What Not To Put Down The Garbage Disposal

What Not to Put Down Your Garbage Disposal: A Homeowner’s Guide

Your garbage disposal is a handy kitchen tool that makes cleanup easier—but only if it’s used properly. Many homeowners assume disposals can handle anything, but that’s a quick path to clogs, damage, and costly repairs.

In this guide, we’ll cover the most common items you should never put down your garbage disposal, why they cause problems, and how to troubleshoot issues when they arise. If you run into trouble, call Pride Services for expert plumbing help in Rockville Centre, NY and the surrounding areas.

🚫 What You Should Never Put in a Garbage Disposal

Even though garbage disposals are built to grind food scraps, there are several things that can jam the blades, clog your drain, or wear down your unit over time.

1. Grease, Fat, and Oil

Grease might go down as a liquid, but it quickly solidifies in your pipes, creating sticky blockages that trap other debris. Always dispose of grease in a container and throw it in the trash once cooled.

2. Fibrous Vegetables

Stringy veggies like celery, corn husks, artichokes, asparagus, and onion skins can wrap around the disposal blades and jam the motor. Compost these instead.

3. Starchy Foods

Items like pasta, rice, potatoes, oats, and beans swell with water and turn into a sticky paste, which clogs drains and gums up the disposal’s mechanisms.

4. Coffee Grounds

They seem harmless, but coffee grounds clump into a dense, sludgy mess that builds up in pipes and traps other particles.

5. Eggshells

Contrary to popular belief, eggshells don’t sharpen disposal blades. Instead, the membrane lining can tangle in the blades, and the shells themselves can form clogs.

6. Bones and Shells

Small chicken bones might occasionally pass through, but larger bones or shellfish shells (like lobster or oyster) can damage the blades or jam the disposal completely.

7. Fruit Pits and Seeds

Hard pits from avocados, peaches, or cherries are too solid to grind and can bend or break internal parts.

8. Nuts and Nut Shells

Grinding nuts is like trying to make peanut butter in your sink. Nut paste builds up inside the disposal and clogs the drain.

9. Non-Food Items

Glass, metal, plastic, rubber bands, produce stickers, and paper towels do not belong in the disposal. They can’t be ground down and will either cause a jam or break the unit.

10. Paint, Chemicals, and Medications

These substances may damage the unit, pollute your water system, or harm your plumbing. Follow local disposal guidelines instead.

🧰 Garbage Disposal Troubleshooting Tips

Even with the best care, your disposal might occasionally run into problems. Here are some quick solutions:

Problem: The Disposal Won’t Turn On

• Check the power source. Make sure it’s plugged in and the breaker hasn’t tripped.
• Press the reset button (usually found on the bottom of the unit).
• Still nothing? The motor might be burnt out—time to call a plumber.

Problem: Garbage Disposal Hums but Doesn’t Grind

• This means it’s jammed. Turn off the power and try manually rotating the blades using an Allen wrench underneath.
• Never stick your hand inside! Use tongs or pliers if needed.

Problem: Garbage Disposal Smells Bad

• Clean the unit with baking soda and vinegar, or grind ice cubes with lemon peels.
• Scrub the rubber splash guard—it often traps gunk.

Problem: Garbage Disposal is Leaking

• If it leaks from the top, reseal the sink flange.
• If it leaks from the side, tighten hose connections.
• If it leaks from the bottom, you probably need a new disposal.

🛠 Call Pride Services For Professional Help

Some issues—like persistent clogs, motor failure, or internal leaks—require a professional touch. Attempting a DIY repair can make things worse if you’re not experienced.

For garbage disposal repair in Rockville Centre, NY and the surrounding areas, contact Pride Services. Our licensed plumbers are fast, friendly, and ready to help you get your kitchen back to normal.