The garbage disposal is a wonderful kitchen tool, if used correctly. It can quickly and easily take care of leftover food scraps from dinner while keeping your kitchen smelling clean. As an added bonus, it cuts down on the food that ends up in landfills. However, if you don’t take proper care of your garbage disposal or if you use it incorrectly, it can break down, leaving your kitchen smelling like decaying food. At Drain Genie, we don’t want our Orlando residents left with stinky kitchens, so follow these do’s and don’ts to keep your disposal in tip-top shape.
1. Do Use Plenty of Water, Don’t Use Hot Water
Each time you run your disposal, turn on the cold water while the food is being chopped up and keep it flowing for another 10 to 20 seconds after you’ve heard the motor turn into a soft whir. This will help carry any remaining food particles out of the disposal, and flush it from the pipes. However, it’s best to use cold water, because hot water will liquefy greases and fats. In this liquid form, the the grease will stick to the blades and cause damaging buildup.
2. Do Use It for Food Scraps, Don’t Use It for Fibrous Foods
Most foods are okay to put down your disposal. Generally, you can rinse your plates after dinner as small amounts of meat, fruits, and vegetables are perfectly fine to run through your disposal. However, hard or fibrous foods are damaging to your disposal, so avoid things like seeds, popcorn kernels, or bones. Also, onions, egg shells, celery stalks, and corn husks may wrap around the blades, causing them to jam.
3. Do Clean Your Disposal, Don’t Put Your Hand in It
Just like any appliance, it will need cleaning over time. Try to avoid using harsh chemicals; instead, use baking soda and vinegar. However, if your disposal is jammed, it’s important never to put your hand down it. If you’re able to remove the wedged food, the sudden release of tension can make the blades spring into action and cause injury to your hand.
Follow these tips to keep your garbage disposal running for years to come. For any disposal or plumbing issue, contact our team at Drain Genie at 407-710-0210. Our team of expert plumbers is the most qualified in the Orlando area. We look forward to working with you!