The Most Definitely Do NOT's Of Garbage Disposals
Knowing what not to put down your garbage disposal and how to use it correctly helps protect your plumbing system and extend the life of your appliance.
A garbage disposal can be one of the most convenient kitchen appliances in your home, making meal prep and cleanup quick and simple. But disposals are not indestructible, and improper use can lead to clogs, jams, foul odors, costly repairs, or even replacements. Knowing what not to put down your garbage disposal and how to use it correctly helps protect your plumbing system and extend the life of your appliance.
This guide breaks down the most essential garbage disposal do's and don'ts, explains why certain foods and materials cause problems, provides practical tips for everyday use, and helps you avoid common garbage disposal mistakes. Whether you're a new homeowner or just want to protect your kitchen plumbing, these clear guidelines will keep your disposal running smoothly for years.
Why Garbage Disposal Misuse Causes Problems
Your garbage disposal is designed to handle specific kinds of biodegradable food waste, not everything that ends up on a dinner plate. It uses sharp impellers and centrifugal force to break food into tiny fragments that can travel safely through your home's drain system. When inappropriate materials enter the disposal, several things can go wrong:
• Blades can dull or break
• The motor can overheat or jam
• Pipes and drain lines can clog or back up
• Food particles can decompose, causing bad odors
• You may end up with expensive plumbing repair bills
Understanding your garbage disposal's limitations and knowing what not to feed it will help prevent these issues.
Grease, Oils, and Fats Are a Big No
One of the most damaging things you can pour down a garbage disposal is grease, cooking oils, fat drippings, and bacon grease. When hot, these substances flow easily through the disposal, but once they cool, they solidify. That solidified grease coats the disposal blades and clings to the inside walls of your pipes, creating sticky buildup that catches other debris and eventually leads to clogs and backflow.
Over time, grease buildup can restrict proper drainage and put extra strain on your plumbing system. Even small amounts repeatedly poured down the drain can add up and create tough-to-clear blockages. Instead, collect grease and fats in a container and dispose of them in the trash once they have cooled.
Starchy Foods Like Rice, Pasta, and Potatoes Should Stay Out
Starchy foods such as rice, pasta, potatoes, and beans are notorious for creating disposal and drain problems. These foods absorb water and expand, turning into a sticky, glue-like paste that can clog your disposal chamber and drain lines. This pasty residue can coat the blades, inhibit proper grinding, and clog pipes.
Even cooked starches can continue to absorb water and settle into the drain, creating stubborn blockages that resist plunging or snaking. Because starchy foods change texture and expand, they should always be thrown in the trash or composted rather than fed to your disposal.
Fibrous Foods Can Tangling Blades and Cause Jams
Fibrous vegetables such as corn husks, celery, asparagus, artichokes, and even broccoli stems contain long strands of fiber that can wrap around the disposal blades. These fibers become entangled, reducing the disposal's grinding capability and eventually causing jams or motor strain.
Unlike softer food waste, fibrous materials are difficult for the disposal's impellers to break down. Over time, repeatedly feeding fibrous foods into the disposal dulls the blades, stresses the motor, and increases the risk of clogs further down your plumbing.
Hard Materials and Non-Food Items Are Absolutely Forbidden
Your garbage disposal is not a trash can. Hard materials and non-food items can ruin your disposal in an instant. This includes items such as:
• Utensils and cutlery
• Bottle caps, foil, and packaging
• Plastic, glass, and paper
• Large bones or fruit pits
• Jewelry or metal objects
Dropping a fork, spoon, or even a small piece of metal down the disposal can bend blades, jam the motor, or damage internal components. Hard bones and pits are just as destructive, often causing chips or breaks in grinding elements that lead to total failure.
Always double-check your sink before running the disposal, and if an object does fall in accidentally, turn off the power first and retrieve it safely with pliers or tongs — never with your hands.
Coffee Grounds and Small Particles Can Build Problems
At first glance, coffee grounds may seem small enough to wash away, but they can settle into low spots in your plumbing and accumulate into dense deposits. These fine particles resist flushing and collect with other debris, creating clogs over time.
Likewise, small seeds, nut shells, and hard grains can contribute to sediment buildup that slows drainage and causes blockages. While occasional, tiny amounts of certain foods may pass safely, making a habit of feeding these particles to your disposal often leads to trouble.
Avoid Pouring Hot Water or Harsh Chemicals
Many homeowners think hot water helps break down food faster, but it actually melts grease and fat, allowing them to coat your pipes and disposal blades. Cold water, on the other hand, helps solidify fats so they can be chopped up and flushed out safely.
Similarly, harsh chemical drain cleaners and bleach should never be poured into your disposal. These substances can corrode metal parts, harm seals and gaskets, and damage your plumbing system. Instead, use natural cleaners like cold water, citrus peels, or a combination of baking soda and vinegar to maintain freshness.
Small Batches Are Better Than Overloading
Feeding large quantities of food into your garbage disposal all at once puts unnecessary strain on the motor, increases the risk of jamming, and clogs drains more quickly. Always introduce food waste in small batches, allow the blades to grind completely, and keep cold water running throughout the process to flush debris.
When you overload your disposal, pieces can accumulate faster than they are broken down, leading to backups and the need for manual unclogging or professional service.
Routine Maintenance Keeps Your Disposal Healthy
Even when used correctly, garbage disposals require periodic maintenance to stay odor-free and efficient:
• Run cold water while grinding and for a few seconds afterward
• Occasionally grind ice cubes to clean the chamber and sharpen blades
• Use citrus peels for a fresh scent
• Keep your splash guard clean to prevent trapped scraps
Regular maintenance prevents buildup, discourages odors, and helps preserve your plumbing system.
When It's Time to Call a Professional
Despite your best efforts, garbage disposal failures and drain clogs can still happen. If your disposal hums but won't grind, cycles on and off repeatedly, leaks under the sink, or produces unusual noises, it's time to call a professional plumber.
Plumbing professionals can safely diagnose motor issues, clear stubborn clogs, replace worn components, and verify your kitchen plumbing operates correctly without risking damage from DIY attempts.
Garbage Disposal Questions Homeowners Ask Before Something Goes Wrong
What kinds of food should I never put down in my garbage disposal?
Avoid grease, fats, oils, starchy foods like rice and pasta, fibrous vegetables, coffee grounds, bones, fruit pits, and non food items. These materials cause buildup, jams, and stubborn clogs that strain the disposal and drain line.
Why should I run cold water when using the disposal?
Cold water keeps grease and fats solid so the disposal can chop them up and move them through the plumbing. Warm water allows grease to melt and coat pipes, increasing the risk of blockages.
Can grinding ice help my garbage disposal?
Yes. Ice cubes help knock loose debris inside the grinding chamber and can improve blade performance. Running ice with cold water also helps reduce odors caused by trapped food particles.
Is it safe to use citrus peels in the garbage disposal?
Citrus peels can freshen odors and help clean the interior, but they should be used occasionally. Frequent use can add fibrous material that contributes to jams over time.
How do I know if my garbage disposal needs professional repair?
Warning signs include humming without grinding, repeated jams, leaks under the sink, unusual noises, or persistent clogs. These issues indicate internal damage or drain problems that require professional service.
MNS Plumbing is here to help with all your garbage disposals, dishwasher installation, water purification, and other plumbing installation requirements. Serving the entire Phoenix, AZ Greater Metro Area, you can count on us to keep your home safe all year round.
