As the holiday season approaches, there’s usually one thing on your mind: all of the family gatherings that will be taking place at your house. The holidays are typically the busiest time of year for many homeowners, and the kitchen is always the busiest room in the house. Between making a large Thanksgiving meal and baking cookies and other treats for Christmas, to say there’s a lot going on in the kitchen is an understatement.
After your family enjoys their holiday meals, the post-dinner cleanup is something that many of us often dread. Although doing the dishes isn’t exactly fun, it can quickly become a nightmare if your garbage disposal isn’t working properly due to the wrong foods going down it. In this blog, you’ll learn about the holiday foods that should be kept away from your garbage disposal to ensure smooth sailing in the kitchen this holiday season.
Coffee Grounds
We all love a good cup of coffee in the morning of our favorite holiday, but make sure those coffee grounds make their way into the trash can, not the garbage disposal. When coffee grounds are mixed with water, a sludgy substance is created that can clog your drain.
Turkey and Meat Bones
Whether it’s your Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas ham, throw those bones in the trash can after your family is finished feasting. Even if you think the bones are small enough, no meat bones should ever go down your garbage disposal. Smaller bones can cause a clog further down the line whereas larger bones can completely wreck your disposal’s impeller blades.
Stringy Vegetables
While vegetables like green beans, celery, and artichokes are great for you, they aren’t so great for your garbage disposal. Due to their stringy texture, they can easily wrap around your disposal’s impeller blades, causing a serious blockage. A few other vegetables to be mindful of are:
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Pumpkin
- Asparagus
You’re better off just tossing any of these leftover veggies in the trash!
Egg Shells
It’s no surprise that many holiday dessert recipes call for eggs as a main ingredient. Just remember when you crack those eggs open that the shells need to be thrown in the trash. The leftover egg membrane in the shell can easily wrap around your disposal’s blades due to its similar texture to coffee grounds mixed with water, so toss the shells in the trash to save yourself the headache.
Rice and Pasta
Starches like rice and pasta expand when they are mixed with water, hence why your pasta, rice, and other grains always come out in larger portions when they are put in boiling water. If you plan on making any rice, corn, or pasta dishes for the holidays, throw those leftovers in the trash can. The same applies to grandma’s perfect mashed potatoes recipe too!
Grease and Oil
You might think of grease and oils as liquids you can just flush down your drain, but think again. Grease, oils, and fats naturally harden when they cool down, so if they go down your garbage disposal, they will stick to your drain line and cause other food items to become trapped. This is the perfect recipe for a clog.
Pro tip: Allow the grease, oil, or fats to cool down first and then toss them in the trash.
For more tips on what can and can’t go down your garbage disposal, head over to our website! If you end up having any issues with your garbage disposal this holiday season, Alpine Plumbing & Rooter is the team for your repairs. Don’t hesitate to call us at (626) 349-6631 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your appointment. Happy holidays!
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