December 1, 2023
The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and of course, indulgent feasts. From Thanksgiving to New Year's Eve, our homes are filled with the delightful aroma of festive foods. While enjoying these delicious treats is a highlight of the season, it's essential to be mindful of what goes down our kitchen drains, especially when it comes to the garbage disposal. In this blog post, we'll explore 8 common holiday foods that should never find their way into your garbage disposal.
While potatoes themselves may be fine, their peels are starchy and can form a thick paste when ground up, causing drain blockages. So when you peel those potatoes for your holiday feast, make sure you dispose of them in your trash and not your garbage disposal.
Stringy and fibrous vegetables like celery can wrap around the disposal blades, causing them to jam. It's best to toss these into the compost bin instead.
Holiday cooking often involves fatty dishes, but pouring grease down the disposal can lead to clogs and sewer backups. Fats and oils can solidify in the pipes, creating a barrier that traps other debris and causes blockages. Instead, let these substances solidify in a container and dispose of them in the trash.
Dough can expand in the disposal, leading to a gummy mess that can clog pipes. Bread can also form a paste that hinders proper disposal function.
Despite the common misconception that eggshells sharpen disposal blades, they can actually contribute to clogs. The membrane inside the shell can wrap around the blades and impede their rotation.
Like turkey bones, ham or roast bones are too hard for the disposal blades to handle. Dispose of them in the trash or consider composting.
The tough pits of fruits like cherries or peaches can damage the disposal blades. Opt for composting or discarding them in the trash.
While small amounts of citrus peels can freshen the disposal, excessive amounts can lead to clogs. Use sparingly and cut them into small pieces.
This holiday season, as you gather with loved ones and prepare festive meals, keep in mind the importance of proper disposal habits. By avoiding the temptation to send certain foods down the garbage disposal, you can prevent clogs, damage, and costly repairs, ensuring the BEST holiday season in your kitchen. Remember, when in doubt, it's always safer to use the trash or compost bin for disposing of potentially troublesome food items. If you happen to run into ANY drain issues this season, give our Plumbing Today team a call - we’re here to TAKE CARE of YOU!