7 Ways to Avoid a Clogged Garbage Disposal

The year-end holidays are the biggest cooking days of the year, which also makes them one of the biggest days for kitchen mishaps—especially when it comes to slow drains and clogged garbage disposal. Whether it’s an overcrowded sink or an overloaded garbage disposal, a holiday meal can quickly turn into a holiday plumbing emergency. Keep your plumbing in tip-top shape with these simple dos and don’ts on what NOT to put down the drain if you want to avoid a clogged garbage disposal.

Turkey Grease and Fat: A Recipe for a Clogged Garbage Disposal

The turkey might be the star of the meal, but the leftover grease belongs in the trash, NOT the sink. Once that warm grease hits the cold pipes, it solidifies and sticks.

What to Do Instead: Pour any leftover grease into a container, let it cool and harden, then throw it in the trash.

Potato Peels: Slippery, Starchy Cloggers

Potato peels may seem harmless, but they’re notorious for causing drain blockages. When sent down the disposal, they turn into a sticky, starchy paste that can gum up the blades and line your pipes.

What to Do Instead: Collect potato peels and add them to your compost pile, if you have one, or toss them in the trash.

Pasta and Rice: Expansion in Your Pipes

While you might think leftover pasta or rice can be safely rinsed down the drain, think again. Pasta and rice continue to expand as they soak up water. Over time, they will expand in your pipes, causing blockages.

What to Do Instead: Dispose of any leftover pasta or rice in the trash to keep those pipes free and clear.

Eggshells: The Disposal’s Nemesis

There’s a common misconception that eggshells help sharpen disposal blades. They’re actually one of the worst things you can put down the drain! Eggshells break into small, gritty pieces that can stick to grease in your pipes and clog them.

What to Do Instead: Throw eggshells in the trash or compost bin, not down the disposal.

Coffee Grounds: Tiny, Yet Mighty (In All the Wrong Ways)

Coffee grounds may seem harmless, but they’re actually one of the most common causes of sink clogs because they don’t dissolve in water.

What to Do Instead: Save your coffee grounds for the compost or throw them in the trash.

Bones and Pits: Too Tough to Handle

Your garbage disposal is strong but not strong enough to grind down bones or fruit pits. These hard items can damage the disposal blades, get lodged in the mechanism, and cause your disposal to grind to a halt (literally!).

What to Do Instead: Throw bones and fruit pits directly into the trash. Save your disposal for softer scraps.

Fibrous Veggies: Think Celery, Asparagus, and Corn Husks

Vegetables like celery, asparagus, and corn may be delicious on the plate, but they’re nightmares for your sink and a fast track towards having a clogged garbage disposal. The fibers in these veggies can wrap around the blades, causing tangles that may even burn out your motor.

What to Do Instead: Throw these fibrous veggies in the compost or trash—anywhere but the disposal.

With a little caution and these simple tips, you’re set for a clog-free Thanksgiving! But if a plumbing emergency does come up (hey, it happens to the best of us), Sunny Bliss is here to help. With our fast service and reliable team, you’ll be back to cooking (and feasting) in no time. Contact us today!