Newness for a New Year

Friday, September 21, 2007

Did you know?

In case some of you were not aware of should and should not be put in a disposal, I am posting today to help you out a bit. I was aware that potato peels should not be put down a disposal, but I learned last night that pasta shouldn't be put down one either. My landlord told me pasta was no good for disposals. In my mind, I considered them great disposal products since they are so soft. Well, that just goes to show you I know nothing about disposals and pipes for that matter. So, Thomas and I googled what should and should not be put in a disposal. Here is a top 10 list for you from Terry at Waldman Management Group. Thanks Terry.

Terry's Top Ten Garbage Disposal Killers.

  • 10. Zip lock bags, aluminum foil, or any other packaging items. (Yes, this has happened.)
  • 9. Silverware or cooking utinsels. (Like we do that intentionally).
  • 8. Banana, apple or any fruit peel or core. (I'm not the only non fruit eater!)
  • 7. Avocado peel or core. (This one might send the disposal into orbit.)
  • 6. Sweet corn husks, silt or cob. (Trash cans love these items.)
  • 5. Bones from steaks, chops, chicken or other varments. (Also very good for trash cans.)
  • 4. Grease and drippings. (Will require a disposal by-pass.)
  • 3. Potatoes of any kind. (Your disposal is allergic to all starch items.)
  • 2. Pasta noodles of any kind. (These starches could lead to disposal cardiac arrest)

And the number one killer of Garbage Disposals is....

  • 1. RICE!!!! (Your disposal should start screaming at the sight of Rice.) (Instant death!)
Oh, and here are a few pointers for successful disposal use.

  • Never run the disposal with out first turning on the water.
  • If your disposal becomes clogged or making unusual sounds. Never insert your hand or any other object into the disposal.
  • If your disposal becomes unusable, please forward a work request to the Maintenance Department.
  • A disposal is not a “trash eater” only small amounts of food should be inserted into the disposal.
  • Excess food and waste should be put in a trash can.
  • Remember to always turn off the disposal when not in use.
I hope these are helpful. I had 8 of 10 under my radar of things to know, however I tragically didn't know the top 2 things that could clog your drain. Well, now I know--and knowing is half the battle. Stay tuned for my next blog: how to find a good, inexpensive plumber.

2 comments:

Kim said...

It also depends on your disposal. Apparently most are fairly wimpy. My parents happen to have the mother of all disposals. They put almost everything down there (besides grape stems and small children). I'll have to remember that not all disposals are created equal when we move out!

Amber said...

LOL! Recently I put something down ours that made me think- "I guess it's really not a shredding, disinegrater. I bet our pipes are so close to not letting water through.". Thanks for the laugh. :)