Garbage disposals are a convenient way to get rid of food scraps, keeping them out of the trash can and preventing odors. Although the grinder can handle a lot, forcing certain items down the drain can cause clogs and mechanical breakdowns, which require the help of an appliance repair professional. Consult the guide below to learn more about what items shouldn't go down the garbage disposal. 

What Items Should You Keep Out of the Garbage Disposal?

1. Grease & Oil

A clog caused by grease or cooking oil is one of the leading reasons for appliance repair calls. Although liquid grease pours easily down the drain while it's still warm, once it cools, it's going to solidify. Solid chunks of grease will clog the pipes and potentially coat the blades in the disposal, preventing them from grinding up food.

2. Starchy Foods

Starchy foods like rice and pasta expand when wet. The longer they are exposed to water, the more they swell, and if you dump a bunch down the drain, you're going to get a clog. A few small grains of rice or macaroni noodles in the disposal probably won't cause too much trouble, but scrape as much as possible in the trash before washing. 

Potato peelings are also forbidden. The starch in the peels makes them sticky, and they'll adhere to the walls of the disposal and pipes.

3. Bones & Shells

It might seem like garbage disposals are ideal for destroying bones from a rack of ribs or chicken legs, but they aren't. The grinders aren't designed for extra hard items like thick bones. It's possible you can grind the occasional small chicken or fish bone without needing appliance repair, but large bones will damage the disposal and contribute to clogs. The same goes for shells–toss the leftovers in the trash.

4. Seeds & Pits

Toss the pits from cherries, peaches, plums, avocados, and other fruits, as well as seeds like sunflower or pumpkin, in the garbage, not the disposal. Not only are they too hard to be ground, but smaller pits and seeds may just rattle around and potentially get caught in moving parts. The only way to get them out is by hiring a professional appliance repair service. 

5. Fibrous Foods

Anything fibrous, like corn husks, celery, pumpkin, and squash, can wrap itself around moving parts when rinsed down the garbage disposal, causing a breakdown that requires appliance repair. Toss those items in the trash instead. 

If you have doubts about tossing leftovers in the garbage disposal, save the plumbing from future clogs and simply toss it in the trash. If something does go down the drain, and you need appliance repair, call Complete Appliance Service in Delhi, OH, for help. This experienced team can dislodge stubborn garbage disposal clogs, fix jammed blades, and solve any other problem that is keeping it from working properly. To learn more about their services, visit their website and call (513) 321-0808 to schedule service.