As a plumber, I see a lot of garbage disposal issues—some big, some small—but many of them could’ve been avoided with a few simple habits. A well-maintained disposal makes kitchen cleanup easier and can last for years if treated right.
Here’s some advice I give to customers all the time:
Use Cold Water, Not Hot
When you’re running the disposal, always use cold water. Cold water helps keep grease and oils solid, which makes it easier for the disposal to grind everything up and send it down the drain without problems. Hot water might seem like it would help, but it can actually melt fats and cause clogs further down the line.
Turn the cold water on before starting the disposal, and keep it running for a few seconds after you switch the unit off. That extra rinse helps clear out any leftover debris.
Don’t Overload It
One of the fastest ways to jam your disposal is by overloading it. Feed scraps in small amounts while the disposal is running, rather than dumping everything in at once. Give it a chance to keep up—it’s a machine, not a miracle worker.
Watch What You Put In
Certain things just don’t belong in a garbage disposal, even if they seem harmless. Here are a few that cause more trouble than they’re worth:
- Onion skins
- Eggshells
- Celery, corn husks, and other stringy vegetables
- Fruit pits
- Coffee grounds
- Fats, grease, and cooking oils
- Shrimp peels
Most of these either wrap around the blades or build up over time and lead to clogs.
How to Un-Jam Your Disposal
If your disposal stops working or starts humming but doesn’t spin, it’s probably jammed. First, turn off the power—you don’t want to work on a live unit.
Use tongs or pliers, not your fingers, to carefully pull out any debris you can see. Most disposals come with a small Allen wrench (sometimes called a service wrench). You can use that to manually turn the motor from the bottom—look for a small hole underneath the unit. Work it back and forth to free up the blades. Once it’s moving freely, press the red reset button on the bottom.
If it still doesn’t start, or if it’s leaking, it’s time to call in a plumber.
Dealing with Odors
If your disposal starts to smell, there’s a quick fix I like: toss in a few lemon or orange peels with a handful of ice. Run the disposal for a few seconds without water, then flush it out with cold water. The citrus helps cut the odor, and the ice helps clean the blades a bit.
When to Call for Help
If your disposal is leaking, humming without spinning, or keeps tripping the reset button, you probably need a repair—or a new unit. We handle garbage disposal problems all the time around Charleston, and most repairs are quick and straightforward if you catch them early.
If you’re dealing with a stubborn disposal or just want to upgrade to a better one, give us a call. We’re happy to take a look, give you an honest opinion, and get it working again without any sales pressure.
