What is a sink garbage disposal meant for?

Question

My husband and I disagree. I say that it is intended to make it so that you don't have to worry about clogs when small chunks of soft foods are rinsed down the drain. I put the dishes in the sink with a little rice, or pasta, or green beans or whatever, and just wash it down as I wash dishes, then run the disposer. (Our disposer takes whole strawberries and egg shells too, with no problem, but I try to throw that stuff away)

He wants every bit scraped off the plate because he doesn't think the disposer can handle the food (and of course, he cares because if it did plug up the drain, he'd be the one fixing it).

Who's right?

Answer 1

lol it isn't the disposals ability to grind the food that would present the possible problem, but the drain line's inability to handle the amount of solid waste being put into it. most horizontal waste lines from kitchen drains are a combination of 1-1/2" and 2" piping- not of sufficiant diameter for carrying solid waste.

Answer 2

Some foods will clog the disposal and/or the sewer pipe. That includes foods that are stringy like celery, and corn. Most soft foods that don't dissolve will clog up the sewer, like rice, pasta and more. The worse is grease, oil, and sticky foods like peanut butter, butter and more. It is because the blades of the disposal has to cut them apart to get into the drain holes. Then the pipe often is a 1 1/2 to 2" that connects into the main 4" pipe is where the clog occurs in the sewer pipe.

Answer 3

Disposers can handle allot of food stuff. they are made for disposing of food prep work like chunks of unused, cabbage bean ends, onion peels. all the left over stuff, plate scrapings ect. Garbage disposals were made to grind soft foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and breads. Garbage disposals also deal well with coffee grounds, ice cubes, and egg shells. In fact, grinding ice cubes once a week helps to keep the disposal clean.

Answer 4

In my city we are highly discouraged from putting anything more than the little bits and pieces that remain after scraping the plate into the garbage. Too much grease and food waste can clog the sewer lines in addition to your own pipes.

Answer 5

What Does Not Go Down Garbage Disposals

* Anything that is not biodegradable food
* Anything combustible
* Plastic and metal
* Cigarettes and butts
* Bones from any animal
* Hamburger
* Bacon grease or other grease
* Egg shells
* Potato skins or large amounts of potato
* Corn cobs or husks, lettuce, asparagus and other fibrous fruits and vegetables
* Pasta and rice

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Answer 6

Your right, you can put any food down the disposal, we always do...even egg shells, weve done it for years and no problems have arrose,although everything will eventually have problems even if you take care of it to the best of your ability. Things are made to break or have problems.

Answer 7

A garbage disposal, is just that
it disposes of garbage, it will grind up chicken bones,[not pork bones] meat, most stuff, BUT don,t put leafy veg in it, they will clog it up, run COLD water while using it, NOT HOT. let it run for a Minuit after putting last bits of food in it.

Answer 8

Pretty much any food that fits in it while the water runs with the switch is on. If you have a septic tank it will fill up quicker, not good there.

Answer 9

You are. It is made to handle that. But be careful, because sometimes mine clogs and/or smells. Blech. Nothing a little draino won't fix.

Answer 10

I'm dying to know the answer to this. My boyfriend and I have the same argument...