Should You Put Banana Peels in a Garbage Disposal?

We'll answer this common question in this article and give you some tips on how to dispose banana peels properly.
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Last updated: September 07, 2023
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If you go through bananas faster and more than a primate, you may have a problem in your hands waiting to be solved. And if you don’t have compost in the garden, then the problem may be even bigger and this involves how to dispose of the peels. However, the good news is that there are so many ways to bell this cat: composting it is one, gathering and feeding them to animals is another. But in the absence of these possibilities, you’re left with no choice but to dispose of them your way. And if you have a garbage disposal, good news.

Having a banana peel in garbage disposal can be a tricky thing to do. A part of you feels it’s obviously a no-brainer and your other instinct is warning you of a potential danger to your new garbage disposal or the plumbing line. So, let’s dispel this mystery once and for all: can I throw a banana peel in the garbage disposal? Is it safe to do so? We will try to answer this question and more in this article.

Should you put banana peels in your garbage disposal?

Make your research and you’d find a lot of posts online advising against disposing of banana peels in the garbage machine. Then you start to wonder: if I can’t dispose of banana peels in the unit, what else can I? What’s the use of the product bought for nearly half a grand? Why is it called garbage disposal Trusted Source Garbage disposal unit - Wikipedia A garbage disposal unit (also known as a waste disposal unit, garbage disposer, garburator etc.) is a device, usually electrically powered, installed under a kitchen sink between the sink’s drain and the trap. en.wikipedia.org when I can’t dispose of peels?

Should You Put Banana Peels in a Garbage Disposal?

Before recounting your loss, you have to know that you can dispose of banana peels in a garbage disposal, but it depends on the model you have.

According to InSinkErator, its Evolution models such as the M Series can easily grind most food wastes, including fibrous materials such as banana peels, without a problem.

The Evolution Excel, designed by InSinkErator, is by far one of the most reliable ones for grinding fibrous materials, according to most reviews. Its 1.0 HP Continuous Feed allows you to grind continuously. The three-stage multi grind technology is designed to prevent jam-ups.

However, avoid grinding any fruit rind with the seeds, such as a strawberry cap or any fruit kernels with seeds in them; seeds are a common material in the center of apples, pomegranates, peaches, and plums. The seeds can clog a garbage disposal very easily.

Also, for citrus fruits for cleaning the disposal, shave off a couple of small sections of the peel, and place it in the garbage disposal. Drop two or three ice cubes on top of the crusts.

Alternatively, you can try out commercial cleaning products. Grab Green remains the most popular name in the industry. Their Naturally-Derived Tangerine Cleaner and Freshener will keep your disposal clean and fresh, thanks to the base of citrus fruit.

Turn on the cold water, and flip it over in the garbage disposal to create a natural cleaner for the garbage disposal. Keep the water running for 30 to 45 seconds after turning off the arrangement.

Why not?

Do not grind banana peels in the garbage disposal if it’s not a powerful device or if it’s not equipped with anti-jam technology. Banana peels have fibrous inner skin that produces a slimy mass when ground into an arrangement. The remnants of the fruit at the bottom of the peel also create a mash of banana mush that can easily clog a pipe.

Tips on disposing banana peels

Should You Put Banana Peels in a Garbage Disposal?

  • Make sure you invest in the right disposing machine if you would like to dispose of food wastes like banana peels. Even powerful machines will have a hard time processing fibrous peels.
  • If the manufacturer of your garbage disposal advertises that it is capable of grinding banana peels, don’t be tricked into making it an everyday act. If truly the machine is capable, frequent banana peel grinding can wear out the blades faster. It can also shorten the life of your high-end machine.
  • Instead of sending down each banana peel down the disposal, why not compost them instead. Alternatively, when piled up, they are a good source of Vitamin B and C, potassium, and fiber for pigs, goats, and other livestock.

Final thoughts

If you have a garbage disposal in your kitchen, you may wonder if you can grind certain fruit peels without risking clogging the drain. The general rule of thumb regarding fruit peels is that peels in any large quantity are more likely to clog the drain. Learn the extra fruit peel rules in the garbage disposal to avoid clogging and to keep your sink running clean and clear.

In general, you can grind most fruit peels, including banana peel in garbage disposal, as long as you grind them in small quantities. Wash the peels under cold water as you are grinding, and keep running water flowing into the drain for about 30 to 45 seconds after turning the garbage disposal off. But it’s always better not to put the banana peels in the garbage disposal if you can avoid it. Composting, feeding off to animals, and a couple of other options are more advisable for the safety and longevity of your disposal and the piping.

References

1.
Garbage disposal unit - Wikipedia
A garbage disposal unit (also known as a waste disposal unit, garbage disposer, garburator etc.) is a device, usually electrically powered, installed under a kitchen sink between the sink’s drain and the trap.

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