# What is "ok" to put through a sink disposal? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 3, 2025, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ok-to-put-through-a-sink-disposal/1024542 "2025-11-03T21:01:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2025, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ok-to-put-through-a-sink-disposal/1024542/161 "2025-12-17T03:00:28Z")
> [@md-2000](#): > > Fortunately, the voles and field mice are gone thanks to an alternate diet. I’ve heard of many different fad diets over the years but ISTM a diet of voles would be a PITA. Takes a dozen to make a single decent burrito. 😁 🤪 ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2025, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ok-to-put-through-a-sink-disposal/1024542/162 "2025-12-17T05:25:07Z")
I like to say that our squirrels are living the good life because their ancestors had the foresight to plant a lot of oak trees. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2025, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ok-to-put-through-a-sink-disposal/1024542/163 "2025-12-17T20:59:42Z")
There was one particular squirrel back in the 18th century who always carried a few acorns in his pocket, to plant some wherever he went, so that his descendants would never be short of ship wood nuts. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2026, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ok-to-put-through-a-sink-disposal/1024542/164 "2026-01-04T23:52:40Z")
It’s not unlikely that the methane is being used to power the physical plant. ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ok-to-put-through-a-sink-disposal/1024542/165 "2026-01-05T15:43:13Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I’ve heard of many different fad diets over the years but ISTM a diet of voles would be a PITA. Takes a dozen to make a single decent burrito. Actually, I feed them instead so they don’t disturb my lawn, with little feed boxes distributed around the property. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ok-to-put-through-a-sink-disposal/1024542/166 "2026-01-05T16:12:48Z")
When I had a compost heap, I also had a cat, who was rather skilled in the field of rodent control.. When he died, my one dog took on the rôle but by then I had also set up a vermiculture setup (aka worm farm) which effectively composted kitchen waste that my wife ineffectively used… despite her imterest in plants. Can’t win them all. ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ok-to-put-through-a-sink-disposal/1024542/167 "2026-01-05T17:50:22Z")
Many years ago, when I forst bought a house and knew nothing about composting, I just piled the grass clippings in a corner of the yard and occasionally tossed assorted garbage inside the pile. I was surprised to see that two years deep in the pile was intact clippings and unchanged greatfruit skins. (Now I have the internet to tell me what I’m doing wrong) ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ok-to-put-through-a-sink-disposal/1024542/168 "2026-02-02T17:39:01Z")
We are overrun with very large determined rats in our area, outside compost bins or piles just attract more of them. They chew through any container that isn’t sheet metal or better. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ok-to-put-through-a-sink-disposal/1024542/169 "2026-02-02T17:51:05Z")
> [@GargoyleWB](#): > > We are overrun with very large determined rats in our area, outside compost bins or piles just attract more of them. Same here. We can’t even feed the birds. (Well, we could. But we don’t.) ---
**Author:** ![abcdefghij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/43a26b/32.png) [@abcdefghij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abcdefghij)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ok-to-put-through-a-sink-disposal/1024542/170 "2026-02-02T19:25:50Z")
> [@GargoyleWB](#): > > We are overrun with very large determined rats in our area Are they [Rodents of Unusual Size](https://princessbride.fandom.com/wiki/R.O.U.S.)? ---
**Author:** ![ThisSpaceForRent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisspaceforrent/32/345_2.png) [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ok-to-put-through-a-sink-disposal/1024542/171 "2026-02-14T16:24:40Z")
[InSinkErator SS-1000 Basic Unit Disposer w/ 10 HP Motor, Stainless, 208v/3ph](https://www.katom.com/023-SS10002083.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=%5BROI%5D%20Dynamic%20Search%20-%20Top%20Cats&utm_id=9721080218&utm_content=149286812615&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=9721080218&gclid=Cj0KCQiA18DMBhDeARIsABtYwT2YFp2ZI7ZvirG-riroYdgBdMnoLZSd3qSczp1P5J8C__dbgw07gbQaAtutEALw_wcB) ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ok-to-put-through-a-sink-disposal/1024542/172 "2026-02-14T21:55:00Z")
These days I rinse everything over a mesh colander, trying to keep the slime out of the drains. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2026, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ok-to-put-through-a-sink-disposal/1024542/173 "2026-02-15T02:35:24Z")
What happens if slime goes down the drain? ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2026, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ok-to-put-through-a-sink-disposal/1024542/174 "2026-02-15T16:29:32Z")
It stinks. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2026, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ok-to-put-through-a-sink-disposal/1024542/175 "2026-02-15T18:53:54Z")
What does it smell like without the slime? ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2026, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ok-to-put-through-a-sink-disposal/1024542/176 "2026-02-15T19:30:08Z")
Do I really hafta explain the smells from a drain? What’s to fear, and is it queer I decline to sniff for odors? ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2026, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ok-to-put-through-a-sink-disposal/1024542/177 "2026-02-15T20:09:13Z")
With a bit more work I think there is a haiku in there somewhere. 😉 ETA: Maybe - _Must I explain why_ _the drain emits its foul smell?_ _I refuse to sniff._ ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2026, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ok-to-put-through-a-sink-disposal/1024542/178 "2026-02-15T20:40:48Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > _Must I explain why_ > _the drain emits its foul smell?_ > _I refuse to sniff._ Not bad. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2026, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ok-to-put-through-a-sink-disposal/1024542/179 "2026-02-15T20:48:14Z")
My intention was clear Unlike a sink drain No haiku for you ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2026, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ok-to-put-through-a-sink-disposal/1024542/180 "2026-02-15T20:48:45Z")
Thread winner! 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ok-to-put-through-a-sink-disposal/1024542.md?page=8)