garbage disposals

[SgtMaj]

Well my garbage disposal got stopped up yet again. I already got it unstuck, but I'm curious, it does this about 4 times a year, do those of you with newer garbage disposals have the same problem, or do the newer ones jam up less frequently?

 

[JB]

Re: garbage disposals

Mine used to do that pretty often, particularly when I put a lot of onion skins down it. It doesn't happen any more and here is what I think is why.

I had a plumber in for a different reason and I asked him the same question you asked.

He (about my age!) explained to me that there has to be more water than grindings exiting the chamber and that water has to flush it after the grindings are gone.

Since then I grind smaller amounts and let the water run for 4 or 5 seconds after the grinding is done and a few more after I turn the grinder off.

Haven't had a clog since.

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: garbage disposals

That could have something to do with it. Mine started when I let some aquarium gravel fall down into it. I got that cleared, but ever since, it's clogged about once every 3 months or so. But come to think of it, those times that it has clogged since, I haven't been running a whole lot of water.

I'll definately keep that in mind, thanks.

SgtMaj

 

[vess]

Re: garbage disposals

Mine did the same Sgt, and I found a popcorn kernel stuck in the works. I assume anything small and hard like that will jam it (your gravel, in this case), if it gets caught just right. I was glad I looked at it first, as I was about to replace it, thinking the motor was bad. And like JB, I also try to flush with a lot of water when grinding, as it seems to help flush it all along.

 

[cbear34]

Re: garbage disposals

The biggest problem with a disposal is people don't run enough water through them while and after grinding so they clog. You can try to turn the water on and put a stopper in the drain. Then fill the sink with some water and then turn on the disposal and pull the plug. It helps to create a suction to help force the water through the pipes. And always run the water after you turn the disposal off. Hope this helps!

 

[JMRuth72]

Re: garbage disposals

It is a really good idea to avoid gummy items like rice and pasta. It will stick to the disposal and lock it up. When last I had a place with a disposal I would also run egg shells through it. For some reason they seem to be just hard enough to clean out the gunk and sharpen the blades a little, but not hard enough to lock it up. With these and LOTS of water you should find you have no problems. Like just about any things else in life with a little maintenance it will give you a long service life. You might think about pulling it out and seeing if you can inspect and clean the blade area really good if it continues to give you problems.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: garbage disposals

I agree with everyone else - less stuff and more water.

I like to put citrus rinds down the disposal every once in a while because it keeps things smelling nice...

Last weekend, I had about a half dozen lime rinds, and not much patience... in my hurry, while stuffing all the rinds down the disposal, I was thinking to myself "I'm going to stop this thing up" .... yep... I stopped it up. After poking at it for a few minutes, I just ended up pulling out as much as I could and throwing it in the trash. Worked fine after that.

I also never put onion skins down the sink. Those things, no matter how small, always get stuck and smell.

The last place I lived had a HUGE garbage disposal - I think it was powered by a small block... That thing would grind bricks. When you turned it on, the walls shook. I miss it!

 

[Benny1963]

Re: garbage disposals

run a cup of ice and a cap of clorox thru it
works every time to keep it clean and trash free
bennyb