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No one told me not to put that in my garbage disposal.

By garbage disposal, Phoenix Plumbing, plumbers No Comments

Garbage disposal tips 101

Garbage disposals are the ultimate kitchen scrap eater. If you’re thinking about a new garbage disposal or you just got one, there are some tips you’re going to want to follow to keep it running for years to come:

Always run cold water with anything you put down into the disposal. This helps maintain the flow through the pipes, and helps keep the disposal grease free.

Never put grease, chunks of fat or coffee grounds into the garbage disposal. Put grease and fat into a container and then throw it in the trash. Use your coffee grounds around your roses – they’ll thank you!

Put large bones or fruit stones in the trash and protect the blades from dulling prematurely.

Place smaller bones and most fruit and vegetable peels, husks or skin into the disposal, but cut bigger pieces into smaller ones to help the disposal operate more efficiently. Also, especially fibrous corn husks and celery stalks can wrap around the blades, causing jams and other problems.

Put eggshells in limited quantities into the disposal, but use caution. Ground-up eggshells can bind with greasy foods and clog drains. Also, eggshells are great out in the garden!

Even the best disposal can use a little bit of TLC once in a while. To keep blades sharp, pour a tray of ice cubes into the disposal, and then turn the disposal on. The ice sharpens the blades.

To remove odors, pour half a cup of baking soda into the disposal, and follow it up with a cup of apple cider vinegar. Let the mixture foam for a few minutes, and then run the cold water for at least 30 seconds. If you prefer a fresher, citrus scent, you can use half a lemon with the baking soda instead.

Contact us for a quote on a garbage disposal today, and let us help keep your kitchen scraps down to a minimum!

garbage disposal tips

How to Extend the Life of Your Garbage Disposal

By garbage disposal, home repairs, local plumber, Phoenix Plumbing No Comments

Recently we explained how to unjam your garbage disposal, but if you keep your eye on what goes down there you may never need to unjam it; consequently, you will extend the life of your garbage disposal.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when operating your garbage disposal.

  • Don’t use hot water when grinding food waste. Hot water will cause grease to liquefy and accumulate, causing drains to clog.
  • Don’t put large amounts of food down the garbage disposal. Feed food into the garbage disposal a little at a time with the cold water running; this will help the food scraps flow down freely through the drain pipes and plumbing.
  • Don’t put expandable foods into your garbage disposal. Foods like pasta and rice expand when you add water in a pot; they do the same thing once inside your pipes or garbage disposal and are the cause of many jams and clogs.
  • Don’t grind extremely fibrous material like corn husks, celery stalks, onion skins, and artichokes.  Fibers from these can tangle and jam the garbage disposal motor and block drains.
  • Don’t put too many potato peels down the garbage disposal. The starches in the potatoes will turn into a thick paste and may cause blades to stick.
  • Don’t grind large animal bones (beef, pork etc.).

Plumber fixing a garbage disposal

These are just some tips to help prevent clogs and jams from occurring, if you are having trouble with your garbage disposal please call your local plumber: City Wide Plumbing 480-966-8795. We have all the tools and knowledge to help you with whatever plumbing problem you may have.

Unjamming a garbage disposal is as easy as 1…2…3…

By garbage disposal, local plumber, Phoenix Plumbing No Comments

We have all been there, cleaning the kitchen and washing the dishes we reach over hit the switch to turn the disposal on and nothing. When a disposal gets jammed it is designed to stall the motor so it doesn’t burn out. Don’t panic here are a few easy steps that may the disposal running again.

Here is what you will need.

  • A flash light
  • Hex head or an allen wrench

1. Unplug the garbage disposal.

2. Locate the slot on the underside of the disposal and insert the wrench. Turn the wench back and forth several times until it spins freely without resistance.

3. Plug the unit back in, press the rest button located on the underside of the disposal and test with running water.

Plumber fixing a garbage disposal

If you are unable to turn the wrench or if the disposal still does not run after going through the steps then call your local plumber. City Wide Plumbing is available for all your plumbing needs in Phoenix Arizona service area.

Call 480-966-8795

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