A lot of people take their garbage disposals for granted. They think their garbage disposals are powerful enough to take care of just about anything. It is true that your garbage disposal is a versatile tool. It will probably handle just about anything you put down it the first time. On the other hand, if you continue to treat your garbage disposal terribly, it will eventually burn out, leading to a serious repair bill. Therefore, you need to think carefully about the foods you put down your garbage disposal. What are the top five foods that are guaranteed to damage your garbage disposal?
1. Fat, Grease, and Oil
You should absolutely never put any fat, grease, or oil down your garbage disposal. These are the most common causes of kitchen drain clogs, including garbage disposal. Even though they may look like liquid when you pour them down the drain, they solidify when they cool. Therefore, they create a stubborn, greasy clog that is sure to destroy your plumbing system.
2. Bones
You should also try to stay away from putting any bones down the garbage disposal. Yes, your garbage disposal blades are sharp. They may be able to cut through the bones one time. On the other hand, these will dull the blades of your garbage disposal quickly. They will not be able to chew through anything if you keep putting bones down the garbage disposal. Instead, put them in the trash. If you have fish bones, these are small enough to go through your garbage disposal.
3. Pasta and Rice
You could also stay away from putting starchy food, such as pasta and rice, down your garbage disposal. These are foods that expand at the collect moisture. Even after they are cooked, they can come together. Therefore, they can get caught in the trap of your garbage disposal quickly, leading to a serious clog that has to be addressed. It is better for you to put these foods in the garbage can.
4. Eggshells
A lot of people suggest putting eggshells down the garbage disposal in an effort to sharpen the blades. In reality, this is a significant mistake. Eggshells have a sticky membrane on the inside of them. This membrane can get wrapped around the blades of your garbage disposal. If you are looking for a way to sharpen the blades of your garbage disposal, reach for a few ice cubes instead. Stay away from eggshells, as they can damage your garbage disposal quickly.
5. Oatmeal
Finally, you should also try to avoid putting oatmeal down the garbage disposal. Even though this might not cause a problem immediately, oatmeal will eventually stick together. Furthermore, it will also stick to just about anything it comes into contact with in your pipes. The result could be a cement block that makes it difficult for your garbage disposal to work properly. Furthermore, oatmeal will also not respond to any household drain cleaner. If you put oatmeal down the garbage disposal, the next thing you should do is call a local plumber.
Stay Away from These Foods with Your Garbage Disposal
These are just a few of the many examples of foods you should try to avoid putting down your garbage disposal. Even though it might be annoying to throw these foods away, you do not want to damage your garbage disposal. Otherwise, you could be dealing with an expensive repair bill. If you have any questions or concerns about your garbage disposal, this is not something you should deal with on your own. The blades in your garbage disposal create a serious safety risk. Instead, reach out to a professional, local plumber for assistance.