With any investment, we want it to last. Especially when it comes to pricey appliances. The garbage disposal is no different. With a garbage disposals natural function, it takes a lot of abuse and often will quit on us at the most inopportune time. As it plays an important role in the kitchen daily duties, we want it to last.
Orsack Plumbing Company would like to offer you some basic tips and care on keeping your garbage disposal from early retirement.
~ Grease is garbage disposals cause blocked drains. Avoid putting grease down the drain. It is extremely tempting to take the quickest route into disposing of the kitchen grease from after cooking. Doing so will cause buildup and grease deposits, which will after time, clog the disposal and make it malfunction and cease up. Generally, it is not savable and will need to be replaced. Instead of doing the simple thing; properly dispose of your grease and avoid the temptation of throwing it down the sink.
~ Routinely clean garbage disposals. I know what you are thinking, the garbage disposal is more of a cleaning aid, how do I clean it? Food particles and other questionable matter is often left to fester in nooks and crannies and between blades. Like everything else in our homes, your garbage disposal needs to be cleaned. To avoid the buildup and pungent odors to seep through, clean it often. Using an ice tray, fill the slots with vinegar. After they are properly frozen, pop out the vinegar cubes and flush them down the garbage disposal with cold water on. The vinegar will clean and neutralize odors, and the ice cube texture will contribute to sharpening up the blades, all in one easy step. In a busy household with more than 3 occupants, do this every 3 days. For 1-2 occupants, once a week is adequate. For additional odor reduction, throw some citrus fruit peeling down the garbage disposal. Once a month some recommend pouring a pot full of boiling water down the drain to loosen up any lingering food or residue.
~ When using the garbage disposal, always use cold water. Using cold water is necessary for the garbage disposals function a few ways. It is a lubricate to keep the blades running smoothly. The water helps push and flushes the food waste through the garbage disposal and down the drain. Finally using cold water instead of hot, helps keep the motor cooled off, and prevents overheating.
~ Not everything is garbage disposal friendly. There are various materials that can really damage your garbage disposal if you try to send them down. Metal and plastic top that list. Don’t ever put metal or plastic in the garbage disposal, doing so will only get caught up in the working parts and get stuck, causing your garbage disposal from not functioning, overheating and eventually dying.
