The Safe Way to Remove Broken Glass From Your Garbage Disposal
Accidents happen – especially in the kitchen where there’s so much activity between meal prep, cooking, and cleaning. One accident that can be extra frustrating – and potentially dangerous – is having broken glass fall down your garbage disposal.
Whether it’s a shattered wine glass or chipped plate, it’s important to clean the debris out the drain before using the disposal again. The good news is that with some patience and by taking the proper steps, you can safely remove the glass and return to the rest of your kitchen duties.
Here are some dos and don’ts to follow:
Do’s
1. Turn off the power.
This is the first step any time you’re working on the garbage disposal. While you can turn off the power directly to the unit, we recommend you unplug it completely or turn off the switch at your circuit breaker box, just to be safe.
2. Use a wet/dry vacuum.
The best way to retrieve the small pieces is by sucking them up with your trusted Shop Vac. The long, skinny attachment is ideal to get into all the crevices of the garbage disposal.
3. Manually turn the blades.
While vacuuming out the drain, it’s a good idea to move the disposal blades around to loosen up any small pieces that are hiding on bottom. You can do this by using an Allen wrench (aka hex key) to wiggle the hole at the bottom of the disposal (under the sink). Another option is using a broom handle or similar object to insert into the drain (above the sink) and push the blades around a bit. Then give the drain another pass with the vacuum.
Dont’s
1. Run the garbage disposal with glass in it: It’s never wise to use the garbage disposal with any non-food items in it, and that goes extra for glass. Not only do you risk wearing down or breaking the unit, but shards of glass could come flying back up and injure you.
2. Stick your hand down the drain: The last thing you want to do is cut your fingers on either the disposal blades or the glass you’re attempting to remove. Instead, using a tool such as a pair of pliers to pull out the bigger pieces of glass.
By being smart and taking the right precautions, you can successfully clean broken glass out of your garbage disposal. However, if you run into any issues or want a professional to look at your disposal, don’t hesitate to contact Reichelt Plumbing. We’ve been serving the Schererville area for over 25 years, and will be happy to help you with any plumbing issues. Call us today at (219) 322-4906.