Top 5 Holiday Foods That Should Never Go Down Your Garbage Disposal

The family gatherings and delicious meals around the holidays make for extra kitchen cleanup. For many households in Chicago and the North Shore area, this means putting the garbage disposal through its paces. While it’s tempting to toss everything down the drain, certain holiday foods can cause messy, inconvenient clogs. Learn what not to put in the garbage disposal to help you avoid plumbing disasters this holiday season.

1. Grease, Oil & Fat

Cooking a turkey or roast often leaves you with a grease-coated pan. It might seem harmless to rinse it away, but once it cools inside your pipes, it solidifies and sticks. The buildup narrows your drain opening, increasing the chance of a clogged disposal during the holidays. It’s a simple fix: pour grease into a container, let it cool, and throw it in the trash.

2. Bones

Whether from turkey, ham, or prime rib, bones should never go near your disposal. These devices are designed to handle soft food scraps, not hard items that can jam the impellers or damage the motor. Bones can also lodge themselves in the drain line, creating blockages that require professional help. Toss them in the garbage instead of risking a breakdown.

3. Potato Peels

Mashed potatoes may be a holiday favorite, but their peels spell trouble for your disposal. Thin, starchy potato skins stick together and form a paste that coats your pipes. What starts as a slow drain can quickly turn into a fully clogged disposal—right when your kitchen is working overtime. To avoid this scenario, line your sink with paper towels to catch the peels as you work. When you’re done, add them to your compost pile or toss them in the trash.

4. Stringy Vegetables

Green beans, celery, and asparagus are common holiday sides, but scraps don’t belong in the garbage disposal. Their long, fibrous strands may prevent the impellers from spinning freely. If too much gets stuck, your disposal could jam up entirely. Keep these stringy veggies out of the drain to protect your plumbing.

5. Coffee Grounds

Hosting holiday guests means brewing extra coffee in the morning. When the pot is empty, resist the urge to dump the grounds into the sink. Coffee grounds clump together and settle in the pipes, creating a sludge that encourages clogs. Toss them in the trash or add them to your compost instead.

Other Garbage Disposal Tips

Avoiding the wrong foods is only half the battle. Proper maintenance and smart usage habits will keep your disposal running smoothly through the holidays and beyond:

• Run cold water: Turn on the cold water before, during, and for 15 seconds after using the disposal to help flush scraps through the pipes.
• Break food into smaller pieces: Cut or tear large scraps into manageable chunks so your disposal doesn’t strain itself.
• Feed the disposal gradually: Avoid stuffing in large amounts of food at once. Feeding it slowly allows the impellers to grind efficiently.
• Use dish soap to your advantage: Plug the sink occasionally and fill it with a few inches of hot, soapy water. Pull the plug and run the disposal while the water flows down the drain to loosen gunk that may be lingering in the system.
• Freshen with citrus peels: Grind small pieces of lemon or orange peel to fight odors and leave a fresh scent behind.

Schedule Garbage Disposal Services Today

The holidays should be about enjoying good company, not dealing with plumbing emergencies. American Vintage Home is here to help with trusted garbage disposal services in Chicago and the North Shore area. Our no-surprise pricing and worry-free guarantee mean you can count on us to keep your kitchen running smoothly.

Contact us today to schedule garbage disposal service and keep your holidays stress-free.