What NOT to Put Down the Garbage Disposer

We would all like to think that our garbage disposer can handle everything. Unfortunately, physics just doesn’t work that way. Here’s a comprehensive list of what NOT to put down your garbage disposer, and why. Important disclaimer: just because an item is not included in this list does not mean you can assume it’s safe to put into the disposer. Read the operator’s manual and always use common sense.

Grease, Oil, & Fat

It might be out of sight for a while, but it certainly won’t be out of mind when your drain clogs up after repeated dumpings. Never, ever dump grease, oil, or fat down your drain or garbage disposer. While it can work sometimes if you do it right, it’s not worth the risk. Wait for it to cool and put it in the trash.

Onion Layers

Layered bulbs and vegetables, especially those with film or skin-like characteristics, can wrap around blades and other moving parts, thereby hindering the movement of your garbage disposer motor. If enough builds up, it could cause damage down the road.

Egg Shells

Similar to onions, egg shells have a film-like membrane that can wrap around moving parts and potentially cause damage. Also, contrary to popular belief, they don’t sharpen blades, so there is no good reason to send them down your garbage disposer. Consider composting them instead.

Nuts & Shells

Nuts and shells (including sea food shells) are extremely hard. While some garbage disposers can handle the job, the blades will dull faster and the lifespan of the unit will be reduced. Nuts and shells don’t take up that much space, so just throw them away.

Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds aren’t bad for your garbage disposer, but they are bad for your plumbing. Would you dump coffee grounds down the sink? Of course not! So don’t dump them down the garbage disposer. They’ll eventually settle like sediment in your plumbing, increasing the likelihood of a clog.

Pits or Seeds

Not only are most pits and seeds too hard, but many are round. Small, hard, round objects don’t get ground up very well, and make a terrible racket as they bounce around. Save yourself the trouble and throw them out with the trash.

Animal Bones

Bone is one of the strongest and hardest naturally-occurring substances known to man. Don’t allow animal bones to go down your garbage disposer. It might be tempting to get rid of them this way, but don’t do it. Some garbage disposer units can handle processing bones, but it will reduce their lifespan significantly.

Rice, Pasta, or Bread

What do these three things have in common? No matter how small they’re chopped, they still absorb massive amounts of water and expand. This expansion can block or clog your drains, which really is more trouble than it’s worth.

Stringy Fruits & Veggies

Stringy organic matter has this really annoying habit of shredding wrapping around moving objects. Don’t put veggies like celery or asparagus down the garbage disposer as they are hard to grind.

Fibrous Fruits & Veggies

High-fiber fruits and vegetables can slow down your garbage disposer motor and coat everything with a layer of mushy gunk. Try to avoid sending these down the chute. A few here or there won’t hurt, but keep at a minimum to preserve high quality operational use.

Anything in Bulk

No matter what the substance is, too much of it can be a problem. Always feed your garbage disposer slowly. If you don’t, you risk putting too much stress on the motor, which can lead to it wearing out faster. A good rule of thumb is to make sure you never put more than a small handful down the chute at once. Also, make sure any large items are chopped into smaller, ice-cube sized pieces before you make the drop!

Harsh Chemicals

Harsh chemicals are not the answer. If you’re trying to clean out the garbage disposer, pour a little dish soap and some ice cubes down. The ice will help clean off the blades and walls, and the dish soap will help break down any grease and oil (making it smell nicer at the same time).

Non-Food Stuffs

If it isn’t food or biodegradable, don’t let it anywhere near your garbage disposer. Paper, plastic, wood, metal, or glass - throw it away or recycle. Even napkins and tissues can be a big problem. Never throw non-food items into your garbage disposer.