Common Thanksgiving Foods That Can Clog Your Garbage Disposal
Thanksgiving brings family, food, and plenty of dishes, but it can also bring one of the busiest plumbing weekends of the year.
Between turkey carving, mashing potatoes, and washing up after the feast, your garbage disposal works overtime. It’s no surprise that the day after Thanksgiving has earned the nickname “Brown Friday” in the plumbing world due to the surge in calls for clogged disposals and kitchen drains.
Before your celebration gets sidetracked by a stubborn clog, take a moment to learn which foods can cause problems and how to keep your disposal running smoothly.
Keep Your Garbage Disposal From Getting Overstuffed on Thanksgiving
Garbage disposals are built for convenience, not for heavy-duty food waste. On Thanksgiving, the sheer volume of scraps, especially fatty, starchy, or fibrous foods, can easily overwhelm the system. When that happens, you might hear grinding noises, smell unpleasant odors, or notice water backing up into the sink.
A few simple habits can prevent most holiday plumbing issues:
- Run plenty of cold water before, during, and after using the disposal to help flush particles through the pipes.
- Feed scraps slowly instead of dumping large portions in at once.
- Use your trash or compost bin for tough or stringy leftovers.
Can Turkey Bones Clog My Garbage Disposal?
Turkey bones are one of the biggest Thanksgiving offenders. Even small bones are too hard for disposal blades and can jam or break the unit. They also create sharp fragments that settle in your pipes, leading to clogs and damage. Always throw bones in the trash instead of the sink.
If you accidentally drop a bone into the disposal, don’t reach in to retrieve it. Turn off the power and use tongs or pliers instead.
Which Veggies Are Garbage Disposal Friendly?
While some soft vegetables can be rinsed down in small amounts, others should stay far away from your disposal.
- Avoid fibrous veggies like celery, corn husks, and asparagus. Those long strands can wrap around the blades and jam the motor.
- Skip potato peels and other starchy foods like pasta and rice, which expand and turn sticky when wet.
- Steer clear of onion skins and pumpkin pulp; they cling to the sides of pipes and create clogs.
A good rule of thumb: if it’s tough to cut or feels stringy, it doesn’t belong in your disposal.
Why Can’t Fats or Oils Go Down the Drain?
Grease and oil may look harmless when warm, but once they cool, they solidify into a thick layer that coats your pipes. Over time, this buildup narrows the drain and traps other debris, creating a complete blockage.
Instead of pouring fats down the sink, collect them in a disposable container or let them harden in a small bowl before tossing them in the trash. Wiping greasy pans with a paper towel before washing can also go a long way toward preventing clogs.
When To Call a Plumber About Your Garbage Disposal
If your garbage disposal stops working mid-meal, try a quick reset before calling for help. Most units have a small red or black reset button on the underside. Press it once, wait a few seconds, and test the switch again.
However, if the unit hums but won’t spin, backs up into the sink, or trips your breaker repeatedly, it’s time to call a professional. Never use chemical drain cleaners or reach into the disposal with your hand or utensils; these can cause serious injury or further damage.
Isaac’s licensed plumbing technicians are available 24 hours a day to handle stubborn clogs, jammed blades, and drain backups quickly and safely.
Call Isaac for Turkey Day Troubles
Don’t let a clogged garbage disposal spoil your Thanksgiving celebration. When you need fast, reliable help, Isaac Heating & Air Conditioning will be there, day or night, to get your kitchen back in order.
Call Isaac today for expert garbage disposal and drain repair. When you need us, we’ll be there.
