A garbage disposal is a convenient appliance; it eliminates the need to take out your food waste and makes disposal of scraps easier. To ensure that your garbage disposal works smoothly, you have to take some preventative measures. Here are a few tips on how you can keep your garbage disposal in top shape.
Regular Cleaning
The first step in taking care of your garbage disposal is regular cleaning. This means carrying out both physical cleaning and odor control. Physical cleaning involves removing any large amounts of food particles from the interior walls of the disposal using an old toothbrush. The toothbrush helps remove any build-up that may be clogging up the blades or drain lines. Odor control requires pouring a cup of baking soda into the drain while running cold water, followed by a cup of white vinegar. This will help eliminate any bad odors coming from the drain and pipes. Additionally, you should use lemon juice or citrus peels to freshen up the smell every now and then.
Maintenance Checks
You should also make sure that you keep up with regular maintenance checks for your garbage disposal. This includes checking for leaks around the unit as well as checking for any signs of wear and tear on its components such as blades, seals, hoses, etc. If you detect any issues with these components, make sure to replace them as soon as possible in order to avoid further damage and spending more dollars down the line. It’s also important to inspect all electrical connections regularly and make sure they are secure and connected properly in order to avoid any potential hazards.
Using It Properly
Finally, it’s essential that you use your garbage disposal correctly in order to ensure that it continues running smoothly over time. You should never put large chunks of solid food down your drain since they could easily get trapped in the grinding chamber or cause other problems with the unit itself. Instead, only put small amounts at a time and run cold water while doing so in order to help grind up those particles better.
We know it's tempting to pour your cooking grease down your sink after you're done cooking, but you should never put grease or oil down your garbage disposal since the residue can coat the blades and cause them to jam. Grease will also solidify in cold water, leading to blockage and drainage issues. One easy way to dispose of grease is to cover a bowl or the sink with foil and pour it into the foil. Once it's cooled and solidified you can just toss it into the trash!
Additionally, forcing fibrous food scraps such as banana peels or onion skins down your kitchen sink is another thing you should never do since these tend to tangle around blades easily which can cause major issues with how effectively it runs over time if not addressed early on in its life cycle. Just get rid of them in the trash!
When Do Garbage Disposals Need Replacement?
Garbage disposals typically last between 10 and 12 years, depending on how often they are used and how well they have been maintained. If you're in need of a replacement and you're doing some research and wondering what's the best garbage disposal for you here's 2 different kinds:
Continuous Feed Garbage Disposal
A continuous feed garbage disposal is a type of garbage disposal that runs continuously when it is turned on, allowing you to quickly and easily dispose of food waste. This type of garbage disposal is activated by a wall switch or a toe-kick pedal and enables the user to control the speed at which food waste is broken down by the blades.
Batch Feed Garbage Disposal
A batch feed garbage disposal is a type of garbage disposal that requires the user to manually insert food waste into the grinding chamber. This type of garbage disposal has a lid that must be placed over the grinding chamber before it will start running and breaking down food waste. Batch feed garbage disposals are considered safer than continuous feed models since they prevent accidental activation. However, they may take longer to break down food waste and can be more expensive than their continuous feed counterparts.
The best garbage disposal for you depends on your specific needs. If you're looking for a durable and reliable garbage disposal, then a continuous feed model is probably the best choice for you. They are more powerful than batch-feed models and can handle larger quantities of food waste in less time. On the other hand, batch-feed garbage disposals are great for households that want an extra layer of safety since they require the user to manually insert food waste into the grinding chamber. This means there is less risk of accidental activation and potential danger caused by small hands or objects being inserted in the disposal while it's running.
Taking care of your garbage disposal is essential if you want it to last for many years in your household without needing repairs or worse yet—a replacement! if you ever notice anything of concern with your disposal unit (strange noises coming from it; strange smells emanating from it; slow drainage etc.), don’t wait until it turns into a bigger problem–call a professional right away! Don't hesitate to contact the professionals at Hands to Home if you're in need of help!
