Things You Need to Know About Your Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals can be both useful and mysterious to the average person, but dispelling the mystery can make them even more useful.
A garbage disposal works by grinding. First, the food gets collected into a hopper which is placed above a shredder ring. When you flip the switch, a system of flywheels and impellers start spinning and mulching the food into smaller bits that are washed away.
Like any machine, the more you know about a disposal unit, the better you’ll be at knowing when something is wrong and how to treat it well.
What Makes Garbage Disposals Good?
Beyond just being cool, here are some benefits to using your disposal:
- You don’t have to pick up scraps! Whether it’s a few grains of rice or some diced veggies, it is convenient to be able to use the faucet and disposal to break down and wash away stuff you would otherwise have to pick up and scrape into the trash.
- It reduces the chance of getting infestations. The less food you have in your sink or in your trash, the less rats, roaches, and other critters will be attracted to your kitchen.
- It reduces the food going to a landfill. All the food thrown out in the trash usually rots in big heaps at a dump, which creates extra pollution that harms our environment. So the more bits of food crushed up and washed away, the less threat to the environment.
Things You Shouldn’t Do to a Garbage Disposal
- Don’t wash fat or grease down! Oils and fats, no matter if they’re in a liquid or solid form, will leave residue in the parts of the disposal system that will lead to clogs that will back up the water.
- Be careful of anything that isn’t food. Garbage disposals are not built to handle everything.
- Be wary of stringy food. Things like celery or starchy vegetables can cause clogs or jams in your disposal.
If you live in Northern Indiana and want any help with your garbage disposal call (219) 322-4906 to get in touch with Reichelt Plumbing and make the most of our expert technicians.