By Mr. Rooter OC — 949.371.2025
Your garbage disposal is a powerful kitchen tool — but it’s not designed to handle everything. Many Orange County homeowners unknowingly damage their disposals and plumbing systems by putting the wrong items down the drain. Over time, this leads to clogs, jams, bad odors, and expensive repairs.
Here’s a complete guide to what you should never put down your garbage disposal and how to keep your system running smoothly.
🚫 1. Grease, Oils & Fats
Grease may pour out as a liquid, but it quickly solidifies once it cools inside your pipes.
Why it’s bad:
- Causes stubborn clogs
- Coats the inside of pipes
- Traps food particles
- Leads to sewer backups
Instead of pouring grease down the drain, let it cool and throw it in the trash.
🌻 2. Fibrous Vegetables
Some vegetables have tough, stringy fibers that wrap around disposal blades, causing jams.
Avoid putting down:
- Celery
- Corn husks
- Artichokes
- Onion skins
- Asparagus
These can choke your disposal and prevent proper grinding.
🍚 3. Rice, Pasta & Bread
These foods expand when exposed to water and can form thick, gummy masses inside your pipes.
Problems they cause:
- Pipe blockages
- Slow drains
- Disposal jams
Even small amounts can create big issues when they continue to swell inside the plumbing.
🥚 4. Eggshells
Despite popular belief, eggshells do not sharpen disposal blades.
Why to avoid them:
- The membrane can stick to the grinder
- Shells break into sandy particles that clog drains
It’s better to compost or throw eggshells in the trash.
🧊 5. Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds compact tightly, forming blockages similar to sediment.
Issues caused:
- Clogs in drain lines
- Slowed water flow
- Pipe buildup over time
Coffee grounds belong in the trash or a compost bin.
🪨 6. Bones, Fruit Pits & Hard Objects
Your disposal is not designed to handle extremely hard items.
These can:
- Break the grinding mechanism
- Jam the blades
- Burn out the motor
Avoid putting bones, peach pits, cherry pits, and similar items down the disposal.
🧽 7. Non-Food Materials
It may sound obvious, but things like plastic, metal, glass, and paper should never go into your disposal.
These items can cause catastrophic damage to both the disposal and your plumbing system.
🌊 8. Large Amounts of Food Waste
Even if it’s food-safe, too much at once can overload your disposal.
Best practice:
Feed waste slowly while running cold water to keep the system clear and functional.
💧 How to Keep Your Garbage Disposal Running Smoothly
Follow these tips for a long-lasting, efficient disposal:
✔ Run cold water while using it
✔ Clean it with ice cubes + salt monthly
✔ Avoid chemical drain cleaners
✔ Use citrus peels to keep it smelling fresh
Regular maintenance goes a long way in preventing clogs and breakdowns.
🔧 Why Choose Mr. Rooter OC for Disposal Problems?
If your garbage disposal is clogged, jammed, or making strange noises, Mr. Rooter OC is here to help.
Our services include:
✔ Garbage disposal repair
✔ Disposal replacement
✔ Drain line cleaning
✔ Kitchen plumbing inspections
We provide fast, reliable service backed by years of experience serving Orange County homeowners.
📞 Call Mr. Rooter OC today at 949.371.2025 for expert garbage disposal and drain services.