Garbage Disposals : What Can You Throw Down Them?

I feel like there is a misconception on what can and can’t go down a garbage disposal. I currently live in a home that is extremely old. Not saying all the appliances in my home are, but some just may be. I made the mistake of throwing meatloaf down the disposal, had it back up, and nothing would drain after that! My landlord had to come and it was a complete disaster. Long story short, I learned my lesson and am super cautious about what can go down there! But the question is, what can’t go down it? Well, we are here to find out!

1. Bones :

I feel like this one just makes sense, but hey I guess you never know! Bones will never grid up in the disposal and will always continue to spin around and around down there! Not to mention, it would clog the pipes up tremendously!

2. Celery :

You may have thought that this was okay to throw down the disposal. I did too! But apparently, with celery being as fibrous as it is, with all the stringy textures it has, it is impossible for you to throw it down the disposal. They will get tangled around your blades, leaving a huge mess! You don’t want that!

3. Coffee Grounds :

This one really caught me off guard! You would think that it will eventually dissolve and what not, but, it is the complete opposite. The grounds will turn into a sludgy mess, clogging your pipes!

4. Eggshells:

Growing up, my mom always threw egg shells down the drains. So, as I began living on my own, I totally thought this was normal to do. Apparently, we were both wrong! The eggshells have that membrane lining that will stick to sides of the disposal, resulting in a messed-up shredder! Other people say it is completely fine! I guess that this is one that should just be left for your best judgement! 

5. Fruit Pits:

This one goes along the same guidelines as bones. The pits are extremely dense and will never shred. Your blades and disposal will completely break before every starting to grind down. This one just is not going to work.

6. Grease/Oil :

This was one I have always known about, even as a little girl. But why? It’s a liquid, so why would it clog anything? The oil will simply clog your pipes because of the composition of the oil. No, I am not a scientist of foody that can explain to you the composition, but I do know that oil and water don’t mix. Therefore, I would not try allowing oil to go in the drain, that is supposed to be draining water.

7. Pasta/Rice :

This one is a must-not-do. For sure. As we all know, when cooking pasta or rice (any starchy substance) It expands as it cooks. Therefore, if you put pasta down the drain, it will continue expanding, eventually taking up the whole drain. The same as rice!

Who knew that there were so many things that need to be thrown away, rather than down the drain. All I know is that I never want to take a chance on the integrity of my disposal! However, if you ever run into an issue with your disposal, please give us a call to come check it out! We are always available! 

List Provided By Delish

5 Ways to Extend the Life of Your Garbage Disposal

As the holiday season approaches, the last thing you want is for your garbage disposal to go out! You’ve got company to host and meals to cook, and no time for garbage disposal repair!

Before we enter into the crazy holiday season, remember these 5 tips for extending the life of your garbage disposal from Appliance Rescue Service:

1.  Cold Water Only

You may think you’re helping to kill germs and clean the disposal when you use hot water, but think again! Hot water makes food in your disposal mushy and more likely to stick to the edges. On the other hand, cold water will harden the food, preventing sticking as it grinds.

2.  Follow with Water + Dish Soap

After the disposal is done grinding the food, put a little dish soap in the stream of water and allow the disposal to keep running for another 30 seconds to a minute. The dish soap and water will help clean the disposal and drain pipe, all while preventing a clogged drain by adding a little extra run time.

3.  Run it Once a Day

Make an effort to run the garbage disposal once a day. Running it regularly will prevent any buildup or residue in the disposal and keeps everything is good working order.

4.  Citrus Freshens

Any time you are cooking with lemon, lime, or oranges, throw the peel in the disposal instead of the trash! The citrus peel is great at providing friction on the blades that breaks down any residue, and it also freshens and disinfects naturally.

5.  Remember what NOT to Throw In the Disposal

While garbage disposals can handle a lot, there are certain items you should never put in the disposal:

·     Non food items: glass, rocks, etc. have no place in a disposal – unless you want to break it.

·     Starchy foods: pasta, potato peels, rice, etc. will cling to the blades and cause clogged pipes.

·     Fats: oil and cooking fat should never go down the drain.

Hopefully these tips keep your garbage disposal running smoothly through the holiday season and beyond! As always, if you ever need an appliance repair company in Plano or the surrounding Dallas area, you know that Appliance Rescue Service is here for you! 

4 Tips to Get your Garbage Disposal Ready for the Holidays!

As a company who focuses on appliance repairs, we know how easy it is to overlook the hidden appliance in your kitchen: the garbage disposal.

The holiday season is the biggest food prep season of them all, and with it comes a lot of garbage disposal usage. Get your disposal ready for the holidays with these simple tips from Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas:

1.   Scour the Disposal for Any Caked on Grime:

Sometimes after extended use, grime and debris can get stuck to the insides of the disposal, rendering it less effective. Try dropping 3-4 ice cubes in your disposal and running it. The shards of ice will have an abrasive effect on the inside of your disposal, removing debris you would otherwise miss.

2.   Be Mindful of What DOESN’T Go in a Disposal:

There are certain food waste items that just don’t belong in the disposal, and if washed down, could cause Dallas garage disposal repair. Keep oil, grease, potato skins, coffee grounds, bones, fruit pits, and any non-food items/trash out of your disposal.

3.   Clean and Deodorize:

After using your disposal, sometimes you might smell some unpleasant odors coming up from the drain. Consider putting fruit peels – such as orange or lemon peels – in the drain and running the disposal. This will naturally deodorize the space. You can also pour vinegar and baking soda into the disposal, run it, and then wash down with cold water.

4.   Use the Disposal Regularly:

While over use can cause issues, so can under use! Use your garbage disposal on a regular basis leading up to the holidays to avoid rust or corrosion to parts, which can lead to garbage disposal replacement.

Should you run into any unwanted garbage disposal issues during the holidays, be sure to call the experts at Appliance Rescue Service! Our team will have you up and running again in no time, so that you can focus on all the things that are important during this busy season – not appliance repairs.