What You Can and Can Not Place in a Garbage Disposal?

The second big garbage disposal controversy is what can go down the disposal. Some will say nothing (so why have it) and some say, they put everything down the garbage disposal and never have a problem. Of course, some of this depends on the size and power of the motor in your unit. What does not belong in a garbage disposal other than the obvious; silver wear and fingers?

Grease and fatty materials, even if liquid, when dumped in the unit, can solidify and cause problems. If this material gets past the disposal, it can also solidify and plug pipes and drains.

Stringy vegetables such as celery, asparagus, and rhubarb can wrap around the blades and cause the unit to run slow or stop. Wrapping can also happen with tea bags if the string is attached. Even banana peels can get stringy and wind around the blades. Starch vegetables such as potatoes can solidify and plug the unit and pipes.

Noodle and rice can continue to expand in drain even if cooked and particularly if uncooked.

Coffee grounds will go through the unit but will not be ground up and can settle in traps.

No bones should go in. Even soft bones can shatter and wedge or cause small marbles that will bounce around, making noise and never leave.

You should not put pits or hard seeds such as peach pits in the disposal. They are hard to grind and like small bone pieces will bounce around, make noise and never leave.

Hard vegetable ends like carrots, onions, and garlic can be as hard as bones and have the same problems. The garlic and onion may also leave an odor.

Artichoke leaves can be particularly difficult.

And lastly, napkins or paper towels will both wrap on the blades, and as they are ground up can cause a paste that can gum up the works.