Kitchen garbage disposals have been a common household item for many years; doing the dishes would never be the same without them! Though they are very useful, many people do not know how they work or how to take care of them. Without the proper care, you could be killing your garbage disposal. Alongside calling a great plumber in San Antonio for any kitchen plumbing needs, here are a few great tips on how you can save your garbage disposal.
One Size DOES NOT Fit All
Garbage disposals are not a one-size-fits-all kind of appliance. Though it may be tempting to shove everything in there and finish up the dishes, too much waste in the disposal can clog your drain pipes. If you are in a situation where there is a lot of food or waste that needs to be thrown away, you have a couple options that can help save your disposal:
- Cut up food into smaller pieces so it is easier for the disposal to grind up the food. Put it in a little bit at a time to avoid clogging.
- Throw away waste rather than putting it down the garbage disposal.
- Compost certain scraps for a great fertilizer.
Disposal Dehydration
Garbage disposals are a lot like blenders; they need liquid to grind correctly. Without that liquid, the motor could heat up and burn out. You should run water before you turn on the disposal, while it is turned on, and for a little while after. After it sounds like the disposal has ground up everything, leave both the water and the disposal on for a few seconds. This will help clear up any leftover debris, preventing buildup that will slow it down.
Flushing the System
Though it seems like a small thing, flushing your disposal periodically can really save your garbage disposal. Here are two easy steps to follow when flushing your disposal:
- Remove any large objects; however, make sure the disposal will not accidentally turn on while you are attempting to dislodge objects. Try not to put your hands in the disposal if you can. Use tongs or pliers, but be careful not to damage anything.
- You can flush the disposal with about 4 inches of hot water and dish soap to remove any loose dirt or grime that has built up. Fill the sink with the soap and water, then remove the plug and turn on the disposal. The water will flush through and clean everything out.
Ice Cubes and Salt
If you still think there is some buildup in your disposal, ice cubes and salt can be a great help. Letting the disposal grind up ice cubes and salt helps remove some of that stubborn buildup. Pour in a cup of ice and a cup of rock salt, then turn on the garbage disposal. Make sure to have some cold water running while it is grinding up the ice. Grinding ice will not only clean your disposal, but it will also help sharpen the blades.
Your garbage disposal needs a little love every once and a while to run in tip-top condition. If your disposal does run into a problem you can’t fix yourself, you can call a skilled plumbing contractor to come and get your disposal back on its feet. Don’t let your garbage disposal cry for help when you can call a plumber in San Antonio.
Related: How to Use Your Garbage Disposal