Sunday, May 24, 2009

Garbage Disposers

The garbage disposer provides a convenient and sanitary way to dispose of food waste. No sorting or separating of the food waste is necessary. It is designed to handle all types of food waste. If, however, the garbage disposer drains into a septic tank, organic wastes, such as egg shells, lobster, crab, and shrimp shells should be kept at a minimum. Items such as tin cans, glass, china, bottle caps, metal, etc., should never be placed in the garbage disposer because they might damage the appliance and plug the drain.

There are two types of operating methods available in garbage disposers: continuous feed
and batch feed.

Continuous Feed Disposers
A continuous feed disposer requires an on-off electrical switch that is remote from the
disposer. Before food is placed into the hopper, the user must turn on the cold water faucet
and turn on the electrical switch. Then the food waste is placed into the hopper. The food
waste will be ground up and expelled into the drain.

Batch Feed Disposers
In a batch feed disposer, the on-off operation of the disposer is controlled by the stopper.
The on-off switch is built into the hopper. The stopper is the component that completes the
circuit that allows the disposer motor to run. The hopper will hold the food waste until the
user is ready to dispose of it. The food waste will be ground up and expelled into the drain.

Garbage Disposer Maintenance
The garbage disposer is permanently lubricated; thus, it never has to be oiled. When the
disposer is used properly, it cleans itself. If there is an odor coming from the inside of the
disposer, you can deodorize it. To do this, take some orange or lemon rinds and grind them
up in the disposer. This will dispel unpleasant odors and leave the sink with a sweet smell.
Another way to deodorize the disposer is to take about a dozen or so ice cubes sprinkled
with a generous amount of household scouring power and grind them up in the disposer without running the water. Flush the disposer for one minute. This will allow any debris to
be expelled into the drain.

Installation of Garbage Disposer
Every newly purchased garbage disposer comes with installation instructions, a use and care manual, and a warranty.
The steps taken to install a new disposer are as follows:
1. Read the use and care manual.
2. Clean out the sink’s drain line.
3. Disconnect the electrical supply:
a. Continuous feed disposers need a wall switch and a receptacle.
b. Batch feed disposers need a receptacle or must be wired directly.
4. Be sure to observe all local codes and ordinances for electrical and plumbing connections when installing or repairing disposers.
5. Follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
6. After completing the installation, check for water leaks.
7. Turn on the electricity, and test the operation of the garbage disposer.

Drain Blockage
To avoid drain blockage when using the garbage disposer, allow the cold water to flow for a
sufficient time after grinding the food waste to be sure that all of the waste is flushed away.
The ground waste and water mixture flows at the rate of two seconds per foot in a horizontal
drain line. It is recommended that the user allow the water to flow for a minimum of 15 to 30
seconds after grinding the food waste.
The use of cold water in the garbage disposer will congeal and harden the grease,
making its disposal easier. Never use chemicals or solvent drain compounds, because they
can cause serious damage to the disposer.
The disposer should be used daily to flush the lines. If the dishwasher drain hose is
connected to the disposer, it, too, should be used daily to prevent the dishwasher drain hose
from becoming clogged.

No comments: