11 Fun Garbage Disposal Facts You Probably Didn't Know

11 Garbage Disposal Facts You Probably Didn’t Know!

1. Garbage Disposals Reduce Food Waste In The Home

2. Garbage Disposals Prevent Rodent Infestation

Next, a garbage disposal can prevent rodents from making their way into the home, especially in well-populated areas. Rats love trash, so when you store your garbage in your kitchen bin, it could attract them. One way to reduce the likelihood of rodents finding your garbage is to dispose of food waste in the disposal- they won’t be able to smell it and shouldn’t come seeking food. 

3. Garbage Disposals Help The Environment  

Want to help the environment? Garbage disposals are a wonderful way to start! Rotting food in landfills actually creates greenhouse gasses, which adds to the impact of climate change. Instead, using your garbage disposal stops this from happening. There’s no methane to damage the atmosphere. They’re convenient to use and greatly help the environment! 

4. Garbage Disposals Grind Food, Not Chop It

5. Garbage Disposals Can’t Grind All Foods  

Not everything you eat can go inside the garbage disposal. Harder items, such as popcorn kernels, bones, eggshells, or coffee grounds, can’t go in your garbage disposal. If you can’t chew it, then don’t pour it down the sink! You also don’t want to pour fats and grease inside since they can easily lead to a clog when they solidify. Finally, pasta and rice swell with water, which can also clog your appliance. 

6. Vinegar & Baking Soda Can Deodorize Garbage Disposals  

If your garbage disposal smells, don’t worry! There’s an easy way to clean it. Pour a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar inside, then run cool water through it. You may need to do this twice to remove all of the smells, but it’s an easy process! You can also give your garbage disposal a thorough cleaning to prevent it from smelling.

7. Ice Cubes Are Not Effective At Improving Performance

There’s a myth that dumping ice cubes down the drain makes the garbage disposal run better. However, it’s not true! The ice may be hard enough to cause damage. If you want to dispose of ice, you can simply allow it to melt in the sink. There's no need to run the garbage disposal. 

8. Use Cold Water When Running Garbage Disposals

For any garbage disposal, the best way to use it is to run cold water through it. You want to make sure that the water is always running too. Hot water should only be used when cleaning to ensure that the parts don't wear out too quickly.  

9. Only Put Small Portions In Garbage Disposals 

You don’t want to overload your appliance with food! Doing so can lead to a lot of issues, including severe clogs. When that happens, you either need to empty the machine yourself or have a plumber deal with the clog for you. Adding small amounts of food, even in continuous disposals, allows the food to completely break down and pass through your plumber system with ease. 

10. Fibrous Foods Can Jam Garbage Disposals 

Many people don’t realize that fibrous materials can also clog the sink. Think of vegetables like asparagus or celery- they have many stringy fibers that gunk up your disposal and refuse to go down. Overall, it’s better to compost these types of foods or throw them in the trash- for the lifespan of your disposal! 

11. Harsh Cleaning Chemicals Weaken Garbage Disposal Blades  

You never want to use bleach or other harsh cleaners in your garbage disposals. They can easily wear out the impellers and the grinding ring, making them useless. Then, when you next use the machine, you can experience lessened grinding until you get serious clogs. 

People Also Ask (FAQs)

Are garbage disposals bad for plumbing?  

Nope! Garbage disposals won’t harm your kitchen plumbing systems. They work great and only accept food items, which are safe to flow through a sink. If you have clogs, you’ll need a plumber’s help to determine the cause. 

Can you pour boiling water down a garbage disposal?  

When cleaning the disposals, it’s fine to do this. However, many brands recommend that you only grind food when using cold water. You want to allow the water to run through the disposal while grinding. 

Where does the waste go from a garbage disposal?  

They go to the same treatment plants where the rest of your water waste goes. There, it’s treated and can be removed from the water and used again. 

Is it better to throw food away or use garbage disposal?  

It’s much better to use a disposal! You won’t have to worry about landfills or damaging the environment. Plus, it's simple to use and removes the food waste immediately, so there are no lingering bad smells.  

Can you put meat down a garbage disposal?  

It's safe to put cooked meats down the garbage disposal. Although, you want to make sure they are very small amounts. You should avoid putting raw meat in the disposal since it can contain fat and fibers that clog the drain. 

Conclusion

Those were 11 facts for you to learn about your garbage disposal! You’ll want to learn as much as possible to ensure you use yours to the fullest. These kitchen tools are very useful, so make sure to take care of yours. Garbage disposals should last for many years before needing to be replaced if they are properly maintained.