How Many Years Do Most Garbage Disposals Last? Most modern garbage disposals will last anywhere from 8 to 15 years. An average household with four or five family members can expect to replace their disposal roughly every 12 years if properly maintained.
There is one way you can lubricate a garbage disposal: water. It works as a lubricant for the blades in the system and prevents them from grinding when you start the system. Not flushing water through the drain while you're using it is a surefire way to cause damage to the equipment.
Generally speaking, hot water should not be used to flush a garbage disposal during daily use, as this can melt fats and cause clogs. However, boiling water can sometimes help to melt and wash away food particles and other clogs.
Only use cold water when grinding your garbage disposal. Hot water may cause fats to congeal. When congealed, fats and oils can stick to the blades of your disposal and cause the system to work harder than necessary, impacting the motor. You can run hot water in the sink after you have completed the grinding process.
Pouring boiling water is quite risky as it might lead to a steam burn or scalding. Another thing to keep in mind is what type of material you are pouring in into. If you have a porcelain sink, it is likely to crack due to the heat. All in all, pouring boiling water down your drain will only cause issues down the road.
Garbage disposals work by grinding up the food waste and washing it down; sometimes, though, it is not ground up as thoroughly as necessary. It is not uncommon that large bits of food or bone become stuck between the impeller blade and the drain hole causing the unit to jam.
Olive oil should be treated just like vegetable oil and other cooking oils in that it should never be washed down the drain or thrown directly in the trash. The best way to throw away used olive oil is to put it in a sealable, non-breakable container before putting it in the trash.
Over time, the blades in your garbage disposal can become dull or worn out due to constant use. Dull blades struggle to grind food effectively, leading to inefficient operation and potential blockages in the disposal system.
On average, a garbage disposal uses 500 to 1500 watts. A typical 1/2 horsepower garbage disposal uses around 700 watts of power. Sepura, the compost alternative to garbage disposals, only uses 60 watts of power.
Dispose of food in small amounts
Garbage disposals can't handle large quantities of food. Shoving down large amounts of food will overwork the appliance and can result in clogs. Always gradually put food in small quantities into the disposal to allow the blades and motor to break down the food waste efficiently.
Using a garbage disposal correctly requires running water with it to keep it running smoothly and prevent clogs and unpleasant odors. However, avoid running the disposal when the sink is full of water, and never pour boiling water down the disposal, as it can cause damage to the unit.
PLEASE NOTE: Drano® Professional Strength Crystals Clog Remover is NOT safe for use in garbage disposals.
Myth: Ice Cubes Will Sharpen the Blades
Ice cubes will by no means sharpen your disposal's blades, but that doesn't mean they should not be put down it. Ice cubes can actually be good for your disposal as they knock off any left over food bits on the blades.
The good news: There are several DIY garbage disposal cleaning methods you can try. Cleaning experts opt for hot water, rock salt, ice cubes, and basic household items such as white vinegar and baking soda, as well as common cleaning products.
If you put too much baking soda down a drain onto a clog, it can sit on the clog and become a solid mass as it is subjected to more and more water. This will make the block worse and even harder to remove.
For example, putting excessive food waste into your garbage disposal can cause it to clog or even break. Drain issues – Your garbage disposal sits on top of a drain pathway. If that drain pathway gets clogged, it can prevent the disposal from sending food down properly.
Avoid Overloading
It's important to feed items into the disposal gradually rather than all at once. By doing so, you can prevent overloading the disposal, which can put undue stress on the motor and lead to it seizing.
Fill the disposal with ice and run some water to make it turn to a slush like consistency. That will break free any debris causing it to run out of balance or rub and make noise. Run several trays of ice through as it helps clean the sewer line too.
Chemical cleaners can eat away at your pipes, and boiling water can melt important components. Over time, this damage can lead to leaks and expensive plumbing repairs.
If you drain your pasta water through a colander and down the sink, you're throwing away an invaluable asset that cooks call “liquid gold.” Don't let that liquid gold circle the drain again.
Even though food breaks down and is biodegradable, some liquids solidify, and other foods, such as rice and pasta, expand. This can clog your pipes. While you should not flush any kind of food down the toilet, the following foods are the worst culprits: Grease and fatty foods.