How to Use a Garbage Disposal
A garbage disposal is an indispensible tool in most home kitchens. Instead of throwing away dinner scraps or having them clog the sink drain, a disposal quickly and efficiently grinds the scraps and eliminates them. Using a disposal couldn’t be any easier.
- Collect the scraps that you will be putting down the disposal on one tray so that they can be eliminated at the same time. Look for items that cannot be put down the disposal and throw them away. Items like bones and string are common in the kitchen, but should never be put down a disposal.
- Ensure that the disposal is clear of silverware or other small items before starting. Move silverware that is close to the drain to a safe area. It is not uncommon for the vibrations of the disposal to shake a fork or spoon down into the blades. This can ruin the silverware and the disposal motor.
- Turn on the water in the sink before starting the disposal process. This water will help the disposal work properly when it is grinding. It will also force the ground-up food out of the disposal and down the drain.
- Flip the disposal switch when you are ready. As the blades rotate, scrape the food into the disposal. The food will be ground into small pieces and the water will wash it down the drain. When you are completed, allow the disposal and the water to continue for about ten seconds to assure that all food scraps have been disposed of and have been washed away.