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How to use your garbage disposal the right way

Date Published: Oct 24 2011

Few kitchen appliances get as much use as the garbage disposal. And over the years, common issues such as jamming and leaking can occur. However, a disposal not operating properly or maintained can break down and cause plumbing issues - leading to costly repairs.

Comments

Submitted by larry on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Your lead in said you'd tell me what NOT to put into a dishwasher. No such info was given.

Submitted by Vickie Pallo on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Good Info!!!

Submitted by Deb on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Where is the info? I also want to know what not to put in disposal? Please edit your intro!

Submitted by Steve on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
What can you put down your garbage disposal? Depends on where it goes, if you have sewer or a septic system. If you are on a septic system use of a disposal is not recomemnded. The excess material can cause system failure or increased maintenance costs.

Submitted by AmyLou on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Larry is right. This was linked in a newletter with the headline, "Don't throw this down the garbage disposal!" Completely misleading. I will have to look for a new arbiter in my family's "eggshells vs. no eggshells" argument!

Submitted by LYN on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
TO.LARRY... to read 'what NOT to put into a dishwasher', click directly on 'that sentence' itself. The video is a different subject.

Submitted by Mark on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
I am not a believer in garbage disposals. Pushing ground-up food scraps through 1 and 1/2-inch pipes stresses a plumbing system needlessly. Instead, try composting food waste, and put meat & fish bones in the regular garbage. But if you feel you must have a disposal, replacing one is not at all difficult. And they're not that expensive, either: a high-end model is around $150 at Home Depot.

Submitted by El Gordo on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Does the world really need garbage disposals? Use those sink strainers and compost, or if you live in a city apartment, throw them in the garbage.

Submitted by Barbara Launspach on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
It would probably be good to put in what not to put in the garbage disposal. When I was new to the use of G.D.s I put in onion skins. That was not the best.

Submitted by Dennis on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Good tips on that video clip...Now what about if you have a Batch Feed Disposal that you must fill before you turn it on?

Submitted by Pearl on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
First time I've watched an Angie's list video. Thanks! I like the idea of making these available!

Submitted by Nick the Plumber on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
If you follow the steps in the video you can put virtually any food waste you want through the disposal. I wouldn't put the pork ribs from lastnight's BBQ Party in it, but pretty much anything else.

Submitted by DC on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Very helpful. I never realized you were supposed to run the water first and use cold water instead of hot water.

Submitted by Pat on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
http://magazine.angieslist.com/plumbing/articles/items-to-avoid-sending-down-the-garbage-disposal.aspx?cid=FS20111116&RefID=EML:998 link to what not to put down. Nearly everything is bad it seems.

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2012-07-16 02:07
what a stupid video

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