Your garbage disposal is a lifesaver. It is a remarkably quick and convenient way to dispose of food waste. In fact, many garbage disposals can withstand years of daily use without a beat. But how do you keep the not-so-silent hero of your kitchen healthy? If properly monitored and maintained, your garbage disposal can dodge the serious problems for years to come. Continue reading for best practices and tips for extending the life of your garbage disposal.
Run Cold Water During Use
The cool shock from cold water will cause the food that is in your drain to harden. This is ideal, since hardened food is much easier for your garbage disposal to grind up. Many people get in the habit of running hot water down their drain, however we advise against using hot water for your garbage disposal as the high temperature can melt your food waste. Melted food waste will adhere to the pipes of your sink and garbage disposal, which in turn can cause a clog or a more serious issue.
Watch What Goes Down the Drain
Certain materials should never come in contact with your garbage disposal. Obviously, metals and plastics should be thrown away instead of shredded down the drain. Many other things should be kept away from your disposal, including fibrous vegetables, bones, oils, and grease. Here is a list of some of the things that should never be placed in your garbage disposal:
- Metal objects
- Plastic objects
- Fats
- Oils
- Grease
- Fibrous vegetables (like celery)
- Bones
- Wooden objects
- Glass objects
Add Some Citrus
Now, time for something that we encourage putting in your garbage disposal: citrus fruits! Whenever you peel a lemon, lime, or orange, toss that peel down the drain of your sink and let your garbage disposal work its magic. The peel will help to eliminate some of the food waste that is stuck to the blades and interior of the garbage disposal. Additionally, the fresh scent will suppress any odors coming from the garbage disposal.
Occasionally Use Boiling Water
Remember when we said that hot water is not the best option for garbage disposal use? That remains true. However, if you are trying to wash away any excess food stuck in your system, a pot of boiling water down the drain once a month will do the job. Keep in mind, the heat does cause the food that is in your garbage disposal to melt, which can cause clogs. It is imperative that you do not pour boiling water down your drain more than recommended.
Keep It Running
Many people will shut off the garbage disposal after they hear a change in sound, generally indicating that the food is gone. This method will leave bits and pieces of your food waste in the disposal, which after time can cause a clog. To avoid this issue, we recommend running the disposal for an extra two minutes with cool, running water. This ensures that all pieces of food waste are eliminated down the drain. As an added aspect of protection, pump a small amount of dish soap into the disposal. The grease-fighting powers of the dish soap will both clean the disposal and finish the job by sweeping away any stubborn pieces of food waste.
For more tips on how to maintain the plumbing in your home, or to speak with a professional about your garbage disposal issues, call The WireNut today!
FAQs
Garbage disposal should last up to 12 years, according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI). But, like any appliance, how you treat it determines whether it lives longer—or shorter—than the average lifespan.
How to prolong the life of a garbage disposal? ›
How to Make a Garbage Disposal Last Longer
- Always use cold water. ...
- Dispose of the right food. ...
- Pour down boiling water occasionally. ...
- Keep the disposal running a little longer. ...
- Dispose of food in small amounts. ...
- Run it regularly. ...
- Schedule periodic inspections.
Garbage disposal should last up to 12 years, according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI). But, like any appliance, how you treat it determines whether it lives longer—or shorter—than the average lifespan.
How do I keep my garbage disposal healthy? ›
5 ways to extend the life of your garbage disposal
- Run cold water when using it. ...
- Know what not to put down the garbage disposal. ...
- Toss in some citrus every once in a while. ...
- On occasion, pour down boiling water. ...
- Let the disposal run.
Don't overload the disposer; grind no more than about 1 cup of food debris at a time. Every month, clean the disposal with either a disposal cleaner or a mixture of vinegar, baking soda and hot water. Do not put grease, egg shells, coffee grounds, starchy foods, plastic or large bones down the disposal.
Do stainless steel garbage disposals last longer? ›
Since stainless steel is resistant to corrosion, garbage disposals made from stainless steel are more durable and efficient. Stainless steel grinders tend to significantly outlast units made from galvanized steel or other materials.
Why does my garbage disposal keep dying? ›
When the reset button doesn't work, the most common problems include electrical system issues, disposal jams, drain pipe clogs, or faulty seals in the mounting, hoses, or pipe connections. You can easily diagnose and fix most garbage disposal problems at home.
How do you tell if you need a new garbage disposal? ›
5 Signs It's Time To Replace Your Garbage Disposal
- Strange or unusual noises are coming from your garbage disposal. ...
- It has a bad smell that won't go away. ...
- Your garbage disposal won't turn on. ...
- Water is leaking from your garbage disposal. ...
- You're frequently pressing the reset button on the unit.
If you pay more for a garbage disposal, it usually comes with a longer warranty. There is little mechanical difference between low-end and high-priced disposals of the same horsepower. The average garbage disposal outlives its warranty, so you shouldn't need to spend extra on a unit with a longer warranty.
How often should garbage disposals be cleaned? ›
Consider cleaning it once a week if you use your disposal every day. You don't need to clean as often if you don't use your disposal regularly. You can get by with cleaning your disposal once a month, but regular cleaning can prevent gunk buildup, clogging, and odors. Clean the splash guard.
To clean your garbage disposal the proper way, combine ice with salt, which helps scrub the blades clean, and lemon to neutralize odors and create a fresh scent. Fill the disposal with ice cubes, a sprinkle of coarse salt such as rock or sea salt, and a few lemon wedges.
Does an InSinkErator need maintenance? ›
No, they do not require routine servicing / maintenance. Please see the image below for the customer criteria for an InSinkErator food waste disposer. Can you briefly explain what a food waste disposer is?
What foods damage garbage disposal? ›
Don't Put These Foods in the Garbage Disposal!
- Bones. The main dish of a holiday meal is often some type of meat. ...
- Onion Skins. A classic ingredient in various festive dishes is an onion. ...
- Corn Husks. Perhaps your side dish for your holiday meal is corn. ...
- Potato Peels. ...
- Eggshells. ...
- Grease.
Only use cold water when grinding your garbage disposal. Hot water may cause fats to congeal. When congealed, fats and oils can stick to the blades of your disposal and cause the system to work harder than necessary, impacting the motor.
Do garbage disposals need regular maintenance? ›
To keep your garbage disposal working well and for a long time, have a regular maintenance schedule. By having it looked at once per year by an experienced plumber, small problems can be detected and fixed before they do major damage.
Should you always run water when using garbage disposal? ›
Although you should run water when using the garbage disposal, it's important to make sure that you are keeping the temperature of the water in mind. You should always run cold water. This cold temperature will help make sure that everything is properly ground up and quickly disposed of.
How do I keep my garbage disposal from rusting? ›
Fortunately, garbage disposal maintenance is pretty easy — just run it at least once daily. Running it often keeps the blades sharp and prevents rust and corrosion. Over time the blades can become dull, which makes the appliance less effective at grinding up food scraps.
Should you leave the garbage disposal running? ›
Once the grinding ends, then it's safe to turn off the motor, but leave the water running for at least 15 seconds. This will allow the garbage disposal to break down all the food properly, and the running water will dislodge any additional bits, which lessens the chances of buildup and clogs.
