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Most of us depend on our garbage disposal without thinking about it. It grinds up leftovers, keeps the sink clear, and makes cleaning up a little easier. But it’s not built for everything that ends up in the sink. When it gets treated like a trash can, that’s when the problems start.
Here in Lexington, we see it all the time. A big family dinner, a sink full of dishes, and someone rinses the wrong thing down the drain. Before long, the disposal is humming, the water’s backing up, and the kitchen smells like something’s gone bad. Most of these breakdowns come down to the same few habits, and they’re easy to fix once you know what to watch out for.
The Clog Culprits: Top 5 Items to Avoid
1. Fats, Oils, and Grease
Grease is the number one disposal killer in Central Kentucky kitchens. It looks harmless when it’s hot, but as soon as it cools, it sticks to your pipes like glue. It hardens, catches food scraps, and keeps building up until nothing can pass through.
Around the holidays, it’s an even bigger issue. Turkey drippings, gravy, and ham glaze get rinsed away in seconds, then solidify in the pipes a few minutes later. That’s why so many homeowners end up calling for help right after Thanksgiving.
Tip: After cooking, pour leftover grease into a jar or coffee can and let it harden. Once it’s solid, throw it in the trash. Wipe pans with a paper towel before washing them to keep any residue out of your sink.
2. Starchy and Expanding Foods
Pasta, rice, and potatoes are another hidden problem. When they hit water, they swell up and stick together like paste. Once that paste coats your pipes, even small bits of food can’t pass through.
If you’ve ever peeled a dozen potatoes for mashed potatoes or rinsed leftover pasta down the drain, you’ve probably set the stage for a clog without realizing it.
Tip: Scrape all starches and peels into the trash instead of the sink. If a little bit slips through, run plenty of cold water to flush it completely out of the line.
3. Fibrous or Stringy Produce
Vegetable scraps are tricky. Celery, corn husks, and onion skins don’t grind up the way softer foods do. They’re full of fibers that wrap around the moving parts inside the disposal. Once those strands get caught, the motor can jam or overheat.
This is one of the most common issues our plumbers see during the holidays when people are prepping big meals. A few corn husks or potato peels can stop the whole system in its tracks.
Tip: Keep a small bowl nearby when you’re cooking and use it for vegetable scraps. Toss it all in the trash or compost when you’re done. Your disposal will thank you.
4. Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds don’t dissolve. They form a thick layer that sits at the bottom of your pipes and traps grease and debris. Over time, that buildup turns into sludge and slows your sink to a crawl.
Tip: Empty your coffee grounds into the trash or compost. They’re great for gardens, but not for plumbing.
5. Hard Materials, Bones, and Pits
Anything that’s too hard to chew doesn’t belong in your disposal. Chicken bones, fruit pits, and nutshells are too dense to grind up. They dull the impellers, damage the motor, and can get stuck in the chamber.
If your disposal makes a loud grinding noise or hums without turning, something hard is probably wedged inside. Forcing it to run longer can make the damage worse.
Tip: Throw bones and pits in the trash. Even small fragments can chip or jam the system.
Holiday Disposal Survival Guide
Holiday cooking in Lexington means busy kitchens, big meals, and a lot of cleanup. You can keep things running smoothly with a few simple habits.
- Prep in the Trash: Keep a small bowl or container nearby while you cook. Toss peels, trimmings, and scraps into it, not the sink.
- Handle Grease the Right Way: Pour cooking grease into a jar or can, let it cool, then throw it out. Never rinse oily pans in the sink.
- Scrape, Don’t Rinse: Before washing dishes or loading the dishwasher, scrape all solid food into the trash. This keeps big chunks out of the drain.
- Run Cold Water: Always run cold water for 30 seconds before and after using the disposal. It helps move food through the pipes and keeps grease from melting and sticking.
Keep Your Garbage Disposal Clear
Avoiding these few problem items can save you a lot of time and trouble. When in doubt, remember this rule: if it’s not soft enough to chew, it’s not safe for the disposal.
If your sink is draining slowly, giving off a bad smell, or making a humming noise, it’s time to call in a professional. Don’t try to fix it with chemicals or by reaching inside. That can make the situation worse and damage the unit.
Fayette Heating & Air has been helping homeowners in Lexington, Elsmere, and Central Kentucky since 1971. We’ve seen every kind of clog and jam there is, and we know how to fix them safely and quickly. Our team works around your schedule, shows up on time, and makes sure your kitchen is back to normal before we leave.
If your disposal is acting up or your drain just won’t clear, don’t wait for it to get worse.
Call Fayette Heating & Air today for dependable service that keeps your kitchen flowing and your holidays stress-free.