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Kitchen PlumbingPlumbingSeasonal PreparednessOctober 16, 2025
Thanksgiving Foods To Avoid Putting Down Your Garbage Disposal
Between the turkey, mashed potatoes, and a dozen side dishes, your kitchen can get a little chaotic during Thanksgiving. In all the holiday hustle, your garbage disposal can take a beating. A few wrong moves can lead to garbage disposal breakdowns or even full-blown holiday plumbing problems. To help you avoid the stress of a backed-up sink when guests are over, here’s what to keep out of your disposal this season.
Keeping these foods out of your disposal is one of the simplest Thanksgiving garbage disposal tips to protect your plumbing during the busiest cooking season of the year.
Find an Ace Hardware Home Services plumbing team near you today!
Foods You Should Never Put Down the Garbage Disposal
Just because something can fit down your drain doesn’t mean it should. Even small amounts of certain foods can jam the blades, clog your pipes, or create unpleasant odors. Here are some of the most common Thanksgiving pitfalls to avoid:• Turkey bones and skin: Hard bones can damage the blades, while greasy skin can create buildup in your pipes.
• Potato peels: Starchy peels can turn into a thick paste that clings to the inside of your drain line.
• Grease and oils: Pouring leftover fat or oil down the sink may seem harmless, but it cools and solidifies, creating sticky clogs.
• Celery and stringy vegetables: Fibrous strands can wrap around the disposal blades and prevent them from spinning properly.
• Rice, pasta, and bread: These foods expand when wet, which can block the drain and cause backups.
• Eggshells: The thin membrane inside the shell can stick to disposal parts, while the shell itself can dull the blades.
• Coffee grounds: Grounds can settle at the bottom of your trap, forming a dense sludge that’s tough to rinse away.
• Fruit pits and seeds: These are too hard for the blades to handle and can jam the motor.
Keeping these foods out of your disposal is one of the simplest Thanksgiving garbage disposal tips to protect your plumbing during the busiest cooking season of the year.
Bonus Tips for Holiday Garbage Disposal Use
In addition to being careful about what goes down the drain, a few smart habits can help your disposal work more efficiently:• Run cold water during use: Keep cold water flowing while the disposal is on to help flush food particles through the system.
• Use a sink strainer: A strainer can catch food scraps, as well as help prevent guests or children from accidentally dropping silverware, straws, or bones down the drain.
• Feed waste gradually: Avoid overloading the disposal. Add small amounts of food slowly to prevent jams.
• Freshen after heavy use: Once cleanup is done, run a few ice cubes and lemon slices through the disposal to clean and deodorize the blades.
When To Call a Professional
If your sink drains slowly, makes grinding noises, or refuses to turn on, it’s best to call a licensed plumber instead of trying to fix it yourself. Persistent garbage disposal clogs or backups in both sides of the sink can also indicate a deeper issue in your drain line. Call Ace Hardware Home Services for expert garbage disposal services. Our licensed technicians can inspect your disposal, clear tough blockages, or replace the unit if needed, saving you from a last-minute plumbing emergency before your next big meal.Get Ready for the Holiday Season With Ace Home Services
Don’t let kitchen mishaps spoil your celebrations. At Ace Hardware Home Services, we provide dependable plumbing and drain solutions that keep your home running smoothly, both during the holidays and all year long. Our licensed professionals are known for their honesty, efficiency, and commitment to quality service, all backed by the trusted Ace name. Whether you need a quick repair or a full garbage disposal replacement, our team is ready to help.Find an Ace Hardware Home Services plumbing team near you today!
