How to Use a Garbage Disposal Properly

Do a lot of cooking? If so, knowing how to use a garbage disposal is essential. Using a garbage disposal to grind up food waste makes cleanup way easier — as long as you’re doing it right. Watch this video and it will let you in on the professional secrets so you'll be able to un-jam a garbage disposal just like a professional plumber.

Keep reading to learn how to use a garbage disposal properly to keep your kitchen smelling fresh and your plumbing happy.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using a Garbage Disposal

Using a garbage disposal correctly is simple, but following the right steps helps prevent damage. Here’s the proper way to use a garbage disposal:

1. Run cold water first: Always turn on the cold tap before using the disposal. Cold water solidifies grease and keeps waste moving through the pipes.
2. Turn on the disposal: Activate the unit before adding food waste so it’s running when the food enters.
3. Feed waste gradually: Don’t dump everything down the drain at once. Slowly add small amounts of food scraps. This prevents clogs and motor strain.
4. Keep the water running: Continue running cold water while grinding food waste. Water helps flush everything through the system.
5. Let it run a few seconds longer: Once the grinding noise stops, keep the disposal and water running for 10–15 seconds to ensure all debris is cleared.
6. Turn off the disposal first: Always turn off the disposal before shutting off the water.

What Can You Put in a Garbage Disposal?

As far as what you can put down garbage disposal, your options can be limited. A garbage disposal can handle most small, soft food scraps, such as:

• Small vegetable peels and fruit scraps
• Leftover cooked food (in small amounts)
• Soft foods like yogurt or mashed potatoes

Some things, like lemon and ice, can help clean the disposal if you use them on a regular basis.

What NOT to Put Down a Garbage Disposal

You might think your garbage disposal can grind up everything, but that’s not true. There are certain foods that will harm the unit or get stuck in your pipes. Examples include:

• Grease, oil, and fats
• Fibrous vegetables
• Bones or other hard foods
• Fruit pits
• Pasta and rice
• Non-food items

Remember, your garbage disposal is not a trash can. It can’t handle non-organic material or anything that will clog up your pipes.

How to Empty a Garbage Disposal Safely

You shouldn’t need to manually empty your garbage disposal often. But sometimes, food waste can accumulate. You’ll likely know this is a problem if your sink starts smelling foul or your disposal isn’t grinding like it should. Here’s how to empty a garbage disposal if you ever need to:

1. Turn off the power: Unplug the disposal or turn off the circuit breaker for safety.
2. Use tongs or pliers: Never reach in with your hands. Remove any large food scraps stuck inside. This is also a good trick to try if you ever lose something inside a garbage disposal.
3. Flush with cold water: Run cold water and turn the disposal on to clear any remaining debris.
4. Clean with baking soda and vinegar: Pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down the drain, let it sit, then rinse with hot water to rinse away any lingering debris.

Garbage Disposal Maintenance and Cleaning Tips

Routine maintenance keeps your garbage disposal in good working order. Here are a few quick maintenance tips:

• Run it regularly: Even if you haven’t cooked in a while, run your disposal every few days to prevent rust and keep parts moving.
• Clean with citrus peels: Grinding lemon or orange peels freshens up the disposal.
• Use ice cubes and salt: This helps sharpen blades and remove buildup.
• Flush with hot water: After grinding food, run hot water and dish soap to clear grease and debris

Common Garbage Disposal Mistakes to Avoid

Even if you use your garbage disposal the right way most of the time, you might be making some mistakes that could shorten its lifespan. Here’s what to avoid:

• Overloading the disposal: Adding too much food at once can jam the motor.
• Using hot water while grinding: This can melt grease and cause clogs further down in pipes.
• Skipping regular cleaning: Food buildup leads to odors and slow performance.
• Forgetting to run water: Water is essential for flushing waste down the drain.
• Attempting repairs without turning off power: Always disconnect power before fixing jams or clearing clogs.

If your disposal stops working, here are a few ways to fix a garbage disposal.

Keep Your Garbage Disposal Running Smoothly

Our top tip for using your garbage disposal safely is to always stick to small, soft food scraps. Avoid hard or fibrous foods at all costs. Also, don’t forget to run water while grinding and clean your disposal regularly. With these tips in mind, it should be a while before you have to think about buying a new garbage disposal.

If you’re having trouble with your garbage disposal — whether it’s clogged, leaking, or not turning on — Roto-Rooter’s expert plumbers can help. Schedule a service appointment today and get your disposal back in top shape.