Garbage disposal, also known as a garburator or waste disposal unit is a device that shreds food waste so that it can pass through plumbing. The unit aids in keeping the smells of old garbage out of garbage cans and the kitchen. For the unit to continue working for a long time, you have to maintain it. Here are tips on how to maintain it.
- Keep hard materials out of the disposal
Large, hard materials make the shredder dull and less efficient while small hard objects can get stuck and jam the rotating parts. The units come with a list that specifies the objects that you should avoid.
The list also specifies the number of hard objects that you can put at your disposal. If you suspect that a given object is harder than the disposal can handle, you should put the object in the trash can or put it in a worm composting bin.
Regardless of the garbage disposal that you have, you should keep the following items out of the units: hard bones, unpopped popcorn kernels, and hard shells from crabs, shrimp, and other shellfish.
- Don’t put starch and fibrous items in the disposal
These items bring about stubborn drain blockages as the fibers get tangled and starches get thick. Some of the items that you should avoid putting at your disposal include banana peels, celery, potato peeling, artichokes, coffee grounds, fruit pits, onion skins, egg shells, and corn cobs.
If you can’t avoid putting these items at your disposal, you should cut them into small pieces.
- Run cold water while the disposal is on
After the waste matter has cleared the drain, you should keep the disposer and water running for up to 60 seconds. Cold water keeps the motor, shredder assembly, and bearings from overheating. The water also makes it easy for the waste to go down. This is because the water pushes the waste down.
You should not use hot water because hot water can melt fat and allow it to re-solidify and block the drain.
- Clean the unit regularly
To clean the disposal, you should ensure that it’s off. You should then clean the inner side of the rubber in the sink leading to the disposal. You should wipe it with a paper towel.
You should then throw some ice down once in a while. Ice aids in knocking off any debris that might have built up on the sharp edges of the disposal.
