Your garbage disposal is a convenient kitchen appliance that simplifies cleanup after every meal. However, it’s important to remember that this appliance can’t handle every type of food. Keep your garbage disposal in top condition by avoiding putting these five items in it.

1. Hard-to-Grind Items

Your garbage disposal blades can handle plenty of foods, but hard-to-grind foods need to go in the trash can instead. Bones and fruit pits, for example, are too tough for the disposal’s blades. So, when you place these hard items in the disposal, they will wear the blades down and potentially reduce the life of your disposal.

2. Eggshells

Eggshells aren’t as tough as bones or fruit pits, but they shouldn’t be placed in the disposal, either. Although the disposal’s blades can break them up, too many eggshells can eventually clog your drain and lead to plumbing problems.

3. Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds are another clog-causing item in garbage disposals. When you’re cleaning out your coffee maker, throw those wet coffee grounds into the trash, not down the drain. They’re sticky and hard to break up and, as a result, they can block your pipes.

4. Fat, Oil, or Grease

Fat, oil, and grease might go down the drain as liquids, but they’ll eventually solidify somewhere in your pipes. As a result, it’s essential to keep these items out of your disposal. So, next time you make bacon, dispose of any grease in the trash can instead.

5. Water-Absorbent Foods

Some foods, such as pasta and rice, absorb water when they cook. When you put these water-absorbing foods down your drain, they tend to absorb even more water, which can result in buildup and eventual clogs in your pipes.

Use Your Garbage Disposal Wisely

Extend your garbage disposal’s life by using it smartly. When you avoid putting these common clog-causing items down the drain, you’ll keep your disposal running without a problem. If a garbage disposal issue does strike, contact Rare Breed Plumbing. We can repair water heaters, garbage disposals, drains, and more. We service Midvale and the surrounding areas.