A garbage disposal, also known as waste disposal unit or garburator, is a device underneath a sink that shreds food waste so that it can pass through plumbing. A garbage disposal is a great way to keep the smells of old garbage out of your garbage cans and kitchen.

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[edit] Steps

Keep anything too hard out of the disposal. The shredder will dull and not be efficient. If something's really hard, just put it in your trash can. Some items to avoid are:
- hard shells from shrimp, crabs and other shellfish
- unpopped popcorn kernels
Do not put fibrous or starchy items in the disposal. Both can cause particularly stubborn drain blockages (fibers get tangled, and starches get thick). The following items should be put in the disposal in minimal increments, preferably cut into small pieces, or not at all:
- banana peels
- celery
- potato peelings
- corn husk or corn cobs
- onion skins and egg shells (unless you're especially careful to completely remove the thin membranes of each, which can wrap around the shredder ring)
Other items that are too hard, starchy or fibruous, and will jam the motor: stringy vegetables like celery, fibrous vegetables like artichokes, corn cobs or husks, coffee grounds, coffee filters, egg shells, twister seals off bread wrappers, vegetable ties, glass, screws, nails, utensils, cigarette butts, avocado seeds, fruit pits, clippings off flowers, paper, plastic, children's toys, bottle caps, washcloths, melon seeds, coins, rubber bands, hair, grease, pull tabs, string or sponges. Use common sense.
Cut large items into smaller pieces. If they are too large, like the skins of melons, cut them into smaller pieces and put them one at a time into the disposal instead of trying to shove a large amount in at once.
Run cold water while the disposal is on - keep disposer and water running for 30 to 60 seconds AFTER the waste matter has cleared YOUR drain...it still has a distance to go. Cold water keeps the motor, bearings and shredder assembly from overheating. It also lets the waste go down easier because the water is pushing it down. Don't use hot water, because it can melt fat and allow it to re-solidify as a blockage further down in the drain.
Throw some ice down once in a while. While ice will not sharpen the shredders (as is commonly believed), it does knock off any debris build-up on the sharp edges that keeps them from grinding food properly. For better results, make special ice cubes from pure lemon juice or vinegar or alternate with cleanser. Be sure to run cold water at the same time.
Clean it regularly.
- With the disposal off, clean the inner side of the rubber in the center of the sink leading to the disposal. It gets very dirty, and gives off an odor when not cleaned. Just wipe it with a paper towel.
Dispose orange peels, or any citrus fruit peels, to freshen the disposal and keep it smelling clean, but cut them into slices first as large pieces of citrus peel, e.g. half a lime, can jam a disposal.

[edit] Tips

If the disposal jams, turn off the power and look underneath the sink. There is a place in the center of the motor shaft, on the bottom of the unit, where you can use an allen wrench to manually turn the motor. Give the motor a few manual turns to get it unstuck. Remove the Allen wrench before you try to run the motor again. Also, press the reset button/ circuit breaker on the bottom of unit, if applicable.
Composting is a great alternative to using your disposal. When done properly, it doesn't create odors--it creates rich fertilizer for your garden or potted plants.
Don't toss lemons or limes in the garbage. When the citrus fruit in your fruit basket starts getting old save it for your disposal. Cut it into quarters and freeze in a plastic bag. Don't use fruit that is rotten but you can use fruit that may be too old for consumption. Every week or so add more fruit to the bag. Use the frozen pieces to toss into the disposal to freshen it. Make sure you label the bag. You can also use products from a grocery store that are designed to freshen your disposal. One product is a biodegradable bag filled with a cleaning powder that you drop into the disposal; it foams up as you run your garbage disposal with the faucet on.

[edit] Warnings

Don't put any utensils, non-food materials, or your hands in the disposal under any circumstances.
Don't touch the power switch while your hands are wet. This can cause a shock.
If you have a septic tank, you must adjust your tank pumping schedule for the use of a disposal.
Keep in mind that although this method may appear to reduce your garbage, it only moves the garbage downstream to be dealt with at your local sewage treatment plant or your septic system or, in a multi-family building, causing a potential problem for the neighbors beneath you. It also increases the amount of water you consume.
There are strict regulations on garbage disposal installation and use in many countries.
Some effluent disposal systems will not cope with the increased volume of water and organic waste resulting from the use of kitchen waste disposal units.