How a Garbage Disposal Works

How a Garbage Disposal Works

A garbage disposal chews up food scraps that are fed down the drain with a heavy flow of water. The disposal, mounted to the underside of the sink drain, has an electric motor that is either hard-wired or plugged into a 120-volt box or receptacle, usually located at the back of the sink cabinet. 

Inside the garbage disposal in what is called the grinding chamber, shredding blades break down the food, and then an impeller arm and plate force the particles and liquid down the drain. Dishwasher drain water also runs through the garbage disposal so that any large particles are ground up before they reach the drain pipe.

Two types of garbage disposals are commonly available: the familiar continuous-feed style, activated by a switch as you run the water, and the batch-feed type, activated by turning a stopper after loading the disposal with garbage.

Most garbage disposals fit the standard drain outlet. Local safety codes may determine the distance the switch must be located from the sink—the farther away, the safer.

Garbage disposals work best if you:

  • Do not put your hand into the disposer.
  • Use cold water when grinding food (hot water can melt fats and clog the mechanism and the pipes)
  • Do not overfill
  • Do not pour bleach, drain cleaners, or other chemicals into the unit
  • Do not grind overly fibrous materials, bones, or coffee grounds (check the owners manual) or materials like glass, metal, or rubber
  • Run water before and for about a minute after you use the disposal

If something has been put in the disposal that should not have been, including metal, rubber, glass objects, or fibrous food waste such as artichokes and corn husks, shells, or large whole bones, use tongs or pliers to pull the material out. Never use your hand.

TIP: To clean a garbage disposal of built-up sludge and debris, fill it with ice cubes and a cup of rock salt, then run it for about five seconds. If your garbage disposal smells bad, you can deodorize it by running warm water down it while you grind a lemon.

 

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