What goes in, and what stays out
| Item | Disposal? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Small soft food scraps | Yes, with cold water | Grinds easily and flushes through |
| Cooking grease, oil, bacon fat | No | Solidifies in the line and coats the pipe |
| Coffee grounds | No | Packs into sludge in the trap and branch line |
| Rice, pasta, bread | Small amounts only | Swells with water and forms paste |
| Celery, onion skins, corn husks | No | Fibers wrap around the impellers and catch in the pipe |
| Eggshells | No | The membrane and grit add to sludge |
| Bones and fruit pits | No | Too hard; can jam the unit |
How grease builds a clog
Fats, oils and grease, often shortened to FOG, are liquid when warm and solid at room temperature. They leave the sink warm, cool within a few feet, and cling to the pipe. Soap reacts with grease and makes the coating harder. Every scrap of food that passes then has something to stick to.
Older cast-iron kitchen lines in Placentia tract homes are rough inside and often run a long distance under the slab, which gives grease plenty of surface to settle on. Sewer agencies also treat grease as a problem for public sewers, which is another reason to keep it out of the drain entirely.
Habits that keep the kitchen drain clear
- Pour cooled grease into a can or jar and put it in the trash
- Wipe greasy pans with a paper towel before washing
- Scrape plates into the trash or green waste, not the sink
- Run a strong flow of cold water before, during and after using the disposal
- Use a sink strainer when the disposal is not running
- Do not use the disposal as the main way to get rid of food
If the disposal hums but will not spin
- Cut the power.Switch it off and unplug it or turn off the breaker before any hands or tools go near it.
- Free the flywheel.Many units have a hex socket on the bottom. Turning it back and forth with the matching wrench frees a jam.
- Remove debris with tongs.Never reach into the disposal with your hand.
- Reset and test.Press the reset button on the bottom, restore power and run cold water before switching it on.
Questions to ask a plumber
- Is the clog in the disposal, the trap or the branch line?
- Is the disposal outlet and dishwasher connection installed correctly?
- Would jetting the kitchen line help, given how often it clogs?
Common questions
Does hot water help the disposal?
Cold water is better while grinding because it keeps grease solid so it can be chopped and carried away. Hot water melts it so it coats the pipe further down.
Do ice cubes sharpen the blades?
Disposals use impellers rather than knife blades. Ice can knock off some buildup, but it does not sharpen anything.
Is a clog more likely with an old disposal?
A worn unit grinds less finely, which can leave larger pieces in the line. The bigger factor is still what goes into it.
General information for Placentia, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.