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These appliances certainly increase the number of things allowed down the drain, but they’re not foolproof. There are several items you shouldn’t put in your garbage disposal, according to manufacturers and technicians. Don’t put coffee grounds down the drain. The same goes for eggshells, potato peels, hard foods, onion skins, and any dry, expandable food. Most importantly, never put grease or oils down the drain.

Many homeowners wonder if a garbage disposal is necessary with a dishwasher. After all, many dishwashers are powerful enough to handle bits of food with no issues.  

Still, your dishwasher should not act as a replacement for a disposal. Subjecting your dishwasher to continuous leftovers could lead to major clogs. If you don’t want a garbage disposal in your kitchen, simply scrape away any extra food into your trash can or compost pile.

Generally speaking, it’s absolutely worth it to repair a garbage disposal, so long as it’s eight years old or younger. Once you pass that eight-year threshold, it depends on the issue. If it’s a simple jam and the core components remain unaffected, call a local plumber for a quick repair. If it seems like the motor is wearing down, spring for a replacement unit. 

These appliances do unscrew, but you need to disconnect everything properly when you replace your garbage disposal. Make sure you shut the power off to the area first and check that it’s off with a voltage detector. Disconnect the main drain line and P-trap, and then disconnect the dishwasher drain line if you have one connected. You can then unscrew your garbage disposal using a disposal wrench. Just make sure you disconnect the electrical lines before removing your appliance.