How to properly clean and maintain your Garbage Disposal.

Ok, so not every house has a Garbage Disposal, but I'm going to start with this appliance first because it's the easiest to maintain, and should be done no less than once a month. One of the most important things to remember about Disposals is that unlike it's advertised to do, it can NOT grind steak, raw chicken, bones of any kind, or anything HARD, Gummy or Chewy. And NEVER EVER over fill it.  Sure it will try to dispose of anything you put in it, and yes it can give you some nasty cuts (the larger ones could potentially  cut off a finger or so but who wants to really find out???  NOT ME!) but in the long run doing so will cause it to break. Rule of thumb if you have a hard time chewing it, its not for the disposal! Cleaning it is a breeze but most people aren't sure how to do so... Here is how.

Step 1- MAKE SURE NOTHING IS IN THE DISPOSAL! ( This is the most important thing you need to always check even before you turn it on to chew up the last bits of foods. Reason being is silverware, glass, fish rocks, bones, straws and plastic baggies all clog up even the best of disposals, and or can break the blades.)

Step 2- Always turn HOT water on before running your disposal, it can not work properly with out water.

Step 3- Run disposal for at least 30-60 seconds to make sure the food has all been cleared from the disposal.

Step 4- Turn the hot water off but leave the disposal running. Grab 5-10 Ice cubes from your Freezer and plop them into the disposal making sure you do not put your fingers anywhere near the entry of the disposal. Also be sure not to over load the disposal either. Let the disposal Grind the ice until melted usually less than a minute or two.

*The reason you put ice in the disposal is to sharpen the blades. Most people do not think about it, but over time the blades will become worn from use and need sharpening just like knives do.

Step 5- Turn the Hot water back on while the disposal is still running to flush the disposal.

Step 6- With both the hot water and the disposal running you may then pour in  1/2 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar or even plain Vinegar, whichever you prefer. (This helps with the smell and also helps to dissolve the food.)  New (ish) on the market is something called a PLINK you may substitute the vinegar for the Plink if you prefer either way you are just making sure its sanitized, less smelly, and has some enzyme to eat away the foods.

TaDa! Congratulations your disposal and handy dandy appliance man thank you! Make sure to do this at least once a month, you can do it more often if you feel like its not grinding the food well, or even if it just smells.