When you flip that switch, your garbage disposal seems ready to shred anything you put into it. Unfortunately, this powerful contraption does have its limits. If you put one wrong thing inside, you might have to make an emergency call to your plumber. Avoid the potential headaches by keeping these items out of your garbage disposal at all times.

3 Items to Keep Out of Your Garbage Disposal

1. Pits & Bones

If you’ve ever tried to cut through a rib or a peach pit, you know the average steak knife doesn’t stand a chance. Unfortunately, the blades in your garbage disposal aren’t far off. If you try to put these items down the drain, they will either spin around the contraption like a carousel or cause a serious jam. If they’re small enough to make it past the blades, they’ll create a blockage in the pipes below.

2. Coffee Grounds

When ground into a near paste, your coffee beans might seem harmless to those humming blades. However, once the grounds are poured into your garbage disposal, they’ll stick to the sides of the various components, coating them like a mouthful of peanut butter. As they dry, they’ll prevent other food scraps from going down smoothly, resulting in a stubborn clog.

3. Grease & Oil

After you finish cooking bacon or frying an egg, you might be tempted to pour the oil right into your sink. However, that grease is only liquid now because it’s piping hot. Once it cools down, the oil will solidify, forming a thick residue on the blades and along the inside of your plumbing pipes. Instead of clogging your garbage disposal, pour the oil into a container, such as a used metal can, and allow it to cool before throwing it in the trash.

If you’ve already run into an issue with your garbage disposal, reach out to Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Chardon, OH. From clogged drains to water heater replacements, no project is too big or too small for this trusted plumber. For your convenience, they are on call 24/7 to deal with your plumbing emergencies. Just dial (440) 286-6002 for help, or visit the website to learn more about their acclaimed team.