How does a garbage disposal work? Where does all that ground up food go?

Answer 1

IT GOES THROUGH THE MAIN LINE THE DIRTY USED WATER GOES

Answer 2

Basically everyone is correct on how a disposal works. I would like to share something that some people don't know about a disposal. After it has been used for awhile you will start getting a build up of grease like stuff. If it is not cleaned out it will begin to smell really bad from your sink.

This is the time when people put lemon rinds, baking soda & other things down the disposal to make it smell good.

If you put your hand inside the disposal just under the black rubber thing & feel up in under the black thing you will feel it. It is a build up of gunk. Check it every month to keep it clean.

Another tip on kitchen odor is your dishwasher. Check around the bottom rim where the dishwasher closes. You will find a build up of gunk there too. Check around the entire rubber that surrounds the door for junk build up.

Remember, there is always a "reason" for something to smell bad. You have to eliminate the problem, not cover it up.

Answer 3

From:
http://homegarden.expertvillage.com/experts/garbage_disposal.htm

"Basically, a garbage disposal is attached to the bottom of your sink at the underside. As you flush the food down the drain there is stainless steel blade turning at a high speed and it actually shreds or chops your food and flushes it down the drain.

The most important thing is having stainless steel cutting blades due to rust. Some of the other models don't have stainless steel blades and they have premature failing or rusting of the blades. Second is power of the unit. Some of the KitchenAid higher end lines have a one horsepower motor and I believe KitchenAid is one of the few brands out there that that has commercial grade disposal. Garbage disposals have the same draining function once the food is chopped out so that they don't get clogged."

Answer 4

Food AND water are inserted into the drain containing the disposer. The disposer has blades which chop up the food and mix with the water, to prevent clogging. The water and food then go down the drain to the sewerlines or the septic tank.

Answer 5

Down the drain to the sewer. This is why you should be running COLD water in it as you clobber the garbage.

Answer 6

It all goes into the sewer line along with the water.