Things You Should Never Put Down Your Garbage Disposal

If you're the proud owner of a garbage disposal, then you know how convenient it is -- it gets rid of excess kitchen scraps while reducing your amount of trash (not to mention, it's a cathartic way to end a long day -- just chuck something down and watch it go!). We'd like to think there's nothing a garbage disposal can't do, but that's not necessarily true -- case in point, have you ever accidentally dropped a spoon down there? Not a pretty sight. Yes, it has a powerful motor and blade, but there are certain things you shouldn't be putting down the disposal -- and we don't mean obvious things like utensils -- or your fingers!

Many vegetables are too stringy or fibrous to go down the disposal, getting caught in the motor and leading to a clogged drain -- you may be surprised which basic, everyday veggies you're not supposed to be throwing in the disposal. Also, certain starchy leftover foods should never go down the disposal because they can swell and clog the drain. We've got a few other food items you should think twice about, too ...

Browse through the slideshow below to learn about out all the foods you shouldn't be putting in your garbage disposal. And watch the video to learn an eco-friendly way to clean it!

(But the verdict is still out on whether garbage disposals can actually be considered green.)

What have you accidentally put down your garbage disposal? Leave us a comment below!

Comments

[Geajrpa]

09:40 PM on 12/27/2012

I have been using garbage disposals since I was a 10. My parents had them, in the homes I grew up in and they have been in every home I have owned since. I have put carrots + peels, potato peels, small pieces of celery, small bones, citrus peels, egg shells, coffee grounds, tomatoes, peppers, anything soft etc. The only two times I had a problem was in my parents house when I put a massive volume of ham down the disposal, which the disposal handled but the drain clogged up. And the second time was when I dumped a massive amount of shrimp shells down the disposal and it clogged up. I was able to solve this with a plunger. So my advice, small volumes with plenty of running water and obviously not really fibrous material like artichokes or a whole stalk of celery or a leg of lamb! I hope to put an end to this nonsense that the only thing a garbage disposal can handle is a jar of baby food, without the jar. Of course composting is great if you are able to do it.

[holdin5aces]

09:24 AM on 09/18/2012

Some of these things are obvious. But if you adhered to this list, you wouldn't need the appliance at all. Save for the vinegar ice cubes to keep it non odiferous. But if you never used it, you wouldn't need them either. So what is the point?

[Cindy Tregan]

01:55 PM on 09/17/2012

So essentially, you're telling me a garbage disposal is useless.

Thank you for saving me the money from buying one!

[kapalabhati]

06:14 AM on 03/13/2012

Oh, yes, and grease. Grease is bad.

[kapalabhati]

06:12 AM on 03/13/2012

Bollocks to everything except fruit pits and possibly bones (thought mine is called a bone crusher). P.S. Eggshells help to clear off some of the schmutz which sticks to the blades.

[dougbdl]

10:43 AM on 03/10/2012

Don't put bones down my disposal. Ummm. Ok. Thanks for the tip HP!

[bmwracer]

10:51 AM on 03/06/2012

In other words, don't buy or use your garbage disposal.

[hdohighdesertobserver]

04:36 PM on 03/06/2012

And it will last forever! Actually, it will still rust out.

[Tom Bleecker]

12:34 AM on 03/05/2012

After reading over that list, why bother with even owning a garbage disposal? I remember back in the 1960s when we had our first one, we threw everything into that disposal, including chicken bones. And back then, the HP and blade technology wasn't anywhere near what it is today. How does a salesman sell a powerful and efficient garbage disposal that can't handle coffee grounds? What's next? No water?

[cardiaccare]

02:40 PM on 03/05/2012

My sentiments exactly!

[pthompson13]

09:04 PM on 03/05/2012

I put egg shells and coffee ground in my disposal and it has not seem to phase it. Although, I did learn that cheap garbage disposals do not handle potato peels well. I had a mishap and the plumber that repaired the issue told me it was a matter of the build of the product and that a better disposal would handle the peels with ease. I upgraded and it was able to handle the peels with ease.

[cheapsuitdan]

11:50 PM on 03/04/2012

why bother?

[clsk4]

10:18 PM on 03/04/2012

Hmmmmm....I put chicken bones down my disposer all the time. The instructions to the disposer says they help keep the blades sharp. One thing to never put down the disposer is corn meal, it clogs it HORRIBLY!

[pthompson13]

09:05 PM on 03/05/2012

Ice helps sharpen the blades too. I never heard about chicken bones. You learn something new...

[harmonie555]

10:17 PM on 03/04/2012

Oh, and by the way, if you are on a septic system you should never use a garbage disposal. All that waste going into your septic tank will fill it faster and you will need to pay to have it pumped more often. Also, the grease clogs the drain field pipes.

[harmonie555]

10:11 PM on 03/04/2012

Garbage disposals are not envionmentally freidly. It would be better to make a compost pile, enrich your soil and grow some local organic veggies for your family. Egg shells, by the way, are a great addition to compost.

[Cindy Tregan]

01:57 PM on 09/17/2012

obviously you do NOT live in an apartment or condo.

[Xanadutu]

10:04 PM on 03/04/2012

A pretty expensive 'crumb eliminator'!!!

[WilmaJune]

09:59 PM on 03/04/2012

After reading this article, no reason to have a garbage disposal.

[doonaz]

09:57 PM on 03/04/2012

I have been putting ALL of those things down my heavy duty garbage disposal forever! I have never had one problem with any of my garbage disposals over the years. The only thing I don't put in there is grease. I even put smaller bones in mine and it grinds them up without a problem. I toss in an old lemon or lime once in a while and it makes the whole kitchen smell wonderful!

[pthompson13]

09:06 PM on 03/05/2012

The lower end disposals can have issues. Moral of that story, throw down a couple more bucks and get the steroid disposals :)

[doonaz]

11:29 PM on 03/05/2012

I completely agree...it's one of those things that is worth paying a bit more for!