Every homeowner in Metro Detroit relies on their garbage disposal to make kitchen cleanup quick and easy. It’s one of those unsung heroes under the sink — until it jams, smells, or completely stops working. The truth is, most garbage disposal breakdowns aren’t caused by bad luck or old age. They happen because of what gets tossed down the drain.
There are a few “silent killers” for garbage disposals that plumbers see over and over again, and two of them stand out above the rest. Knowing what not to put down your disposal could save you hundreds in plumbing repairs — and a very unpleasant smell coming from your kitchen sink.
The First Thing You Should Never Put Down the Garbage Disposal: Grease, Fats, and Oils
Let’s start with the biggest culprit — grease. Bacon grease, cooking oils, butter, and other fatty leftovers may seem harmless when they’re hot and liquid, but the moment they hit cold water or the metal blades of your disposal, they start to solidify.
Over time, these sticky fats coat the inside of your pipes. What starts as a thin layer can quickly turn into a thick sludge that traps food particles and slows down your drain flow. Before long, you’re standing in a sink full of dirty water wondering why nothing is going down.
Even worse, grease buildup doesn’t just stay in your home’s plumbing — it can make its way into your main sewer line, creating a serious blockage that might require hydro jetting or even excavation to fix.
Pro Tip: Instead of pouring grease down the drain, let it cool and pour it into a container, then throw it in the trash. For small amounts, you can even wipe the pan with a paper towel before washing it.
Why Grease Is the #1 Cause of Drain Clogs in Detroit Homes
Michigan winters make this problem worse. The cold weather causes grease to harden even faster in your pipes, which means that what might flow easily in warmer climates, will quickly become a hardened mess in Metro Detroit homes.
Many homeowners don’t realize how far the problem travels — a little bit of bacon grease here and there might not clog the sink immediately, but it builds up silently over weeks or months. By the time the drain finally slows or stops, you’ve got a full-blown blockage deep in your plumbing system.
That’s where a professional plumber comes in. Hydro jetting and professional drain cleaning can remove years of buildup without damaging your pipes — but avoiding grease entirely is the best long-term solution.
The Second Thing You Should Never Put Down the Garbage Disposal: Fibrous Foods
What is actually killing your garbage disposal? Fibrous foods — the stringy stuff that likes to wrap around your disposal blades and cause chaos.
We’re talking about:
- Celery
- Corn husks
- Onion skins
- Potato peels
- Artichokes
- Asparagus
These foods might seem soft, but once they hit those spinning blades, their fibers act like ropes, tangling up the motor and jamming the system. Even if they make it through the disposal, they often clog your pipes further down the line.
When your disposal is jammed with fibrous waste, you might notice humming noises without grinding, slower drainage, or foul odors from trapped food. Many homeowners try to fix it themselves, but forcing a jammed disposal can actually burn out the motor or cause a leak at the sink connection.
Why Fibrous Foods Are Hard on Garbage Disposals
Disposal blades are designed to chop up soft food waste into tiny particles that can safely flow through the pipes. But stringy or fibrous materials don’t chop — they wrap, snag, and tangle.
When that happens, the motor works harder, the blades dull faster, and the entire system wears out prematurely. A garbage disposal should last around 10 to 12 years, but constant abuse from the wrong types of food can cut that lifespan in half.
If your garbage disposal seems sluggish or starts making strange noises, it might be time to have it inspected. A professional plumber can tell whether the blades are jammed, the motor is failing, or if you simply need a thorough cleaning of the system.
Other Items to Keep Out of Your Garbage Disposal
While grease and fibrous foods are the two biggest offenders, a few other common items should also stay far away from your sink:
- Coffee grounds – They clump together and create sediment in your pipes.
- Eggshells – The membrane can wrap around blades, and the shells can collect in traps.
- Bones or fruit pits – These can dull or break disposal blades.
- Rice and pasta – These foods expand when wet and can fill your pipes with a sticky, starchy clog.
The rule of thumb: if you wouldn’t chew it easily yourself, your garbage disposal probably can’t either.
Professional Garbage Disposal & Drain Cleaning in Detroit, MI
When your garbage disposal or drain starts to back up, it’s not just an inconvenience — it’s a sign of a deeper plumbing issue. Over time, grease, food waste, and other materials can cause partial blockages that affect the entire system.
Our licensed Detroit drain cleaning pros use specialized tools and camera inspections to locate blockages quickly and fix them right the first time. Whether it’s a jammed disposal or a clogged kitchen drain, we’ll restore proper flow and ensure your plumbing is working like new.
We service all types of homes across Metro Detroit, including:
- Single-family homes
- Multi-unit buildings
- Apartments and condos
- Restaurants and commercial kitchens
Our plumbers have seen it all — from grease-soaked traps to broken disposal motors. Whatever’s under your sink, we can handle it.
How to Keep Your Garbage Disposal Running Smoothly
If you want your garbage disposal to last, it’s not just about avoiding the wrong foods — it’s also about how you maintain it. Here are a few pro tips to extend its life:
- Run cold water while using the disposal to keep grease from melting and sticking.
- Clean the blades with ice cubes and citrus peels once a week to sharpen and deodorize.
- Avoid overloading the disposal — feed food waste gradually.
- Listen for strange noises that could indicate jams or damage.
Drain cleaning for your home once or twice a year is good practice to keep your plumbing system flowing and avoid flooded basements or clogged pipes.
Call for Drain Cleaning and Garbage Disposal Help in Detroit
If your garbage disposal is jammed, your drain is clogged, or you just want to avoid future headaches, don’t wait until it turns into a major plumbing issue. Whether you’re in Detroit, Livonia, Novi, or Warren, our local drain cleaning pros can be at your home fast.
We’re available 24/7 for:
- Emergency drain cleaning
- Garbage disposal repairs
- Sewer line inspections
- Preventative maintenance
Keep your drains clear, your disposal healthy, and your kitchen running smoothly — all with one call?