Garbage Disposal

Day after day, perhaps more often than any other appliance, they bring convenience and practicality to your home.

Garbage disposers are self-cleaning and virtually maintenance free, if used correctly. However, a malfunctioning garbage disposal usually means a messy clogged kitchen sink, but one that can be avoided. Here's a few tips to keep your unit in good working order.

Go to the Insinkerator buying guide to choose which model is best for you.

When using your disposal always run cold water when grinding in order to move the waste all the way through the drain lines. Fats and grease congeal and harden in cold water which can then be flushed through the system. Don't use hot water when grinding because it can dissolve fats and grease, which then accumulate in the drainline, this is especially evident in apartment buildings, the built up grease can restrict the internal diameter of the pipe and eventually clog it completely. Almost all biodegradable food waste can be fed into disposals. However, do not throw down the disposal egg shells, corn husks, celery or other material with a high fiber content. Under no circumstances should you put glass, plastic or metal non-food materials through a disposal. This includes bottle caps, tin covers or aluminum foil — these are some of the items service technicians commonly find in clogged or broken disposals.

Maintenance is easy. Grinding a little ice can clean out deposits and get rid of odors.

Tip. You can un-jam a disposal using a broom handle.

Cleaning the Garbage Disposal
Mold and bacteria can grow in your kitchen garbage disposal and create unpleasant odors, as well as unhealthy spores.

The odors may not be noticeable, but over time without proper cleaning, the odors can become stronger as the mold and bacteria grow.
If you clean your garbage disposal once a week it will help reduce unpleasant mold and bacteria.

Cleaning Method A:
Pour one half cup of baking soda down the kitchen drain, then carefully pour one cup of white vinegar down the drain. Close off the drain with the drain stopper. The fizzing mixture will make a bit of noise. Boil some water in a pot and pour it down the drain.

Cleaning Method B:
Plug the sink and approximately 1.5 gal of water, add one tablespoon of liquid chlorine bleach to the water. Using gloves remove the stopper and allow the water to drain.

Freshening the Garbage Disposal
The methods above maintaining a clean garbage disposal it will help to keep it smelling fresh and odor free. Additionally, you can encourage this by grinding ice cubes in the garbage disposal to clean the cutting blades. Simply place several cubes in the drain and grind.

For a little bit of scent to the area, you can add rinds from any of the citrus fruits in the drain with the ice cubes.

InSinkErator food waste disposers are the best-selling brand in the world, and with good reason: They're the easiest disposers to install and they provide the greatest peace of mind. All models offer these exclusive features:

Dura-Drive Induction Motor These powerful, heavy-duty motors are manufactured by InSinkErator to exacting specifications that help ensure high performance and long life.

Quick-Lock Sink Mount Available only from InSinkErator, this "twist-on, twist-off" sink mount makes installation fast and easy, no matter what disposer you're replacing.