Clogged Garbage Disposals
Sometimes it seems garbage disposals can take on anything, but you know they can’t. Here are some tips on how to deal with clogged garbage disposals.
Clogged Garbage Disposals
The common in sink garbage disposal is an appliance that is easy to take for granted. At least until it clogs. This will not be a common problem if you use a little common sense. There are many items that do not do well in a garbage disposal. Celery, for example, tends to clog a disposal. Grease should not be poured in the disposal as it will tend to solidify and clog the disposal or the drain beneath it.
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There are several potentially dangerous old wife tales about clearing disposals and keeping the blades sharp. One says that bones, such as rib bones or chicken bones will sharpen the blades. This is wrong, and the bones can damage the blades and clog the disposal. Even more dangerous is glass. It is not a way to sharpen the blades and should never be done. The one material that does do a good job and is harmless is ice.
Make sure that you use plenty of running cold water when the disposal is running to flush it out properly. It is suggested that you keep some citrus fruit peels or lemon peels and feed them into the disposal last to eliminate odors. If grease is inadvertently poured into the disposal, try to rinse it with very hot water.
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If the disposal does become clogged, it is important to make sure that the power is turned off at the circuit breaker panel box before attempting to clear it. Many models come with a crank wrench that can be used to turn the flywheel to free the clogging material. Once it is cleared, it can be removed with tongs. It is never a good idea to stick your fingers into the disposal even when the circuit breaker is turned off or the unit is unplugged.
You will see some recommendations to clear garbage disposals by reaching in and removing the debris while the unit is disconnected. Others will advise using a wooden object like a broom handle to force the flywheel to turn dislodging the clog. While this method may work from time to time, it can also damage the flywheel. The jam-wrench is the best method of turning the flywheel without harming it. If you pay attention to what you put into the disposal and make sure the unit is amply flushed out with running water during every use, you should have few problems.