The Thanksgiving spread at the dinner table often gives your loved ones eyes that are bigger than their stomachs. When it comes time to clear in the dishes, not everything on that once piled-high plate can make it down your disposal. To avoid a plumbing disaster on Black Friday, keep these Turkey Day favorites away from the garbage disposal. 

Thanksgiving Staples That You Shouldn’t Throw Down the Disposal

1. Potato Peels

While they can easily make it through the disposal, potato peels and other starchy vegetables and beans will turn to sludge down the drain, creating clogs in your pipes. The occasional skin won’t hurt, but throwing spuds in the trash can save you the plumbing bill later.

2. Turkey Bones

While garbage disposals are prepared for a lot of tough food options to shred, bones will likely rattle around in the blades. Even if they do ultimately make it down the drain, turkey bones will dull the blades of your disposal, and if you make a habit of it throughout the year, they will drastically shorten the lifespan of the appliance.

3. Fat & Grease

The textbook kitchen rule is never to put fat or grease down the sink. While the hot oil is liquid, it solidifies in your pipes when it cools, causing clogs that will need expensive plumbing to clear. 

4. Celery

Stringy veggies like celery tend to get their strands caught around the propelling blade of the garbage disposal, causing jams and damage. This rule applies to asparagus and corn husks for the same reason.

5. Egg Shells

A popular belief is that egg shells help to sharpen the blades of your disposal. However, the film-like membrane inside the shell can break free when shredded and wrap around the blades. To avoid blade jams, consider composting or throwing out your shells when egg-washing those pies for the oven.

6. Bread

This kitchen staple is popular on holiday dinner tables because it can absorb sauces and oils it’s paired with, but this ability makes it a nightmare for your drain. Bread can absorb massive amounts of liquid and expand, and when this occurs down your pipes, it can cause clogs that will need professional plumbing to clear. So even though your family will probably clear out the basket of crescent rolls, throw any remainders in the trash.

Sometimes you can’t dodge every eggshell and potato peel in your sink, and Thanksgiving weekend turns into a visit from a plumber. When your pipes are clogged, or your disposal’s gone awry, give Osterwisch Company a call. Family-owned and -operated since 1946, this plumbing company has helped residents throughout the Cincinnati, OH and Tri-State area with unbeatable service at a fair price. Their licensed professionals also handle electrical and HVAC work, which is why over 90% of their customers count on them for additional services throughout the year. For more information about their range of expertise, visit their website, and call (513) 791-3282 to schedule an appointment.