Items Not to Include in Your Garbage Disposal

Here at Mr. Rooter Plumbing, we take pride in offering professional and cost-effective garbage disposal services. We’ve been helping homeowners install and repair garbage disposals for decades. We know the kind of items that can damage your garbage disposal. If you’re looking for a plumbing repair service to help you fix your garbage disposal, get in touch with the experts at Mr. Rooter Plumbing.

• Grease, Fats, and Oils

Pouring grease or oil down your garbage disposal may seem harmless while it’s still hot and liquid. But once it cools, it solidifies and clings to your pipes. Fats from meat drippings or cooking oil can create stubborn clogs and even damage the disposal unit itself. Instead, pour grease into a heat-safe container and dispose of it in the trash once it cools.

• Coffee Grounds

It’s a common misconception that coffee grounds are good for cleaning the disposal. In reality, they tend to clump together and form a thick, sludgy paste that can clog your drain over time. If you want to compost them, that’s a better alternative. Otherwise, they belong in the trash.

• Eggshells

Many people think eggshells sharpen disposal blades—another popular myth. The thin membranes inside the shells can actually wrap around the shredder ring and other moving parts, reducing efficiency or causing jams. They also contribute to sediment buildup in the drain, so it’s best to toss them in the trash or compost bin.

• Fibrous Vegetables

Celery, corn husks, asparagus, and artichokes may seem harmless, but their long, stringy fibers can wrap around the disposal blades and cause the motor to jam. These items are also hard to grind properly, leading to partial clogs in your pipes. It’s safer to compost or trash these instead of sending them down the disposal.

• Pasta and Rice

These foods expand when exposed to water—even after being cooked. When flushed into your disposal and pipes, pasta and rice can continue to swell and form a starchy blockage. Sticky and dense, they can quickly cause plumbing headaches if sent down in large amounts.

• Bones and Fruit Pits

Hard materials like chicken bones, beef bones, and fruit pits (such as those from avocados, peaches, or cherries) are simply too tough for your disposal to handle. They can damage the blades, burn out the motor, or become lodged in the grinding chamber. Always toss hard scraps like these into the trash.

• Non-Food Items

Your garbage disposal isn’t a trash can. Items like paper towels, plastic wrappers, twist ties, and cigarette butts can seriously damage the blades or clog your plumbing. Only biodegradable, soft food scraps should be processed through the disposal.

Contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing for Garbage Disposal Replacement and Repair

Your garbage disposal is an indispensable kitchen appliance—it should be kept in tiptop condition. It’s important to be mindful of what you dispose of in the appliance and know when to call a professional plumber for garbage disposal repair. If your garbage disposal has reached the end of its lifespan, call Mr. Rooter Plumbing for garbage disposal replacement. Our knowledgeable plumbers have years of experience working with all types and models of garbage disposals. Mr. Rooter Plumbing has been recognized as one of the most reliable plumbing contractors since 1970. Our plumbers will help you install, repair, and replace all types of garbage disposals.