Any sensible home owner should know that proper maintenance of garbage disposal could prevent disaster and save costs. Let’s just admit it, we don’t really treat our garbage disposal kindly. In fact, we may take it for granted. If the disposal unit is poorly operated or maintained, it will eventually break down. The drain can get clogged and blocked, potentially causing an endless list of problems. It often begins with a clogged drain, which may eventually cause the garbage disposal to malfunction. It is important for you to implement garbage disposal best practices, so the system will last longer.
First of all, you should make sure that the system is always relatively clean. A simple cleaning method is to pour a mixture of water and dish soap into it. This will ensure that much of the oily dirt can be removed from the system. We should be able to prevent corrosion and rust. It is also important to ensure that all parts inside the garbage disposal unit are moving smoothly. You should be aware the cold water will cause grease from your food to solidify and potentially clogging the system. You should be careful when handling eggshells, large fish bones and others. It may be a good idea to put them inside a separate plastic bag and put it into the plastic bag.
In many cases, the drain smells quite bad, so it is a good idea to grind any citrusy fruits peeling to freshen it up. In general, it is more convenient to collect large items in separate container and you can dispose it in the trash can. It is important to avoid putting anything that is not biodegradable. Hard objects may potentially damage both the motor and blades. You should be aware that the garbage disposal unit isn’t really a trash can. Metal, plastic, glass and paper shouldn’t be disposed into the unit. It is important to avoid grinding anything combustible, including cigarette butts.
You shouldn’t pour fat, oil or grease into the drain. Grease may accumulate slowly and the ability of your garbage disposal unit to grind waste will be severely restricted. Even so, it is important not to use hot water when grinding, because it could liquefy fatty objects into grease, which will clog the drain. Highly fibrous material, such as artichoke, onion skins, celery stalk and corn husks shouldn’t be ground with the unit. Fibers will easily tangle, blocking the drain and jamming the motor. You should make sure that the grinding process is fully completed, before turning off the motor or water.
When you are sure that the grinding process is completed, the garbage disposal unit should be turned off first. However, you should let the water to run for about 15 seconds, so the remaining particles can be flushed out. Potato peels can cause a unique problem, because the high starch content will turn them into a thick paste and then the blades will stick. Rice and pasta may also expand when exposed to water, potentially causing similar problem.