Best Practices to Avoid a Garbage Disposal Clog
When you peel vegetables for a delicious dinner, do you peel them over the sink? Plenty of folks do. Prepping carrots, potatoes, and other veggies near the sink just makes sense. Unfortunately, your habit of washing vegetable peels down the drain can lead to a garbage disposal clog. There are plenty of home cooking habits that can lead to a garbage disposal clog, but following these best practices can help keep your sink clog-free!
Keep Fruit and Veggie Scraps Out
It's quite common for home cooks to throw vegetable peels, discarded ends, and fruit peels down the drain. Some people actually suggest grinding lemon peels to freshen up a smelly sink. In reality, all of these fruit and veggie scraps should stay out of your garbage disposal. Fibrous vegetables like celery and asparagus can tangle up your garbage disposal's blades, and everyday discards like onion skins, carrot tops, and artichoke leaves can do the same. This puts extra strain on your unit's motor. Hard solids like citrus peels and fruit pits can be even worse, dulling or breaking your blades. When in doubt, throw your fruit and veggie scraps in a compost bin.
Much Ado About Grease
Plenty of homeowners have strong opinions about what to do with grease. Things like cooking oil, butter, or melted fat can wreak havoc on your kitchen's plumbing, but some people have strategies that they feel can mitigate the effects. Contrary to popular belief, pouring grease down the drain along with hot water will not allow it to simply flow through; the fat will solidify eventually, forming a clog. Furthermore, dumping hot or boiling water into your sink while your pipes are clogged can harm some of your sink's connections, pipes, and seals. The best way to avoid a garbage disposal clog while cooking with your favorite fats is to empty your grease into a can or jar and throw it away.
If You Can't Eat It, Keep It Out
Finally, a good rule of thumb to keep your garbage disposal running smoothly is to keep anything inedible out. Kitchen twine, twist ties, and rubber bands may be part of your food prep, but they shouldn't go down your drain. Likewise, things like bones, eggshells, and corn husks should go in your trashcan or compost bin. Start following these best practices to keep your garbage disposal in good shape. If your garbage disposal, kitchen sink, or other household plumbing mainstays are acting up, contact the experts at Metcalf Plumbing for repair!
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Metcalf Plumbing is a customer-focused plumbing contractor serving residential and commercial clients throughout the Catonsville, Ellicott City and surrounding areas. From water heater installation, sump pump installation and repair to water and sewer line replacement, Metcalf Plumbing is a trusted resource to call on when you need help with your plumbing services. We are not commission-based and we provide honest, upfront costs with a thorough inspection of your system and suggested next steps. Our trained and courteous technicians are standing by to provide quality comfort at competitive prices. You can call us at 410-242-311 and don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!