bazzz

Still trying to figure this one out. When we moved into this flat we were putting most of our food waste down there, but this led to a backed up sink about four times in six weeks. Now we thought we were following the instructions properly (including running plenty of water through) and the instructions seemed to imply that it would be able to take anything up to (and possibly including) a small dog. Anyway, it's now been replaced with a new SINKMASTER unit - ah, the joys of rentin- but we're a bit more wary now, particularly with things like banana skins.

So, um, what do you do?

Atlantic Xpat

Compost and Recycle.

Calgal

I wouldn't advise banana skins!!! True it does take most stuff, but I think the intention is more for scraps off your plate (ie soft foods).

As Ax says - go green and compost! You can even get small under sink composters:

http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page...27&cat=2,33140

jood

But if you're in a flat/apartment as is stated - what d'ya do with the resulting compost?

Mountain Girl

but they are soft?

dbd33

Chuck it out the window, no?

iaink

Donate it to someone who needs it? Apartments usually have some sort of building superintendent resposible for the grounds?

Maybe suggest some sort of central apartment composting thing..you dont want the stink in your living space anyway. Many cities collect compostable waste now anyway.

Calgal

Yeah, but it's quite fiberous; especially the 'stalk' at the end! That would give it a hard time. Like most things, there are differing models and quality. Builders usually put the cheapo ones in, of course.

I have managed to (accidentally) mangle a metal spoon before now. Not a good idea!

dbd33

OK. I confess, I've never seen a garburator. I think it's a thing like a blender mounted in the plug hole that chops up food scraps. What's the purpose though? What do you do with these smaller pieces of scraps that you couldn't do with the original pieces?

Mountain Girl

Uhhhh munch them in the muncher, then chuck em away.

Maybe its the fun factor of hearing the sharp blades . When you put it like that what IS the point?

iaink

You wash them away down the sewer. Large chunks can come back to haunt you, unlike liquidised waste.

MCrocker

Do not put rice down it - it continues to swell and there may be an explosion (well, a blockage anyway) - you have been warned

dbd33

Good grief. Don't they have green bins out there?

iaink

I think the device predates the whole green veneer that society has recently adopted?

Green bins? Hell, we dont even have sewers...just a steaming pile (of compost) out back. You dont want to clog up your septic system with all that stuff.

Calgal

The garburator "liquidises" much like a blender; and sends it down the waste pipe the same way the water goes. Hence no 'wet' garbage.