June 18, 2021
With the 4th of July coming up, you’re probably figuring out how to celebrate right about now. After the pandemic last year, more people than ever are anxious to see loved ones at picnics, barbecues, and cookouts—basically, you can bet there will be some parties happening. But when you host your next summer get-together, remember that most food remnants should be thrown in the trash can—not the garbage disposal. Read on to learn the top foods to keep out of your garbage disposal this summer, and feel free to contact EnviroSafe anytime for garbage disposal service, fixture and kitchen upgrades, as well as your other essential plumbing needs.
5 Summer Foods You Should Never Put Down the Garbage Disposal
- Corn Cobs & Husks: Corn on the cob is a delicious summer treat, especially when you cook it right on the grill. However, when you’re done eating that delicious grilled corn, it is important to transfer the remnants right into the garbage can, rather than the garbage disposal. Corn husks are too tough for your garbage disposal’s blades, and putting one down the sink would be a great way to damage the impeller. And while the husk itself is not hard for your garbage disposal to break down, this part can end up wrapping around the impeller blades and getting stuck further down the line, causing more problems later on.
- Watermelon Rinds: Although the sweet pulp of the watermelon may not be hard for your garbage disposal to take care of, the rind shouldn’t go anywhere near this device. Much like corn cobs, watermelon rinds are too tough for the average garbage disposal to dispose care of, and may cause damage to the impeller if you decide to take that chance. That’s why anytime you are done with that tasty slice of watermelon, it is always better to throw it in the trash. And while we’re talking about watermelons, let’s also not forget…
- Pits & Seeds: Obviously, something like apeach pit is a prime example of what you should not be putting into your garbage disposal. Although peaches are another favorite summer snack, trying to get your garbage disposal to break apart a peach pit is sort of like trying to force it to break apart a rock. However, did you know that in addition to large pits, fruit seeds can also cause a ton of problems for your disposal? While they may not be hard to break up, they tend to just bypass the impeller blades entirely, either getting stuck in the disposal or contributing to clogs in your pipes.
- Fruit & Vegetable Scraps: Now that we’ve covered watermelons, peaches, and corn on the cob, we might as well just tell you that all fruit and vegetable scraps should be kept out of your garbage disposal. Banana peels, for instance, are too tough for your impeller to break apart, and while they might not be as tough as melon rinds, even lemons and limes can cause problems for your disposal, unless we are talking about extremely tiny slices. When it comes to vegetables, the issue is that too many veggies are fibrous. The stringy nature or vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, and brussels sprouts makes it easy for them to wrap around your lines, much like what we discussed above in regards to corn. So again, while it might be tempting to throw the last of that veggie tray in your disposal, the safer bet is simply to place it in the trash can instead.
- Meats & Bones: Any bones – even small ones – are a nightmare for your garbage disposal. Putting large bones in your disposal is basically the perfect way to destroy the impeller. Meanwhile, even if your impeller is able to break down smaller bones, the scraps can still damage the blades and scratch the walls of your drain line. And then there’s meat itself. Even meat that is fairly tender can be greasy, and grease, fats, and oils are the top cause of garbage disposal clogs. So unless you’ve got the leanest, most tenderized cut of meat in the world, meat should always be kept away from your disposal.
For garbage disposal repair or replacement, call (856) 208-5108, or contact us online.
