What Not To Put Down Your Sink Disposal

by J&J on November 21, 2025

As we head into the holiday season - turkey dinners, family gatherings, and lots of cooking - it's the perfect time to talk about something often overlooked: your kitchen sink disposal. At J&J Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric, we've seen the aftermath of disposal misuse in homes throughout the Northeast Ohio area. A few wrong items down the drain can lead to clogs, damage, and unexpected repair calls.

The Undisposable Suspects

Here are some of the top offenders and how to handle them:

1. Grease, Oils and Fat

Those delicious turkey drippings, bacon grease, melted butter - they all look fine going down the drain, but as they cool they solidify, stick to pipes, trap food particles, and can lead to major blockages. Instead, let the grease cool, wipe it into a container, and throw it away rather than rinsing it.

2. Fibrous Vegetables and Stringy Scraps

Items like celery, corn husks, asparagus, onion skins - all those threads and stretchy fibers can wrap around disposal parts, tangle up blades, and slow down the system.

3. Starchy or Expandable Foods

Leftovers of pasta, rice, potato peels may seem harmless but they absorb water, swell, turn into pastes or glue-like substances and cling to pipes.

4. Hard Items, Shells and Pits

Peach pits, avocado seeds, nutshells, crab shells - these are far too tough for the disposal to grind down properly. They can damage parts or simply block the path.

5. Coffee Grounds and Eggshells

These might seem like minor scraps, but coffee grounds can settle in pipes like sand, and eggshell membranes can wrap around disposal parts.

Jay's Pro Tip: Compost these items instead, or toss them into the trash can - don't assume the disposal can handle every scrap from your Thanksgiving feast.

Why This Matters for Our Community

When your disposal or drain backs up, it's not just an inconvenience - it can become a plumbing emergency. At J&J, being part of the Northeast Ohio community means helping you protect your home - before a small mistake turns into a major service call.

By avoiding just a handful of "no-go" items, you'll help your disposal last longer, your pipes stay clear, and your holiday season stay stress-free.

Your Disposal Will Give Thanks Too!

So, before you scrape those plates or rinse off the holiday leftovers, take a quick glance at the sink. Use caution. Use the trash or compost when needed. And if something does go wrong - whether it's flickering lights, a backed-up sink, or a frozen HVAC system - you know we're just a phone call away. Because we're your neighbors, and we're here to help.

Jay's Pro Tip: Holiday plumbing emergency? Don't stress! Regardless of the day or time, our licensed plumbers are always here for you. Peace of mind, every time!