How much food, and which kinds of food, can you safely put into an in-sink garbage disposal?

Question

The debate is ON in my house with my roommates, and I'm wondering if anyone knows what's the right way to deal...for example, do you need to have the water running when you turn on the switch? Can you pour an entire bowl of leftover fajitas in there, or should you go for the garbage with the large quantities of stuff? Is it bad for the water supply to put lots of food in the garbage disposal? What's the protocol??

Answer 1

There is evidence that large quantities of organic material going into the water supply is wreaking havoc on the ecosystems in certain areas.

You can put anything in a disposal that won't clog it. Twist ties from bread bags will jam it. Chicken bones will jam it. I don't think a plate of fajitas will do any damage.

I know that egg shells are good for the disposal. Thus I also put popcorn seeds, but not the popped popcorn through the disposal. I put apple cores with the seeds too. I would not attempt any hard object bigger than the size of a popcorn seed.

Yes you need to have the water running. This helps rinse away debris as it's ground. Otherwise you risk gumming up the works. You also need to run the water after you turn it off for a few seconds to rince away any remaining debris. You don't want food particles drying in the blades and drain holes.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

a couple of factors. First if you are on a septic system that you are responisble for - get rid of the disposal. Second, greasy food should be avoided in quantity. Finally, run hot water, becuase it brings the fats in the foods above the melting point allowing them to be carried away easier. If it can be easily scraped in the trash with a fork - do it.

Answer 3

Yes the water has to be running while your using your garbage disposal. If you have a look at the site below it will give you some more info.

Answer 4

LOL yes the water has to be running and it's better if you just throw stuff in the trash can and let little amounts go down the disposal thing or down the drain.

Answer 5

avoid potatoes skins.....artichoke leaves......onion tops.....popcorn kernels......cherry seeds........bones of any kind.

I hear coffee grounds can get under the plate. Those the items I learned to never put down the disposal, the main thing is too always run the water and tell the room mates to make damned sure they do not leave stuff in there without running it.

Answer 6

NOT RICE!. turns into concrete in the pipes.