A garbage disposal is a great kitchen appliance that helps you dispose of food remnants that would otherwise have to sit in your kitchen garbage can. Garbage disposals reduce the amount of food scraps put in the trash, which after a day or so, begin to emit an unpleasant odor as well as attract a host of bugs and parasites.

Despite the urge to use your garbage disposal for everything that comes out of your kitchen, there are certain precautions you should take.

Can rice or pasta be put into a garbage disposal?

No matter how much water you run or how long you run your garbage disposal, you will never break rice or pasta down small enough. Both rice and pasta swell when they are in contact with water, so the small pieces will eventually gather in the trap and swell until it is closed.

I can put all vegetables in the garbage disposal, right?

Actually, vegetables that are stringy or have tough peels including asparagus, lettuce, celery and potato peels can pose problems for your disposal. They often wrap themselves around the blades and prevent the motor from turning.

I’ve heard eggshells in a garbage disposal help to sharpen it. Is that correct?

Despite what you may have heard, eggshells do not sharpen garbage disposal blades. The thin membrane layer attached to the shell can wrap itself around the garbage disposal’s shredder ring and end up clogging the line.

What’s wrong with grease in a garbage disposal?

Because of the consistency of grease, it solidifies once it cools. Therefore, if you pour grease down your garbage disposal, it may solidify and clog your drain.

No matter what you decide to put down your garbage disposal, always use a strong flow of cold water when in use. Be sure to keep the garbage disposal running at least 30 seconds after the noise of grinding has stopped in order to flush all food scraps through the drain line. All garbage disposals have overload protectors to avoid damage to the motor. However, should you find your garbage disposal shuts itself off due to being over-clogged, always manually turn the switch off before removing the food causing the issue. If your garbage disposal continues to malfunction, you’ll likely need to seek the advice and services of an experienced and reputable expert plumber.