The holidays are almost here and that means homeowners around the country will be enjoying their favorite seasonal dishes. Unfortunately, all that cooking means a ton of dishes, and many people will rely on their garbage disposal to make cleanup a breeze. Though these machines are incredibly durable, they can be damaged if you put the wrong food down the chute. Instead of relying on an emergency plumber to fix the damage, make sure you put the right things down the disposal. Here are a few foods to avoid.

5 Foods to Leave Out of Your Garbage Disposal to Keep the Emergency Plumber Away

1. Celery

Celery is a mainstay for stuffing, side dishes, salads, and countless other holiday dishes. It’s also a major problem for your garbage disposal. The fibers and strings inside the vegetable wrap around the disposal’s blades. These can then slow the blades and strain the motor, eventually causing the system to break. Instead, put all celery trimmings and leftovers in the trash.

2. Turkey Bones

Though it may seem like a disposal would break up turkey bones (or bones of any kind), most systems actually struggle to do so. Instead of getting chopped up, the bones bounce around on the blades and must be removed by hand. If, for any reason, the bones do get chopped up, they’ll probably clog your pipes, forcing you to call an emergency plumber right after a busy holiday dinner.

3. Potato Peels

Peeling potatoes is a fantastic way to get the kids involved in holiday dinner preparations, but the peels can be a major problem. When put through the disposal, they may go down the drain, but they’ll also likely start catching food debris. This often results in a clog that can only be fixed by an experienced emergency plumber. No matter who is helping, make sure they peel the potatoes over the trash can and not the sink.

4. Fat, Grease, and Oil

Fat, grease, and leftover cooking oil should never be put down a drain of any kind, including the garbage disposal. These are incredibly sticky and hold onto other food debris put down the disposal. Once they make it into the pipes, fat, grease, and oil will stick to the sides of the pipes and trap food until a clog is formed. Instead, put all used cooking oil, grease, and fat trimmings right in the trash or save it for a future dish.

5. Beans

Beans may get ground up by the disposal blades, but once you start rinsing the sink with water, those ground up beans turn into a sticky goo that can clog the unit and your pipes. Instead, throw away leftover beans and save yourself the call to a plumber.

Worried about your garbage disposal? Schedule a tuneup with the affordable plumbing experts at A All Valley Plumbing & Sewer Service in Cincinnati, OH. Their dedicated team has helped Tri-State area residents keep their plumbing in good shape since 1986. Whether you’re worried about a dripping faucet or need an emergency plumber to fix a burst pipe in the basement, they’re ready to help. Learn more about their services online and call (513) 733-3311 to schedule an appointment today.