Why Doesn’t My Garbage Disposal Work?

A garbage disposal is a useful tool in any modern kitchen.

Like any tool, if it’s used improperly, you can count on having to replace it sooner than expected. In the video below, Doug Jackson shows us how a garbage disposal actually works, and some best practices for prolonging the life and usefulness of your garbage disposal.

A February 2020 nationally representative CR survey of 1,000 U.S. adults shows that just over half of Americans live in homes with a garbage disposal, and of those who do have one, more than 60 percent said their disposal was already installed when they moved in. Because of this fact, not everyone knows what is best for their garbage disposal. Mistakes such as putting the wrong items down your garbage disposal are common, and can shorten the lifespan of your equipment. Garbage disposals typically last between eight to 12 years. To get the longest lifespan out of your appliance, check out these best practices in the video below.

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