With Thanksgiving right around the corner, your kitchen will most likely be incredibly busy. The messiest part of your kitchen will probably be the kitchen. To ensure that you avoid a visit from the plumber, you’ll need to be wary of what goes down the drain.
You may think that the garbage disposal can handle anything, but there are certain items that should never be sent down the drain. Keep reading to learn more about can and cannot be sent down the garbage disposal. The last thing anyone wants or needs is a clogged sink.
PUT KITCHEN WASTE IN THE TRASH
The best solution to avoid a clogged sink this holiday season to put kitchen waste in the trash. Don’t rely on the garbage disposal to get rid of your kitchen waste. Throw trash in the garbage where it belongs.
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
Some vegetables are incredibly fibrous like celery or asparagus. These vegetables can wrap around the blades causing damage. To protect your blades from permanent damage, avoid putting fruit and vegetable debris down the garbage disposal.
Consider peeling fruits and vegetables straight into the trash, and scrape dirty plates into the trash or compost rather than into the sink.
POTATO PEELS
Putting potatoes down the drain is a disaster waiting to happen. Potato waste, including peels, can create a think starchy paste that can stick to the garbage disposal blades and stop them from spinning.
To avoid damage to your garbage disposal and plumbing, peel potatoes into a trash can. Alternatively, recycle a grocery bag and peel your potatoes into the bag.
GREASE & OIL
After your turkey is finished, don’t dump the grease, fat, or oil down the sink drain. The fat and grease can congeal and clog the pipes. Oils, especially hot oil, can cause permanent damage to your plumbing system.
Dispose of fat, grease, and oil appropriately. Allow it to cool then pour it into an old mason jar, coffee can or another container. Then throw the entire container into the trash. You can also freeze the fats then throw the frozen lump away in a plastic bag.
CARBS
Carbohydrates like pasta, rice, and bread expand in water even after they’ve been fully cooked. Putting carbs down the drain can clog the plumbing and freeze-up the disposal blades. Avoid putting carbs down the drain. Instead, scrape plates into the trash.
BONES
Bones like fish bones, chicken bones, and turkey bones can get stuck and clog your pipes. Large bones can also chip the disposal blades or cause other damage. Put bones in the trash where they belong to avoid serious damage to your plumbing.
WORST CASE SCENARIO
If your garbage disposal breaks this Thanksgiving, it’s best to be prepared. First, NEVER reach your hand into the drain. It is never safe even if the disposal is disconnected from power. Instead, check your user’s manual online for methods to clear a clog without reaching into the drain. You can search for the user’s manual with the manufacturer name and model number.
In a worst case scenario, call a plumber at First Class HVAC for emergency plumbing assistance at (302) 804-1309.