How to Operate a Garbage Disposal in the Sink

Garbage disposals are a great kitchen appliance available in many homes in the United States. They use a series of blades to grind up food scraps, which are then flushed down the drain. Food scraps are no longer thrown into the garbage where they can rot, grow bacteria and cause bad odors. Although you should always use care while operating garbage disposals, they are very simple to use.

Food scraps such as coffee grounds, egg shells and vegetable peels
Kitchen brush (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  
  Place food scraps into the sink.
- 2
  
  Run cold water into the sink.
- 3
  
  Turn on the garbage disposal.
- 4
  
  Using the kitchen brush (or a rag, spray nozzle or your hands), push the food scraps into the garbage disposal. Let it run until you hear that the blades are no longer grinding (the garbage disposal will run louder and rougher when it's grinding).
- 5
  
  Turn off the garbage disposal.
- 6
  
  Let the water continue to run for a slow count to five to make sure that all of the food scraps have been flushed down the drain.
- 7
  Shut off the water.

How to Disassemble a Garbage Disposal

What Is Safe to Put Down a Garbage Disposal?

Garbage Disposal