To keep garbage disposals operating properly follow these tips:

• Never pour fats or cooking oils into the disposal, they can solidify and choke drains.
• Wipe grease from pots with paper towels before washing.
• Don’t put poultry skins, celery, fruit or potato peels down the garbage disposal.
• Run cold water for 15 seconds before and after using the disposal to flush waste to the main sewer.
• Run the disposal when you put food debris into it. Don’t wait until it’s full to turn it on.