How to Prevent Garbage Disposal Problems During Your Summer BBQ

Grill season is here!  

As you enjoy backyard BBQs with your friends and family this summer, we want to make sure you avoid potential plumbing issues.  Keep your garbage disposal running smoothly by keeping these BBQ foods out of your disposal during cleanup.

Keep These BBQ Staples Out of Your Disposal:

• Leftover Grease and Oil from Grilled Meats
• Pasta Salad
• Mayonnaise
• Bones from Ribs and Other Meats
• Corn Husks
• Baked Beans

Don't have a garbage disposal?  Now is the perfect time to add one to your kitchen!  Now through the end of June, take $50 OFF a new 1/2 or 3/4 horse garbage disposal when you call and mention the code FB50!  Call 865-583-3957 to book your appointment today.

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Garbage Disposal Maintenance Tips

Garbage disposals are a great way to get rid of unwanted leftovers.  However, grease, potato peels, pasta, and other foods can actually damage your blades and clog your pipes.  Here are a few tips to help prevent plumbing problems and extend the life of your garbage disposal.

Garbage Disposal Tips:

• Run Cold Water - Cold water is a great way to keep your garbage disposal clean by allowing the blades to grind up food and push it out the drain pipe.
• Use it Often - Running your garbage disposal on a regular basis will help keep leftover food from hardening inside.  Even if you don't have anything to grind up, run the disposal every few days to prevent odors, clogs and rust.
• Flush it Out - Run your disposal for about a minute after it has finished grinding up the waste.  This ensures that all the food has been flushed out and helps prevent clogs.
• Reduce Waste Size - Your garbage disposal is not designed to handle large chucks of food.  Cut waste into smaller chunks and only put a few pieces in at a time to avoid clogs and damage.
• Grind Citrus Fruits - Orange, lemon and lime peels can help keep your disposal clean.  Toss a citrus peel in to help clear excess waste and eliminated any unpleasant smells.  Ice cubes work well too!

If you do experience any problems with your garbage disposal, give us a call.  Our experienced plumbing technicians can clear your clogged drains and give advice on how to keep your disposal running smoothly year-round.  Call 585-216-3058 to contact our office or visit our website for more information on our plumbing services.

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photo credit: Chris Winters via photopin cc

What Shouldn't Go Down Your Disposal?

Photo Source: Flickr/David Winer

Your kitchen garbage disposal is a great way to get rid of food scraps. However, some foods can clog your pipes and harm your disposal blades.  Avoid putting these foods down your disposal to keep it running smoothly.

Foods to Avoid:

• Fibrous Foods - Celery, artichokes, asparagus, lettuce, corn husks, carrots, onion skins and potato peels can clog your disposal.  The fibrous foods wrap around the blades and keep your motor from operating well.  Dispose of these foods in the garbage instead.
• Bones - Keep those turkey bones out of your garbage disposal.  Bones and other hard foods can dull and even break your garbage disposal blades.
• Grease - Greasey foods will create a film over your garbage disposal blades.  Eventually, this grease will begin to decay and cause your disposal to smell.  Grease can clog your drains, too!
• Egg Shells - Egg shells can wrap around the shredder ring and can clog your pipes.
• Starches - Pasta, rice and other foods that swell with water can clog your garbage disposal trap.

For more information on what you should and shouldn't put down your garbage disposal, check out this Angies List article.  You can also contact our professional technicians if you experience any problems with your garbage disposal.  Call 585-216-3058 to contact our office today.

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