When I first moved into a home with a garbage disposal, I was thrilled. No more scraping plates into the trash or worrying about tiny scraps—just a flick of the switch and everything would vanish. At least, that was the dream. The reality? A few plumbing bills, a clogged sink, and a lot of trial and error later, I discovered that not everything should go down that magical drain.
Through my own mishaps, kitchen experiments, and late-night Google sessions, I’ve compiled a list of things you absolutely shouldn’t put in your garbage disposal. This guide is based on real experience, not just plumbing advice. And trust me—taking care of your garbage disposal saves money, time, and a whole lot of smelly mess.
1. Grease, Oils, and Fats
Grease is the silent killer of garbage disposals. After cooking a delicious Sunday breakfast, it feels so easy to just rinse bacon grease down the sink with hot water. I used to do it all the time. What I didn’t realize was that grease cools and solidifies in the pipes, turning into a thick, sticky clog that doesn’t budge easily.
This isn’t just about a slow drain—it’s about potential damage to your plumbing system. Over time, grease collects food particles and creates blockages that require professional help. Now, I collect used oil in a glass jar and throw it out with the trash once full. It takes a little extra effort, but it’s worth it.
2. Coffee Grounds
Coffee is my daily ritual, but those innocent-looking grounds can cause real problems. At first, I thought they were harmless—after all, they’re organic and small. But once they get inside the drain, they clump together, forming a dense, pasty sludge that slows everything down.
Worse, if you already have other debris in the pipes, coffee grounds will latch on and create a serious blockage. Now, I compost them or use them in the garden as a natural fertilizer.
3. Eggshells
There’s a common myth that eggshells sharpen the blades of a garbage disposal. Let me bust that myth right now: garbage disposals don’t have sharp blades—they use blunt impellers. The thin membrane inside the eggshells can actually wrap around these parts, reducing functionality and even jamming the mechanism.
Also, the fine particles from crushed shells can stick to grease or fat already in your drain, creating a cement-like mess. I now toss my eggshells in the compost or trash.
4. Fibrous Vegetables
One of my biggest disposal mistakes was tossing in a bunch of celery scraps. The long fibers wrapped around the motor and stalled the disposal mid-use. It was loud, scary, and completely avoidable.
Fibrous vegetables like celery, corn husks, asparagus, and even artichoke leaves are tough on your disposal. The fibers get tangled and slow the machine down. Now I know to compost them or cut them into very small pieces if I’m set on using the disposal.
5. Pasta and Rice
It’s easy to assume pasta and rice would break down in water. But they do the opposite—they expand. When you toss leftover spaghetti or fried rice into the disposal, it can swell and create a sticky, clogging paste.
I once had to call a plumber after dumping a full plate of fettuccine into the sink. Lesson learned: scrape starch-heavy foods into the trash or compost, and rinse dishes before placing them in the sink.
Keywords: pasta in garbage disposal, avoid clogs, how to keep sink flowing
6. Bones and Hard Pits
Disposals can handle small bits of soft food, but bones are simply too hard. They can dull the grinding mechanisms, get stuck, or just rattle around uselessly. I once tossed a chicken drumstick bone into mine—big mistake. The disposal jammed, overheated, and needed to be reset.
Similarly, fruit pits—like those from peaches, avocados, or cherries—are like tiny rocks. They don’t grind. They just get stuck.
7. Onion Skins and Potato Peels
Thin, papery onion skins often slip past the disposal blades, ending up as a net in your pipes. They catch other food bits, causing clogs. Likewise, potato peels are deceptively starchy. When ground up, they become a gluey mess.
Now I peel vegetables directly into the trash or compost. It keeps my disposal happy and my pipes clear.
Keywords: onion skin clogs, potato peel disposal, food waste management
8. Shells and Nuts
Seafood shells (like shrimp or lobster) and hard nut shells (like almonds or walnuts) are a recipe for disaster. They don’t break down and can scratch or jam the disposal parts.
Even if they do grind a bit, the result is gritty particles that accumulate and clog your drain over time. Keep shells out of your sink and trash them instead.
9. Non-Food Items
It should go without saying, but non-food items have no place in a garbage disposal. Paper towels, twist ties, plastic packaging, cigarette butts, and rubber bands can all ruin your system.
Even cleaning products or paint residue can corrode or clog your plumbing. I keep a small sign by my sink now that says: “Only Food Scraps—No Exceptions.”
10. Large Quantities of Anything
Even if the food is technically safe, large amounts at once can overwhelm your disposal. I once pushed an entire pot of leftover chili down the sink. It didn’t go well.
Feed the disposal slowly with small bits, running cold water the entire time. This gives it a chance to grind and rinse without jamming.
Emergency? Here’s What I Do
If my garbage disposal gets jammed, I always:
- Turn off the power.
- Check inside with a flashlight.
- Use tongs or pliers to remove any visible obstruction.
- Press the reset button (usually under the unit).
- Run cold water and try again.
If that doesn’t work, I call in a plumber rather than risk further damage.
Final Thoughts
Taking care of your garbage disposal doesn’t mean giving up convenience—it means using it wisely. Once I learned what not to put in a garbage disposal, my kitchen became cleaner, my sink smelled fresher, and my repair costs dropped to zero.
So if you’re like me—a busy home cook trying to keep things running smoothly—remember: when in doubt, throw it out (or compost it). Your garbage disposal will thank you.
