Don’t throw these scraps down there
If you have a waste disposal, you’ve probably been putting things down there that don’t belong, writes Anabela Rea.
It’s a handy appliance that’s found in many modern homes, but the powers of the waste disposal only stretch so far. It might be able to make scraps disappear, but it is a triumph of machinery rather than magic.
Mounted under your sink, a waste disposal consists of a chamber with a set of grinding teeth that disintegrates scraps before passing them in to your drain.
With that in mind, keep these seven things out of your waste disposal.
Bones
That chicken wing or fish bone sliver might look flimsy, but it’s not. The grinding system in your waste disposal is simply not powerful enough to chew it up. If it has bones, put it in the bin.
Grease
Sending oil and grease down the sink or waste disposal seems OK until they cool, solidify and block your water pipes. Over time, they will also dull the effectiveness of the blades and send an icky smell out into your kitchen. Instead, collect excess fats and oil in a covered container and discard in the weekly rubbish, add to your compost bin, or dig into your garden.
Egg shells
It’s an old wives’ tale that egg shells sharpen a waste disposal’s grinding teeth. Not only can the white membrane inside the egg can get stuck around the grinding ring, but ground up egg shells take on a consistency similar to sand. Combined with excess grease, it’s a recipe for blocked pipes. Some vegetable peels
Stringy vegetables like celery, corn husks, artichokes, asparagus, carrots, lettuce, onions, and even potato peels can get stuck around the motor. So if down the gurgler they must go, add them little by little and with cold water running all the while.
Coffee grounds
While it won’t damage your disposal unit and may provide an interim scent refreshment, ground coffee is a big culprit when it comes to blocked kitchen pipes. Instead, spread them it your garden or even your houseplants, to repel bugs.
Rice and pasta
They may seem benign enough but the water absorption properties of pasta and rice make them a no-go for under-sink disposal. Their remnants combine to form a gluggy paste in the waste disposal’s chamber.
Non-food items
Finally, non-food items like cigarette butts, ash, rubber bands, twist ties, paper towel, sponges, pull tabs or plant clippings most certainly do not belong in your waste disposal. Take the time to dispose of them correctly - in your weekly rubbish or recycling collection.