Plumbing Tips – Disposals

• It is best to use cold water — NOT hot water — when you run your disposal. Let the cold water run as long as the motor is running, and be sure to avoid overloading the disposal.
• Corn husks, artichokes, onion skins, celery, and other high-fiber material can clog your disposal.
• Do not pour fats or cooking oils into your sink. Liquid fats can solidify in cold drainpipes, trap food particles, and clog the drains.
• Do not put coffee grounds down the drain.
• If your disposal is clogged, turn off the motor and the water.
  • Reach under the sink and insert the service wrench that came with your disposal — or a ¼ inch Allen wrench — into the hole on the bottom of the disposal. Turn it back and forth until it can turn freely in complete circles.
  • Then use tongs to remove whatever caused the disposal to jam.
  • Finally, press the red “reset” button on the bottom of your disposal in case the disposal needs to be reset.
• Food particles which remain in your disposal can cause odors. Put a combination of ice cubes and lemon peel in the disposal, run it for about thirty seconds, and then run cold water through the disposal. Disposal cleaner or degreaser may help too.

Additional Disposal Care Tips

To keep your garbage disposal working efficiently, always feed food scraps into the unit slowly instead of all at once. Allow the disposal to reach full speed before adding food, and avoid forcing large amounts of waste into the grinding chamber. This reduces stress on the motor and helps prevent jams.

Avoid putting pasta, rice, bread, potato peels, fruit pits, bones, eggshells, and seafood shells into your disposal. These items can expand, become sticky, or are too hard for the grinding components, increasing the risk of clogs and damage.

Never place plastic, glass, metal, paper, or other non-food items into the disposal. Even small objects can damage the grinding mechanism and require costly repairs.

Clean your disposal regularly by grinding a handful of ice cubes to help remove buildup from the grinding chamber. Adding lemon or lime peels afterward leaves the disposal smelling fresh and helps eliminate lingering food odors.

It’s also a good idea to clean the rubber splash guard, as food particles often collect underneath it. Simply lift the edges carefully and wipe the underside with warm, soapy water using a sponge or soft brush.

If your disposal begins making unusual noises, drains slowly, or needs to be reset frequently, stop using it until the problem is identified. Continuing to operate a malfunctioning disposal can damage the motor or your plumbing system.

For best performance, run your garbage disposal regularly, even if you don’t use it every day. Regular operation helps prevent rust, corrosion, and moving parts from sticking.

By following these simple maintenance practices, you can extend the life of your garbage disposal, reduce unpleasant odors, prevent clogged drains, and avoid expensive plumbing repairs in the future.