contact Mr. Drain for professional plumbing services. Our team of experienced plumbers is here to help you keep your kitchen running smoothly.
Send us a message online or call (530) 658-0972 to schedule a service appointment and ensure your holiday celebrations go off without a hitch.
