What Foods Can be Put in a Disposer?
What Kind of Foods Can Be Put Into a Whirlpool Food Waste Disposer?
A garbage disposer can handle many everyday food scraps, but it is not a catch-all for kitchen waste. If you are wondering “what foods can be put in a disposer?” or “what can you put down a garbage disposal,” the guidance below explains the basics. Understanding what belongs in the disposer, what to keep out, and how to operate it correctly will help prevent clogs, reduce odors, and extend the life of your unit. Use the information below to choose appropriate foods, follow best practices, and keep your kitchen running smoothly.
Your product has been designed to dispose of normal household food waste. Use the chart below as a guide. When grinding normal household food waste, run the disposer with a moderate-to-strong flow of cold water and continue to run the cold water for 15 seconds after grinding is complete to flush the drain line.
|
Food Types |
Continuous & Batch Feed |
|---|---|
|
Everyday food scraps |
Yes |
|
Vegetable peels |
Avoid grinding large amounts at one time. Instead, gradually feed vegetable peels in while running the water and the disposer. |
|
Fibrous materials |
No; but some higher horsepower models can handle limited amounts of these food types. |
|
Hard Materials - See NOTE below. |
Avoid grinding large amounts at one time. Instead, gradually feed hard materials in while running the water and the disposer. |
NOTE: If you are on a septic system, grinding large amounts of these types of waste may require more frequent cleaning of the septic tank system.
IMPORTANT: Do not put items like plastic, glass, china, metal, tin cans, bottle caps, large whole bones or oyster and clam shells, grease, or fat into the disposer. Place these items in the trash.
Foods to Avoid Putting in the Disposer
Certain materials are more likely to cause clogs, jams, odors, or premature wear. When in doubt, place these items in the trash or compost where permitted. Homeowners often ask, “can you put eggshells in a garbage disposal?” and similar questions. The items below should stay out of the unit.
- Grease, fats, and oils that can cool and congeal in pipes
- Coffee grounds that settle and form dense sludge
- Fibrous vegetables such as celery, asparagus, artichokes, corn husks, and onion skins
- Bones, fruit pits, and hard shells, including seafood shells
- Eggshells and nut shells that add grit and contribute to buildup
- Starchy foods like large amounts of pasta, rice, potatoes, and potato peels, which become gluey
- Flour, dough, or batter that can thicken and coat the drain
These materials create problems in different ways. Fibers can wrap around the grind components and stall the motor. Hard objects can jam or scar internal parts. Fine particles and starches can pack into the trap, while fats and oils coat the pipes and collect debris. Over time, even small amounts may accumulate and lead to service needs. To answer “can you put eggshells in a garbage disposal,” the best practice is to avoid them; the gritty membrane and shell fragments can contribute to buildup.
Consider alternatives. Let grease cool and pour it into a sealed container for the trash. Many fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells are suitable for home or municipal composting where allowed. Bones, shells, and large volumes of starchy foods should go in the trash. Follow your local program rules for composting and waste disposal. If you are still unsure what foods can be put in a disposer, use the safe list above and keep problematic materials out.