Most kitchen sink drains clog up because people flush the wrong items down their drains. To help keep these drains clog-free, homeowners should consider incorporating clog prevention devices into their kitchens. One of the clog prevention devices that every homeowner should have in their kitchen is a garbage disposal. A garbage disposal is a plumbing appliance that is used to shred or grind up soft food waste items into small pieces. It is usually connected to a waste pipe located beneath the kitchen sink.

Like any other home appliance, a garbage disposal must be used and maintained correctly for it to continue providing reliable service. If you are seriously considering installing a garbage disposal in your kitchen, here are some tips on how you can get the most out of your appliance.

Get acquainted with the proper use of the appliance.

Before you can start using your garbage disposal, it is crucial that you first know what is and isn't supposed to be put in the appliance. Generally, only soft food waste like potato peels, cooked vegetables, and cooked rice should be put in the garbage disposal. It is advisable to desist from putting hard, non-food items in the device because that would contaminate the waste. Things like animal bones and coffee grounds do not belong in your garbage disposal, as they can damage the appliance's blades and motor.

It is also important to point out that not all soft food waste should be put in your garbage disposal. Cooked rice and pasta is soft, but they will never be shredded by the appliance if they are small enough to move down the drains easily.

Always keep your garbage disposal clean

Cleaning your appliance on a regular basis is a sure-fire way to prevent clogging issues. Cleaning your garbage disposal is rather easy. All you need to do is to pour some liquid soap into it and let cold water run freely for a couple of minutes.

So, why is it important to use cold water instead of hot water? Well, the cold water will facilitate hardening any cooking oils and/or greases that could have found its way inside the appliance. The disposal blades can then grind the congealed oils and greases before being flushed down your drain pipes. This will reduce the potential for clogging problems.

Good garbage disposals are expensive to replace, so with the help of your plumber, it is financially wise to take proper care of the appliance you'll choose to install.