Garbage disposal units are handy, hygienic tools for getting rid of food scraps in your sink. However, the experts will tell you that avoidable operator errors regularly cause machine malfunctions. I contacted a licensed plumber and leading unit manufacturer for their top garbage disposal tips. Following their guidance can keep your system stink- and clog-free for years.

How Does a Garbage Disposal Work?

A garbage disposal is an electrically powered, under-sink device with rapidly revolving impeller plates. These plates force food waste scraps against a sharp grinding ring within a central chamber before water flushes the smaller particles down the drain.

Using Your Garbage Disposal

Using this appliance isn’t difficult, but following these garbage disposal tips can help prevent clogs, bad odors and a reduced lifespan.

1. Turn on the cold water: Hot water melts grease and fat, leading to clog-causing buildups. Cold water solidifies these substances, aiding their movement.
2. Chop up large items: This speeds up the grinding process and puts less stress on the motor.
3. Grind waste a little at a time.
4. Turn off the disposal: Wait until there’s no more grinding noise before switching off.
5. Continue running the water: “The most important thing to remember is to run the water for 30-45 seconds after turning the disposal off,” licensed plumber Shaylin King says. This clears debris from the long drain line.

What can go down a garbage disposal?

What can go down a garbage disposal varies by model and motor horsepower, so always check the manufacturer’s guidance. However, Jeremy Gattozzi, the Senior Category Manager of Disposals at Moen, explains that the best garbage disposals can handle almost all food waste. “They can grind the toughest scraps, like corn cobs, raw and cooked meat, large fruit pits and chicken bones,” he says. Less powerful models might better suit softer food waste, like potato peels and cereals.

A common garbage disposal myth is that they can’t handle grainy coffee grinds and eggshells, but with a strong water flow and gradual feeding, most models munch them masterfully.

How much stuff can go down a garbage disposal at once?

King explains it’s best to gradually add food waste to your garbage disposal to avoid clogs. “Don’t just dump a bowl of waste in all at once, especially things like rice or pasta that swell in water,” he says.

What cannot go down a garbage disposal?

Garbage disposals are only designed to grind biodegradable food waste. “That doesn’t include non-food items like trash or traditional recyclables [such as glass, plastic or metal],” Gattozzi says.

Other things to avoid putting down your garbage disposal include:

• Grease and oil
• Large whole bones
• Clam and oyster shells
• Fibrous, whole corn husks
• Harsh chemicals

Cleaning Your Garbage Disposal

Fortunately, cleaning your garbage disposal isn’t cumbersome.

Do you need to clean a garbage disposal?

Most model’s inner grind chambers are self-cleaning. However, “odors can come from the unit’s splash guard, and it can [typically] be pulled out to clean,” Gazzotti says.

How to clean your garbage disposal

While the rubber splash guard is usually dishwasher safe, you can also hand wash it. “Never pull it out without the power being off,” Gattozzi says. He recommends scrubbing it with baking soda and warm water. If the splash guard isn’t removable, clean its underside with a toothbrush. If it still smells, consider replacing your garbage disposal’s splash guard.

Vinegar or commercial disposal cleaning tablets can help remove garbage disposal smells lingering in the grinding chamber.

When to clean your garbage disposal

Gattozzi says you shouldn’t need to clean your garbage disposal daily. However, cleaning the splash guard at least once a month or when you notice funky smells is sensible.

Garbage disposal cleaning mistakes

“Never put lye or chemical drain cleaner into garbage disposals,” Gattozzi says. “These cause serious corrosion of the unit’s metal parts.”

Citrus peels and ice cubes, despite being much-touted, don’t aid cleaning—although peels can provide a temporary fresh scent.

Unclogging Your Garbage Disposal

If you put down too much food waste too fast or don’t run the water for long enough, clogs occur. When that happens, switch off the unit, fill the sink with a few inches of water and use a plunger or plumber’s helper to dislodge the clog. Once it’s clog-free, turn the unit back on and run the grinder and some water for a minute.

Unjamming Your Garbage Disposal

“Garbage disposals can get jammed when a hard object becomes lodged between the outer wall and the grind plate,” King says.

Follow the garbage disposal tips below to unjam your unit:

• Turn off the disposal.
• Remove large objects using tongs or pliers.
• “Some manufacturers include an Allen wrench to unjam the clog by spinning the unit,” King says. Alternatively, Gazzotti suggests using a wooden spoon handle to release the blades.
• Press the red garbage disposal reset button to restart the unit.

When to Call a Pro

When it comes to clogs, if you can’t clear the clog or your unit regularly gets blocked, call the professionals. King says this can help you avoid costly and possibly dangerous mistakes.

Regarding jams, King explains items can get stuck in the flange—the ring connecting the garbage disposal to the sink—and you might need to disconnect the unit to release it. This is often a job best left to the pros. Also, call them if you don’t have the right tools or if the offending item is deeply lodged.

FAQ

How long does a garbage disposal last?

How long your garbage disposal lasts depends on the model type and amount of use. Unit warranties are typically 3, 5 or 10 years. While you might not need to replace your garbage disposal for decades with the right care, all motors wear out eventually.

About the Experts

Jeremy Gattozzi is the Senior Category Manager of Disposals at Moen. The company is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of plumbing products, including garbage disposals; email interview, May. 27, 2024

Shaylin King owns Mr. Rooter of Tri-Cities, Yakima, and Hermiston, a Neighborly company. He’s a 25-year journeyman plumber; email interview, May. 21, 2024