Happy Thanksgiving - holiday table with candles, pumpkins, and fruit bowl

Holiday Cheers, Not Clogs: Jake the Plumber’s Guide to Garbage Disposal Do’s and Don’ts

The holiday season is upon us, and at Jake the Plumber, we understand that your kitchen is the heart of the festivities. While preparing delicious meals and entertaining guests, it’s essential to be mindful of what goes down your garbage disposal. As your local plumbing experts in the Twin Cities, we’ve seen firsthand the aftermath of disposal mishaps. Here’s a friendly reminder of what not to put in your garbage disposal, ensuring a clog-free and stress-free holiday season.

1. Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG)

As tempting as it may be to pour that leftover turkey fat or bacon grease down the drain, resist the urge. FOG can solidify in your pipes, creating blockages and wreaking havoc on your plumbing system. Instead, let these liquids cool and solidify in a container before throwing them in the trash.

No grease - showing a skillet pouring grease into kitchen drain, with a not sign through the image

2. Fibrous Foods:

Stringy, fibrous foods like celery, corn husks, and onion skins can wrap around the disposal blades, causing them to jam. While these veggies might be a staple in your holiday recipes, it’s best to dispose of them in the trash or compost.

3. Starchy Foods:

Potato peels, rice, and pasta may seem harmless, but when exposed to water, they can expand and form a thick paste that clogs your pipes. Toss these items into the compost bin or trash instead.

4. Coffee Grounds:

While a cup of coffee may be the perfect start to your holiday mornings, the grounds can accumulate and create a sludgy mess in your pipes. Dispose of coffee grounds in the trash or use them as compost.

5. Bones and Hard Objects:

Resist the temptation to put chicken bones, turkey carcasses, or hard fruit pits down the disposal. These can damage the blades and lead to costly repairs.

Infographic showing a person scraping vegetable peelings into a garbage disposal, with a cutaway image to the drain piping.

We want your holiday season to be filled with joy, not plumbing headaches. By being aware of what you put down your garbage disposal, you can ensure a smooth-flowing kitchen and focus on celebrating with loved ones. If you find yourself facing any plumbing issues, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Wishing you a happy and clog-free holiday season from your local Twin Cities plumbing team at Jake the Plumber!