What Should Never Go Down a Garbage Disposal?

Your garbage disposal makes kitchen cleanup easier, but it isn't designed to handle everything.

Putting the wrong foods down the drain can dull the blades, jam the motor, or cause clogs farther down your pipes. And with the holidays coming up, your kitchen sink is about to get a lot busier.

Knowing what to keep out of your disposal can help you avoid a messy backup when you least expect it.

Foods That Clog Your Disposal and Pipes

Here are some of the most common items that cause problems.

1. Grease, Oil, and Fat

Grease may go down as a liquid, but it cools and hardens inside your pipes. Over time, it collects food particles and builds into stubborn clogs.

2. Starchy Foods

Potato peels, pasta, rice, and bread can expand with water and turn into a thick paste that sticks to your disposal and pipes.

3. Fibrous Vegetables

Celery, corn husks, onion skins, asparagus, and artichokes have stringy fibers that can wrap around the disposal and jam it.

4. Coffee Grounds and Eggshells

These may seem harmless, but they can form a gritty sludge that builds up in your drain line.

5. Bones and Fruit Pits

Hard items like bones and pits can damage the disposal or get stuck, keeping it from working properly.

How to Use Your Disposal the Right Way

A few simple habits can help keep your disposal running smoothly:

• Run cold water before, during, and after using the disposal

• Feed food scraps in gradually instead of all at once

• Let the disposal run a few seconds after grinding stops

• Scrape plates into the trash or compost first when possible

• Never put your hand inside the disposal. If it jams, turn it off and unplug it or switch off the power before checking

Thanksgiving Tips to Avoid a Kitchen Clog

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest days of the year for kitchen drains. Between cooking, cleanup, and extra guests, your sink and disposal get a real workout.

To help avoid a holiday clog:

• Pour turkey grease into a can or container, let it cool, and throw it away

• Keep potato peels and stuffing scraps out of the disposal

• Space out dishwashing instead of running everything at once

• Wipe greasy pans with a paper towel before washing

• Keep a trash bowl nearby while cooking for peels and scraps

If your sink starts draining slowly, stop using the disposal before the problem gets worse.

When Should You Call a Plumber?

If your disposal hums but won't spin, your sink keeps backing up, water drains slowly, or you notice leaks or bad odors under the sink, it's a good idea to have it checked.

A plumber can determine whether the problem is with the disposal itself or a clog deeper in your drain line.

Fix It With Fagundes

Enjoy your holiday without worrying about your kitchen sink. If your disposal or drain isn't working the way it should, give Fagundes Plumbing Heating & AC a call at (978) 350-5522 to schedule plumbing service and keep your kitchen running smoothly.