What NOT to Put in Your Garbage Disposal: Essential Tips for Truckee & Tahoe Homeowners
Garbage disposals make kitchen cleanup quick and convenient—but they aren’t designed to handle everything. Using your disposal incorrectly can lead to clogs, foul odors, damaged blades, and emergency plumbing calls. As the trusted local plumbers in Truckee and Tahoe, CA, Rooter Man Plumbing is here to help homeowners understand what should never go down the garbage disposal.
Avoiding common mistakes can extend the life of your disposal and protect your home’s plumbing system from preventable damage.
Why Proper Garbage Disposal Use Matters
Misusing your garbage disposal can create major plumbing issues, including:
• Clogs & Pipe Blockages
Certain foods break down into sticky, stringy, or expanding materials that get caught in the plumbing lines.
• Disposal Damage
Hard or fibrous items can dull the blades and strain the motor.
• Persistent Odors
Improperly ground food particles can decompose inside the unit or pipes, leading to unpleasant smells in your kitchen.
By being mindful of what goes down the disposal, you’ll reduce the chances of breakdowns and keep your kitchen cleaner and more efficient. And if you need professional help, Rooter Man Plumbing in Truckee and Tahoe is always ready to assist.
Common Items You Should Never Put in Your Garbage Disposal
1. Fibrous Foods
Stringy foods can tangle around the disposal blades and cause jams. Avoid placing these in your disposal:
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Celery
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Asparagus
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Corn husks
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Artichokes
These fibers wrap around moving parts and eventually burn out the motor—one of the most common issues our Truckee/Tahoe plumbers are called for.
2. Starchy Foods
Starches expand when exposed to water and can quickly become a paste that clogs your pipes.
Avoid disposing of:
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Potato peels
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Pasta
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Rice
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Bread
These foods may seem harmless but often lead to slow drains and kitchen sink backups.
3. Grease, Oils & Fats
Pouring grease or oil down the drain is one of the fastest ways to create a major plumbing blockage.
Keep these out of your disposal:
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Cooking oils
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Bacon grease
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Butter
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Meat fats
Grease solidifies inside pipes, especially in colder climates like Truckee and Tahoe—leading to costly repairs.
4. Hard Foods
Items too hard for the blades can cause serious mechanical damage.
Never put in:
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Bones
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Nuts
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Fruit pits
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Hard candies
Even small pits can chip the blades or jam the disposal.
5. Coffee Grounds
While commonly misunderstood, coffee grounds can gather into a dense sludge that clogs plumbing lines.
Instead, compost them or throw them in the trash.
6. Eggshells
Eggshell membranes can wrap around blades, while the shell material breaks down into sand-like particles that collect in your pipes.
7. Non-Food Items
Only food waste should ever enter your garbage disposal. Never dispose of:
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Plastic
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Metal
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Glass
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Paper towels or napkins
These can destroy the disposal instantly or cause dangerous situations.
Best Practices for Keeping Your Garbage Disposal Healthy
To extend the life of your disposal and avoid unnecessary plumbing emergencies:
✔ Run Cold Water
Cold water helps solidify grease and flush food particles more effectively.
✔ Cut Large Scraps Into Smaller Pieces
This prevents overloads and improves grinding efficiency.
✔ Clean Your Disposal Regularly
Use ice cubes, mild dish soap, or citrus peels to eliminate odors and debris.
Need Garbage Disposal Repair or Kitchen Drain Cleaning in Truckee or Tahoe?
If your disposal is clogged, jammed, making strange noises, or not draining properly, Rooter Man Plumbing is your trusted local expert. Our licensed plumbers provide fast, reliable same-day service throughout:
⭐ Truckee, CA
⭐ Tahoe, CA (North Lake Tahoe regions)
We specialize in:
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Garbage disposal repairs
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Kitchen drain cleaning
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Emergency plumbing services
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Full plumbing system maintenance
Keep Your Kitchen Running Smoothly With Rooter Man Plumbing
By avoiding the items listed above and following basic disposal care, you can prevent costly issues and keep your kitchen plumbing working efficiently. If you ever run into trouble, the local experts at Rooter Man Plumbing in Truckee & Tahoe are just a call away.