A garbage disposal can help you get rid of food waste without clogging your plumbing, but it shouldn't be used for everything. Some foods can cause odors, clogs, and even motor damage to your unit. To avoid needing to have your garbage disposal repaired or replaced, throw the following foods in the trash instead.

Which Foods Can Damage Your Plumbing? 

1. Grease

Cooking grease is bad for your pipes. As soon as it cools, it solidifies into one of the most stubborn drain clogs you'll ever encounter. Instead of putting it down the drain, let it cool in the pan and then wipe it into the trash with a paper towel, or pour the hot grease into a disposable container like a coffee can.

2. Coffee Grounds

Along with having a strong smell, coffee grounds are notorious for getting stuck in the crevices of a garbage disposal. Because they don't dissolve in water, no amount of rinsing will wash them away. Too many coffee grounds in the sink can cause a lasting odor, which is noticeable through the whole kitchen.

3. Eggshells

When eggshells hit the disposal, they break into tiny bits. Just like coffee grounds, they don't dissolve and can work their way into corners and cracks in your plumbing. But even worse than coffee grounds, the sticky membrane inside the shell can glue them to the interior of your pipes, where they catch other on debris.

4. Rice & Pasta

These foods can absorb a surprising amount of water, which causes them to swell up and create clogs. They're also naturally sticky. When in the disposal, they leave a stubborn residue that’s almost impossible to clean from the blades.

5. Bones & Fruit Pits

Your garbage disposal is designed to handle soft foods, not hard debris. Bones and fruit pits can dull the blades as the garbage disposal runs. Also, they can get jammed between the blades, freezing them in place and burning out the motor.

If you need garbage disposal repairs or other plumbing services, contact Biggerstaff Plumbing Heating & Air in Lincoln, NE. For over 60 years, they have served Lancaster County with reliable plumbing and HVAC services. They'll provide you with a free written estimate with no obligation. To get started, call (402) 466-8118 or send a message online.