If you have a garbage disposal in your kitchen, you may be wondering what you can and cannot grind. After all, a garbage disposal is a handy tool for getting rid of food scraps. However, there are some items that you should never put in your garbage disposal, chicken bones included. In this article, we will discuss whether or not you can put chicken bones in the garbage disposal and six other things you should avoid grinding.
Should I Put Chicken Bones in the Garbage Disposal?
If you have a stronger garbage disposal, you may be able to grind up chicken bones. It depends on the type of garbage disposal you have and how powerful it is. If you’re wondering whether chicken bones can go in the garbage disposal, the answer is maybe. However, there are some things you should avoid grinding in your garbage disposal, no matter how strong it is. If you have a weaker garbage disposal, chicken bones may get stuck in the blades and cause the motor to overheat.
Why Shouldn’t I Put Chicken Bones in the Garbage Disposal?
Chicken bones can damage the blades of your garbage disposal and cause it to break. They can also clog your drain and cause your sink to back up. Most people know that you shouldn’t put chicken bones in the garbage disposal, but many don’t know why.
What Else Shouldn’t I Put in the Garbage Disposal?
However, there are some things that you should never put in your garbage disposal, as they can damage the appliance or even cause injuries. The garbage disposal is one of the most convenient appliances in the kitchen. It allows us to quickly and easily dispose of food waste that would otherwise end up in the trash. In this section, we will discuss what else you shouldn’t put in the garbage disposal.
1 – Any Shells From Seafood
Additionally, the shells can also clog up the drain, which can lead to problems with your plumbing. You should avoid putting any shells from seafood in the garbage disposal. This is because the shells can get caught in the blades and cause them to break.
2 – Fibrous Fruits and Vegetables
2 – Fibrous Fruits and Vegetables
Fibrous fruits and vegetables, such as celery and pineapple, can wrap around the blades of your garbage disposal and cause it to jam. If you do accidentally grind up a piece of celery or pineapple, make sure to flush your disposal with plenty of cold water to clear the blades.
3 – Pasta and Rice
However, pasta and rice can actually cause some serious problems for your garbage disposal. You might think that pasta and rice are safe to put down your garbage disposal since they’re both soft foods.
Pasta and rice can expand and clog your pipes. Additionally, when you grind up pasta and rice in your garbage disposal, they can turn into a sticky paste that can adhere to the sides of your pipes and cause a clog. When they get wet, they swell up and can cause a blockage in your pipes.
Pasta and rice are two of the most commonly consumed grains in the world, and they can both be safely disposed of in a garbage disposal.
So, what should you do with your leftover pasta and rice? If you absolutely must put them down your garbage disposal, make sure to grind them up well and run plenty of water to flush them through your pipes. The best thing to do is to throw them in the trash.
4 – Nuts
4. Nuts
Nuts can easily get stuck in the blades of your garbage disposal, and over time they can cause the blades to dull. If you must dispose of nuts, it’s best to do so in the trash can, not the garbage disposal.
5 – Potato Skins
When they are ground up, they can clog your pipes and cause other problems. If you must dispose of them, do so in a compost bin or other container, not in your sink. Potato skins are one of the many things you should avoid putting in your garbage disposal.
6 – Grease
Grease can harden and build up over time, making it difficult for water to flow through. This can cause your garbage disposal to malfunction and your pipes to back up. You should avoid putting grease in the garbage disposal because it can clog the pipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can you put chicken bones in the garbage disposal?
Yes, you can put chicken bones in the garbage disposal. However, you should avoid grinding them up as they can damage the blades. Additionally, chicken bones can clog your drain, so it’s best to dispose of them in the trash.
2. What are some other things you should avoid grinding in the garbage disposal?
In addition to chicken bones, you should also avoid grinding up hard objects like glass or metal. These can damage the blades of your disposal. Additionally, you should avoid grinding up stringy or fibrous materials like celery or corn husks, as these can clog your drain.
3. Why do chicken bones damage the blades of a garbage disposal?
Chicken bones are hard and can dull or damage the blades of your garbage disposal. Additionally, they can break the blades, which can be expensive to replace.
4. How can chicken bones clog my drain?
Chicken bones can clog your drain because they can catch on other objects and block the flow of water. Additionally, when ground up, they can create a sludge that can clog your drain.
5. What should I do if my garbage disposal is clogged?
If your garbage disposal is clogged, you should first try to use a plunger or a plumber’s snake to clear the obstruction. If this does not work, you may need to call a professional to clear the clog.
Final thoughts
If you have a garbage disposal in your kitchen, you may be wondering what you can and cannot put down the drain. Chicken bones are one of the items that you should not put in your garbage disposal. Chicken bones can break and damage the blades in your garbage disposal and cause clogs in your plumbing. There are a number of other items that you should avoid putting in your garbage disposal, including: coffee grounds, eggshells, grease, fruit pits, and pasta. By following these tips, you can help keep your garbage disposal running smoothly and your plumbing system free of clogs.