A garbage disposal is a great thing to have, but only as long as it works. You have to be careful of what you put down the garbage disposal as well as how you care for it. Should you ever find yourself asking “why is the garbage disposal clogged?” Ben Franklin is here to help you get to the bottom of the situation. One of the first things that you should be aware of is that there are certain foods that don’t belong in the garbage disposal.

Shells and Bones

While your garbage disposal might seem powerful, that doesn’t mean that it’s powerful enough to handle items like large shells and bones. Small bones from fish and chicken are okay, but anything bigger from lamb or beef should go in a garbage bag or given to the dog. Clam, mussel, crab, shrimp and all other shells should also go into a trash can.

Grease

Grease, bacon fat and butter are three of the main things that can leave you asking why your garbage disposal is clogged? While they might not seem to do any harm at first, over time they can build up and lead to either a clog or ineffective grinding action.

Potato Skins

Small bits of potato skins are perfectly fine for the garbage disposal, but try to avoid them if you can. The reason for this is that ground up potato skins can release starch, which can stick to the blades of the garbage disposal and cause it to become jammed.

Anything That Expands

Foods such as pasta, rice, quinoa, bread and any others that expand have no place in your garbage disposal. Should they ever become trapped, they can lead to a clogged disposal in addition to gumming up grinder action.

If you’re ever asking, “Why is the garbage disposal clogged?” Ben Franklin provides superior plumbing care. Contact us today.