Garbage Disposal Question...

[ducklite]

Does anyone know why you aren't supposed to run the disposal without your water running? Is it just to wash everything down?

I try to conserve water as much as I can, and it seems that if I just ran the disposal it would chop everything up and then the next time I turn the water on, it would go down. But I've heard you should never run the disposal without the water running.

Anyone know?

Anne

 

[hiwaygal]

I've always heard not just water, but cold water. I heard it keeps the mechanisms from overheating and allows everything to be rinsed down the drain.

On occasions when someone (meaning DH ) didn't rinse, the drain tends to get clogged.

 

[DawnCt1]

Water helps the content of the disposal to emulsify, thus preventing costly and inconvenient clogs, of which I have had.

 

[pumba]

and dont......I mean dont put clam shells down that sucker.......the pig does not like it and made cement......hubby did that and of course I try not to let him forget it when he says....dont put that down the pig.......we call it a pig and not a disposal..

once in a while put a big tray of your ice cubes down the pig too.....keeps the blades sharpened and is good for it

 

[1rockinmamato2]

And be sure not to put banana peels in a garbage disposal. Or spoons. Disposals don't like spoons. Just ask one of my spoons.

 

[momrek06]

I never put coffee grounds down my disposal! And once a month or so I drop a PLINK in for cleaning and deodorizing.

 

[ducklite]

Thanks for the answers--and all of your responses make perfect sense. I promise I will always run cold water and will never put clam shells, bannana peels, spoons, or anything else along those lines down the disposal. I do put citrus rinds down because they make the kitchen smell nice. Haven't had any problem with that.

And Pumba--"the Pig"?

Anne

 

[disneynutt1225]

I've always heard not just water, but cold water. I heard it keeps the mechanisms from overheating and allows everything to be rinsed down the drain.

On occasions when someone (meaning DH ) didn't rinse, the drain tends to get clogged.

Exactly - the water acts as a lubrication, IIRC.

Also, a PSA: don't put corn husks down the disposal.

 

[hiwaygal]

I never put coffee grounds down my disposal! And once a month or so I drop a PLINK in for cleaning and deodorizing.

Hey! I have that stuff too! It's amazing! I was afraid to use them with the hot water, but they are effective.

 

[marlasmom]

What's a Plink and where can I get some? Potato peels always clog my disposal.

 

[momrek06]

Hey! I have that stuff too! It's amazing! I was afraid to use them with the hot water, but they are effective.

HIYA DENISE!!!! HOW YOU BEEN LADY?? Yes, this stuff is awesome!!!

What's a Plink and where can I get some? Potato peels always clog my disposal.

You can buy PLINK at Bed Bath & Beyond!!!