Garbage disposals are made for small food scraps, not for everything. Putting the wrong items down the drain can clog pipes, jam blades, or damage the unit. We asked professional plumbers to name the most common culprits.
1. Eggshells
Contrary to popular belief, eggshells don’t sharpen garbage disposal blades. “Eggshells, often believed to be disposal-friendly, can surprise you by forming granules that stick to grease, compounding the clog issue,” says Al Fagundes, Master Plumber at A. Fagundes Plumbing and Heating.
Unless you’re interested in a slow buildup of eggshells that eventually cause a clog, start tossing those empty shells in the garbage or compost bin.
2. Starchy Foods
While most people know that flushing grease down the drain is a big no-no, not all realize the damage that starchy foods can do. According to Roy Barnes of Service Force Plumbing, the day after Thanksgiving is one of the busiest days for plumbers due to people clogging their drains with potato peels and starchy leftovers.
“Your garbage disposal will do a great job of grinding starches up into a sticky paste – the finer it grinds, the stickier the mess,” he says. To play it safe and prevent clogs, don’t put potatoes, potato peels, or pasta down your disposal.
3. Grease, Oil, or Animal Fats
All types of grease, including oil and animal fats (like bacon lard), can clog drains. Never place these in the garbage disposal or dump them down the drain. “Pouring grease down the drain may seem like a good idea when it’s a liquid, but as it cools, it will harden, causing clogging,” advises Chris Palmer of Raptor Rooter & Plumbing.
Even if the grease doesn’t cause an immediate clog, some of it will cling to the insides of the pipes, and then other bits of food will attach, slowly building up until the drains are impassable.
4. Fibrous…