Garbage disposals are among the most desirable amenities in a modern kitchen. However, the appliance only works if you maintain it well. One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make after garbage disposal installation is not learning what food waste the device can’t process. To avoid untimely plumbing repairs, remember never to put the following scraps in your disposal unit.

4 Foods That Ruin Garbage Disposals

1. Rice & Pasta

Starchy items like rice and pasta tend to expand when immersed in water. As they pass through the disposal unit into the drain, they continue to absorb soaking moisture and expand. Over time, they clog up the plumbing and gum up the blades, requiring service or replacement by a garbage disposal installation professional.

2. Coffee Grounds

While garbage disposal installation makes it easier to process softer food items, avoid using it to pulverize coffee grounds. While they seem small enough to wash down the drain, they end up clotting together and creating a muddy sludge in the pipe.

3. Fruit Pits

Peaches, avocados, and mangoes are delicious, but be careful not to throw the pits into your garbage disposal. Their shells are hard enough to wear or break the appliance’s blades. 

4. Oil & Grease

The disposal system may seem like a convenient place to pour down old oil and grease from your dishes. However, these fatty items can solidify inside drains and collect on the sides of the pipes. The sticky grime causes further obstruction as other particles stick to it on the way down the drain.

5. Fibrous Vegetables

While most vegetable can safely pass through the garbage disposal, fibrous veggies including celery, rhubarb, lettuce, cornhusks and similar vegetables tend to tangle around the disposal’s blades. 

With the right care and preventative steps, garbage disposal installation can make life much easier for homeowners. To ensure the job is done right, turn to the experienced plumbers at Miller Plumbing. They have been serving residents throughout Monroe, Ontario, and Livingston Counties for more than 45 years. Anytime you need fixture repairs or drain cleaning solutions, call (585) 533-1404 to make an appointment. Visit their website for more information.