Do’s & Don’t of garbage disposal unit

[MasterPlumbersKeymaster]

I would like to know the proper use for a kitchen garbage disposal unit. (Do’s & Dont’s)
Thanks,
Steve

[SylvanLMPParticipant]

Don’t install it yourself. Do call a licensed AND insured plumber to install the D/W and a licensed electrician to install a dedicated circuit to this device WITH a GFI

Do call up several plumbing contractors to get a quote over the phone.(approx.)

Get a reputable brand ISE , etc. and even if you have to just hire the LMP for his labor as you supply the parts its OK just as long as you know all work meets local codes for your protection.

You certainly DON’T want the garbage disposal that hooks directly to your water supply as most folks really don’t like the cross connections and the bacteria that follows.

Also try to buy one with a minimum of 1/2 HP

[daveroconnParticipant]

Don’t grind up any kind of vegetable or fruit peelings in you disposal they don’t grind well and will plug up your drain. Lettuce is also a bad idea. Do cut up a whole lemmon once a month and grind it up in your disposal. This will break down oily ground up food that forms in your diverter tee and will make it smell better.

[mmilnerParticipant]

This is from the ISE website. Hope this helps.Marty

Disposer Do’s and Dont’s

The In-Sink-Erator Food Waste Disposer is one of America’s most reliable appliances. However, here are a few simple hints that will keep it working smoothly for many, many years.

Do:

Grind food waste with a moderate flow of cold water.
Grind hard materials such as bones, fruit pits, etc. A scouring action is created by the particles inside the grind chamber.
Grind peelings from citrus fruits to freshen up drain smells.
Dispose of coffee grounds in your disposer whether or not you are on metropolitan sewer or septic tank.
Flush disposer for cleaning. Allow disposer and cold water to run after grinding or after draining sink of dish water. Some detergents are caustic; flushing will pass such material into the drain line without disposer damage.
Use a disposer cleaner, degreaser, or deodorizer as necessary.
Don’t:

Use hot water when grinding food waste. It is OK to drain hot water into the disposer between grinding periods.
Turn off motor or water until grinding is completed.
Be alarmed if a brown discoloration appears on the face of the grinding disc. This is normal. It is surface discoloration only and will not affect the life or performance of the disposer.
Grind extremely fibrous material like corn husks, artichokes, etc. to avoid possible drain blockage.

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