Garbage disposals come in two main varieties. Continuous-feed models activate with just one flip of a switch and allow you to feed waste continuously while they run; batch-feed units come on when an “object trap” cover is put over their drain opening, protecting fingers, hands or paws from accidental cuts from falling in.
1. Power
Garbage disposals are handy home appliances that make disposing of food scraps simple, helping reduce trash production while making life more manageable for homeowners.
Unfortunately, however, they’re not without their issues: maintenance can be challenging, clogs may occur from improper usage and adding strain to septic systems and landfill waste is another potential downside of purchasing one.
Most disposals are designed to work in tandem with drainpipe and septic systems, helping reduce household waste that must be hauled away for processing, as well as helping limit overloads on septic tanks. Furthermore, the unit prevents foul odors by breaking down food particles before washing them down the drainpipe into sewer system systems.
Garbage disposals range from entry-level models to heavy-duty models on the market, and your choice will depend on factors like frequency of usage and food waste type to be processed. A higher horsepower model will work faster while simultaneously cutting larger items more thoroughly; additionally, its additional insulation space helps lower noise levels.
If you want to prevent objects from falling into and being destroyed by your disposal, look for a batch feed unit which requires you to place a stopper over the drain before starting up the unit. This will protect against losing an important utensil or piece of jewelry which might accidentally fall in.
2. Noise
Garbage disposals make an audible noise when in operation, sounding somewhat similar to a blender or food processor in terms of their cutting, tearing and grinding action. They’re used for cutting up food scraps so they can pass easily down drains; if your disposal starts making an alarming humming sound instead, however, professional repairs might be required for maximum effectiveness.
Humming garbage disposals usually indicate an object has become stuck within them, such as leftover chicken bones or fruit seeds or pits from lunch, or something a child dropped down the sink. When this occurs, it’s essential to turn off the machine immediately and remove the foreign object using needle-nose pliers or tongs with caution while running water to flush any small fragments down into the drain system.
Another cause of humming garbage disposals may be non-turning blades. If the switch is turned on but no blades spin when receiving power, this poses a serious hazard that could harm its motor. For your own safety and to ensure no further damages occur to its motor, it would be prudent to first shut off and disconnect its source by switching off its associated circuit breaker switch before trying to turn it back on again.
If the blades of your disposal can rotate but do not produce sound when being run, this could be caused by food debris being trapped between the shredding blades. This may prevent rotation and cause jammed knuckles inside your disposal unit – contacting a plumber is the safest way to address such an issue as it can be dangerous to attempt solving it yourself.
3. Safety
Garbage disposals use both water and electricity to grind up food waste, so they have to run while in operation. If a child sticks their hand into one while it’s running, its razor-sharp blades could severely cut him.
Children should never operate a garbage disposal at any point (even when turned off); children could put their fingers into drain openings in an effort to retrieve utensils which can also be dangerous; most units come equipped with rubber shields at their base that prevent objects from falling into it.
Clogs and jams are among the most frequent issues with garbage disposals, so it is crucial that everyone in the house understand what can and cannot go into a disposal at once, and not overload it. Too much food crammed into one at once may lead to jamming; most units feature reset buttons that can help break through it temporarily; more serious cases require professional services.
An effective rule is to always rinse a disposal after each use with a strong stream of cold water, in order to help congeal greasy food particles so they pass more quickly through the disposal and sewer system. This will allow any obstructions such as paper to dissolve more easily while simultaneously helping food scraps to move smoothly down into the sewer system.
4. Maintenance
Home warranty companies typically estimate that disposals last 10 years before needing replacing, with proper care extending this lifespan even further. By following a few simple maintenance procedures, your garbage disposal will run more efficiently while eliminating unpleasant odors altogether.
Maintaining your device requires avoiding inappropriate foods and cleaning it regularly, in addition to following proper usage and maintenance steps. Doing this will help avoid clogs, motor burnout, and other potential garbage disposal issues that may occur with this appliance. They help reduce landfill trash while also alleviating strain on septic systems.
They should only be used for food waste; not paper towels, rags, or any non-food materials which will clog your drainpipe and cause issues with plumbing systems.
Keep your disposal smelling fresh by dropping a handful of ice cubes and one cup of rock salt down with running water to dissolve physical debris and loosen up food scraps. For an in-depth cleaning session, combine vinegar with half cup baking soda – its natural abrasive materials will effectively clean away remaining waste while killing bacteria at the same time!
Do use a flashlight periodically to check for leftover food particles in your disposal, using tongs (never your hands!) as soon as a clog has been detected. Remember to unplug and reset afterward!